Debra's Updates - ASP.NET MVC

While some days I'm amazed at how little I know, how much I do know is quite amazing too. I'm mostly finished with my Cinema Movie Database and I'm working on a few small projects. I'm ready to be home, but I'm also going to miss the people here. I do find the process not unlike painting or graphic design. I keep thinking of things I want to add, but much like painting you have to step back to decide if you're done. It's kind of a compulsion to want to keep adding things, even though it doesn't need it.

I'm looking forward to hiring day on Thursday, but I also wish I could just work on my projects for the next year.

I'm struggling with Web APIs this week. Byte Rot has been the most helpful so far. I'm also going through the Head First C# book and picking up things I didn't get before, like how static methods work.

16 days left. It's been a challenging few days. I'm starting to really miss my husband and my wonderful shower. I've met some amazing people and learned a ton. I have a long way to go, too. Every day reminds of how much I don't know.

An artist learned to code in 180 days by building a website a day. Inspiring.

Last weekend I attended Houston Techfest. My favorite presentation of the weekend was by Christine Assaf. She mentioned that we should make a list of three things we want from a job. I've been thinking about that pretty carefully over the last week.

I read an article today titled 10 Ways to Lose Your Best Employees. Number 4 resonated with me. I spent several years working for someone who made me hate going into work. I loved my job, but dealing with him was always a fear hanging over my head. Luckily, he was transferred and replaced by a wonderful, smart person that was a delight to work with and for. I think that's my biggest thing I want - a workplace full of lovely people who treat people like they want to be treated. I love money, but I don't want to dread going into work again.

Thursday, we had a presentation by hiring partner, Tsevo. They have several products that utilize data, but the most interesting is GambleID. From their website:

GambleID is focused on providing solutions that reduce risk while enhancing profitability through analytical process management. Our multi-layered approach enables identity verification, location validation, device fingerprinting, business optimization strategies, payment authentication, payment transaction management & optimization, risk mitigation, customer value forecasting and scoring through intuitive tools within an integrated managed service.

They seem like an innovative group that is well poised to take advantage of the real time online Gaming market. Their blog also makes for very interesting reading.

Everyone seems to rave about PluralSight, but it's a phenomenal site. Honestly, videos usually bore me. Usually, I'd much rather have small assignments to figure out, like CodeAcademy. However, there are so many different and simply explained topics on PS. If you didn't get it from one guy, there's another video, so maybe you'll get it from another approach. There are several things I learned today that reignited my enthusiasm. The Web Forms and trying out Visual Studio 2013 were fun today. I'm looking forward to playing around with Ajax tomorrow.

I read an article recently stating that reading before bed helps you remember. In light of this, I've started watching a video with basics, like C#, before bed. That way, I'm hoping to cement any things I've missed along the way and form solid connections with the things I already know. I'm looking forward to seeing if I feel like it helps after a week or so. At a minimum, maybe it will give me more confidence in the things I do know.

I found an article on Learnable Programming last night. Bret Victor talks about programming as a way of thinking, which seems apparent, but I feel is not often talked about with novices like myself.