I think it’s a high level of geekiness to know the difference between Linus from Peanuts, Linus Pauling, and Linus Torvalds. But that’s just me, I guess.
Geekiness
Category: All Things Geek
Geeks are looking to the future by their very nature
A desktop setup to consider
I enjoy looking at desk setups. This one, though, really stands out to me. Now, I’ve been wanting an adjustable standing desk for a number of years, which is a key part of this layout. But the wood desktop and matching bookshelves? *chef’s kiss* I think this desk may be the same one. MAY be….I guess.
And then there are the three monitors. THREE! My son has three and the notion is growing on me.
I plan to upgrade my computer early next year. I may need to think about my office furniture, too.
How lost am I without my phone?
Oh, how lost would I be without my cell phone? Tis a question posed by Rory on his blog “A Guy Called Bloke” (hat tip to to Fandango, whose post is what I’m, ultimately, replying to).
Ok, I am not “lost” without my phone. There have been a handful of times in the past few months where I have, deliberately, left my phone at home. Ok, not exactly “deliberately”. I left home, realized my phone was on my desk and opted to not go back for it. For a quick run to a coffee shop, or grabbing dinner out somewhere, it’s fine. But, for me, most everything is on there. My shopping list is there. It’s a backup payment method. My camera is there. My notes. Maps/directions. My calendar. My Kindle app holds many of my books. And then, of course, is my ability to connect. Good luck trying to find a payphone anymore! My cell phone has taken the place of so very much of my old accoutrement, for which I’m grateful.
In the end, I value having my phone with me. It’s a deliberate choice in many ways, and one I’m quite ok with. The only thing I’d say to someone who doesn’t feel the need to always have their phone with them: good luck finding a payphone if you need it.
My Web Developer Evolution
I was just thinking about the programming languages and environments I’ve studied over the past year.
- The first one was Visual Basic. I have a basic understanding. Not sure how much additional effort I should invest in expanding these skills.
- Though there’s some argument about whether HTML and CSS are programming languages. I’ll accept that they aren’t languages, but I’ve studied them, and they’re critical to web development. I expect I’m at an intermediate level with these.
- The last of the web development trinity is Javascript, which is a true programming language and a lot of fun. I don’t know anywhere near what I want to, and so will be continuing in that.
- With javascript, this quarter I’m studying frameworks, and I’ve been focused on jQuery. I really like how much cleaner it is than straight javascript. I’m just over a month in and enjoying this. Looking forward to continuing to build my skills.
- Also, this quarter, I’m studying PHP. This has been a lot of fun. This language makes so much more sense to me, at an intuitive level than javascript. As I’m only 4 weeks in, I’m looking forward to growing that knowledge.
- At other points in my life, I’ve explored Java and C/C++. This knowledge is quite old and was very basic even in my hey-day. I’ve also explored Fortran and Cobol, but that really just entailed reading some books. If I have the opportunity, I want to explore these deeper.
- I’ll be diving into tools like SQL and MySQL in the next few quarters. I also want to add Python to that list.
This is just my programming journey. I’ve also explored tools like Access, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Visio. All of this, for me, is fun. I must be a nerd.
Looking At Laptops
My main laptop right now is an OLLLDDD MacBook Pro. It’s nearly 10 years old, and it’s starting to really show its age. And we do have need of a laptop. So, it’s time to think of a replacement.
I’ve been very pleased with what I’ve seen of Apple’s new M1 chip. Also, my wife is most comfortable with Mac OS. And I pride myself on being OS agnostic. Additionally, one of the things I’m considering once I’m done at Edmonds college is UW’s Interactive Design program. They require a laptop and, though they don’t mandate a MacBook, they do highly recommend one. So, with all of that, I’m leaning towards an M1 Macbook Air. I still need to explore more, though. Due diligence and all that. Fortunately, I do get a student discount.
So, I’ve done a bit of research already. Check out these videos below. The first is a review of the MacBook while the second talks about the M1 chip compared to Windows PCs. Both point towards the M1 and Macbook.
Windows Programmer Calculator
It may be because I’m still pretty new at this whole programming/coding thing, but I was pretty stoked to discover this feature within the built-in calculator that comes with Windows 10 (it might be part of older versions of Windows. I just don’t know). I’ve built Excel sheets for these conversions to check my work. This is actually easier and less clunky. Sure, I can do these manually, and I’m getting better at doing so in my head, but it’s good to have the ability to check my work easily.
Along with this, a friend of mine let me know about HiPer Calculator for Android phones. I look forward to trying it out. I downloaded the free version, but there is a “Pro” version for $3.49. I’ll see how the free one works. Trying to be frugal and all that.
Do you have any tools that you love and recommend to an up-and-coming developer? I’d really love to hear about them. Leave a comment!
A Soup Of Chat Systems
I can SO relate to this xkcd comic right now.
I’ve dealt with this a lot over the years. In 2020 this has seriously challenged me. I do try to make sure my contact list has notes about that, my system is…incomplete.
Being a good networker (which is, really, being a good friend) involves respecting people’s preferences. I have friends who HATE Facebook, or Twitter, or are not on Instagram, or who are only on Instagram, or who loathe email…we can continue on with this. Little notes go a long way with this. But it requires time, which is on the rare side right now.
Grace Hopper, Lord of Cobol
I’m a fan of Dr. Admiral Hopper. Funny, with all my years of enjoying Battlestar Galactica and Dr. Hopper, I’m surprised that I never connected “Cobol”, Dr. Hopper and the Lords of Cobol.
So, here’s a bit of fun whipped out in Photoshop.
Below is a brief history of Cobol. A critically important programming language.
Hurricane Hunters?
I love xkcd comics! With the recent hurricane, I thought this was rather timely.
Me being me, if I were an inadvertent passenger on a hurricane chaser flight, I expect I’d utilize all the flights barfbags. Yes, that’s where my mind went!
Anyway, you should subscribe to them. Now!
A Star Wars Fan Montage You Need To See
As a long time fan of Star Wars, I delight in my discovery of this video. A fan montage, it really does a great job of taking the “The greatest teacher failure is” phrase of Yoda’s and reinforce it well. It really adds some interesting insights into The Last Jedi.
I appreciate considering the importance of failure, not only in the lives of fictional characters but also in ours.