How to Become a Top Notch Programmer on Your Own!

How do you decide what to study - to be an in demand, rich  programmer? - by Chris Garrah 
June 30, 2013

Do you ever wander into a library or browse the internet and hope you find a computer language to study? What do you study?

One solution - try reading the  book called "The Passionate Programmer" by Chad Fowler.  Subtitle: Creating a Remarkable Career in Software Development.   The book is full of insights and tips on how to explore somputer programming in depth and how to make yourself a very valuable computer programmer.
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Sure it was written in 2009.  But it is written by a gifted saxophonist who studied the art of computer programming on his own.  When he was hired , he found he could run circles around formally trained programmers because he took the time to explore areas in depth and to constantly ask questions to dig deeper.   In his book Mr. Fowler fills in the details of how to achieve what he did in gaining an intimate understanding of programming and the areas to explore that can have a good reward for you.

Not sure what programming languages or areas to study?

The book discusses many areas - and there is a fair number of techno-speak - but how about starting  programming in Java or ".net".   To delve into it further try getting a copy of the book.  The book cover promotes it's author - "Chad Fowler is an internationally known software developer,trainer, manager, speaker and musician.

Dream Big! - Could reading and following this book  be a pathway to being a Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg?

Yes! If you find you love to program I recommend this book. The subtitle of the book shows what the book can help you find if you use the book to develop your passion for computer programming .... Here is the subtitle ...."creat(e) a remarkable career in software development.

Learning About Asperger Syndrome - Could illness turn you into a savant?

A review of Daniel Tammet's book "Born On a Blue Day" by Surfer Chris Garrah

Born On a Blue Day -  A Memoir of Aspergerès and an Extraordinary Mind by Daniel Tammet 2006

 

 

 

 

Why should you read Daniel Tammet's Memoir book?

So I was flipping through the Book "Born on a Blue Day" written by Daniel Savant.   He has Asperger syndrome but he also has an amazing ability with numbers and learning languages.   One condition he  has is synaesthesia which allows him to sees numbers much differently than the average person.  Synaesthesia could be described as a very rich multi-sensory and emotional experience of numbers.  In the book Daniel is able to describe the enriched awareness and uniqueness of different numbers.  He is able to describe how richly he sees the numbers and how different numbers affect his emotions differently.  He experiences each number in a variety of modes as if his sensory channels have been combined when experiencing numbers.

How amazing are Daniel's abilities?

His rich experience of numbers in mind allowed him to recite the number "pi" to 22,514 digits.  The sequence of numbers has a significance and multi-channel experience for him. Which explains how it is even possible to explain such an amaing feat of memorizing an amazingly long sequence of numbers. Daniel's gift of numbers allowed him to  raise funds to support epilepsy awareness.
It was after an epileptic bout that Daniel Tammett acquired his amazing abilities.

Also in the book

Daniel also describes his experience and ability counting cards in blackjack in Las Vegas and also his gift to quickly learn languages.

Daniel Tammet's full book title is:  Born on a Blue Day      A memoir of Asperger's and an Extraordinary Mind  published 2006

How to be a Publicist - one of the keys - a book review of writing effective News Releases

How to Get free publicity for yourself, Your Business , or Your Organization
A Book Review by Chris Garrah of Catherine V McIntyre's Book  - reviewed April 3, 2013

About the Book

The book was first published in 1992 and then a 2nd publishing in 2008.   It's title is "Writing Effective News Releases ...  How to get free publicity for yourself, your business or your organization. 

Why read the Book

It may not even be necessary to read the book to get useful information - just flipping through it - you will gain information.   The important thing is that by writing one or two pages - a news release - you can forward it to a television station or a newspaper .  News sources are looking for interesting releases to fill out their programming.   

The book covers essential information on what to include in the release and the format.  It shows many examples .  Chapter 10 is especially useful   Developing Newsworthy Ideas.

Summary

Many organizations or businesses cannot afford to pay for advertising - this book points out a way to promote your organization FREE.  By thinking about the ideas in the book - and reading some of the news releases you can not only learn about writing news releases you will have learned how to be a publicist for you, your interests and businesses or organizations.

All about teaching - a key book review for new teachers

A book review for student teachers and new teachers

"The Naked Teacher - How To Survive Your First Five Years in Teaching"  a review of the book authored by Louisa Leaman published 2006 - reviewed by Chris Garrah on March 24, 2013

The Naked Teacher - How to Survive your First Five Years In Teaching - authored by Leaman, Louisa

 

Why Student Teachers and New Teachers Need this book

When I attempted to be a teacher in the early 1980's I was sent on a practicum to teach high school students.   My teaching adviser merely said I needed to have more energy after watching me give a demonstration in a lesson.  But what the adviser did not see are several common fears - how to keep going when the lesson plan dies, or the fear that the student teacher has not received training on how to  maintain control of a class in any situation,  This book allays all of those types of fears by explaining that the teacher is a performer and their are techniques to manage the classroom that the teacher should become aware and intimate with in order to give one's confidence a giant boost in the classroom.
This manual will surely give you a secret weapon to boost your confidence and allay your fears of interacting with a group of students where you are the performer and where as the teacher you are the center of attention..   This really is a manual of how empower a new teacher or student teacher.  Sometimes training programs do not give you this type of training - it is better to be trained with a manual of how to do basic things like survive and thrive - especially if you, the teacher-to-be has unadressed fears of how to teach or control students.  This book delivers on its promise to show you the ropes of how to things and how to prepare.  Louisa Leaman really talks to you as a trusted friend in the book.  Its a comforting book to have for new teachers - even if you are a veteran teacher that is getting stressed - this book should help you get on the top of your game. 

Behavior management in the Classroom

If you spend going time reading  this book over and over your resourcefulness will be many times those who have never received training in depth classroom behavior management .  There are many things a teacher can do to put a firm hand on classroom development through reporting, contacting teachers.  But very importantly, there is an incredible listing of  a large variety of "easy" type lessons such as having students lead the course, exams, taking questions that could be created while the student teacher gets the feel of teaching.

The Politics of Teaching

The book covers every aspect of interacting with principals, fellow teachers, school staff, parents and students.  An emphasis is placed on developing  personality traits and teaching skills to allow you to survive and excel as a teacher.

Use It as A Reference

The book is available on www.amazon.com as well as other books by Louisa Leaman such as "Managing Very Challenging Behaviour " and "Classroom Confidential (Practical Teaching Guides)"   Check these books out and improve your odds of being a successful teacher.