Shawn wrote: > 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 agree. I think the make-up of the audience for the meetings will partly determine the direction of subsequent meetings. the more beginners, the more the topics will have to accomodate, while larger numbers of experienced programmers will likely lead to less beginner friendly topics to satisfy the needs of the audience. I think the nature this type of informal environment will lead to presentations on topics that the presenters find interesting and/or challenging. thus, it would be great if beginners were to step up and create some of the beginner presentations, maybe by partnering up with someone who also knows the subject. of course experienced programmers aren't experienced in everything and can create beginner presentations on topics that they themselves are beginners. > 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. before the presentations, it might help if the presenter were to post some links to resources that can help people come up to speed on a certain topic. to use your example, if you were to do your ""roadmap to web development" presentation, you should send some links to intro on html, intro on javascript, intro on http/cgi, etc. this way the audience can be more prepared. > So, you're point is well taken. I agree we MUST accomodate new programmers. > However, we must ALSO accomodate the experienced programmers. I think we must accomodate the audience, which may be both, or it may be end up being experienced. Dave _______________________________________________ clug-talk mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://clug.ca/mailman/listinfo/clug-talk_clug.ca
