clay johnston

So I decided to try something new…iPhone application development.  I’ve had an iPhone since the week after it was launched and I have an unnatural relationship with it.  It is an amazing device and I would marry it if I were legalized in the state of Minnesota.

So, my first step was to find out if I could handle this.  I am not a traditional software developer.  I have built a pant-load of web sites and some pretty robust web-based applications, but traditional software development isn’t my bag.  I started with signing up for the iPhone developer program, got some book recommendations and read tons of blogs.  I picked up Beginning iPhone Development: Exploring the iPhone SDK and Learn Objective–C on the Mac (Learn Series) from Amazon.  I am only on Chapter 4 after needing to let Chapter 3 sink in…twice, but now I think I am “getting it”.

Another GREAT resource I have found is Dan Girgsby’s site Mobile Orchard.  Dan and the crew over there have put together a fantastic site and amazing podcast.  They interviewed the authors of the iPhone book mentioned above and I found it valuable to listen to multiple times.  Next week, Dan is holding a 2 day workshop on beginning iPhone development.  I was lucky enough to get a spot along with an old friend who is also learning along side me.  From what I have picked up on Dan’s site and podcasts, this should be a great learning experience.  I hope I have multiple “ah-ha” moments because I will need them.

Most people ask me if I have any ideas for a killer app.  I do have an idea for some apps that aren’t so outrageously out of control that I would never be able to finish.  I will start with those and most likely give them away for free.  I didn’t start this with an app in mind.  I started because I love to learn new things.   If you have known me for any length of time, you know that I like to have multiple hobbies.  Here are a few still active hobbies…

• Fly Fishing
• Photography
• Building Arcade Cabinets
• Web Development
• Video Editing
• Graphic Design
• Playing Music (guitar mostly)
• Geocaching
• Remote Control Aircraft (Planes and Helicopters)
• Golfing

So wish me luck and you never know, this hobby just may be what I stick with for years to come….or it may not, but it will be fun making mistakes and learning from them.  I know..cheesy…but true!