BlackBerry Developer SPOTLIGHT – Łukasz Dzierżak
Edited by Shaheera Asante
Name: Łukasz Dzierżak
App: Package Tracking
Age: 24
Lives in: Gliwice, Poland
Passions: Mobile apps development, good books, movies and winter sports
Couldn’t get through the day without: My girlfriend & searching for inspiration for new games and apps
From building interesting shapes with Lego and video tape as a young boy, in Pyskowice, Poland - to building cool apps on the BlackBerry platform; developer Łukasz Dzierżak tells us how his early childhood passion for shapes, has all grown up.
What was your first childhood experience with computers?
I got my first computer, an Amiga 500 when I was 12 years old; I wrote my first applications in basic language. I remember there were no possibilities to save my code (I didn't have a hard drive), so everytime I'd write something, I needed to re-write all the code on paper. Probably, this first experience with coding, showed me what I'd like to do in the future.
Do you have a qualification in Computer Science and Technology or are you a self-taught coder?
I’m a bit of both. My first lines of code I created when I was a young boy, so in that way I’m self-taught, however, institutions gave me the answers to some of code nature questions, I always had. Now I have a Bachelor of Science degree, in Biomedical Engineering from University of Silesia and currently, I'm studying M.Sc. studies in Informatics there also.
Why do you like creating apps for the BlackBerry platform? What is the most exciting aspect for you?
In my experience, the best part of coding for the BlackBerry platform is the versatility of tools and languages with which I can create apps for that platform - Java, Webworks, HTML5 standard, and on playbook there is also the c/c++, adobe air, or android java technologies to choose from.
For me, the coolest and most exiting thing in creating apps for the BlackBerry platform is the developer community and support, and the large base of different type of customers around the world. Firstly, when I have a problem, I know where to find help; and I know that I will find many developers that will try to help me without any hesitation; that’s not the same with other platforms. Secondly, the knowledge I acquire to create an application that will suit so many different types of people in the world, is a great challenge; and as coders we need great challenges in our lives to evolve.
BlackBerry has been getting a lot of negative press these days, as a BlackBerry developer what would you say to critics of its platform?
I think that this question can't be fully answered, in my opinion only as an BB developer. It should be answered as both a BB developer and a consumer that uses smartphones. Yes, RIM and the BlackBerry brand has got a lot of negative press these days.
In my view, RIM has made some decisions that should have been made differently, of course the BlackBerry platform could be slightly different than it is now. However, does it mean that the actual state of RIM and BlackBerry is fatal? No, of course not. We’ve got the best support for their line of devices - you don't forget about them just a few months after their launch.
They (BlackBerrry), are commiting big effords to support their developers, not only in good times, but also when they have troubles. And most importantly, they (BlackBerry) always show developers the way they are evolving the BlackBerry platform ahead of the game, so we as developers, can prepare ourself and our ideas for the right time.
Are you planning to code on the new BlackBerry 10 Platform? What projects are you working on now?
Probably all current BlackBerry developers are planning to code something new and astonishing on the coming BlackBerry 10 platform. What developers need to remember is to adapt our current applications to this new environment. Our customers who use applications will want to use the same applications which they were using on the OS5/6/7 platforms. Beside that main fact, I'm currenty working on some new applications which will be ready for the big BlackBlackberry 10 platform release. So stay in touch 
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Łukasz will participate to the AppCircus at BlackBerry 10 Jam, an app competition powered by AppCircus that will take place during the BlackBerry 10 Jam conference on May 1 - 3rd, in Orlando, Florida USA. There's still three days left to register your app to this competition and get a the chance to win one of three $25,000 prize packages. Do it here!