I'm currently between jobs, having not been programming for a few years. Despite having ~9 years Java experience, I'm finding these podcasts incredibly useful, both as a refresher course for the real-world horrors that are interviews, and as an introduction to some technologies that I haven't yet used in production. (e.g. Spring, Agile, Hibernate).
Although Trevor definitely has the 'waffle' bit set, as pointed out by another reviewer ('waffle' means 'talk at length, often in a meandering way', T ;), I find he's interesting and pleasant to listen to. In fact, I've listened to a few online courses which DO stay 100% on topic, and they seem dry and dull by comparison. So purleeease keep some of the 'human element' in these podcasts, lest they shrivel up, turn out the lights, and end up like a frog in a bag. (I have no idea what this simile means either; it was used by a very old and crusty professor at a college wine tasting many, many years ago, and I've been using it ever since, hoping it will fit appropriately on at least one occasion.)
The podcast format is simply great for these talks; something I would not have believed until I started listening to HtPwJ. I've recently taken to walking for excercise ~5 miles a day, and this podcast means that time is doubly useful. Since I walk mostly in fairly narrow lanes, I've got to keep half an ear out for tractors, randomly large lorries, and insane old ladies who probably only drive once a year, but to the best of my knowledge I've not been actually run over by anything yet. And I've learned a whole load at the same time as getting less unfit. Win win.
Trevor is great at explaining complex issues verbally; a skill lacking in many technically oriented people, and even people in general. But what really shines through is his enthusiasm and energy for communicating these ideas. He's also willing to say 'I don't know' where appropriate; this is what in my mind distinguishes a great coder (or any professional) from a merely reasonable one; acknowledging that you don't know everything, but understand the problem and how to go looking for the answer.
I was especially pleased to come back after a bit of a break, thinking that the podcasts were drying up, and find that Hibernate was being discussed. There are 3 technologies which seem to be in constant demand in the Java job-space here in Blightly; Spring, JSP/other web stuffs, and Hibernate. So it's great to at least be able to 'talk the talk' on these after listening a few times (ok; quite a lot of times) to these podcasts.
Please keep up the great work!
Just remember; "With an interest to learn (and a good pair of shoes) you too can become a Java programmer with absolutely no [prior] knowledge of programming. And lose a few pounds of weight into the bargain."
