Not actually a minifesto

Devs,

Here's another interesting article that I just read.
http://minifesto.org/

Not sure I would agree with everything especially with calling this a "mini"festo, but I get this author's point. I also would use better terms instead of "killing the baby". Anyhow, just something to read and think about. In essence, fail fast, work fast, better is good (thanks President Obama), and keep your eyes on the win.

Discovering Datasets with Google

Devs,

If you haven't already been keeping abreast of all the data science hype, then I would suggest that you get with it. Although I haven't been able to keep up with the "hype" (and I call it "hype" because everything with computers has been on processing 'data'), this doesn't mean you have to wait for me. I'll catch up eventually. I have just have other priorities right now in this season of my life (aka two toddlers).

Here's an article I enjoyed reading. Cheers!

https://www.blog.google/products/search/making-it-easier-discover-datasets/

True "Agile Development"

Devs,

I'm not going to say much since some developers have the tendency to talk in circles on certain topics like "what is Agile". Instead, I am posting an article that I just read and totally agree with (who is actually one of the founders of the Agile Manifesto). I actually took part in this "experimental" phase when it came out with my first corporate job in Minnesota. From there, I've been on teams in Boston and in DC. There has only been one other team which was a Boston, small business that worked close to the principles of Agile. This is perhaps because the CTO was co-founder of the business.

Therefore, I'm realizing that for an organization to truly be Agile, one of the co-founders must be extremely technical if not a co-founder/CTO.

https://martinfowler.com/articles/agile-aus-2018.html

1. Get rid of the Agile Industrial Complex and the idea of imposing stuff on teams. Let teams work out the way they should work themselves.
2. Raise the importance of technical excellence, and never forget that when writing software, the technology side is really vital, and
3. organize around products.

One area I wish Martin would have highlighted is the importance of "smart users". That is, users are who are aware of how to develop their product to make life easier. I don't mean easier like "make a better car" but visionary like "make a self-driving car". That kind of vision (which requires an imagination - thanks GE) is the kind of easier I'm referring to. Somehow, I thought with more people using all of these gadgets that people would become more creative. I'm still waiting to witness, hahaha.

Enjoy the ride!

Frameworks over Languages?

I recently read this article:
http://www.kdnuggets.com/2017/05/frameworks-offer-data-scientists-programming-languages-lack.html

What a mind opener and so true (to a degree, but a high degree)! Why bother with languages that a person has to learn and do all kinds of stuff, when one can leverage a framework and - viola! - create something rapidly? Ruby-on-Rails is a great example. Perhaps it's why it's one of the most useful RAD frameworks. Of course, there are cases when a person will not want to use a framework (or find one that more-so matches the product development's purpose). For example, if you need to customize a lot instead of following conventions, then Rails is not for you. Spring might be a better match, but that involves switching languages. I haven't researched and played with all the different Ruby frameworks, but perhaps there is one that is more flexible and customizable?

Either way, know the frameworks and don't dig too deep into the languages UNLESS you must use the specific language to accomplish your goal.

Good luck,
G2

Electron - Quick Introduction (destop app in JS)

Hey Dev Fam,

I wanted to know what "Electron" was and went through these tutorials.

Red Stapler's quick tutorials on Electron

Introduction & WebApp -> DesktopApp Quick Conversion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qf2Yjz-zsk

Hello World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJFuMKPfpfs

Packaging Application

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP7j_hDL40Y

Another Overview on Electron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr9Mtm_TRpw

GitHub's Electron Overview 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNHBfN8c32U

GitHub's selling point on using Electron is:

If you can build a website, you can build a desktop app. Electron is a framework for creating native Desktop applications with web technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.


Happy Coding,
G2

Nanobox.io - Quick Introduction

Hey Dev Fam,

I just read this article on cloud performance between AWS and Digital Ocean. The title caught my attention because AWS is quite strong in the cloud computing arena. For any author to mention how a specific vendor is trying to catch up, I'm interested in knowing.
https://content.nanobox.io/aws-vs-digital-ocean-a-performance-comparison/

After reading the article, I'm glad to see such thorough steps and results. The author did a great job. I'll have to look into these new tools like Siege. Too bad Digital Ocean didn't decrease their cost with respect to their performance. I see they kept their cost too close to AWS but their performance is not as close as it should be (in making a good case for keeping their cost close).

Anyhow, since I never heard of Nanobox.io I wanted to learn more. After watching the demo, I still wasn't sold on using it. I've used Vagrant and still need to learn Docker, but what's truly different about Nanobox besides it's fancy client UI and dashboard stuff?

Well, check this out this Nanobox demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV4iBxytfyE

I'll need to try this out and let you know what I think...

Happy Coding,
G2

Keeping up with Programming Languages

It's always tough to keep up with all the programming languages and to know which one is the best for the year. I use to think certain languages would die, but many still are surviving like Java. I like this article though and agree. Best bet is to securely know the fundamentals of programming and then learn a few well while staying aware of the basics for other programming languages. Thank goodness for the quick tutorials on YouTube (in addition to Google+StackOverflow)!

https://ntguardian.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/on-programming-languages-why-my-dad-went-from-programming-to-driving-a-bus/