Hi Dave, I'm hearing this from a few people. To address this, I would like to suggest that we not cover specifics like "Learn to code in PHP in 1 hour" (which leads to a classroom type setting), but cover a generalization like "PHP routines I found useful". In this way, the newbies will get some theory, but still have access to the not-so-newbies for guidance and mentoring. The intent isn't to train people how to code, but to share programming related knowledge and help point people to resources to learn more, or train themselves. A presentation to teach HTML can easily take a full day or more to cover all the nuances, so a lesson like this probably won't work out. However, a "Tricks with HTML" type of lesson would probably be beneficial, and could be done in a short time.
I'd like the presentations to be more for general knowledge, specifically so we don't alienate people who don't care for the topic being discussed. I doubt I would show up for a meeting on HTML or Javascript. I can easily give a presentation on these topics, but there would be others not interested. (that said, I'm willing to give a "roadmap to web development" presentation for new programmers...) The problem is that we have both new programmers, who want to learn, and experienced programmers who are looking to expand their skill sets. We want our meetings to be suitable for both. I'm hoping that the experienced programmers might mentor the new programmers and help accellerate their learning, as well as converse with other experienced programmers and discuss more advanced issues. If the meetings aren't at least partially suitable for the experienced programmers, then they will not show up. If that were to happen, then I would consider the SIG a failure (my own opinion). I'm open for suggestions on how to make it work for both levels of programmers. Thus far, I think the best option is to do two presentations at each meeting. One for new programmers, and one for experienced programmers. Now, if you were to show up at a meeting, and pull me aside to ask your questions, I'd be happy to dump as much knowledge as you can take in a single setting.. :D (keeping in mind that while I may be experienced, there is always more to learn, and I've been known to be wrong on occasion.) Then, hopefully you would talk with other programmers on the same topic to get a different point of view. That's one of the things that is fun with programming - each developer has a different way of looking at a problem/solution, and every one of them is valid. So, you're point is well taken. I agree we MUST accomodate new programmers. However, we must ALSO accomodate the experienced programmers. Shawn (ps. there is no "best language" or "best method" - the question should be more posed as "what is the best tool to use to solve my problem, within the constraints of the problem", where the constraints are things like time, cost, current knowledge, and current environment. Message me off list if you'd like to discuss this more). -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Dave Watkins Sent: Friday, March 05, 2004 11:45 PM To: 'CLUG General' Subject: RE: [clug-talk] Special Interest Group for Programming? Good day All, I for one would be interested in looking at this IF it was targeted towards the person that had never coded before. I have looked at this before and quite frankly have been lost in the dust by individuals that certainly know how to code but do not how to help someone learn how to code. At this point I should say that apart from a Pascal course many years ago that I totally forget... I know absolutely nothing about the topic. I'd be interested in a format that basically started @ ground zero and worked up from there. Something similar to what one would expect if it was "The first step into the void". Things like this: What's programming? What code's best for what? What's the best code to start learning? Etc etc It's late, I'm tired and not sure if y'all get the meaning. Shout if you need clarification. Cheers, Dave Watkins Calgary, Alberta, Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.davewatkins.net Voice: 403-701-5746 Fax: 403-266-0626 Hardware/Software Sales, Service & Support Electronics Restoration Specialists _______________________________________________ clug-talk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca
