Last week I mentioned that I was planning to use DimDim for our classes. I did a cross-town test yesterday and everything went well. I had to install a little application so that I can share my screen, which is to be expected.
But the best part is the participants don't have to install anything (presuming they already have a current Flash player). I tested on Windows and Linux. Need to test the Mac as well, but it appears if you have Flash , you are ready to go.
One thing I didn't realize is that DimDim apparently supports telephone voice conferencing as well. Looks like they pick a long-distance number, so for that feature to work, you would need unlimited (or low-cost) access to long distance.
Next test will be using voice-over-IP (VOIP).
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Just what are you using for material
I like writing and coding, but creating new content takes a lot of time, time that I would rather spend guiding (i.e., coaching, training, and consulting). If there is good content to leverage, I will. I've spent a fair bit of time on both sides of creation and delivery of content. Some of my prior jobs:
If you can afford the book, I highly recommend purchasing it. I also recommend downloading the book whether you can afford it or not. I even carry a copy with me on my PDA.
Unfortunately, the book is really aimed at people who already know how to program in something. One of the authors of Squeak by Example also wrote another great book: Squeak: Learn Programming with Robots. I'm leaning toward using this book as a starting point. It approaches Smalltalk a lot like Logo was taught in the 80s, using direct scripting and turtle graphics. The only drawback to this book is that it is traditionally published, so it costs about $40 and until recently it wasn't available under and open-source license. I've heard that is changing, which is terrific news.
Again, if you can afford the book, I recommend it highly.
Before the robots book went open-source, I thought I would have to write a book. One that didn't assume you knew programming, and that taught an approachable language like Smalltalk. I wrote a few chapters and drew up some diagrams. I'll probably publish the work in progress here soon.
I've also done a lot of work writing and teaching about Java. Java is a great, practical environment for getting work done. It isn't my favorite language but it is certainly popular and there are tons of libraries. I really didn't want to use Java as a first language, but there is no shortage of books available that do. The summer of 2008, I saw a new release of a truly open book for learning Java: Introduction to Programming Using Java.
I really like this book as well. I liked it so much that I wrote the author and asked if he minded if I "translated" it to Smalltalk. He was very helpful and provided me with his original source material to help me along. I'm done with the first two chapters (maybe only 5-7 of the chapters will really translate, the later chapters are probably too specific to Java). Anyway, I'm planning to use these chapters as well. I'll definitely be serializing the content of these chapters here to get your feedback. (Eventually, I'd like to publish the results on Lulu, but I'd like to teach the material a few times first.)
- technical writer
- training developer
- software developer
- consultant
- trainer
If you can afford the book, I highly recommend purchasing it. I also recommend downloading the book whether you can afford it or not. I even carry a copy with me on my PDA.
Unfortunately, the book is really aimed at people who already know how to program in something. One of the authors of Squeak by Example also wrote another great book: Squeak: Learn Programming with Robots. I'm leaning toward using this book as a starting point. It approaches Smalltalk a lot like Logo was taught in the 80s, using direct scripting and turtle graphics. The only drawback to this book is that it is traditionally published, so it costs about $40 and until recently it wasn't available under and open-source license. I've heard that is changing, which is terrific news.
Again, if you can afford the book, I recommend it highly.
Before the robots book went open-source, I thought I would have to write a book. One that didn't assume you knew programming, and that taught an approachable language like Smalltalk. I wrote a few chapters and drew up some diagrams. I'll probably publish the work in progress here soon.
I've also done a lot of work writing and teaching about Java. Java is a great, practical environment for getting work done. It isn't my favorite language but it is certainly popular and there are tons of libraries. I really didn't want to use Java as a first language, but there is no shortage of books available that do. The summer of 2008, I saw a new release of a truly open book for learning Java: Introduction to Programming Using Java.
I really like this book as well. I liked it so much that I wrote the author and asked if he minded if I "translated" it to Smalltalk. He was very helpful and provided me with his original source material to help me along. I'm done with the first two chapters (maybe only 5-7 of the chapters will really translate, the later chapters are probably too specific to Java). Anyway, I'm planning to use these chapters as well. I'll definitely be serializing the content of these chapters here to get your feedback. (Eventually, I'd like to publish the results on Lulu, but I'd like to teach the material a few times first.)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Software for our meetings
Lifehacker has a nice intro to DimDim, which is the meeting software I'm planning to use:
- free-hosting for up to 20 (should work nice for our purposes)
- open-source (no lock-in, can download and self host)
- runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux (covers the bases and supports free software)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Learning is easier...
Learning is easier with a guide.
I'm getting ready to teach my two older sons computer programming. Perhaps you, your child, or both would like to come along for the ride. I'm not planning a single course, but more of a computer club with a facilitator.
I've been programming since I was a kid. I had a computer when I was 8 and about the only thing you could do with a computer was play a game or write a program. Some of the games were great, but programming was often more fun.
Computers have gotten a lot more capable and you can certainly use a computer without learning how to program. That's really a shame because programming can make boring, repetitive tasks disappear. Programming is also a lot of fun, partially because the computer does exactly what you tell it (even when you wish it wouldn't).
Support for programming has gotten so much better over the years. There are lots of great free, open-source programming environments available. There are several I'm sure we will explore, but I'm starting with a favorite: Smalltalk.
Watch this space for more details.
I'm getting ready to teach my two older sons computer programming. Perhaps you, your child, or both would like to come along for the ride. I'm not planning a single course, but more of a computer club with a facilitator.
I've been programming since I was a kid. I had a computer when I was 8 and about the only thing you could do with a computer was play a game or write a program. Some of the games were great, but programming was often more fun.
Computers have gotten a lot more capable and you can certainly use a computer without learning how to program. That's really a shame because programming can make boring, repetitive tasks disappear. Programming is also a lot of fun, partially because the computer does exactly what you tell it (even when you wish it wouldn't).
Support for programming has gotten so much better over the years. There are lots of great free, open-source programming environments available. There are several I'm sure we will explore, but I'm starting with a favorite: Smalltalk.
Watch this space for more details.
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