From mail at timgolden.me.uk Fri May 6 08:51:55 2016 From: mail at timgolden.me.uk (Tim Golden) Date: Fri, 6 May 2016 13:51:55 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Network Zero at the London Dojo Message-ID: <572C936B.3050603@timgolden.me.uk> Thanks to everyone who took Network Zero for a spin at yesterday's Dojo. I've done a brief write-up here: http://ramblings.timgolden.me.uk/2016/05/06/networkzero-at-the-london-python-dojo/ If any of you are willing to share the examples you created, please ping me a repo or a tarball or whatever. If you saw particular issues or problems, please feel free to raise an issue on Github [1] or just email me / tweet at me [2]. Thanks again for being guinea pigs TJG [1] https://github.com/tjguk/networkzero/issues [2] https://twitter.com/tjguk From thomas at kluyver.me.uk Wed May 11 12:12:39 2016 From: thomas at kluyver.me.uk (Thomas Kluyver) Date: Wed, 11 May 2016 17:12:39 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] New Southampton PUG: talk about Matplotlib 2.0, Thursday 19th May Message-ID: <1462983159.4051343.604845185.42A246A9@webmail.messagingengine.com> Hi all, We are starting up a Python User Group in Southampton. Next Thursday, the 19th of May, we'll have core Matplotlib developer Jens Nielsen talking to us about Matplotlib 2.0. Python's most popular plotting library is getting a major overhaul of its default plot styles. The new 'viridis' colour map, designed around human visual perception, was already used for a key figure in the paper announcing the discovery of gravitational waves earlier this year. If you're in or near Southampton, come along and get the inside story! When: 6pm, 19 May 2016 Where: Nuffield Theatre (Southampton Uni Building 6), room 1083 We will also be having lightning talks, up to 5 minutes each, with a suggested theme of plotting and visualisation. If you want to do a lightning talk, please let me know. Refreshments will be provided, and the conversation will continue in a pub after the meeting proper. :-) All the information about the group is available at: http://southampton-python.github.io/ If you'd like to hear about future meetings, please sign up to our low traffic Google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/southampton-python-user-group Finally, we're looking for speakers for future events - if you'd be happy to give a talk, please let me know. If you live in London, it's quite possible to get the train back after the talk and be home by 10. Or spend an hour in the pub and still be home by 11! Thanks, Thomas From datainadequate at googlemail.com Wed May 18 05:59:46 2016 From: datainadequate at googlemail.com (John) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 10:59:46 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" Message-ID: Hi all, A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these bootcamps teach Python? Thanks, John -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ntoll at ntoll.org Wed May 18 06:25:46 2016 From: ntoll at ntoll.org (Nicholas H.Tollervey) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 11:25:46 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> As someone with a background in Philosophy I can see where your friend is coming from. ;-) As far as I can tell, the bootcamps are not worth the money for the following reasons: * They're expensive for what you get. * They're all about cramming facts. * They teach specific technologies rather than software engineering. Having said that, some may be quite good but your mileage might vary. What I would do is find a university that does evening classes (such as Birkbeck College, University of London) or sign up to the OU for a taster, and take an introductory course in programming. I'd also encourage your friend to think of a problem they're interested in and use that as the basis / inspiration for learning things. If they want to learn Python, bring them to the London Python Code Dojo and get them to engage with the community. Finally, if they want to jump in with both feet, they could sign up for a "conversion" MSc in Computing (for people with undergraduate degrees in non-computing subjects). That's what I did. Hope this helps, N. On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > Hi all, > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He > lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding > "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you > have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these > bootcamps teach Python? > > Thanks, > > John > > > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: signature.asc Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 473 bytes Desc: OpenPGP digital signature URL: From hansel at interpretthis.org Wed May 18 06:33:50 2016 From: hansel at interpretthis.org (Hansel Dunlop) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 11:33:50 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: As someone who has been recruiting junior developers this year. I can say that the boot camps don't do much to differentiate you from the pack. There is also a very large number of people coming out of them meeting a much smaller amount of actual demand for people at that stage of their career. And they are VERY expensive and some of them charge employers to hire their students. i.e they are operating like recruiters. Maybe your friend has a project that he could spend his evenings working on instead? I would always hire someone who had made something over someone that hadn't. Hansel On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 11:25 AM, Nicholas H.Tollervey wrote: > As someone with a background in Philosophy I can see where your friend > is coming from. ;-) > > As far as I can tell, the bootcamps are not worth the money for the > following reasons: > > * They're expensive for what you get. > * They're all about cramming facts. > * They teach specific technologies rather than software engineering. > > Having said that, some may be quite good but your mileage might vary. > > What I would do is find a university that does evening classes (such as > Birkbeck College, University of London) or sign up to the OU for a > taster, and take an introductory course in programming. I'd also > encourage your friend to think of a problem they're interested in and > use that as the basis / inspiration for learning things. If they want to > learn Python, bring them to the London Python Code Dojo and get them to > engage with the community. Finally, if they want to jump in with both > feet, they could sign up for a "conversion" MSc in Computing (for people > with undergraduate degrees in non-computing subjects). That's what I did. > > Hope this helps, > > N. > > On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He > > lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding > > "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you > > have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these > > bootcamps teach Python? > > > > Thanks, > > > > John > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > python-uk mailing list > > python-uk at python.org > > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > -- Hansel -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benatto at gmail.com Wed May 18 06:44:04 2016 From: benatto at gmail.com (Paulo Benatto) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 11:44:04 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: https://codebar.io/ On 18 May 2016 at 11:33, Hansel Dunlop wrote: > As someone who has been recruiting junior developers this year. I can say > that the boot camps don't do much to differentiate you from the pack. There > is also a very large number of people coming out of them meeting a much > smaller amount of actual demand for people at that stage of their career. > And they are VERY expensive and some of them charge employers to hire their > students. i.e they are operating like recruiters. > > Maybe your friend has a project that he could spend his evenings working > on instead? I would always hire someone who had made something over someone > that hadn't. > > Hansel > > On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 11:25 AM, Nicholas H.Tollervey > wrote: > >> As someone with a background in Philosophy I can see where your friend >> is coming from. ;-) >> >> As