Logic, Patience and Self-Control

There are a few things I have learned from studying computer science and from being a software developer in general. I call myself aspiring because I know that I have a long way to go before other people will call me an expert. I know that it takes about ten years and over 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to become exceptional.

I have a core of friends within the BYU CocoaHeads that have varying hours of experience as software developers. Many of the people I have communicated with through that organization have exceptional personalities and kind friendly hearts, whether they are new to programming or are seasoned veterans. Many of the things I will share with you I have learned from my association with them.

I have learned that to become a better programmer you must learn logic, patience and self control. Logic. We all learn that computer processors deal with binary states, 1s and 0s, either the voltage is present to the required level or it is not. Many people call what computers and their programers do magic. In fact everything a computer does is logic based. A computer is an advanced calculator.

If this machine is so logical, why does it sometimes fail? It fails because the machine and its software were created by people and people are imperfect, fallible beings. With enough understanding and time any technical failure can be explained and remedied.

Becoming a world class programmer takes great patience because, to paraphrase Aaron Hillegass, you are not stupid, programming is hard. I have made many mistakes and I am sure I will make many more in my studies and my work. The point is, after enough deliberate practice people get better and the frequency of those mistakes diminish. Therefore, being a top-notch programmer takes patience.

If you want to be counted among the best programmers in your culture you need to have self-control. It is sometimes easy to become frustrated after you have become tired and want to pull your hair out because your application just will not compile and you can not figure out why. If you control your emotions you will remember how much you enjoy programming and you will get your logical mind back in control.

I have by no means mastered these skills. Through practice, success and failure, I have started to learn that these emotional skills are essential to not giving up and one day becoming an admired and respected software developer.

In These Hard Economic Times

Buzz Out Loud listeners know the Insider joke in that title. I am studying as much as possible. I am really serious about geting good grades in college. This is not funny. If I do not want to spend the rest of my life in retail (I do not want that), I have to get good grades.

This is why I am not posting updates as often as I want to. I am giving almost all of my uncommited time to studying. My grades are good (A range) half way through the semester. I am also learning about the best practices and common design patterns of programming.

I also have recently taken an interest in Assembly Language. I will share updates when possible.

College Days

Tomorrow will be the end of my fifth week at college. I am doing well and getting good grades so far. I spoke to the computer science department head today about picking electives. The summer department class schedule will be out this weekend. I am trying to be full time and get two major classes.

I feel I am doing well and moving along with my education. Even when it is tiring I like being a college student.

Blogging Ethics

Blogging is something I enjoy doing. I do not pretend to use perfect spelling, grammar and puctuation. One thing I do maintain is ethical stanards in my writing.

I wonder if accepting free software license keys is ethical for a blogger giving their opinion about that free software. Will the fact that they did not pay for that license color their reveiw of the product? Should they disclose that their copy was free?

I have up until now bought everything I have written about at the publicly available price? Some software I have written about was distributed for free to everyone under licence conditions. It is my policy to disclose the condition under which I aquire anything I reveiw here. Whether I pay full price, sale price, free for everyone or a free review copy, you will know how a got the things I write about. That way, you can make your own judgement about my opinion, knowing how I got that item.

Classics

I recently bought a wonderful $0.99 iPhone app named Classics. This app is on sale and I beleive the original price was $2.99. If you enjoy reading Classics is for you.

Classics is a collection of books that are out of copyright and are favorites of many book lovers. I am currently in the second chapter of The Time Machine by H. G. Wells. When I bought it the collection had 13 books including A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The creator of Classics has promised new books in future updates.

The books are presented in a virtual scrolling bookshelf with custom cover art. The books have page turn animations and sounds and a bookmark animation. Classics remembers your last page read in each book and returns you there the next time you open that book.

The books are easy for me to read and the app has not crashed for me. If you like to read classic books you will like Classics.

Pumpkin Cream Pie

A wonderful Autumn tradition in the United States is to have a pumpkin pie. This pumpkin cream pie was made by my friend Darlene. I have been eating it for three days and only have a little peice left. It is absolutely delicious. I hope you too can enjoy a sweat pumpkin pie before the new year.

Free At Last

Earlier today I told the co-manager on duty that I was resigning from my secondary part-time job. I beleive In the character building value of honest work. However, I also beleive a person can be stretched too far.

I will be going to college next January to pursue my associate’s degree in computer science. I am in a stable financial situation and I want to succeed in having a career and contribute to my community and nation.

I am tired of the hard work, low pay and juvinile co-workers. I was working in an international fast food restaurant. I am still employed in my full time job with an international retailer. If I could choose my work I would work in the technology industry in some job suitable for my education, experience and knowledge. I know it will take time and work. I am willing and able to succeed. I will get there.

iPhone OS 2.2

I just downloaded the free iPhone OS 2.2 update. As an avid listener of podcasts I greatly enjoy the new ability to download additional episodes from within iPod and download new podcasts in the iTunes Store over the network.

I also liked the changes to the App Store. With limited time to test Mobile Safari, the new version seems more stable and less often crashes. After more time to test it out I will give you an update. Also, expect an update on my reading soon.

My Ubuntu VirtualBox

Recently I was pointed to Sun Microsystems free VirtualBox virtual machine software by my friend Michael Fey. I installed a VirtualBox and downloaded the free Ubuntu Linux 8.1(32-bit). I will be taking a class in Linux Essentials at my college next year for my computer science major. I thought that if I use Ubuntu Linux some that I will be more prepared for the class. I will be at least more familiar with how Linux is used on modern computers.

The installation was easy and automatically recognized my network connection. I have used Firefox 3 and the automatic package updater. I used the blackjack game that was built-in. It is a nice desktop. Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop. I will continue to use it from time to time and learn more about Linux.

Wrath of the Lich King

After my two month hiatus my first new post has almost nothing to do with programming. After buying World of Warcraft Wrath of the Lich King Collector’s Edition(with a 10% store employee discount), I jumped head first back into Blizzard Entertainment’s fantasy world. My main character, who had been waiting patiently at level 70 for months, is now at level 71.

I am currently questing in the Borean Tundra of the northern continent Northrend. I intend to stay there until all single player quests are complete. The variety of flightpath mounts are impressive. I have riden a hipogrif, a dragon and an airplain in one zone. I am not done exploring the Borean Tundra. More magical adventure awaits.