There’s been a long time that I didn’t write anything. I saw my statics at Google Analytics and I lost the blog dynamic. This happens because my life shifts to Lisbon to work at Sapo.pt (the main Portugal portal). For now I can’t speak about the project in public however it’s pretty cool.

Beyond my work at Sapo have others project running like the Executive Education Program that I manage in IPAM, the classes that I give at IPAM and the consulting that I’m giving to Catholic University.

My promise is that I will give more steam to this blog about the subjects: digital marketing, software developing, software engineering, software architecture, IT issues/trends, IT Business models and Cloud-Computing.

See you soon…

Esta terça-feira dei uma entrevista ao Jornal de Noticias para o seu caderno de suplemento de Sábado JN:Negócios. A entrevista foi sobre redes sociais com ênfase em redes sociais profissionais. A entrevista foi muito agradável efectuada pelo Bruno Amorim e pela Alexandra Figueiredo.

Deixo a entrevista que dei! Espero não estar a quebrar um Direito de autor qualquer…

This decision is made because in the next weeks I’ll face two exams and I have to finish writing my look-a-like thesis in order to end my degree. This is my only concern and goal for the next two months.

The only distraction that I’ll have is Summer Supercomputing Institute in Coimbra University.

See you around… Don’t forget me

Hoje é véspera de São João aqui pelo Porto. Hoje à noite comesse umas sardinhas assadas com batata e broa com a família e vai-se para a zona ribeirinha ver o fogo de artificio à meia-noite. Depois, é diversão toda a noite com os amigos!

Contudo, o ultimo S. João que realmente comemorei foi há 4 anos atrás. Exacto, no Euro 2004! Foi um fantástico S. João com a rua cheia de estrangeiros, Porto campeão europeu e eu sem trabalhar! Adorei os holandeses… e holandesas…

2005, 2006 e 2007 tenho estado sempre a trabalhar de uma forma ou de outra. Desde a Vodafone até trabalhos académicos tudo me impediu de gozar uma das noites mais interessantes do Porto.

Este ano não necessito de trabalhar e já está tudo marcado para uma noite de arromba! Sim, mais vale gozar o que se tem porque para o ano com o ritmo que levo não deve dar…

Pela hora deste post já devem percebem que eu vou agora para a jantarada.

See you arround…

My look-a-like sabbatical to finish my degree in computing engineering is about to over and I have to define what I’m going to do in the future. In the last weeks some people are asking me that. For me this is a very hard decision. I’ll try to explain why.

70% of the issue is opportunity. Opportunities are made not born! So, I have to create my opportunity, be aware and be available for it. |Drilldown >> |However, to create an opportunity I have to be on the right place at the right time with the right skills. | Drilldown >> |To have the right skills I have to chose where I’ll invest my time and money for afterwards promote them in order to be on the right place and right time. | Drillup >> Drillup >> |To be aware of an opportunity I have to manage time to do it.| Drilldown >> | To have time, I have to define my priorities and the main thing that I’ll be doing. | Drillup >> Drillup >> |To be available I have to not accept concurrent opportunities or tasks. | Drilldown >> | So, I have to define my priorities and what I want to do in the following years.

As you may see it all comes to the definition what I like and want to do in order to create an ecosystem that allows professional and personal realization.

I think that for most people defining what to do is easier because they let the flow take them and only have to pray and work to not drawn. In other words, if you chose to follow a computer engineering degree you will be an engineer of something that comes out or you like in that particular field. In my case is not so simple.

I like programming, consulting, management, marketing and teaching! I don’t know any job that included all this fields in a way that you do some programming stuff, some IT consulting, assets (people and resources) management, marketing and some academic teaching. Ohhh… I almost forgot, I like to give talks! In my life I did all of this in several very different jobs.

Now you see what I’m through! I the top of this I want to take my master degree (second stage of Bolonha) and a MBA. Hummm… You certain are thinking that it’s impossible to find the job and company that can provide/facilitate all this! I’m not so naive and therefore I have to define.

I arrived to a point of my life that I need to have a main job (and not a bunch) that support my lifestyle and trying to continue studying. What to do??? What field to chose???

20% is your skills! With no false modesty I can say I’m pretty good in everything that I want to do! I ask myself what I like more and the answer is: I like everything but I like more if everything has technology and computer science on it!

10% is age! I’m almost 25 years and my youth is passing by! Opportunities are indexed to the age.

I have some invitations and I’ll have to take one! Can someone help me???

PS: as a dear professor of mine said: Bruno your world is not here (Portugal)! I’m starting to think so…

Hi all,

I leave Vantyx System 14 days after I started because Vantyx didn’t honor the commitment made me.

That’s life…

END UPDATE

Hi all,

As you certainly know I was searching for an internship in a Portuguese company at Porto. I’ve had some invitations and some disappointments too. The internship quest was hard because every company that I was called to an interview wants me at Lisbon or even outside of the country, like London. At this time of my life it’s not possible because I don’t finished my degree and because leaving Portugal right now, it has to be a good proposal. I really like to live here

In some interviews I was given as “over skilled”!!! This was my main disappointment because I’ve worked all the past five years to be an excellent worker with high level technical knowledge and great soft skills. I hoped that was my key to the market and now I see that the market doesn’t want mature worker leaving the degree but naive students without any experience of the real world to format them for life!

That’s right I’m 24 years old, I worked for Vodafone, GFI Portugal, CEASE, self- employee as software developer, I’m Microsoft Student Partner, I’m was a speaker at several events and still I’m finishing my degree. I’m very proud about my CV and I really like to improve it during my all life. As a teacher of my said: “Bruno, your place isn’t in Portugal, look across the ocean and there you willfind your place”. Sorry about the revolt!!! In the end of the day these companies have to consider the investment that they would have to do on me and the probability that I leave. Yes, I think that I have some skills for a new engineer however I don’t think that I so good for that. I have a lot to prove…

But in the end everything comes together with Vantyx Systems that give me a shot to prove my potential. I’m an Integration & Migration System Consultant and my job is:

Greater part of the work performed is based on Microsoft .NET and the latest technologies available. The role entails all aspects of software development activity such as programming, data migration and integration, development participation, parameterization, configuration, unit tests and documentation under senior supervision. It also contributes towards building and maintaining relationships with existing and prospective customers, as well as analyzing problems and presenting solutions.

I’m working with Accipiens, an application for specialize credit and I’m starting with the workflow. Note that in Vantyx I’m not an intern I’m a worker as everyone else. However I use my job at Vantyx to finish my degree. I have to thank to Rui Craveiro and Francisco Martins for this opportunity.

Now I‘ll do my very best to ensure Vantyx that I’m a good bet. Lets see how it goes…

I was invited by Ana Paula Cruz to be a lecturer at a Pos-Graduation “Brand Management” at IPAM Porto on the module “Branding, Web and Multimedia”.

My first call will be next 2 April and I’m expecting that my students like the theme and the way that I’ll give the class!

I’m back! I was away for quite a long time of the blog because I was overwhelmed of work but for a good reason: I’m finishing my degree. Is still missing this semester exams, next February, and the internship.

I’m very eager with my new career…

Wish me luck…

Today I don’t want to write about technology… I need to write about life in real world, or something like that. This happens because man is made of flesh and bones, even if some people pass the image that we are made more of bones than flesh.

For that, I leave you with my favorite poem written by Alvaro Campos, a Fernando Pessoa heteronym:

“The Tabacco Shop”

I’m nothing.

I’ll always be nothing.

I can’t want to be something.

I have in me all the dreams of the world nevertheless.

I really feel like Alvaro Campos…

Today I bring you an intership program that I would like to be part of: Vulcanos.

The programme consists of industrial placements for EU students. It starts in September and ends in August of the following year in order to accommodate the academic year in EU Member States.
The students follow:

- a one-week seminar on “Japan”;

- a four-month intensive Japanese language course;
and then an eight-month traineeship in a Japanese company

Objectives

- to study the range of advanced technologies employed by a leading Japanese host company;

- to learn Japanese and to understand and appreciate Japanese culture with a view to an enriching one year experience abroad;

- to be well placed in your future career to interact with Japanese businesses and people.