far as I can tell, the bootcamps are not worth the money for the >> following reasons: >> >> * They're expensive for what you get. >> * They're all about cramming facts. >> * They teach specific technologies rather than software engineering. >> >> Having said that, some may be quite good but your mileage might vary. >> >> What I would do is find a university that does evening classes (such as >> Birkbeck College, University of London) or sign up to the OU for a >> taster, and take an introductory course in programming. I'd also >> encourage your friend to think of a problem they're interested in and >> use that as the basis / inspiration for learning things. If they want to >> learn Python, bring them to the London Python Code Dojo and get them to >> engage with the community. Finally, if they want to jump in with both >> feet, they could sign up for a "conversion" MSc in Computing (for people >> with undergraduate degrees in non-computing subjects). That's what I did. >> >> Hope this helps, >> >> N. >> >> On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: >> > Hi all, >> > >> > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a >> > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He >> > lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding >> > "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you >> > have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these >> > bootcamps teach Python? >> > >> > Thanks, >> > >> > John >> > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > python-uk mailing list >> > python-uk at python.org >> > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk >> > >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> python-uk mailing list >> python-uk at python.org >> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk >> >> > > > -- > > Hansel > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > -- Paulo Leonardo Benatto, patito friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =) http://patito.github.io -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ntoll at ntoll.org Wed May 18 06:46:14 2016 From: ntoll at ntoll.org (Nicholas H.Tollervey) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 11:46:14 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: <8c4896ae-4c30-c026-8f81-9fbdd726366c@ntoll.org> On 18/05/16 11:44, Paulo Benatto wrote: > https://codebar.io/ > +1 I've heard great things about codebar.io But also, what Hansel said. :-) N. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: signature.asc Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 473 bytes Desc: OpenPGP digital signature URL: From PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk Wed May 18 06:53:49 2016 From: PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk (PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 22:53:49 +1200 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> On 18/05/16 22:25, Nicholas H.Tollervey wrote: > As someone with a background in Philosophy I can see where your friend > is coming from. ;-) > > As far as I can tell, the bootcamps are not worth the money for the > following reasons: I'm not a great fan or supporter of "boot camps" either. They tend to produce rather 'narrow' graduates. Perhaps applicable to programmers 'converting' to a new language, but (a lot) less-so for non-IT folk trying to break-in to the industry! How about MOOCs? Dr Chuck (of 'the book' fame) teaches one from Georgia Tech on Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/courses?languages=en&query=python) Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) Plug other keywords into their search facilities, eg [learning] "programming", for wider topics... Disclaimer: I'm a staff member on the W3C's "HTML5-1 Coding Essentials and Best Practices" course, using the edX platform, and have enjoyed many MOOCs in technology and training topics. -- Regards, =dn From s.shall at virginmedia.com Wed May 18 07:12:59 2016 From: s.shall at virginmedia.com (Sydney Shall) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:12:59 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> Message-ID: <2bef790c-4980-4198-fdea-a7c383a0a7e3@virginmedia.com> On 18/05/2016 11:53, PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk wrote: > Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings > (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) I have used this course and I found it excellent. It is free or $25 for a certificate. I also liked it because the tone used was very amenable to my aademic ears. I also come from an academic background. Good luck! -- Sydney From nick.a.sarbicki at gmail.com Wed May 18 07:23:41 2016 From: nick.a.sarbicki at gmail.com (Nick Sarbicki) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 11:23:41 +0000 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> Message-ID: On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 12:04 PM wrote: > How about MOOCs? > > Dr Chuck (of 'the book' fame) teaches one from Georgia Tech on Coursera > (https://www.coursera.org/courses?languages=en&query=python) > > Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings > (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) > +1 To MOOCs such as those on Coursera. My first venture into programming was the JavaScript course on codecademy. My second venture was with https://www.coursera.org/course/programming1 which taught me some basic python. I did both of those courses in about 2 months. After I started working on some, admittedly terribly made, home projects. Half a year later I got a job which involved programming. In the end I've found it is all about getting your own interest up and finding projects which inspire you. The more you code and enjoy coding, the more competent you will become and the more evident that will be to employers. I'd also venture to say that there are many junior roles which aren't that heavily dependent on a specific language but simply require someone who can think logically and is willing to learn, so a high amount of competence is not completely necessary. tl;dr: There is no need to waste money on bootcamps when free online courses will get your friend started just fine. Good luck to your friend! Nick. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From benatto at gmail.com Wed May 18 07:47:04 2016 From: benatto at gmail.com (Paulo Benatto) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:47:04 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> Message-ID: Codeschool and pluralsigh. https://www.codeschool.com/courses/try-python https://www.codeschool.com/courses/flying-through-python https://www.pluralsight.com/ On 18 May 2016 at 12:23, Nick Sarbicki wrote: > On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 12:04 PM wrote: > >> How about MOOCs? >> >> Dr Chuck (of 'the book' fame) teaches one from Georgia Tech on Coursera >> (https://www.coursera.org/courses?languages=en&query=python) >> >> Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings >> (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) >> > > +1 To MOOCs such as those on Coursera. > > My first venture into programming was the JavaScript course on codecademy. > > My second venture was with https://www.coursera.org/course/programming1 which > taught me some basic python. > > I did both of those courses in about 2 months. After I started working on > some, admittedly terribly made, home projects. Half a year later I got a > job which involved programming. > > In the end I've found it is all about getting your own interest up and > finding projects which inspire you. The more you code and enjoy coding, the > more competent you will become and the more evident that will be to > employers. > > I'd also venture to say that there are many junior roles which aren't that > heavily dependent on a specific language but simply require someone who can > think logically and is willing to learn, so a high amount of competence is > not completely necessary. > > tl;dr: There is no need to waste money on bootcamps when free online > courses will get your friend started just fine. > > Good luck to your friend! > > Nick. > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > -- Paulo Leonardo Benatto, patito friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =) http://patito.github.io -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From alex_integra at hotmail.com Wed May 18 07:53:41 2016 From: alex_integra at hotmail.com (Alex Anderson) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:53:41 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: , <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org>, <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk>, , Message-ID: How is your day going? Is it staying quiet and productive? Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:47:04 +0100 From: benatto at gmail.com To: python-uk at python.org Subject: Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" Codeschool and pluralsigh. https://www.codeschool.com/courses/try-python https://www.codeschool.com/courses/flying-through-python https://www.pluralsight.com/ On 18 May 2016 at 12:23, Nick Sarbicki wrote: On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 12:04 PM wrote: How about MOOCs? Dr Chuck (of 'the book' fame) teaches one from Georgia Tech on Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/courses?languages=en&query=python) Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) +1 To MOOCs such as those on Coursera. My first venture into programming was the JavaScript course on codecademy. My second venture was with https://www.coursera.org/course/programming1 which taught me some basic python. I did both of those courses in about 2 months. After I started working on some, admittedly terribly made, home projects. Half a year later I got a job which involved programming. In the end I've found it is all about getting your own interest up and finding projects which inspire you. The more you code and enjoy coding, the more competent you will become and the more evident that will be to employers. I'd also venture to say that there are many junior roles which aren't that heavily dependent on a specific language but simply require someone who can think logically and is willing to learn, so a high amount of competence is not completely necessary. tl;dr: There is no need to waste money on bootcamps when free online courses will get your friend started just fine. Good luck to your friend! Nick. _______________________________________________ python-uk mailing list python-uk at python.org https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk -- Paulo Leonardo Benatto, patito friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =) http://patito.github.io _______________________________________________ python-uk mailing list python-uk at python.org https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From steve at holdenweb.com Wed May 18 07:57:37 2016 From: steve at holdenweb.com (Steve Holden) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:57:37 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> Message-ID: No, it's chaotic here. And you? S Steve Holden On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 12:53 PM, Alex Anderson wrote: > How is your day going? Is it staying quiet and productive? > > ------------------------------ > Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:47:04 +0100 > From: benatto at gmail.com > To: python-uk at python.org > Subject: Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" > > > Codeschool and pluralsigh. > > https://www.codeschool.com/courses/try-python > https://www.codeschool.com/courses/flying-through-python > https://www.pluralsight.com/ > > > > On 18 May 2016 at 12:23, Nick Sarbicki wrote: > > On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 12:04 PM wrote: > > How about MOOCs? > > Dr Chuck (of 'the book' fame) teaches one from Georgia Tech on Coursera > (https://www.coursera.org/courses?languages=en&query=python) > > Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings > (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) > > > +1 To MOOCs such as those on Coursera. > > My first venture into programming was the JavaScript course on codecademy. > > My second venture was with https://www.coursera.org/course/programming1 which > taught me some basic python. > > I did both of those courses in about 2 months. After I started working on > some, admittedly terribly made, home projects. Half a year later I got a > job which involved programming. > > In the end I've found it is all about getting your own interest up and > finding projects which inspire you. The more you code and enjoy coding, the > more competent you will become and the more evident that will be to > employers. > > I'd also venture to say that there are many junior roles which aren't that > heavily dependent on a specific language but simply require someone who can > think logically and is willing to learn, so a high amount of competence is > not completely necessary. > > tl;dr: There is no need to waste money on bootcamps when free online > courses will get your friend started just fine. > > Good luck to your friend! > > Nick. > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > > > > -- > Paulo Leonardo Benatto, patito > friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =) > http://patito.github.io > > _______________________________________________ python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From alex_integra at hotmail.com Wed May 18 07:57:33 2016 From: alex_integra at hotmail.com (Alex Anderson) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:57:33 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: , , <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org>, , <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk>, , , , , Message-ID: Please ignore that - weird off by one error replying due to newly arriving email :) From: alex_integra at hotmail.com To: python-uk at python.org Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:53:41 +0100 Subject: Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" How is your day going? Is it staying quiet and productive? Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:47:04 +0100 From: benatto at gmail.com To: python-uk at python.org Subject: Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" Codeschool and pluralsigh. https://www.codeschool.com/courses/try-python https://www.codeschool.com/courses/flying-through-python https://www.pluralsight.com/ On 18 May 2016 at 12:23, Nick Sarbicki wrote: On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 12:04 PM wrote: How about MOOCs? Dr Chuck (of 'the book' fame) teaches one from Georgia Tech on Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/courses?languages=en&query=python) Similarly edX offers a range of either scheduled or self-paced offerings (https://www.edx.org/course?search_query=python) +1 To MOOCs such as those on Coursera. My first venture into programming was the JavaScript course on codecademy. My second venture was with https://www.coursera.org/course/programming1 which taught me some basic python. I did both of those courses in about 2 months. After I started working on some, admittedly terribly made, home projects. Half a year later I got a job which involved programming. In the end I've found it is all about getting your own interest up and finding projects which inspire you. The more you code and enjoy coding, the more competent you will become and the more evident that will be to employers. I'd also venture to say that there are many junior roles which aren't that heavily dependent on a specific language but simply require someone who can think logically and is willing to learn, so a high amount of competence is not completely necessary. tl;dr: There is no need to waste money on bootcamps when free online courses will get your friend started just fine. Good luck to your friend! Nick. _______________________________________________ python-uk mailing list python-uk at python.org https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk -- Paulo Leonardo Benatto, patito friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =) http://patito.github.io _______________________________________________ python-uk mailing list python-uk at python.org https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk _______________________________________________ python-uk mailing list python-uk at python.org https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From ntoll at ntoll.org Wed May 18 08:27:16 2016 From: ntoll at ntoll.org (Nicholas H.Tollervey) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 13:27:16 