Every tech innovation introduced into the workforce replaces at least part of someone's job. This is an almost imperceptible change, for now. But when robots can replace jobs faster than we can find new ones, the future of work will change forever.
A year ago I committed myself to studying computer science from home. I wanted to learn not just the syntax of programming languages, but also the theory of computer science as a field of study. The Open Source Society University is the best resource for this.
Accumlators are my favourite tool in the box from How to Code: Complex Data. I put some (sort of incomplete) notes on how to use them here.
The earlier lessons in this class were mind numbingly boring. The problem sets had no actual problem solving involved. Instead, they had me following simple step-by-step directions. In week 4 I finally got to see the templates I practiced in earlier lessons show their worth.
While How to Code: Simple Data really rewired my brain to break problems down into smaller pieces, Cmoplex Data made me feel like I had super powers. The systematic design methods taught there let me solve the same problems in half the time with a quarter of the lines. Going forward, I’m really looking forward to figuring out how best to apply these methods to other programming languages and systems. I do, however, wish they had chosen a more widely used language to teach in. Racket is great, but when I look back at other languages I’ve used, it seems much more alien.
This course from UBC took me back to basics for a bit to learn the best way to organize code and design data using the best practices. While at first a bit too simple after finishing CS50 and 6.00.1x, it really consolidated my coding process in a way that will make everything else easier going forward.
While CS50 had a great start, the last part of it transitions into Python and it doesn't spend enough time introducing you to the Python syntax. Instead this course from MIT focuses entirely on recreating many of the same concepts you learn in CS50 using Python.
While meant for beginners, CS50 is in no way easy. Professor David Malan gives you the tools you need to do anything with C, but then asks you to crack problems like resizing an image at the lowest level of computing and writing a spell checker. Best of all, the content in CS50 is immediately useful and relevant. It's the best way to start learning coding for people who aren't easily deterred by difficult problems.
The Canadian Video Game Awards were a grand production, with gaming celebrities, flashing lights, and champagne. But for an awards show meant to feature Canadian talent, there sure were a lot of foreign studios floating about.
This is the first review I did after getting an early access copy of a game. I'm fairly happy with how the review turned out. Although, I think the audio in the video version of the review could be a lot better.
Esports is a rising industry where people compete in the virtual space of video games. They are quickly becoming a viable platform for telling good stories that is drawing millions of people worldwide to watch them as a spectator sport.
I'm a writer, creator, Canadian expatriate, and gamer. I graduated from Humber College in Toronto with a Bachelor of Journalism. Since then, I've begun expanding my portfolio with journalistic work as well as multimedia personal projects. Most recently, I've working through the Open Source Society University course list while living in China.
I've been published by Skedline.com, Enthusiast Gaming, and Macleans Magazine. For myself, I sometimes publish materials I use in tabletop RPGs.
You can reach out to me using the contact form below.
I also accept messages sent by carrier insects.
