Whle some learn best by book, some of us don't. Even in college, I had to write notes from my readings and to study I would rewrite my notes, as retarded as that sounds. Just reading nor hearing a teacher in class make things click for me. It is a weird combination of all of those, plus doing it.
Even now, I am listening to CF podcasts, articles, keeping an eye on lists like these and local user groups in order to attempt to keep the skillset sharp. So whatever method works for you is what you should do. But always keep some reference books handy and start building your list of bookmarks! :)
Mary-Catherine
To: discussion@acfug.org
From: Charlie Arehart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent by: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: 06/17/2006 05:53PM
Subject: RE: [ACFUG Discuss] Learning Cold Fusion
Thank you for that, Dean. I'm especially pleased to hear that I've been of
help to you, seeing how much you now give back to the community. And that is
indeed the way it ought to be. I was motivated to get into user groups
because I learned so much from them, starting in the early 80's in my
mainframe career--yes, we had user groups back then, and mailing lists, and
even electricity. :-) Seriously, though, that cycle of learning and giving
back has been so valuable.
As to Jeremy's suggestion in his earlier note regarding SQL books, I would
have to counter that Joe Celko's books are definitely more for those who
have achieved not just the basics but really is ready to go well beyond
that. Certainly great stuff, but like recommending the Gang of Four book as
someone's first foray in to Design Patterns (Head First would be a better
choice there). Instead, I'd recommend Ben Forta's "Teach Yourself SQL in 10
Minutes". If you read the spotlight review at Amazon, mine from 2000, you'll
see why I like it so much, and it's in its 3rd edition now.
Otherwise, Jeremy makes fine points, as confirmed and added to by Dean and
Rick.
As for books, you mentioned Ben's CFWACK and it's indeed a classic. You can
find discounted copies of that, and The CFMX Bible (done by the Churvises,
Hal Helms, and myself), and many other good CF books (like the Oreilly one)
online.
And don't forget the free manuals that come with CF, and more than just the
"reference". There's a real "user guide" to CF, CFML, coding, and more,
that's several hundred pages long. You can get it in print and read it
online in HTML and PDF. In CFMX 7 the manual's called the "ColdFusion MX
Developer's Guide", and in 6.1 "Developing ColdFusion MX Applications" (and
something yet again in CF5). It and all the docs are available online in PDF
and HTML form (and can even be purchased in print) at
http://www.adobe.com/support/documentation/en/coldfusion/documentation.html
Don't forget, as well, the example apps that come with CF (an option on
installation). They're not paragons of good design, but as has been conveyed
in this thread, there's learning to get started, and then there's learning
to advance. CF7 in particular has an especially nice flash-based interface
to help with its getting started resources.
Finally, though it may be old, there was a CD produced by Allaire called the
SkillBuilder. I would bet you could find it. There's a more recent version
of something similar, a video that does cover CFMX, at:
http://www.learnwebdevelopment.com/intro_to_coldfusion_mx.html
I've not used either of them but the price for the latter is right to fit in
your budget.
/charlie
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Dean H. Saxe
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 4:45 PM
To: discussion@acfug.org
Subject: RE: [ACFUG Discuss] Learning Cold Fusion
I'm with Jeremy on this. I'm a book learner, read a book, implement, read
more, implement more. I'm a self-taught programmer, unless you consider
taking Pascal in college in 1990 part of my career (I don't). Classes are
helpful, but they are expensive. Most classes I see on any technical area
of expertise are in the neighborhood of $750 - $1000/8 hour day.
That having been said, the best addition to books and trying new things has
always been having a mentor to work with. Someone who knows XYZ technology
just a bit better than you so you can learn from his or her experience. My
first boss, Eric Palmer, was that person for me WRT DB design and SQL. My
next boss helped me really get my feet wet with OO and Java. WRT
application security, I was on my own for a while but eventually found some
people who have helped me grow in that space as well. I've also learned a
lot from people in ACFUG over the years too. Cameron Childress, Jeremy
Allen (who I'm happy to work with now), Charlie Arehart, Shawn Gorrell and
others have all been great resources over the years.
Good luck Rick!
-dhs
On June 17, 2006, Rick Lansford wrote:
> I took a class, but looking back, it would have been just as easy to
> learn on my own. However, I am not in the league with the others on
> this list (I still pretty much use a basic to mid-level programming
> technique). So if your goal is to get to their level I think it would
> take some formal training. Just to let you know, you can do a lot (and
> I mean a lot) just knowing the basic aspects of CF and having a pretty
> fair understanding of SQL and DB design.
>
> Rick
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Robert Reil
> Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 2:25 PM
> To: discussion@acfug.org
> Subject: [ACFUG Discuss] Learning Cold Fusion
>
>
> Here's an easy one!
>
>
>
> Whats the easiest cost effective way to learn how to get up and
> rolling in CF?
>
> Budget a couple hundred.
>
> I have servers, and software. Should I take a class, a web school,
> or use Forta's Web App Construction site?
>
>
>
> Opinions and links welcome...
>
>
>
> Robert P. Reil
>
> Managing Director,
>
> Motorcyclecarbs.com, Inc.
>
> 4292 Country Garden Walk NW
>
> Kennesaw, Ga. 30152
>
> Office 770-974-8851
>
> Fax 770-974-8852
>
> www.motorcyclecarbs.com
>
>
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Dean H. Saxe
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless,
whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or
the holy name of liberty and democracy? " -Gandhi
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