This is a huge oportunity that I’m thinking about! And you?

For more information about the Vulcanus program:  www.eujapan.com/europe/vulcanus_japan.html

Since I remember dreaming, I always dreamed about space. In fact, I had lots of books and watched all TV shows about space. When I was I child I loved two differences stuff: space and dinosaurs. I didn’t know how to read but I loved to think and debate these issues. Yes, yes… when someone ask me what I wanted to be when I was a grownup I answered: scientist or an astronaut. A few years later this answer changed to: be the boss!!!

But yesterday I was watching Wired Science show with Adam Rogers and this deep passion came to my head/heart! The show was about buying a space Satellite and the process around it. I thought: I really need one of these. Hence, I’ve watched the show very focus however my hopes were becoming broken every time he asked: “How it costs…”

Look at the numbers:

- Satellite: $250M (it depends of the add-ons)

- Satellite launch: $100M (its depend of the satellite weight)

- Dish farm: $100M

- Slot in space: $100M/year

- Insurance: $25M

- Attorneys: lot of many

In average it costs an half billion American dollars without high definition!!! Note that your Satellite may not arrive to the slot; the satellite has 15 years of life; you must add operation costs;

Even so, companies prefer to buy this equipments than rent it because is substantial cheaper!!!

So BTSat may not become a reality. Watch the show:

And if you didn’t click you must be wondering what it does. Click it and make the difference too.

This project it’s quite simple:

The i’m™ Initiative from Windows Live Messenger™ makes helping your favorite cause as easy as sending an instant message. Every time you start a conversation using i’m, we share a portion of our advertising revenue with some of the world’s most effective social cause organizations. Each of our partners will get a minimum of $100,000. As for the maximum? There is none. The sky’s the limit.

It’s simple. It’s free. You IM, we give.

src: http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/

But how it works?

i’m starts with you. When you start an i’m conversation you start giving.

1 Download the Windows Live Messenger instant messenger service. There’s no charge and it’s easy to download and use.

2 Place the text code corresponding to the cause of your choice into your Display Name.

3 Keep having i’m conversations so you can keep funding the cause doing the work most important to you

Quite simple, isn’t it? So far, since March 2007 it was raised $201,186.67… So little to a huge community like IM!

What are you waiting to leave my website and start giving?

I’ll write the next text in portuguese because the event Microsoft SilverLight & ImagineCup 2008 is for the students of my campus.

Posto isto, “falemos” um pouco do evento que vai ocorrer no ISEP dia 13/11/2007…

Já todos devem ter recebido um e-mail do Prof. Paulo Sousa com a indicação que dia 13/11/2007 irá ser realizado um evento da responsabilidade da Microsoft Portugal onde serão apresentados os produtos SilverLight e Visual Studio 2008 e de seguida o concurso ImagineCup 2008.

O SilverLight é um parser que interpreta XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language) que é nada mais nada menos que uma linguagem declarativa baseada em XML. Esta linguagem tem uma poderosa descrição dos objectos assim como a relação inter e intra-objectos que podem ainda estar associados a uma timeline (não a um timeframe, existem claras diferenças). Quando escrevo “objectos” não estou a espeficar se são 2D ou 3D uma vez que para o XAML é indiferente. Inclusive aproveito para deixar a mensagem que a Microsoft tem por objectivo quebrar a enorme fronteira entre 2D e 3D e o XAML é a solução. Os XAML files podem ser desenvolvidos em Visual Studio (2005 com extensões ou o 2008), com o Blend ou até mesmo pelo Notepad uma vez que XAML é meramente um ficheiro de XML (excepto com é compilado para .bamal) com uma marcação para user interface. Para desenvolverem mais conhecimentos sobre XAML deixo alguns links:

• http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms747122.aspx 
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/07/06/Silverlight/default.aspx?loc=pt

Aconselho ainda a passar pelos webcasts que têm lá muita informação tutorial.

