Last year I wrote a list of apps I wanted to write. I've done none of them
In that spirit, here are a few other apps I want to write:
"Oh Snap" - A "warning system" for runners to know where on the course the photographers are so we can avoid bad pictures. The app should know your speed so it warns you based on time. "You will reach the next photographer in 1 minute. Be sure to run, smile and mug for the camera."
"Come Again?!?" - An Action for communication apps (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, and maybe other) that will provide an instant translation. It should keep the language set based on the receiver.
"Inara Serra" - An App that will take a contact (name and\or phone) and compile their online presence. Provide a summary and way to make decisions: Do I want to friend them in Facebook? (probably no) Do I want to connect on LinkedIn? (probably yes) Follow them on Twitter? (sounds good) Prep a email (probably wise), Check out Spotify Playlists (hell yea!), follow their blog (sure)
If you write any of these, let me know and give me a shout out. What could be more lovely then a sad song by Santana (Corazon Espinado)
I've been desiring to be a python developer for almost a year now. I've taken some classes, I've joined Code for America, I've attended some python user groups. However pyLadies in RTP solidified my resolve. Well that and my snarky co-worker's question "What is the point of pyLadies?" My answer was to become better python programmers. Thinking the conversation was over.
However, now at every opportunity he asks me "so are you a better python developer". Since "No, can I smack you" is not generally accepted in my office, I am going to just have to become a better python developer so I can ask back "Why yes, yes I am"
Here is the plan. I know it is safe to put them on this blog, since I've learned I can make lists here and ignore them for years:
Get a working environment on my Chromebook
Build a "Hello World" application
Deploy a "Hello World" application
Pick a real world application I need
While I want to be a better python developer, what I really want to be is a punk rocker with flowers in my hair.
NPR introduces me to interesting and unexpected people. Frederick Hutson, creator and CEO of Pigeon.ly is the latest. My brain is constantly dwelling on how, as the Pigeonly website says, 'audacious' his idea is.
Hutson is inspirational, not only because he is a smart business man, but because of his resilience. Hutson saw prison as a market. I see it as a talent pipeline.
"America is the land of the second chance - and when the gates of prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life." - George W. Bush.
I've included links to both NPR and Forbes write up so you can get the full story:
The Iron Yard of Durham invited me back for another Demo Day. This
was Cohort 3 and the largest group of students learning Ruby on Rails,
Front End Development and Python backend developer. While waiting I
overhead someone here for recruiting comment:
"People with these skills can pretty much get a job where ever they want”
Here is a summary of the projects and my impression. And for
those that like to read the end of the book, I was impressed.
Overall: MotorCo is a great venue and setup a nice
environment. It was a bit crowded and expect they will need a bigger
space for Cohort 4. @Theironyard #poweredbySB
RIdeo: Tim Hooker, Jason Aylward, Alan Grissett, Dean Fitzgerald, Michael Wreath
"Just like a super hero, do bold things for the right reasons"
Tech Used: AngularJS (snappy, data handling, user experience), created their own grouping algorithm for more extensibility,
Health Accountable: Bobby Erickson, Grace Kohut, Mike Marby, Thomas Midgett,
Need more shame in your health:
Nice live demo including text messages
Tech Used: fitbit integration, Omniauth
Python Clutch: Jordon Hammond, Zachary Huntington-Meath Joel Thompson and Gordon Fierce Find the right Python framework: http://www.pythonclutch.com/#/
I want to buy these guys a drink! What a great idea. I hope it is as useful as it sounds and demos. All you need is a PyPi.
Tech Used: (No notes)
ShutterBuddy: Jessica Pearce, Fallon Skinner,
Enjoy the moment and find creative common pictures that capture it instead: <Find URL asap>
This
reminds me of a trip to Vegas and seeing the crowds watching Bellagio
through their little cameras instead of taking it all in. They factor in
weather and time of day.
Tech Used: APIs from Flickr, tailored results
LessonTree: Aaron Plourde, Chris Foster Elisha Hansen Schwabauer, Parker Ennis, Rocky Randalls Taking the cool parts of Open Source and making them available for Teachers: <Find URL>
Great
idea and nice application of one domain best practice (open source
code) to another (education lesson plans). This was such a good idea
they need a donate button to reward teachers who use it.
Tech Used (apparently I was too enamored to write it down)
betti: Benjamin Batty, Daniel Newell, Tom Rau, Bret Runestad, Need a way to gamble and donate! I will use this, maybe today: http://betti.co/#/
I
can't wait to use this. I can't wait to sign up non-profits and start
betting my sisters on our health goal. Nothing motivates me to eat
grapes more then the idea of Meals on Wheels getting a donation!
Tech Used: SSL, Stripe fro payment, facebook oath, D3 for visualization I am all in on Betti! This idea and presentation rocked!
I
went from yawn to charmed during their demo. Their passion for quilting
and tech came through! Clever approach to clever problems. I will be
sharing this with quilting friends.
trialSource: Ben Roaman, Ashley Ellis, Maria Liberovsky, Nick Foster Pull and Push request for medical trials: http://www.trialsource.org/
Surprising
that this is not a standard solution in the industry already. I wonder
how they integrate together. Overall good idea and presentation. Dealt
with HIPAA
Nice clear use case and great use of visualization, especially with their modest confession of being backend developers. I have to wonder if this is related to Little Bird
Tech USed: LinkedIn API, D3,
TasteBud: John Mitsch, Ashley Hightman , Soloman, Jack
Use flavor preferences to pick dinner.
He used my second favorite word "normalize". (Second only to "pivot"). Cool idea but I like my algorithms to surprise me with new flavors.
Tech Used: Microservices, Django,
Hackstarter: Zach Bradshaw, Michael Byrd, Ruben Cruz, Jonathan Parrish, Bernard Worthy Find and pay for tech schools: hackstarter.com
Very polished presentation. The use case seemed familiar (kickstarter, gofundme, ...) They seemed convinced there was a unique marketing.
Tech Used: Stripe, D3
Thank you Iron Yard for the invitation. These demo days are little tech vacations for me.
And now a little music ( France Gall - Laisse Tomber Les Filles)
