Archive for the ‘Software Carpentry’ Category

PyCon 2010

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

It's a sunny Sunday morning in Atlanta, and I'm on my way home. I came down Thursday to: Raise money for Software Carpentry. Get people excited about Basie. Get people excited about UCOSP. Talk with Georgia Tech's Mark Guzdial about computer science education. #4 actually happened first. Mark picked me up Friday morning; we chatted ...

Changing Gears

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

As some of you already know, my contract with the University of Toronto runs out this spring, and I have decided not to seek renewal. I've learned a lot in this job, and had a chance to work with some great people, but it's time for new challenges. What I'd most ...

Reflectus

Friday, December 11th, 2009

I'd like to start playing the sax again. I'd also like to get to the gym a couple of times a week, and write some more children's books, and tear up the paving stones in our front yard so that we can put in a garden, but you probably ...

Newer Outline for Software Carpentry

Friday, September 18th, 2009

I have updated the description of how I plan/hope to reorganize the Software Carpentry course.  My thanks to everyone who commented on the earlier draft; I’d be very grateful for feedback on this one as well—I realize that some of the lectures are still hopelessly ambitious, but I hope it’s ...

Teaching Computational Thinking on the Web in Just Two Hours

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Someone once said, "Never set yourself achievable goals." I'm willing to bet he died a lonely, bitter man, and I have no desire to follow in his footsteps. However, I do have to figure out what the Software Carpentry course should try to teach scientists about programming for the web. ...

Help Wanted: New Version of Software Carpentry Course

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

I've posted a note on the Software Carpentry blog describing how I plan to rewrite the course, and asking for help with some outstanding issues.  Your input would be very welcome.

Fall Reading List

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

Mostly driven by my dream of updating the Software Carpentry course (you can follow my progress, such as it is, on the blog). Now, would someone please write "GIS with Python"? Web Application Design Patterns Python: Visual QuickStart Guide Bioinformatics Programming Using Python Web 2.0 Architectures: What entrepreneurs and information architects need to know Web ...

American Scientist Article on How Scientists Use Computers

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

American Scientist has just published a short article summarizing I wrote summarizing the results from last year's survey of how scientists actually use computers.

Slides from Science 2.0

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Slides from the Science 2.0 symposium held on July 29 as part of the Software Carpentry course are now available online.  Video of the lectures will follow soon.

Science 2.0 talks in Toronto July 29

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

A decade ago, people like Jon Udell were imagining how the web could radically change the way science is done. Today, those visions are becoming a reality, and on July 29, you can join us for an afternoon of talks about what's happening and how it could touch your life. ...