coding

by Winston Ash on Coding

React Part II: @Codecademy

What a difference knowledge makes.

 
A little and you’re dangerous, add more for skills.
 
The first section is practical theory. Second section needs to be more interactive. What I’m missing are use cases or mini projects. Applying my new skills.
 
Putting my learning to the test will force me to see how much I learned. And that’s the goal. Making a useful product. Not learning, for learning’s sake.
 
So, the question remains.
 

What do I build with my new skills?

 
Appreciate some feedback. Must be measurable and not too long. Let’s say less than 40 hours of work.
 
by Winston Ash on Coding

#Coding Update

Coding is fun yet hard. 

Sometimes I get to sections I have no clue about. Stopping to think it through helps. Most times I just need to let my brain rest. 

Learning the skills is great when I can practically apply what i learned. 

HTML and CSS are easy because I grab my text editor and start building websites. Even if they never see the light of day the process is helpful. 

That’s how I learn best. Attacking projects that put my skills to the test. And then, when I get stuck. Read-Search-Ask in that order and usually I can figure it out. 

My goal is to be skilled enough to be a software engineer. Maybe I will use that skill set as a job or maybe I will build a business around it. Either way I’m learning. 

I plowed through a few courses the first few weeks of the year. Taking a two day break now. 

Then on to learning my first Framework: React. 

 
by Winston Ash on Coding

Computer Education

So, 2017 is the year I take my learning to the next level.

I am fascinated by computers, the web, code, and the application of engineering, coding, and business to old problems. My goal: solve aold problems with new tech.

Think about it. Here are the parameters. The problem has to be labor intensive and equipment intensive.

Top problems I like:

  1. Recycling – How to get the most material out of the residue stream and into recycable material.
  2. Landscaping – How to reduce the need for labor intensive work by cost effectively allowing autonomus machines to do the work
  3. Transportation – Reducing the cost per mile through smart planning
  4. Repairs – Scheduling repairs instead of incurring the cost of unplanned downtime.

So, these problem are diverse, but all have a similar theme; elimination of waste. My goal is to do the right thing in the best way possible. And the only way to know that is to have internal tracking to show progress.

Great problems whose solution leads to better life on the planet. Yes, these are small problems. Yet, there solution is elegant and creates opportunity out of boring industries.

Let’s upturn the established order and do it better.

So, let’s start with Computer Education.

I need to be able to express my ideas and get traction in the world. So, marketing becomes my number one priority. To keep costs low. I want to learn as much about computers, coding, and websites as possible.

Computer Education:

  • Codecademy – Javascript, Learn Ruby on Rails, Deploy a Website – Basically everything on here is valuable to learn
  • Hootsuite Academy
  • Google Analytics Academy
  • Free Code Camp

This is the start. I’ll keep documenting my advances.

My portfolio of work is available for your viewing pleasure @ CodePen: http://codepen.io/webzkidd19/

 
by Winston Ash on #Life Lessons, Coding

#Coding: My Learning Experience

As I visit websites, I get this feeling that I could do that. Beautiful words on the web that communicate what someone is thinking from miles away. And my curiosity peaked. How do I make those ideas I have in my head come to fruition? This starts my journey into learning to code. The why, curiosity. The reason I stayed with it. Now that’s a story. code camp

Where do I start?

I guess I have to start with the question, “What is my goal?” At this point, I don’t know. Actually, that’s not true. I want to be able to do what these people are doing online. Make websites. Create cool infographics. Persuade. Talk. And just have a good time. Be able to take what is in my head and put it out into the world with no filter except the ones I impose.

Ok, that’s a good start. Now, how do I learn this stuff?

Easy, I didn’t want to spend money. So, I’m looking for free resources. Google to the rescue. “Learn to Code for Free”. First item up, Codecademy. Sounds good. So this is where I start. Nothing hard about this. Breeze through a few lessons. By “breeze” I mean bang my head on the keyboard until correct answers are on the screen.

Next up,  Free Code Camp to learn some Front End Development. This is where I am at now. And boy does this get hard quick. As of now, I am on Day 8. Deep into Javascript and Algorithms. And I remember why I don’t like math. It makes me feel stupid. Yet, learning to code with math is a lot easier. I have to know the logic and the computer will do the rest. +1 for me.

What to “Focus On”?

Simple, just follow the maps and progressions of these two sites.

Codecademy:

  1. Goals – For the Basics
  2. Web Developer Skills

Free Code Camp:

  1. Front End Development Certification

What’s Next?

I’m deep into learning front-end development. Taking that information and making projects. Anytime I have an idea for a project I start coding it. Some will end up in the trash. But maybe one will be the idea that sparks something amazing. 

Daily, I come back to learning how to code. One day, I will be a professional with all that entails. Until that time, I keep learning, trying new things, and making mistakes.

[Tweet “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”] Some guy named Albert Einstein said that. Lol.

My advice if you are starting out on this journey. It is not about the destination so much as the process to get there. Enjoy yourself. Take it serious, but have fun with it. And learning something new teaches you about yourself. Take that with you and you will be a better person for it.