thatoneblog

Archive for December, 2012

As I turned in my final assignment to Github (which by the way I finally memorized the commands for uploading!) I was pretty happy with how the course turned out. I learned a whole new operating system and gained familiarity with the terminal and its countless commands. I definitely learned enough to be able to hold my own in an entry-level job position.

I am especially proud of the group project that me and 3 other guys made (see the previous post for link). It is the most reviewed game on the Scholar forums and all the answers have been yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, etc. and everyone has had great things to say about it. Favorite comment: “If it was longer and you could get the copyright I’d pay to play this game!” It’s really encouraging to hear all the favorable reviews; it’s definitely inspired me to get back into the field of programming as my CPE focus and study up on it over break and perhaps expand this game or make my own!

My charge to the Unix class next spring: come to class and talk to each other!

So for our Intro to Unix final project, 3 other guys and I created a text-based adventure game based on the popular AMC TV series The Walking Dead. It was writting using Python and an expandable structure so that it can easily be added on to. It actually turned out really great; we’re all definitely proud of how it turned out. We accomplished every goal we set out to achieve in the beginning when we first met up.

Here’s the link to the GitHub repository where you can download a zip file and follow the README for starting the game:
https://github.com/cas26547/WalkingDeadGame/tree/master/WalkingDead

If you have any feedback feel free to comment below!

Well, I did end up finding a good resource for anyone interested in programming but not sure where to find extra, concise learning resources. If interested, try Safari Books Online. It’s an online database provided by Virginia Tech. In fact, the school pays thousands of dollars, part of each student’s tuition, to have access to these resources. So if we’re paying for these databases it can’t hurt to actually use them!

All you need to type in the search box is what you’re really interested in. Just typing in “Python Programming” brings up results and titles ranging from “Intro to…” to “Expert Python Programming”; it’s perfect for any level of programmer. There’s tons of professionally done books on other languages from Java to Tcl and systems like the PIC microcontroller. This database has already sorted through the unworthy or cluttered resources that appear at the top of Google searches. You’re much better off finding serious help in this database than through a Google search.

TIP: When you get your required textbook list for next semester, look up the titles in this database. The book might be available for free and you could save yourself tons of money!

Is it just me or did the progression stop?

I installed Ubuntu, learned how to use the standard terminal, got familiar with the commands… now what?

The curriculum and online lessons did a great job in introducing me to Unix and how to use it and what it can do. However, how do I up my skills even further? Things like better terminals (Tmux?), remote access, greater customization,  and more ways to draw me in are completely foreign still. I feel as though there are tools out there that can help me become a better Unix programmer but I haven’t been able to find them. Sure there’s the internet but it’s an even worse experience trying to sort through the garbage bloggers who are trying to teach random applications; it’s a pain to try to find good help.

So besides buying how-to books how do people get so good at Unix and start hacking away?

I mean you can only mess around with trial and error for so long, right? You have to run out of exciting new commands eventually too don’t you?