Mas voltando ao SilverLight falta ainda escrever que é um plugin que está associado aos browsers e que permite RIA (Rich Internet Applications) com uma qualidade fantástica. Podemos fazer um paralelo do SilverLight com o Adobe Flash mas com inúmeras diferenças que no meu ver dão clara vantagens ao SilverLight. E para já mais não escrevo pois deixo ao expert Nuno Godinho. (Mais tarde irei dissertar mais sobre este assunto que muito me atrai).

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Silverlight

http://silverlight.net/GetStarted/

http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/default.aspx#1_0

O segundo assunto que será abordado é o Visual Studio 2008 e espero que um pouco de .Net 3.5! Era bom não era. Vamos ver se o Pedro Rosas dá um cheirinho O Visual Studio 2008 (code name Orcas) é o novo ciclo do produto  Visual Studio com inúmeras novas funcionalidades. O overview destas funcionalidades pode ser visto AQUI!

Bem, afinal o Pedro não deve ter tempo para o .Net 3.5… Vamos tentar arrasta-lo outra vez ao ISEP ou pedir-lhe um webcast sobre .Net 3.5, que dizem?

A última parte do evento será apresentada por mim que é o ImagineCup 2008. O tema é “Ambiente” e a Microsoft convida “imaginar um mundo onde a tecnologia permita um meio ambiente sustentável”. Mas existem categorias que não são necessariamente para as pessoas de IT mas para qualquer um como as categorias de Fotografia e Filme de Curta-Metragem. Não vou escrever mais senão fico sem o que apresentar.

Deixo só um link da ImagineCup 2008 e convido-vos todos a comparecer. 

The post that I present was taken from Prof. Paulo Sousa blog that make me think a lot.

This week I came across a fabulous little parable about the black belt in martial arts. As with any parable, it’s not the story that matters but the lessons you take from it. The story goes like this:

A young martial artist kneeling before the Master Sensei in a ceremony to receive a hard-earned black belt. After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the discipline.

“Before granting the belt, you must pass one more test,” says the Sensei.

“I am ready,” responds the student, expecting perhaps one final round of sparring.
“You must answer the essential question: What is the true meaning of the black belt?”
“The end of my journey,” says the student. “A well-deserved reward for all my hard work.”
The Sensei waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. Finally, the Sensei speaks.
“You are not yet ready for the black belt. Return in one year.”

A year later, the student kneels again in front of the Sensei.
“What is the true meaning of the black belt?” asks the Sensei.
“A symbol of distinction and the highest achievement in our art,” says the student.
The Sensei says nothing for many minutes, waiting. Clearly, he is not satisfied. Finally, he speaks.
“You are still not ready for the black belt. Return in one year.”

A year later, the student kneels once again in front of the Sensei. And again the Sensei asks: “What is the true meaning of the black belt?”
“The black belt represents the beginning - the start of a never-ending journey of discipline, work, and the pursuit of an ever-higher standard,” says the student.
“Yes. You are now ready to receive the black belt and begin your work.”

It is actually a story about continous improvement and continous learning and you can apply it to several dimensions of your personal and professional life. Today, I’ll just reflect on it from a “software architect” perspective.

Most of the developers out there nowadays wish to become Architects and see that as their ultimate goal, maybe becoming Chief Software Architect for a major corporation. As with any goal in life or business we must adopt a somewhat humble posture, and recognize that the journey is just beginning and we’ll still make errors, make wrong decisions and specially learn a lot more when we achieve it.

I, as a student, and far away of a black belt can only say that’s hard to control our thoughts and our ambition. Being humbled is hard for those who are always passing challenges and trying to be better over and over again. Hence, I’m the kind of person who likes to experience all type of knowledge and continuous learning. That’s why I’m always saying that I need to find a job that continues to motivate me and giving me different kind of challenges. I try every day to put my personal objectives a little higher. Some people thinks that I like to feel frustrated… I’m starting to see their point of view.