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> Message-ID: On 18/05/16 12:57, Steve Holden wrote: > No, it's chaotic here. And you? S > > Steve Holden > I'm fine. Working from home today so avoiding the London commute. :-P #off-by-one -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: signature.asc Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 473 bytes Desc: OpenPGP digital signature URL: From wprins at gmail.com Wed May 18 09:12:58 2016 From: wprins at gmail.com (Walter Prins) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 14:12:58 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi, Quite a few good responses already, but just to add the suggestion that he also have a look at/consider some of the free or low/lower cost educational options available, such as Coursera , EdX , KhanAcademy or perhaps Pluralsight , CodeSchoool , TeamTreehouse or CodeAcademy and that he avoid high-cost options initially. Certainly it would allow him to get started with something in the meantime and start learning with no or little cash down, even if he eventually decides to do some sort of higher cost/formal qualification later. Also he might want to look at some programming practice/challenge sites such as CodeEval , HackerRank , CodeWars , LeetCode or CodeChef once sufficient progress has been made for him to attempt these. Best of luck, Walter On 18 May 2016 at 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > Hi all, > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives > in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" > that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any > recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these bootcamps > teach Python? > > Thanks, > > John > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From andy at reportlab.com Wed May 18 09:18:13 2016 From: andy at reportlab.com (Andy Robinson) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 14:18:13 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I'm a philosophy graduate. We need summer interns urgently for a social-venture project, who can write and think clearly right now, and learn to program on the job, sitting in the room with experienced devs. So feel free to put him in touch with us and I'll see if our project is a good match. Andy Robinson Managing Director ReportLab Europe Ltd. Thornton House, Thornton Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 4NG, UK Tel +44-20-8405-6420 On 18 May 2016 at 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > Hi all, > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a software > developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives in London, > and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" that various > organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any recommendations you > could make, and indeed whether any of these bootcamps teach Python? > > Thanks, > > John > > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > From walker_s at hotmail.co.uk Wed May 18 09:21:44 2016 From: walker_s at hotmail.co.uk (SW) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 14:21:44 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Given the 'lives in London' aspect, he may want to keep an eye out for the next Python Code Dojo, as it's usually very beginner friendly and if he shows reasonable capacity for logical thought he might find someone who is looking for a junior level person (no guarantees of course, but getting contacts is always good). Thanks, S On 18/05/16 14:12, Walter Prins wrote: > Hi, > > Quite a few good responses already, but just to add the suggestion > that he also have a look at/consider some of the free or low/lower > cost educational options available, such as Coursera > , EdX , KhanAcademy > or perhaps Pluralsight > , CodeSchoool > , TeamTreehouse > or CodeAcademy > and that he avoid high-cost options > initially. > > Certainly it would allow him to get started with something in the > meantime and start learning with no or little cash down, even if he > eventually decides to do some sort of higher cost/formal qualification > later. > > Also he might want to look at some programming practice/challenge > sites such as CodeEval , HackerRank > , CodeWars > , LeetCode > or CodeChef once > sufficient progress has been made for him to attempt these. > > Best of luck, > > Walter > > On 18 May 2016 at 10:59, John via python-uk > wrote: > > Hi all, > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). > He lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the > Coding "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if > any of you have any recommendations you could make, and indeed > whether any of these bootcamps teach Python? > > Thanks, > > John > > > > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From andy at reportlab.com Wed May 18 09:27:06 2016 From: andy at reportlab.com (Andy Robinson) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 14:27:06 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 18 May 2016 at 14:18, Andy Robinson wrote: > We need summer interns urgently.. In London too... From theology at gmail.com Wed May 18 10:52:39 2016 From: theology at gmail.com (Zeth) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 15:52:39 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: On 18 May 2016 at 11:33, Hansel Dunlop wrote: > > Maybe your friend has a project that he could spend his evenings working on > instead? I would always hire someone who had made something over someone > that hadn't. My degrees are in econometrics and theology, and I also somehow found myself making a living from writing code. I know theology is much more practical than philosophy but I am sure the same logic applies* Obviously I don't know anything about where you friend is in terms of skills but he could just host his own bootcamp at home, nothing really beats just getting down and writing software, a week doing that would never be wasted. I don't know if this counts as philosophy but I like this bit from one of my heroes, GCC and Emacs inventor Richard Stallman#: "Yoda's aphorism (?There is no ?try??) sounds neat, but it doesn't work for me. I have done most of my work while anxious about whether I could do the job, and unsure that it would be enough to achieve the goal if I did. But I tried anyway, because there was no one but me between the enemy and my city. Surprising myself, I have sometimes succeeded." Best Wishes, Zeth * I should point out that was a joke obviously, just in case the computer science majors get confused. # http://www.gnu.org/gnu/thegnuproject.en.html > > Hansel > > On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 11:25 AM, Nicholas H.Tollervey > wrote: >> >> As someone with a background in Philosophy I can see where your friend >> is coming from. ;-) >> >> As far as I can tell, the bootcamps are not worth the money for the >> following reasons: >> >> * They're expensive for what you get. >> * They're all about cramming facts. >> * They teach specific technologies rather than software engineering. >> >> Having said that, some may be quite good but your mileage might vary. >> >> What I would do is find a university that does evening classes (such as >> Birkbeck College, University of London) or sign up to the OU for a >> taster, and take an introductory course in programming. I'd also >> encourage your friend to think of a problem they're interested in and >> use that as the basis / inspiration for learning things. If they want to >> learn Python, bring them to the London Python Code Dojo and get them to >> engage with the community. Finally, if they want to jump in with both >> feet, they could sign up for a "conversion" MSc in Computing (for people >> with undergraduate degrees in non-computing subjects). That's what I did. >> >> Hope this helps, >> >> N. >> >> On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: >> > Hi all, >> > >> > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a >> > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He >> > lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding >> > "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you >> > have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these >> > bootcamps teach Python? >> > >> > Thanks, >> > >> > John >> > >> > >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > python-uk mailing list >> > python-uk at python.org >> > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk >> > >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> python-uk mailing list >> python-uk at python.org >> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk >> > > > > -- > > Hansel > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > From ntoll at ntoll.org Wed May 18 10:54:10 2016 From: ntoll at ntoll.org (Nicholas H.Tollervey) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 15:54:10 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: On 18/05/16 15:52, Zeth wrote: > I know theology is much more > practical than philosophy but I am sure the same logic applies* I just snorted out my tea while laughing... :-D N. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: signature.asc Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 473 bytes Desc: OpenPGP digital signature URL: From theology at gmail.com Wed May 18 11:04:41 2016 From: theology at gmail.com (Zeth) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:04:41 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: On 18 May 2016 at 15:54, Nicholas H.Tollervey wrote: > On 18/05/16 15:52, Zeth wrote: >> I know theology is much more >> practical than philosophy but I am sure the same logic applies* > > I just snorted out my tea while laughing... :-D :) ? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From wprins at gmail.com Wed May 18 11:10:17 2016 From: wprins at gmail.com (Walter Prins) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:10:17 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Forgot to mention Udacity , with has their so-called "Nanodegree" programs - once completed they apparently can help/will guarantee you will find a job within 6 months (or your money back), though I have no idea how applicable this is to non-US locales. W -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From andy at reportlab.com Wed May 18 11:11:01 2016 From: andy at reportlab.com (Andy Robinson) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:11:01 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: On 18 May 2016 at 15:52, Zeth wrote: > My degrees are in econometrics and theology, and I also somehow found > myself making a living from writing code. I know theology is much more > practical than philosophy but I am sure the same logic applies* There was a great Tim Ferriss podcast where he interviewed Alain de Boton about what philosophy is and whether it's useful. From memory, Alain said something like "If you can ONLY do it in a university and there are no jobs in the outside world, that's a sign that your profession has gone off the rails somewhere...". Although Google did recently hire a philosopher, I believe... From thomas at kluyver.me.uk Wed May 18 11:28:25 2016 From: thomas at kluyver.me.uk (Thomas Kluyver) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:28:25 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: <1463585305.2676047.611610777.485CDFBE@webmail.messagingengine.com> On Wed, May 18, 2016, at 04:11 PM, Andy Robinson wrote: > Although Google did recently hire a philosopher, I believe... On the subject of coding philosophers, the main author of the document conversion tool Pandoc is the chair of the UC Berkeley philosophy department. It's written in Haskell, which somehow seems like an excellent language for a philosopher to use. From sparks.m at gmail.com Wed May 18 11:31:54 2016 From: sparks.m at gmail.com (Michael) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:31:54 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: On 18 May 2016 at 16:11, Andy Robinson wrote: > On 18 May 2016 at 15:52, Zeth wrote: > > My degrees are in econometrics and theology, and I also somehow found > > myself making a living from writing code. I know theology is much more > > practical than philosophy but I am sure the same logic applies* > > There was a great Tim Ferriss podcast where he interviewed Alain de > Boton about what philosophy is and whether it's useful. From memory, > Alain said something like "If you can ONLY do it in a university and > there are no jobs in the outside world, that's a sign that your > profession has gone off the rails somewhere...". > Of course, HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy does have an excellent piece on the employment rights, wherefores protecting philosophers' jobs, as described by the Philosophers' workers union. Michael -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From andy at reportlab.com Wed May 18 11:38:59 2016 From: andy at reportlab.com (Andy Robinson) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:38:59 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <1463585305.2676047.611610777.485CDFBE@webmail.messagingengine.com> References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <1463585305.2676047.611610777.485CDFBE@webmail.messagingengine.com> Message-ID: You can become Ricky Gervais... https://www.ucl.ac.uk/philosophy/prospective-students/careers-destinations From ntoll at ntoll.org Wed May 18 11:43:14 2016 From: ntoll at ntoll.org (Nicholas H.Tollervey) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 16:43:14 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: For what it's worth... my degrees in music and philosophy are the best investment of time and effort I ever made. I use the skills I learned whilst taking those courses *every* day in my job as a programmer and I also believe I'm a better person as a result. My computing degree, on the other hand, is completely out of date and most of it was an exercise in passing exams so I could get my first job. If I'm ever hiring people and notice they have backgrounds in the arts and/or humanities along with evidence of autodidactic and competent coding skills via open source projects they usually get my immediate interest. :-) N. On 18/05/16 16:11, Andy Robinson wrote: > On 18 May 2016 at 15:52, Zeth wrote: >> My degrees are in econometrics and theology, and I also somehow found >> myself making a living from writing code. I know theology is much more >> practical than philosophy but I am sure the same logic applies* > > There was a great Tim Ferriss podcast where he interviewed Alain de > Boton about what philosophy is and whether it's useful. From memory, > Alain said something like "If you can ONLY do it in a university and > there are no jobs in the outside world, that's a sign that your > profession has gone off the rails somewhere...". > > Although Google did recently hire a philosopher, I believe... > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: signature.asc Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 473 bytes Desc: OpenPGP digital signature URL: From PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk Wed May 18 14:49:03 2016 From: PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk (PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk) Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 06:49:03 +1200 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <573C49BD.1040502@getaroundtoit.co.uk> Message-ID: <573CB91F.3090205@getaroundtoit.co.uk> On 19/05/16 00:27, Nicholas H.Tollervey wrote: > On 18/05/16 12:57, Steve Holden wrote: >> No, it's chaotic here. And you? S >> >> Steve Holden >> > > I'm fine. Working from home today so avoiding the London commute. =now why didn't I think of that? > #off-by-one =off by 12,000 miles... -- Regards, =dn From breamoreboy at yahoo.co.uk Wed May 18 17:50:16 2016 From: breamoreboy at yahoo.co.uk (Mark Lawrence) Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 22:50:16 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: On 18/05/2016 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > Hi all, > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He > lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding > "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you > have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these > bootcamps teach Python? > > Thanks, > > John > Along with the other answers this http://www.obeythetestinggoat.com/coaches-needed-for-python-bootcamp-pycon-us-in-portland-next-week.html might be of interest. -- My fellow Pythonistas, ask not what our language can do for you, ask what you can do for our language. Mark Lawrence From PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk Wed May 18 17:55:21 2016 From: PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk (PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk) Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 09:55:21 +1200 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: <573CE4C9.9060101@getaroundtoit.co.uk> > For what it's worth... my degrees in music and philosophy are the best > > My computing degree, on the other hand, is completely out of date and > >>> My degrees are in econometrics and theology, and I also somehow found >> >> Boton about what philosophy is and whether it's useful. From memory, What a learned bunch! No wonder I miss attending those London meetings so much - Tim spilling (beautiful) soup across my tie, Andy recording the event for posterity (in a .PDF),... - with apologies to Terry Pratchett and the dining hall at Unseen University -- Regards, =dn From russel at winder.org.uk Thu May 19 13:53:20 2016 From: russel at winder.org.uk (Russel Winder) Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 18:53:20 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> Message-ID: <1463680400.2058.5.camel@winder.org.uk> On Wed, 2016-05-18 at 15:52 +0100, Zeth wrote: > [?] > Obviously I don't know anything about where you friend is in terms of > skills but he could just host his own bootcamp at home, nothing > really > beats just getting down and writing software, a week doing that would > never be wasted. [?] One of the things about doing a course is that there are others physically with you and the person running the course. There are negative as well as positive aspects of this, but the most important thing is getting quality feedback on code you write so as to direct you to idiomatic quality code in the language being used. When learning on your own, there is the risk of not getting good idiomatic code practices and styles. The OU are well aware of this even if they sometimes get it wrong. Any self learner needs to have access to quality mentors to provide quality feedback so that the self- directed learning effort always heads in the right direction. I am sure the "Python UK" virtual thingy could help put self learners in touch with people willing to do lightweight non-local mentoring. -- Russel. ============================================================================= Dr Russel Winder t: +44 20 7585 2200 voip: sip:russel.winder at ekiga.net 41 Buckmaster Road m: +44 7770 465 077 xmpp: russel at winder.org.uk London SW11 1EN, UK w: www.russel.org.uk skype: russel_winder -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: signature.asc Type: application/pgp-signature Size: 819 bytes Desc: This is a digitally signed message part URL: From nick.a.sarbicki at gmail.com Fri May 20 03:02:20 2016 From: nick.a.sarbicki at gmail.com (Nick Sarbicki) Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 07:02:20 +0000 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <1463680400.2058.5.camel@winder.org.uk> References: <5931f268-fb2a-cfe5-569f-e7056c62b322@ntoll.org> <1463680400.2058.5.camel@winder.org.uk> Message-ID: > > When learning on your own, there is the risk of not getting good > idiomatic code practices and styles. The OU are well aware of this even > if they sometimes get it wrong. Any self learner needs to have access > to quality mentors to provide quality feedback so that the self- > directed learning effort always heads in the right direction. > > I am sure the "Python UK" virtual thingy could help put self learners > in touch with people willing to do lightweight non-local mentoring. > This was something I was well aware with in my first year of self learning. Even though there were others on the courses I did (and some less supportive people on stack overflow), my standards suffered until I had more guidance on code quality as opposed to just code. So I'd agree that having a mentor is definitely a good thing. But I've also met a few university trained programmers who have no regards for standards and code quality. Personally I've found the best cure for bad practice is not a formal education. Instead it seems to be working in the community and exposing yourself to other peoples work (open source essentially). For me, the more informal mentors and guidance you get from the community often trump official mentors assigned to you by an institution. > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From doc at doconnel.f9.co.uk Fri May 20 04:27:02 2016 From: doc at doconnel.f9.co.uk (Derek O'Connell) Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 09:27:02 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <573ECA56.2020109@doconnel.f9.co.uk> I doubt I need to preach about it here but I'd still liked to suggest starting by simply having fun! If your friend has a personal interest/hobby where programming can be used for exploration then grab a module that does most of the grunt work and start hacking away at the examples for his own purposes. It's the best and quickest way to get new programmers over that initial hump without swamping them. If he has absolutely no experience then I'd even suggest something like Scratch* to begin with to get the general idea of translating ideas into code. I also love Jupyter notebooks for this situation so that personal (rich) notes can be kept local to code as learning progresses. * It's easy to transition from Scratch to Python while still having fun with the help of modules such as https://github.com/pilliq/scratchpy Btw, I would be really interested to hear fun and practical links between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. Of course there's a long history linking philosophy, maths and programming. Books like "G?del, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" might provide some inspiration. -D On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > Hi all, > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a software > developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives in London, > and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" that > various organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any > recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these bootcamps > teach Python? > > Thanks, > > John > > > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk From dan.rh.jones at gmail.com Fri May 20 04:38:45 2016 From: dan.rh.jones at gmail.com (Dan Jones) Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 09:38:45 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <573ECA56.2020109@doconnel.f9.co.uk> References: <573ECA56.2020109@doconnel.f9.co.uk> Message-ID: Hi All New to this mail list and python in general, but I have in the past participated in the Java Ranch - Cattle Drive http://www.javaranch.com/java-college.jsp The exercises start off easy enough, but the markers are sticklers for their style guide and on good quality code. I haven't seen any thing like this for Python (but I haven't looked too hard) On 20 May 2016 at 09:27, Derek O'Connell wrote: > I doubt I need to preach about it here but I'd still liked to suggest > starting by simply having fun! If your friend has a personal > interest/hobby where programming can be used for exploration then grab a > module that does most of the grunt work and start hacking away at the > examples for his own purposes. It's the best and quickest way to get new > programmers over that initial hump without swamping them. If he has > absolutely no experience then I'd even suggest something like Scratch* > to begin with to get the general idea of translating ideas into code. I > also love Jupyter notebooks for this situation so that personal (rich) > notes can be kept local to code as learning progresses. > > * It's easy to transition from Scratch to Python while still having fun > with the help of modules such as https://github.com/pilliq/scratchpy > > Btw, I would be really interested to hear fun and practical links > between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. Of course > there's a long history linking philosophy, maths and programming. Books > like "G?del, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" might provide some > inspiration. > > -D > > On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > software > > developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives in > London, > > and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" that > > various organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any > > recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these bootcamps > > teach Python? > > > > Thanks, > > > > John > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > python-uk mailing list > > python-uk at python.org > > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From sophie.hendley at digvis.co.uk Fri May 20 04:48:51 2016 From: sophie.hendley at digvis.co.uk (Sophie Hendley) Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 09:48:51 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] python-uk Digest, Vol 153, Issue 9 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I'm just a lowly recruiter but what I can tell you is my clients view on things like Makers Academy etc has certainly become more positive of late. With the skills gap growing, I certainly think it's worth your friend giving it a go. On Thu, May 19, 2016 at 5:00 PM, wrote: > Send python-uk mailing list submissions to > python-uk at python.