Exactly 7 years ago we had our first Paris JUG meeting. It was held in a small room, already packed with 40 people. A few meetings later, we had to move to another venue, and another one, and another one. Today, 7 years after, the Paris JUG gathers more than 200 people during its monthly meeting. And today, I’m officially communicating that I’m leaving the Paris JUG team.

Everything started… well, a long time ago. When I studied in Brazil in 1997 there was already a Java community in the campus. Then, I moved to London where I lived for 2 years, and again, I discovered a vibrant Java community. When I moved back to Paris in 2002… I felt lonely. For years I wondered where my Java pals were, where I could find passionate developers, where I could exchange in a open manner. The Club Java was gone and the OSSGTP was not as opened as I wanted. In the meantime I was meeting JUG leaders at Devoxx Belgium… so I decided to create the Paris Java User Group : an NGO which goal was to gather passionate Java developers in Paris. Not only for technical content, but mostly so I wouldn’t feel lonely… and neither passionate developers. Together with David Dewalle and then Zouheir Cadi, I started the adventure… the team became bigger throughout the years (Nicolas, Charles, José, Claude, Tanguy…), the attendees happier, the community stronger… happy days!

Today, on top of developing at my customers, writing books, doing some training, being part of the JCP, postcasting… I’m concentrating on Devoxx France. All this takes a lot of time and energy. And I feel I can’t cope with the Paris JUG anymore…. so I’m stepping back and Charles, a long time team member full of energy, humour and ideas, is taking the lead role. I wish him the best, and most important, I wish him a lot of fun (that’s what kept me going for 7 years).

Enough writing! If I created the Paris JUG, it was to meet people and create a community. So I’ll leave you with a few photos of people.

The Paris JUG President is leaving, long live the President!

Antonio