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Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

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Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

#1

Post by Peach_blue »

Hello,

I want to follow the advice from https://teachyourselfcs.com and start his curriculum with 'Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs'. (It's a site that recommends various resources to teach yourself everything you need to know to become a true software engineer. Or set yourself up to become one, rather. )

However, I already found myself with some questions and I was wondering if there was a community (or whether somebody wants to create one with me) for people who are on the same path.

I have little prior experience but I'm very curious about CS, programming and cybersecurity. So I'd like it to be a group that is comfortable with slow learning and basic questions. Or even figuring out how to re-learn high-school math in order to progress to CS-level math.

If anybody is interested I will post my e-mail, but maybe there is something similiar already out there.

Re: Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

#4

Post by kwatsonafter »

Here's some advice: if you're really interested in learning, "Computer Science" than I'd actually steer away from online communities and the like-- you're going to run into a lot of people that you might assume know things that give you ideas that you'll eventually have to self-correct. There are relatively few academically competent, "computer people" in the world after the dissolution of science and technology programs in the post-war economic period. Watch Alan Kay talks. Read Computer Lib by Ted Nelson.

There's a theory that through the 80's and 90's that, "many of the elves left Middle Earth" (ie. the first competent generation of PC-literate computer people have left the industry) Bill Atkinson went and became a photographer after developing HyperCard. There are other examples. Learn, "Humanism" first. Computer literacy will follow if it is your destiny.

Re: Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

#5

Post by Peach_blue »

kwatsonafter wrote: post #4

Here's some advice: if you're really interested in learning, "Computer Science" than I'd actually steer away from online communities and the like-- you're going to run into a lot of people that you might assume know things that give you ideas that you'll eventually have to self-correct. There are relatively few academically competent, "computer people" in the world after the dissolution of science and technology prog…

Thank you for your thoughts, I will keep that in mind. What do you mean with humanism (I did Google it) and how would computer literacy follow that?

I'm in my mid thirties and I worked with people most of my life. I'm looking to pour my ambition into something different now. I know the word 'hobbyists' is in the title, maybe that was a mistake. I intend to use the knowledge for a career down the line. I just don't want to be somebody who learns to code in 6 months and then is thrown into the arena. I want to really understand stuff and then see where the path leads me, because I have the luxury of taking my time.

Re: Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

#6

Post by greazy »

kwatsonafter wrote: post #4

Here's some advice: if you're really interested in learning, "Computer Science" than I'd actually steer away from online communities and the like-- you're going to run into a lot of people that you might assume know things that give you ideas that you'll eventually have to self-correct. There are relatively few academically competent, "computer people" in the world after the dissolution of science and technology prog…

> There are relatively few academically competent, "computer people" in the world after the dissolution of science and technology programs in the post-war economic period.

...what in the hell are you talking about.

Re: Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

#7

Post by brudgers »

This was part of the original idea for MOOC’s.

But then budgets were reduced and they mostly became online correspondence courses without active cohorts.

My advice is to take an online course with an academic structure so there are explicit minimum expectations for participation and pace of progress.

It solves the matchmaking problem directly.

Indirectly it might offer you useful accountability…I mean here you’re solving a problem that feels like learning CS but isn’t.

Good luck.

Re: Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

#8

Post by Peach_blue »

kwatsonafter wrote: post #4

Here's some advice: if you're really interested in learning, "Computer Science" than I'd actually steer away from online communities and the like-- you're going to run into a lot of people that you might assume know things that give you ideas that you'll eventually have to self-correct. There are relatively few academically competent, "computer people" in the world after the dissolution of science and technology prog…

Ok, I have an Alan Kay talk running right now, and I think I know where you are coming from with the humanism thing.

I do in fact intend to use the CS knowledge for what I consider a good cause. Not just to get a job.

Re: Ask HN: Online community for self-taught CS hobbyists?

#10

Post by reachableceo »

I presume you’ve tried /r/compsci or /r/programming ? Or other forums ? You’ve found them lacking in some way?

Many folks are collaborating online in large communities of any number of topics , especially computer related .

Have you looked into your local geographic area for meetups ? Or post to the sub Reddit for your local geo asking people to meet up to study ?

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