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > python-uk-request at python.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > python-uk-owner at python.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of python-uk digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Coding "Bootcamps" (PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk) > 2. Re: Coding "Bootcamps" (Mark Lawrence) > 3. Re: Coding "Bootcamps" (PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 06:49:03 +1200 > From: PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk > To: UK Python Users > Subject: Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" > Message-ID: <573CB91F.3090205 at getaroundtoit.co.uk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > On 19/05/16 00:27, Nicholas H.Tollervey wrote: > > On 18/05/16 12:57, Steve Holden wrote: > >> No, it's chaotic here. And you? S > >> > >> Steve Holden > >> > > > > I'm fine. Working from home today so avoiding the London commute. > > =now why didn't I think of that? > > > > #off-by-one > > =off by 12,000 miles... > > -- > Regards, > =dn > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 22:50:16 +0100 > From: Mark Lawrence > To: python-uk at python.org > Subject: Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > On 18/05/2016 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He > > lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding > > "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you > > have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these > > bootcamps teach Python? > > > > Thanks, > > > > John > > > > Along with the other answers this > > http://www.obeythetestinggoat.com/coaches-needed-for-python-bootcamp-pycon-us-in-portland-next-week.html > might be of interest. > > -- > My fellow Pythonistas, ask not what our language can do for you, ask > what you can do for our language. > > Mark Lawrence > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Thu, 19 May 2016 09:55:21 +1200 > From: PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk > To: UK Python Users > Subject: Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" > Message-ID: <573CE4C9.9060101 at getaroundtoit.co.uk> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed > > > For what it's worth... my degrees in music and philosophy are the best > > > > My computing degree, on the other hand, is completely out of date and > > > >>> My degrees are in econometrics and theology, and I also somehow found > >> > >> Boton about what philosophy is and whether it's useful. From memory, > > What a learned bunch! > > No wonder I miss attending those London meetings so much - Tim spilling > (beautiful) soup across my tie, Andy recording the event for posterity > (in a .PDF),... > - with apologies to Terry Pratchett and the dining hall at Unseen > University > > -- > Regards, > =dn > > > ------------------------------ > > Subject: Digest Footer > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > > ------------------------------ > > End of python-uk Digest, Vol 153, Issue 9 > ***************************************** > -- Sophie Hendley| Principal Consultant| Digital Vision *M:* 07505145903 *E: *sophie.hendley at digvis.co.uk *W:* www.digvis.co.uk Sponsor me please!!!!- https://www.justgiving.com/sophiehendley/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From homuncul at xs4all.nl Fri May 20 07:00:44 2016 From: homuncul at xs4all.nl (Hester Breman) Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 13:00:44 +0200 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <573ECA56.2020109@doconnel.f9.co.uk> Message-ID: <7a442605-08bf-3a4f-ce77-795d8a13f681@xs4all.nl> Hi! Not sure whether it has been mentioned yet, but learning by teaching could also be an option, for example running an after school Code Club to teach Scratch (mentioned below, see also https://scratch.mit.edu/) and then Python to 9-11 year olds: https://www.codeclub.org.uk/. All materials are prepared and volunteer training is provided as well. Hester On 20/05/16 10:38, Dan Jones wrote: > Hi All > > New to this mail list and python in general, but I have in the past > participated in the Java Ranch - Cattle Drive > > http://www.javaranch.com/java-college.jsp > > The exercises start off easy enough, but the markers are sticklers for > their style guide and on good quality code. > > I haven't seen any thing like this for Python (but I haven't looked > too hard) > > On 20 May 2016 at 09:27, Derek O'Connell > wrote: > > I doubt I need to preach about it here but I'd still liked to suggest > starting by simply having fun! If your friend has a personal > interest/hobby where programming can be used for exploration then > grab a > module that does most of the grunt work and start hacking away at the > examples for his own purposes. It's the best and quickest way to > get new > programmers over that initial hump without swamping them. If he has > absolutely no experience then I'd even suggest something like Scratch* > to begin with to get the general idea of translating ideas into > code. I > also love Jupyter notebooks for this situation so that personal (rich) > notes can be kept local to code as learning progresses. > > * It's easy to transition from Scratch to Python while still > having fun > with the help of modules such as https://github.com/pilliq/scratchpy > > Btw, I would be really interested to hear fun and practical links > between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. Of course > there's a long history linking philosophy, maths and programming. > Books > like "G?del, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" might provide some > inspiration. > > -D > > On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as > a software > > developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives > in London, > > and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" that > > various organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any > > recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these > bootcamps > > teach Python? > > > > Thanks, > > > > John > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > python-uk mailing list > > python-uk at python.org > > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > > > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk From harry.percival at gmail.com Fri May 20 11:42:27 2016 From: harry.percival at gmail.com (Harry Percival) Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 15:42:27 +0000 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: <573ECA56.2020109@doconnel.f9.co.uk> References: <573ECA56.2020109@doconnel.f9.co.uk> Message-ID: *Btw, I would be really interested to hear fun and practical links between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. Of course there's a long history linking philosophy, maths and programming. Books like "G?del, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" might provide some inspiration.