[python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread John via python-uk
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
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Nicholas H.Tollervey
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@python.org
> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
> 




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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Hansel Dunlop
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@python.org
> > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
> >
>
>
>
> ___
> python-uk mailing list
> python-uk@python.org
> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
>
>


-- 

Hansel
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Paulo Benatto
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@python.org
>> > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>> python-uk mailing list
>> python-uk@python.org
>> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
>>
>>
>
>
> --
>
> Hansel
>
> ___
> python-uk mailing list
> python-uk@python.org
> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
>
>


-- 
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friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =)
http://patito.github.io
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Nicholas H.Tollervey
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.




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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread PyUK

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
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Sydney Shall

On 18/05/2016 11:53, p...@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
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Nick Sarbicki
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.
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Paulo Benatto
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@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
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Alex Anderson
How is your day going? Is it staying quiet and productive?

Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 12:47:04 +0100
From: bena...@gmail.com
To: python-uk@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.

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friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =)
http://patito.github.io



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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Steve Holden
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: bena...@gmail.com
> To: python-uk@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@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@python.org https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
>
> ___
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> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
>
>
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Alex Anderson
Please ignore that - weird off by one error replying due to newly arriving 
email :)

From: alex_inte...@hotmail.com
To: python-uk@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: bena...@gmail.com
To: python-uk@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.

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friend, nerd, hobbit, joker, coffee maker and bug factory =)
http://patito.github.io



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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Nicholas H.Tollervey
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




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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Walter Prins
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
>
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Andy Robinson
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
>
>
> ___
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>
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread SW
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
>
>
>
>
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Andy Robinson
On 18 May 2016 at 14:18, Andy Robinson  wrote:
> We need summer interns urgently..
In London too...
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Zeth
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
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ___
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>> > python-uk@python.org
>> > https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
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>
>
>
> --
>
> Hansel
>
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Nicholas H.Tollervey
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.



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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Zeth
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

:)

😀
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Walter Prins
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
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Andy Robinson
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...
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Thomas Kluyver
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.
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Michael
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
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Andy Robinson
You can become Ricky Gervais...

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/philosophy/prospective-students/careers-destinations
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Nicholas H.Tollervey
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...
> ___
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> 




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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread PyUK

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
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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread Mark Lawrence via python-uk

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

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Re: [python-uk] Coding "Bootcamps"

2016-05-18 Thread PyUK

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
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