The Apache Software Foundation
TAC
Big Data stories from past Travel Assistance Recipients ¶
This is part of our series of stories from past ApacheCon and Apache Big Data attendees whom the Apache Travel Assistance committee helped be at the event. To learn more about TAC, visit the main TAC page. For more stories, see the TAC stories index page.
Keren Ouaknine ¶
What’s your name?
Keren Ouaknine
Which ApacheCon/Apache event did you attend?
ApacheCon in Miami, FL 2017.
What Apache project(s)/Open Source Software project(s) are you involved in?
Apache AsterixDB, Apache Pig
Were you a student/academic at the time of ApacheCon?
Yes, Phd candidate at the Hebrew University.
Where in the world are you from?
Israel
What would you say to someone thinking of applying to TAC for the first time?
Apply, Apply!
ApacheCon is a unique opportunity to have great discussions with many open-source-committed people. I was grateful for the privilege to learn about the Apache community and projects. The total number of sessions and topics covered in those three conference days was mind-blowing and I can clearly remember us TAC-ers did not want it to end!
What unexpected things did you learn at ApacheCon?
Quick anecdote: I volunteered to help with the registration desk on the first day of the conference along with a friend. Naturally, I familiarized myself with many of the attenders, their names, workplace/organization. Following which, I no longer felt like a wandering soul, seeking to find a female peer to socialize with (as often happens on conferences of this scale). Instead, I was part of the TAC-ers: a united, incredibly nice, talented and organized group. During the registration process, more TAC-ers joined to help with the load and together we mastered the incoming stream with ease and good spirits!
I cherish the friendship with all the TAC members and organizers and will keep a very fond memory of this conference.
Yash Sharma ¶
What’s your name?
Yash Sharma
What Apache project are you involved in?
I am a contributor to Apache Drill and Apache Calcite, and a committer to Apache Lens.
Where in the world are you from?
India.
What was the best bit about ApacheCon?
The best bit is definitely meeting the best people from around the globe who share the same passion for software and sharing. It’s great listening to experienced senior programmers and the interesting use cases they have been solving.
What was the best new project you heard about at ApacheCon?
I heard about Apache Lens for the first time @ApacheCon Austin and started contributing to it. Now I am a proud Committer to the project.
How has TAC and ApacheCon helped your studies/research/career?
I used to be a newbie contributor to Apache when I started off. Being at Apache con I was more motivated than ever. I started into serious contribution mode and made it a practice to devote some time to the community. I have been learning a lot of new things every day thanks to ApacheCon and my friends in projects @ApacheDrill, @ApacheLens and @ApacheCalcite. Loads of thanks to TAC for this opportunity by virtue of which all of this was possible.
Jeff Genender ¶
What’s your name?
Jeff Genender
What Apache project are you involved in?
Camel, CXF, ServiceMix, Mina, TomEE, ActiveMQ
Where in the world are you from?
Colorado
What was the best bit about ApacheCon?
Great opportunity to meet others on projects from all over the world and put names to faces
Who was the best person you met at ApacheCon, and why?
Everyone… because everyone is cool. ;-)
What unexpected things did you learn at ApacheCon?
Code with beer
What was your favourite non-talk part of ApacheCon?
Keynotes and networking
What would you say to someone thinking of applying to TAC for the first time?
Highly recommended. It’s a great way to get to these events when funds may be short. It’s an opportunity.
What did your project get from having you at ApacheCon?
Meeting with some of the folks and being able to talk about things that may take more time than on the lists. Being able to exchange ideas before bringing them to the community. Face to face can have a huge impact on attitude and interaction moving forward, and it’s something that can be bestowed to the projects. Sometimes it’s tough to put tone in email, so it’s good to share in a personal manner.
What new things did you get into thanks to ApacheCon?
I wouldn’t say it got me into anything new, but certainly underscored my feelings about Apache and the value it brings to me and my contributions. It re-invigorates about why we do the things we do in open source and the impact it has on the world.