It’s with great honor, pride and responsibility that I announce that I’m officially a Microsoft Student Partner (MSP)!

Once it was asked, if I want to be a Microsoft Student Partner, I was a little bit reluctant because I wasn’t sure if I had the capacity, know-how and the profile for the task. But, even so, I accepted Ricado Calejo (last year MSP) invitation and I sent him my CV and presentation letter in order to apply for the 33 opened positions. Later on, Miguel Vicente (program manager) has contacted me explaining the program and asked for my presence in Microsoft Portuguese headquarters to be interviewed. The interview was a success and since that moment I’m a Microsoft Student Partner.

During the interview it was spoken about the Microsoft Mission and Values:

Our Mission

At Microsoft, our mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential. Everything we do reflects our mission and the values that make it possible.

Our Values

As a company, and as individuals, we value:

• Integrity and honesty.
• Passion for our customers, our partners, and technology.
• Openness and respectfulness.
• Taking on big challenges and seeing them through.
• Constructive self-criticism, self-improvement, and personal excellence.
• Accountability to customers, shareholders, partners, and employees for commitments, results, and quality.

I saw myself in these values and that told me that I’d like to be part of this team. This goes beyond all benefits that this “job” can bring me, because is what makes me feel at home and motivated inside an organization. We are all working for the same, with the same direction and always with stars on our eyes!

But, what’s a Microsoft Student Partner?

The Student Partners Program is an elite job opportunity offered to technology-enthusiastic students. Individuals that take part in this Microsoft student representative program understand and are passionate about Microsoft technologies and platforms. (…) Participating students share their knowledge and influence others by organizing a number of on-campus activities including technical presentations, and by increasing product awareness on campus. During the one-year commitment students will help plan, organize and execute launch events, tech-talks and other activities. Student Partners will become the voice of Microsoft on campus; they will be expected to interact with their peers as well as faculty and assist students with use of Microsoft technologies.

http://gaim.umbc.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/volt07.pdf

What are the qualifications needed:

Students considered for the program must be

• Passionate about technology
• Able to influence others
• Willing to share knowledge
• Proactive
• Outgoing, well-connected with his/her peers and faculty
• A good presenter, comfortable speaking in front of crowds
• Organized and responsible, independent and collaborative worker

http://gaim.umbc.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/volt07.pdf

I still don’t know if I have the capacity, know-how and the profile for the task, only time will tell, however I’ll do my best to not disappoint Microsoft bet on me.

Thank you for the chance and let’s work together. I’m looking forward to meet the other MSP’s and start working with them!

First let me thanks to all of you that send me supportive e-mails and new projects. I’m having proposals of work that I never could expect have and that fills my heart and mind full of joy and proud. However, I can’t accept anymore projects in order to provide the accepted projects a good follow up! Note that I’m just a student and I don’t have all time in the world because I really need to study and finish my degree. So, I’m really sorry for all projects that are being rejected! If I had enough time, I do all projects…

For now, I’m only accepting proposals for internships, that will start in next January, from recognizable companies. I’m searching for a company that can give me good work conditions, high tech environment, possibility to execute my actual know-how and above all that can increase my know-how!!! I’d be always a student and I truly need to be learning in order to be motivated. If you like my CV, my personality, if you review your company in this terms and if you think that I can help, be free to contact me!

Once again, thank you all!!!

Take a look and see for yourself!

Thanks to all the Tivoli staff team and guest for the great time I had there. I’ll return soon, maybe in the end of August.

For now, you can comment are visit me more often because this website will have a lot of new things to see and comment!

I’m going on vacation this week, therefore, no comments will be approved till then because I won’t take my laptop with me and more stuff will not be ready. That’s right, this blog was opened last week and I’m already tired!

When I arrive, I will update my webportfolio, post some programming code and increase the rhythm of blogin. Till then, if you find some errors in my English or anything else please leave me a message!

The clock doesn’t stop, tick tack tick tack, and the beach it’s waiting for me. bye… till next week…