More CoRecursive: Coding Stories episodes
Published 2 Jan 2026
Duration: 37:40
A programmer shares experiences working on technical projects at NASA and Google, including challenges with developing AdWords in Java and lessons learned from career growth and setbacks.
Ron Garret left JPL for a 100-person startup he'd just discovered on Usenet. Four a.m. alarms. Burbank to San Jose on Southwest. A rented room in Susa...
The podcast episode explores several technological and professional experiences, starting with the use of Lisp in space projects at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It then shifts to the early development of Google AdWords, including the challenges faced during its creation. The speaker shares their personal journey with Java, detailing their initial reluctance to use the language and the unexpected assignment to develop AdWords in Java without prior production experience. They describe the difficulties encountered, such as Java's tooling limitations, a steep learning curve, and high-pressure situations, particularly when dealing with billing and accounting errors that required urgent solutions. The narrative also touches on the broader challenges of working in a startup environment and the founding of Google. Finally, the speaker reflects on their career path, including their eventual return to JPL, personal growth, and missed opportunities, while expressing appreciation for the audience's support.
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