RE: ColdFusion workshop - any ideas?
Just my comments on your list - sorry for no indenting, but quoting on the HTML version of the list is a pain. Some example topics I intend to cover include (in no particular order): INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME I definitely think this should come first.;^) ABOUT/HISTORY OF COLDFUSION You didn't mention how long of a presentation this is (but it's obviously pretty long).Also I think that your audience is going to be hard - as you've described it you'll have both amateurs and pros - difficult to balance. In any case I would discuss, at least a bit, the history of the history of CF.For the early years the generational model works well, I think: 1st generation websites (billboard and business cards), second generation (more content but static, beginning to be seen as valuable), third generation (doing real work, dynamic seen as necessary for business) and so forth. Also, if it's appropriate for the audience I think that a basic understanding of HTTP is essential to understanding this.Just the cursory coverage: how the browser talks to the server, what a request is, what the limits are (statelessness for example) and, especially, a firm description of what happens where. One of the most common questions asked by newbies is how can ColdFusion change a _javascript_ variable? - I think this questions is a direct result of not understanding HTTP. APPLICATION ARCHITECTURE I'd place this late in your plan - get the foundational elements out first.Also make sure to define very clearly the differences between Application.cfm, the Application scope and the CFApplication tag - too many people end up thinking that they're tied completely together (that you can ONLY place a CFAPPLICATION tag in Application.cfm). DATABASE BASICS I might consider moving the DB stuff up front.I think that many people may find database stuff a bit easier to swallow at first.Also by doing this you can stay on CF as the topic for the rest of the time and not break away from it. COMPLEX DATATYPES Deep, deep topic - don't forget access methods tho'!Both dot notation and indexed notation - it's another thing that a lot of newbie's miss and they pay for it later. I've found that diagrams help a lot - especially if they're dynamic. Constructing visualizations of Array, structs, queries, etc out of post-it notes (which allow you to copy and move data visually) really helps describe the concepts behind pointers and such. TO # OR NOT TO # Good point to make. RECOMMENDED READING As you're doing this (and this is a personal bias) don't forget the supporting tools and philosophies - especially usability (which should also be useful to your non-CF programmers as well). USING PERSISTENT VARIABLES Not to toot my own horn, but I've got a large guide to a lot of CF variable stuff that you may find useful here (long URL): http://www.depressedpress.com/DepressedPress/Content/ColdFusion/Guides/V ariables/Index.cfm I've tried to collect all of the things I think are important to know in that.It's not perfect, but I'm proud of it. THE FUTURE OF COLDFUSION Is bright! PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES Great topic - I'm assuming you're talking about things like Fusebox and such.Don't forget (if appropriate) the more basic concepts: procedural vrs OO and such. COLDFUSION VS ASP, ASP.NET, PHP, ETC I'd keep this low key and unbiased (if possible).I always start discussions on this topic with a general They're all mature, usable, versatile options and, in general, you can meet pretty much any need with pretty much any of the tools I definitely wouldn't use the word versus in the presentation.;^) Other things you might mention/cover: How dependent web applications are on browser support/cross (browser) platform issues. The concept of open source as it pertains to CF (perhaps during your discussion of the Exchange) which may include talking briefly about Blue Dragon. One of my favorite topics: CF Myths.Especially if you have other programmers there you'll have to face a lot of incorrect information. Things like CF isn't scalable, CF is too slow for production work, CF is just a CMS/Interface Tool/Prototyping Tool/Whatever and not a 'real' programming language. That's about it for now... sounds like you've got your work cut out for you!Good luck! Jim Davis [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: ColdFusion workshop - any ideas?
Thank you very much for the input I have received so far. Despite using CF myself for so long (8 years) and being close to 35 years of age - CF and it's history alone still keeps me more than occupied. Special thanks (at this early stage) to Mr Jim Davis for some great feedback - all duly noted. Will keep eveyone posted and - if I do it well enough - will make any resources I create (with credits) available to others. Regards, PT Peter Tilbrook ColdFusion Applications Developer ColdGen Internet Solutions Manager, ACT and Region ColdFusion Users Group - http://www.actcfug.com 4/73 Tharwa Road Queanbeyan, NSW, 2620 AUSTRALIA Telephone: +61-2-6284-2727 Mobile: +61-0439-401-823 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] World Wide Web: http:/www.coldgen.com/ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: ColdFusion workshop - any ideas?
Ben Forta's CF WACK would be a good reference guide! www.easycfm.com is a site with a lot of tutorials from beginner to expert that could be used to give examples of code in action. cftipsplus.com also has useful articles that would tie into a variety of those topics listed below. Of course, you can just invite Sandy Clark, Adam Churvis or some other CF ceWebrity to do all the hard stuff for you ^_^ -Gel -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] G'day, I've been given the un-enviable task of bringing non ColdFusion programmers and total newbies up to speed with ColdFusion - only version 5 at this stage but MX will be plugged. I work for an Australian government department called Centrelink. They are in the top 100 hundred Australian companies in terms of size and turnover with a annual budget of AUD$1.6 billion and it distributes more than AUD$55 billion annually. Some brief stats are as follows: [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
RE: ColdFusion workshop - any ideas?
Based on the topics you are listing, I'm assuming they're pretty well educated in web techniques and dynamic pages, presumably by using .asp and .php or other technologies. My suggestion would be to keep the comparisons low key.Let ColdFusion speak for itself whether it's better than .asp or not.For example,when you're talking about doing a database query, it'll be tempting to say .. and with coldfusion you can connect to a database and do a query with only a couple of lines of code, rather than the .asp you're used to which you have to do all this stuff. . If they know .asp, they'll know how much they have to write to connect to a database and do a query. If you come across as overly preaching, they'll turn off. Just show them how easy it is to do a query in coldfusion and they'll make the comparison themselves.And you wont look like you're trying to ram it down their throats. Of course if one of the attendees wants to say how easy that is compared to what they're doing now, I would give him all the time in the world to say so. Another thing that'll be tempting is to tell them how great CFMX is, in an effort to get a movement going to upgrade.I strongly urge you to hold that in check too.If you tell them too many times .. and with the new CFMX you can do this..you'll come across as telling them lots of things they can't have.A mention of flash remoting perhaps and the easy reuse of code with CFCsbut keep that low key.CFMX will sell itself once you get some of them converted to CF thinking.I would have thought what you want to end up with is a whole lot of disciples who love the CF5 they have and who will start using it.Once they get immersed in CF, the new version will happen, as long as you've planted the seed.If you try to plant a whole forest, I think you'llhit a lot of resistance. Just my thoughts. Cheers, Michael Kear Windsor, NSW, Australia AFP Webworks. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, 5 November 2003 2:32 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: ColdFusion workshop - any ideas? G'day, I've been given the un-enviable task of bringing non ColdFusion programmers and total newbies up to speed with ColdFusion - only version 5 at this stage but MX will be plugged. [snip] [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: ColdFusion workshop - any ideas?
Of course, you can just invite Sandy Clark, Adam Churvis or some other CF ceWebrity to do all the hard stuff for you ^_^ -Gel That's sweet of you, Gel! :) Actually, we'd love to do some basic and intermediate CF DB training some time.If anyone out there would like us to come in and train your group, just let me know. And Peter-- take a look at the ColdFusion MX Bible.I know you're talking CF5, but the sample application in Chapter 2 can easily be adapted to CF5, and I get lots of raves about the database chapters.I really explain concepts that beginners often find difficult to grasp, like exactly what GROUP BY and HAVING really do internally (helps to visualize) and how to understand statements that contain GROUP BY and aggregates, etc.Lots of diagrams. Hope you like. Respectfully, Adam Phillip Churvis Member of Team Macromedia Advanced Intensive ColdFusion MX Training ColdFusion MX Master Class: January 12 - 16, 2004 http://www.ColdFusionTraining.com Download CommerceBlocks V2.1 and LoRCAT from http://www.ProductivityEnhancement.com The ColdFusion MX Bible is in bookstores now! [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
Re: ColdFusion workshop - any ideas?
Funny you should say that Adam, I have a copy of the CFMX Bible by you right next to me :) Of course, you can just invite Sandy Clark, Adam Churvis or some other CF ceWebrity to do all the hard stuff for you ^_^ -Gel That's sweet of you, Gel! :) Actually, we'd love to do some basic and intermediate CF DB training some time.If anyone out there would like us to come in and train your group, just let me know. And Peter-- take a look at the ColdFusion MX Bible.I know you're talking CF5, but the sample application in Chapter 2 can easily be adapted to CF5, and I get lots of raves about the database chapters.I really explain concepts that beginners often find difficult to grasp, like exactly what GROUP BY and HAVING really do internally (helps to visualize) and how to understand statements that contain GROUP BY and aggregates, etc.Lots of diagrams. Hope you like. Respectfully, Adam Phillip Churvis Member of Team Macromedia Advanced Intensive ColdFusion MX Training ColdFusion MX Master Class: January 12 - 16, 2004 http://www.ColdFusionTraining.com Download CommerceBlocks V2.1 and LoRCAT from http://www.ProductivityEnhancement.com The ColdFusion MX Bible is in bookstores now! [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings]
