Software Development / App Development Course

[Nathan Trapp]

Zev Eisenberg and I are looking to start teaching an intro to Software Development + App Development (iOS) for anyone interested at some of our weekly meetups, provided there are people out there who want to learn. I know there were some interested parties at the last two meetings. If you or someone you know would want to take the class either respond here or get in touch directly at nathan...@capecodmakers.org

Thanks!

[Marcia MacInnis]

Cost? I'd be interested.  Thanks.

[Nathan Trapp]

The class will be free unless there is some fee we need to pay for the location we use to teach it. Either way it will be very minimal.

Do you have any programming experience? I'd like to gauge if this needs to be a super basic intro course or what level of knowledge people already have.

[Douglas Butler]

Generally I think software courses would be great for our fledgling maker group.  But I don't think I will be able to devote the time to make taking a course worthwhile for at least the next 6 months.  When the time comes I would be most interested in learning Python, Arduino applications, and maybe a C roundtable group.

Doug

[Nathan Trapp]

Thanks Doug.

It's looking like, based on experience and interest, I'll do a intro to Python course in late May/early June, which I can then follow up with a more advanced app development course (probably iOS, but maybe more generic if students don't have Macs).

We can definitely do some courses on Arduino in the future as well, but that involves a bit more overhead (as students will have to buy the hardware).

I'm sure we'll have all these classes going in time (and have some more teachers come forward, too!). And they'll definitely repeat, so if you can't do it the first time don't worry we'll teach it again eventually.

- Nathan

[Marcia MacInnis]

I'd be interested in either iOS or Arduino.  Thanks.

[Barrett Simms]

I'd be willing to do an intro to Gadgeteer.

It would work something like this:

0-30 minutes : Setup

30-60 minutes : Introduction and Installation of tools

60-180 minutes : Programming and Demos

Each pair (or person) would get a different project based on their experience.

Possible projects (ordered by difficulty)

- Trigger LED with a button

- Timer based multi-colored LED rotation

- Using a Camera with a motion sensor 

- WiFi content server

- Touch screen programming

Thoughts?

Barrett

[Nathan Trapp]

Hey Barrett,

I'm not sure .NET is more in demand than iOS, it's really all where you look these days. But, if you want to do a class on Gadgeteer that would be great. We can probably arrange a classroom space for you. I think it goes hand-in-hand with the other classes I'm talking about teaching. My goal is to just spread as much knowledge as we can here and get people making.

Here is a list of a lot of the classes I want to teach and am thinking of teaching eventually.

The classes I'm considering teaching are (based on things I've had experience with):
* ObjC / Cocoa / iOS / Mac Development (Maybe even some GNUStep to avoid the hurdle of everyone having a Mac)
* Python - This is a great intro language, you can do almost anything with it. It's the core language behind the game I built http://fsmod.com, and I also used it for my senior design project in Uni for long range RFID driving some micros w/ custom antennas. I've also used Python + django for web development. Very versatile. I'm thinking I'll teach the class with the book http://learnpythonthehardway.org/
* node.js, HTML 5, CSS3, jQuery and other modern web development
* Arduino - not sure where to take this class yet, but there are so many possibilities
* Reverse Engineering / Disassembling - how to use tools like Hopper (http://hopperapp.com) to disassemble, interpret, and tweak binaries using things like SIMBL (http://culater.net/software/SIMBL/SIMBL.php) or making tweaking iOS


Potential future classes (things I have knowledge of, not sure if I want to teach):
* 3D Modeling / Design - may be more useful once we have access to a 3D printer, but I've got a good deal of experience with 3D design from http://fsmod.com
* Photoshop - My skills here have become a bit rusty since I've gotten out of the design aspects of web design and had professional designers working with me, so there are probably better qualified teachers
* Soldering - Definitely know people who are better than me at this, but I've got my fair share of experience.. largest concern is getting the equipment to be able to teach
* PCB Design / Etching - DIY etching of PCB boards, I've only had my PCBs professionally etched, but have some second hand experience with DIY etching and my wife is a chemist and should be able to aid with this

- Nathan
On Apr 14, 2013, at 1:37 PM, Barrett Simms <wbs...@gmail.com> wrote:

> There are quite a few .NET developers out there. It's also a more in demand skill than iOS development.
>
> I don't want to troll but Netduino or Gadgeteer might be a better choice if you're going to teach programming through hardware. I'd be scared to teach anyone pointers now a-days. :)
>
> I'd be willing to volunteer a class on basic Gadgeteer programming. It would run something like this
>
> 0-30 minutes : Setup Machines
> 30-60 minutes : Install required tools
> 60-180 minutes : Write code and install on to hardware for testing.
>
> Every pair (or person) would have a different project depending on their skill level with a computer.
>
> Project examples (in order of difficulty)
> • Turn on an LED with a button
> • Camera capture by motion detection
> • Time-based multi colored LED rotation
> • WFi server
> • Touch screen programming

> Thoughts?
>
> Barrett
>
>
> On Wednesday, April 3, 2013 1:06:25 PM UTC-4, Nathan Trapp wrote:

> Zev Eisenberg and I are looking to start teaching an intro to Software Development + App Development (iOS) for anyone interested at some of our weekly meetups, provided there are people out there who want to learn. I know there were some interested parties at the last two meetings. If you or someone you know would want to take the class either respond here or get in touch directly at nathan...@capecodmakers.org
>
> Thanks!
>

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>

[Barrett Simms]

Not sure I agree with you regarding the "in demand" argument.

Number of open jobs on Dice.com by keyword:

C# => 9088

Python => 4082

iOS => 2514

Objective-C => 926

node.js => 386

Most people still have problems with "what's a URL" and "what's a domain name".  I think there should be a low barrier to introduction and exploration.

I guess a good question to ask: "Who's the target audience?"

Another thought... It might be more fun to pick a project and have a hack-a-thon.  And let people vote on tech beforehand.

Barrett

[Nathan Trapp]

Direct job openings aren't really the best metric in my opinion. They tend to be not the most accurate when it comes to the nitty gritty of what technologies are involved. Tell your hiring director you do something with C and you'll see C# and C++ tend to get listed too. It's not a bad thing (because people who program tend to be pretty versatile and pick up languages quick), it just makes metrics like this a little skewed.

Take a look at GitHub's language graph https://github.com/languages. The most popular things are scripting languages such as JS (Node.js), Ruby, Python, etc.

Anyways, yes figuring out the target audience is definitely key. If you want to build a mobile application then you're going to want to learn ObjC or Java (for iOS or Android). There are some routes you can go with web based stuff, but native is always more ideal. This started down that path because I got requests for mobile app development from a few people at meetups, but I'm really interested in teaching other things as well.

As for the hack-a-thon idea, I think that's great. We should come up with some ideas around what kind of tech is the target.

Another possible idea which I'm trying to arrange is a gathering for Ludum Dare 26. It's a game competition from April 26th-29th, where you program a game from scratch over the course of the weekend. We're trying to get a physical space that we can use for the weekend to gather, collaborate, and work on the games (and other things if people want). I participated in LD25 and it was pretty fun.

- Nathan

[Barrett Simms]

I was just responding to your comment of what's "in demand".  I translate that to "what companies will pay for".  I can't think of any public repositories on github which pay for contributions.  I think you probably meant to write "what's buzzing" or "what's trending".

Anyway, I'd like to end this thread.  It's not productive.

I think I'll skip out and withdraw my offer.  I already do a lot of community work and training.  This doesn't really seem the place for me to bring my ideas.  It seems you have things well in-hand with a good plan for future progress.

Thanks anyway and I wish the group luck.  I'll keep an eye out for opportunities to participate in the future.

--

http://wbsimms.com

[Marcia MacInnis]

It's really unfortunate that Barrett doesn't wish to go forward with his offer to do a Gadgeteer workshop.

I know him well and think he's a terrific developer and an excellent instructor.

Maybe I'm misreading this thread, but this is what happens when someone pushes their agenda - and perhaps their territory - too hard.  I led a technical user group for 7+ years and found that the wisest strategy when someone offers to help is to thank them profusely and ask when they are available.

You might also consider starting small and plan a larger event, like a game development weekend, when the group is established.

Just my opinion.

Marcia MacInnis

[Nathan Trapp]

Barrett,

It's unfortunate that you don't wish to be a part of this project any longer. The offer of finding you a classroom space still holds if you should change your mind – we got offers to use classroom space at Mashpee Middle School last night.

I'm sorry for letting this conversation thread get derailed, your initial comment regarding .NET being 'a more in demand skill than iOS' hit me rather personally, but it's not a topic relevant for a thread on teaching. You're right, it's not productive.

- Nathan

[Nathan Trapp]

Marcia,

We're trying to incorporate a mix of small and large events, if you have have any specific ideas for events please let me know. We're open to any ideas that will help build this community.

Our basic strategy at the moment is when there are events going on in the local maker community – or the global maker community – we try and jump on them and incorporate them with our group, as it doesn't cost us anything and it spurs at least a few people to make something that they otherwise wouldn't. Last week this was the Paper Metropolis at Heritage Museum, next week it will be the Ludum Dare game competition and a trip to the Westport, CT makerfaire. Often the people hosting these events encourage us to include Cape Cod Makers in the activities and by doing so it helps us build some great connections in the community that help us towards our goal of building a permanent space.

On the larger scale you've likely heard we're planning a makerfaire in September, our next monthly meeting in May will focus on everything we have to do to pull this off, but we're hoping six months of planning time and smaller events should be enough to make it happen.

Anyways, lets try and keep this topic to interest in taking classes or teaching classes. Feel free to e-mail me directly if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Nathan

[Jerry Thiboutot]

Barrett,

I want you to know that the Cape Cod Makers wants you and everyone else to know that your offer is greatly appreciated.  I had the opportunity to talk to Nathan, Dawn, Jim and Mary tonight and I think this is one of those internet / e-mail miss understandings!  I'm more of a people person, I really don't know what either you or Nathan are talking about with regards to the classes you both would like to teach.  I know after talking to everyone we want you to know that we would love for you to teach a class.  As Nathan mentioned we are working on getting a physical space as a temporary solution in order to have just these sorts of classes.  The five of us can't do all of this by ourselves  nor do we want to, this is a community thing and it will take this community to make the Cape Cod Makerspace the best darn makerspace on the Cape, or something like that.  We hope you reconsider, give us a second chance.  I hope we get to meet and I hope you help with this little project of ours.  Thanks.

On Tuesday, April 16, 2013 4:11:18 PM UTC-4, Barrett Simms wrote: