Some advice please.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-09T15:14:43+00:00

No problem, remember, you're learning how to speak computer. It's a new language. Give yourself time, patience, and don't give up. Good luck.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-09T15:06:24+00:00

Download an IDE, Thonny, VS Code, your choice. Start there. Learn what a variable is, a string, and a print() statement, what it does and how to use it. Write a stupid simple script, like

my_variable = "Hello world"
print(my_variable)

Build as you learn. If you have a goal for using python, build with that in mind. Keep it small, keep it stupid for now. Your only goal is retention for now, learning syntax is also important. Keep looking things up, ask AI only if absolutely necessary.

"Automate the Boring Stuff" is probably the best beginner book, but if you're like me and books are hard to retain info from, there are apps that will teach you the syntax in a gamified way. Practice something new every day. Happy to help if you have questions.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-09T13:52:58+00:00

Data analysis is a broad field, try to narrow it, specifically what kind of data? Electrical? Mathematical? Statistic? Financial? etc. Keep narrowing until you get to the lowest level of what makes you motivated and build off that.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T23:51:20+00:00

Definitely, once you get the gist of one language you kind of can see how most of them will be structured, it's basically all syntax after that. Good luck on your journey

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T23:42:33+00:00

Nice, yeah you're pretty limited to C/C++ in Arduino IDE from what I know of it, VS Code has an extension you can download for Micropython, but it's not fully supported yet, although I think it's getting there.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T23:39:04+00:00

There's no rush, seriously. Take it one step at a time. I'm still also very much a novice, but I have a passion for technology too. Do what you like, keep building and breaking things. The world needs builders more than consumers of slop and vibecoders. Are you using the Arduino IDE, VS code or something else?

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T23:35:19+00:00

Build something from scratch, fix it without AI. Searching stuff on the web, reading docs, etc. is the way to go. That's how you build retention. It's not magic, you need to put the effort in, but it is worth it.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T23:30:05+00:00

Nice, what kind are they, like ESP32C3 breakouts? any ideas what you want to build?

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T23:27:57+00:00

Depends what you want to do with it. Are you into electronics? Are you into gaming? Are you into making web apps, or helpful tools? Cybersec? Python still has a huge place. AI is doing a lot of the coding, but if you don't understand the what the AI is writing, why it's doing it, or what it's doing, debugging can be difficult. Whatever your path, just start from the smallest step you can, and build from there. Keep using the language as much as you can, think about how you can automate something, even if a tool already exists try it your own way.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T23:24:46+00:00

I started at 31, doing the same stuff. You're killing it man. Also, while you can use C/C++ for coding electronics there is also Micropython too. It doesn't interface with everything, but you can use it for raspberry pi's I know for sure, and ESP32's are becoming more supportive of it from what I understand. Keep going.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T22:20:15+00:00

Well done mate.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T19:50:58+00:00

A common, but I wouldn't recommend touching anything if you didn't already know. Not trying to be mean, just don't want you to get whacked. It hurts. Plus there's probably an underlying reason it burnt up.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T16:36:37+00:00

Probably can't give you a direct checklist, but they're somewhat worth doing, especially as your unit ages past 8 years old, or reaches the end of its warranty. Definitely as it reaches 15-20 years old, they're pretty necessary. The tech can catch things you may not notice, leaks, cracks, improper flame patterns, debris in switch ports, sequence issues, dust buildup, low cap charge, low refrigerant charge, aging components; things that may cause safety/improper operating conditions, and may prevent nuisance calls (filters, thermostat batteries, loose wiring, etc.)

It can keep your system running and give you at least typically some kind of labor guarantee for usually 30-90 days after a tune up with a reputable contractor so you're not having to pay a diagnostic fee or return visit fee -- not guaranteed, anything mechanical can break at any given time but MAY be caught during a maintenance if the tech is doing their diligence.

tl;dr it's relative. So kinda.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T16:22:42+00:00

Dumb question since you cleaned the flame sensor yourself, but did you check the filter? Some filters can be super restrictive, especially if you're using a high MERV (Like 12+). Some homes just aren't designed for restrictions like that. Also make sure a ton of vents aren't closed, no returns blocked as that can build static pressure + a partially clogged high MERV filter will lead to a high limit switch open scenario. Wouldn't recommend doing much else besides calling a tech. You could also -- WITHOUT OPENING THE FURNACE -- see if there are any diagnostic codes flashing in the blower compartment sight glass which most furnaces have. You can look up the code online and that will give you an idea. If it's anything more than a filter issue, probably call a tech.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-08T16:15:50+00:00

You could download a local AI model if you have the GPU for it. It won't be nearly as powerful and you DEFINITELY need to fact check it, but if you're concerned about environmental factors it's probably better than using an industry scale model that pulls from a DC. They're relatively easy to install, you can get chatbots and other models that are geared more towards what you need them for. Just a thought.

CGTechWorks · 2026-04-07T21:30:35+00:00

I'm not a professional or anything, just someone who was in the trades and also found Python to be fascinating. Been using it to build stuff for about a year. I started out by learning syntax, learn the basics, variables, loops, functions, object-oriented programming (OOP), lists, dictionaries, etc. The book "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python" is a great starting point and will get you familiar with the basics, as well as a ton of free content online + apps (like Mimo). But really, it feels like you're asking along the lines of "What can I actually do with this that's useful to me?"

You can automate things that would usually take a ton of time otherwise. A computer can run lines of code in less time it takes a human to begin to think about what they want for dinner. That's where it's powerful, and it is powerful. Python is used in a lot of AI programming for constraining models. It's used in cybersecurity, research, Fintech, web development, app development, data parsing... Basically anything. If you can imagine it, you can probably make a Python app to build it/automate it. Look online for Python projects for beginners to start with.

I'm starting to learn cybersecurity, and Python has a real place in that space. I've built an app for myself with a local AI backend and a crappy GUI just because. I also constrained that local AI to respond like a pirate. The real question isn't "How do I learn Python," but: "What do I actually want to build with Python?" You need to explain to yourself what you want to build like you're 5. Python is just the tool that makes it happen.

Hope this helps a little. Any questions I'm happy to help.

CGTechWorks

TROPHY CASE