* Slightly OT now, but I would definitely recommend the "fluid analogies" research papers that Hofstadter co-authored with his PhD students (Melanie Mitchell and Robert French). The copycat and tabletop programs are still absolutely unmatched in their innovative approach to AI and trying to understand the human mind. And you get to see some of the Lisp source iirc! between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. On Fri, 20 May 2016 at 09:30 Derek O'Connell wrote: > I doubt I need to preach about it here but I'd still liked to suggest > starting by simply having fun! If your friend has a personal > interest/hobby where programming can be used for exploration then grab a > module that does most of the grunt work and start hacking away at the > examples for his own purposes. It's the best and quickest way to get new > programmers over that initial hump without swamping them. If he has > absolutely no experience then I'd even suggest something like Scratch* > to begin with to get the general idea of translating ideas into code. I > also love Jupyter notebooks for this situation so that personal (rich) > notes can be kept local to code as learning progresses. > > * It's easy to transition from Scratch to Python while still having fun > with the help of modules such as https://github.com/pilliq/scratchpy > > Btw, I would be really interested to hear fun and practical links > between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. Of course > there's a long history linking philosophy, maths and programming. Books > like "G?del, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" might provide some > inspiration. > > -D > > On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: > > Hi all, > > > > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > software > > developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives in > London, > > and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" that > > various organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any > > recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these bootcamps > > teach Python? > > > > Thanks, > > > > John > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > python-uk mailing list > > python-uk at python.org > > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From doc at doconnel.f9.co.uk Sat May 21 08:55:09 2016 From: doc at doconnel.f9.co.uk (Derek O'Connell) Date: Sat, 21 May 2016 13:55:09 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: <573ECA56.2020109@doconnel.f9.co.uk> Message-ID: <57405AAD.80209@doconnel.f9.co.uk> Thanks Harry! On 20/05/16 16:42, Harry Percival wrote: > *Btw, I would be really interested to hear fun and practical links between > philosophy and programming for learning purposes. Of course there's a long > history linking philosophy, maths and programming. Books like "G?del, > Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" might provide some inspiration.* > > > Slightly OT now, but I would definitely recommend the "fluid analogies" > research papers that Hofstadter co-authored with his PhD students (Melanie > Mitchell and Robert French). The copycat and tabletop programs are still > absolutely unmatched in their innovative approach to AI and trying to > understand the human mind. And you get to see some of the Lisp source iirc! > > > between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. > > On Fri, 20 May 2016 at 09:30 Derek O'Connell wrote: > >> I doubt I need to preach about it here but I'd still liked to suggest >> starting by simply having fun! If your friend has a personal >> interest/hobby where programming can be used for exploration then grab a >> module that does most of the grunt work and start hacking away at the >> examples for his own purposes. It's the best and quickest way to get new >> programmers over that initial hump without swamping them. If he has >> absolutely no experience then I'd even suggest something like Scratch* >> to begin with to get the general idea of translating ideas into code. I >> also love Jupyter notebooks for this situation so that personal (rich) >> notes can be kept local to code as learning progresses. >> >> * It's easy to transition from Scratch to Python while still having fun >> with the help of modules such as https://github.com/pilliq/scratchpy >> >> Btw, I would be really interested to hear fun and practical links >> between philosophy and programming for learning purposes. Of course >> there's a long history linking philosophy, maths and programming. Books >> like "G?del, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid" might provide some >> inspiration. >> >> -D >> >> On 18/05/16 10:59, John via python-uk wrote: >>> Hi all, >>> >>> A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a >> software >>> developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He lives in >> London, >>> and is considering signing up for one of the Coding "Bootcamps" that >>> various organisations run. I wondered if any of you have any >>> recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these bootcamps >>> teach Python? >>> >>> Thanks, >>> >>> John >>> >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> python-uk mailing list >>> python-uk at python.org >>> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk >> _______________________________________________ >> python-uk mailing list >> python-uk at python.org >> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk >> > > > _______________________________________________ > python-uk mailing list > python-uk at python.org > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk From steve at holdenweb.com Mon May 23 09:05:27 2016 From: steve at holdenweb.com (Steve Holden) Date: Mon, 23 May 2016 14:05:27 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] Local User Groups Message-ID: Hi all, Just a quick reminder that if you are running a Local User Group you might want to list it on this page: https://wiki.python.org/moin/LocalUserGroups#United_Kingdom. Since it's a wiki it's fairly easy to get permission to edit the pages, and thus publicise your group to anyone who might come looking. Steve Holden -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk Tue May 24 17:07:23 2016 From: PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk (PyUK at getaroundtoit.co.uk) Date: Wed, 25 May 2016 09:07:23 +1200 Subject: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps" In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5744C28B.90704@getaroundtoit.co.uk> John, > A philosopher friend of mine wants to transition into working as a > software developer (paying work in philosophy being a bit rare). He > lives in London, and is considering signing up for one of the Coding > "Bootcamps" that various organisations run. I wondered if any of you > have any recommendations you could make, and indeed whether any of these > bootcamps teach Python? Further to mine, earlier:- Course 1 of the Coursera offering starts/started THIS week: Python for Everybody | Coursera Learn to Program and Analyze Data with Python https://www.coursera.org/specializations/python?recoOrder=9&utm_medium=email&utm_source=recommendations&utm_campaign=recommendationsEmail%7Erecs_email_2016_05_22_17%3A57 Coursera operate a 'freemium' model, and are now (more) aggressively pushing folk into taking the paid-course. However course "audits" are still possible but one does have to hunt-around for the appropriate buttons to click... -- Regards, =dn From tom at viner.tv Thu May 26 06:40:43 2016 From: tom at viner.tv (Tom Viner) Date: Thu, 26 May 2016 11:40:43 +0100 Subject: [python-uk] London Dojo postponed a week Message-ID: Morning all, Just to let South-East Englander's know: to avoid clashing with PyCon, June's Dojo is postponed a week, to the 9th of June. And I can reveal that Bank of America will be our hosts! Expect ticket availability in a week. While I'm here, two extra messages: If you've been to a dojo before and fancy having a go at cat herding, please drop us a line at team at ldnpydojo.org.uk or have a word in person. As well as organising the task picking and teams on the night, there's just a few emails like this one to be sent. It's both a public service in that it keeps the dojo renewed with organisers, it tops up your public speaking skills and doesn't look bad on your CV to boot. It's not hard, we'll provide full guidance on what's required (which isn't much), and you get to skip the queue for tickets :-) Secondly, if your company fancies hosting the dojo at your office, drop us a line at team at ldnpydojo.org.uk Cheers, Tom -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: