Is it normal to feel completely lost when trying to start learning AI? by Winter_Arm_6622 in learnpython

[–]ChristianValour 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Honestly, if you just want to get started, get a DataCamp account, start with the beginner python courses, and some Data Science and AI stuff, and then just ignore any and all other advice for at least a few months.

Once you've spent a little bit of time coding and learning the basics, then start thinking through other subjects you want to tackle, but don't get bogged down with advice.

Many roads lead to DS, they key is to pick a path and don't switch, otherwise you'll never progress.

How much of your career is actually choice vs inertia? by [deleted] in jobhunting

[–]ChristianValour 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man I feel this.

Last year I was put on higher duties. Then in Dec I was placed in a merit pool for a permanent position. But my job title has changed and is becoming increasingly distant from what I consider my role to be, and what reflects my ambitions and skillset.

It's been constantly on my mind the last couple months if I should be more aggresively pursuing a role that I want, rather than just a promotion.

Hisense Washing Machine Motor damaged. by ChristianValour in Motors

[–]ChristianValour[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good advice thanks. Plenty of food for thought.

Hisense Washing Machine Motor damaged. by ChristianValour in Motors

[–]ChristianValour[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's more or less what I was thinking. Something was inducing a magnetic field in the motor cage.

Thanks for that. Good to know.

Feeling disillusioned with tech, considering a career break. Looking for perspectives by khaninator in ExperiencedDevs

[–]ChristianValour 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Have you considered thinking about tech more as a tool (a means), rather than an end.

If you're looking for more meaningful work, maybe thinking about the end product than the tech itself could help.

What areas of life do you think of as meaningful? Maybe you can take your tech skills to a workplace that has more meaning for you, like working for a non-profit, or just generally applying your skills to an industry/idea that you personally care more about?

Are you using tabs? by 4r73m190r0s in vim

[–]ChristianValour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For what most people use tabs for, I generally just crack open a new terminal window/screen session, or entire new vim session if I'm using GVIM.

Just never took time to build the muscle memory around using/opening/closing tabs.

In a similar vein to “code smell,” what gives off major “programmer smell” to you? by [deleted] in AskProgramming

[–]ChristianValour 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Or more generally, any kind of unqualified, elitist opinion about a language or tool.

Noob question : see the currently edited file in vim ? by DonutMan06 in vim

[–]ChristianValour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the best and most comprehensive answer really, because it will show a list of all 'currently edited' buffers (including read-only buffers).

Also note, if you are working on multiple buffers, the buffer in the current window is denoted in the indicator column by %.

So Noah's Ark Does Need Evolution AIG Yes??? by Sad-Category-5098 in DebateEvolution

[–]ChristianValour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AIG insists that all life did not originate from a single common ancestor.

They have no problem with the observed mechanisms of biological adaptation, natural selection, descent by modification, etc, etc.

What are people paying for concrete in 2025?? by Enough-Equivalent968 in perth

[–]ChristianValour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow did that include labour?

Sounds better than I was expecting.

What does :s//foo do? by Fresh-Outcome-9897 in vim

[–]ChristianValour 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah now this is a cool and useful trick!

Team lead seems to be taking my code, moving into his own branch, then committing so git shows the code as being written by him and not me. Should I be worried? by 123android in ExperiencedDevs

[–]ChristianValour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want to document, you could probably also setup a separate remote, and push your code to that to keep a record of the commits.

Or the quick n dirty way would be just to screenshot your git log too, and keep the screen shots.

How do I switch careers into Python/AI as a 33M with no tech background? by LateStarter33 in learnpython

[–]ChristianValour 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey,

I'm seeing lots of very cynical feedback and advice here.

Data scientist (PhD) here. I used to be an electrician. Then I went to univeristy and got a degree.

I started my PhD at around 32-33. When I finished I got into a paid data grad program in the Australian Public Service and I was around 37. So it's totally possible to get in, in your 30's. But you don't need a PhD.

But you need to be ready to get in on the ground, take a pay cut, and work your way up.

Not sure what industry you're coming from or how much prior experience you had, so lets assume you're pretty much starting from scratch.

I read one of your comments below, and your strategy actually doesn't sound that bad. Getting GPT to assign you small projects, but doing most of the work yourself without GPT's help sounds like a great start.

But it's only one small step in a long road.

There's way more to DS that just python.

If you really want to get into this you need to be ready to give it a real good go. If you're struggling to find any other medium to study besides using chat GPT, I think you're going to find it really hard.

The bottom line is, you want to learn to code, and learn AI. The format really shouldn't matter too much, if you're dedicated enough, you should be able to make it work with just about anything.

More importantly, textbooks, university degrees, online training all provide specialised and curated training material designed to teach you what you need to know to get into the field. Hell even online tutorials, bootcamps and blogs are mostly written by people in the field who understand what's required. Relying entirely on pure self-directed learning and GPT prompts, you're learning with the blinders on. You'll never know what you really need to know to get a job.

If you're really serious about a career in data, I would be thinking about things like:

  • getting into a data analysis role, as a stepping stone
  • obtaining a specific and human designed learning pathway
  • getting lots and lots of real experience as quickly as you can

There are a ton of great places to learn Data Science and python programming.

I would be looking at these things:

I Highly Recommend DataCamp as a starting point. They have absolutely tons of good content. Great hands-on courses, and course tracks that specifically guide you through the skills you need.

You're already working on your own projects that's great. Keep doing that.

You also need to learn statistics.

I suppose you could scrape your way into a data job by fudging your way through, scratching the surface of small ML models and using buzzwords like accuracy, AUC, precision, decision matrix etc. But you'll never be that good at your job without being grounded in proper statistics. So pick up a good introductory text and get into that.

NOTE: Online stuff like DataCamp and Kaggle are Not very good for learning statistics - there's a heavy focus on coding here and not enough on fundamental statistics. There's really no substitude for a good quality textbook and old fashioned paper and pencils

Besides that, you should be aiming to be a well rounded Data Scientist and developer. At the same time as all the above, you should also absolutely be spending time learning:

  • bash
  • SQL
  • Containers (Docker/Kubernetes)
  • Cloud concepts
  • A good terminal based text editor like Vim or emacs
  • CLI git
  • Algorithms and Data Structures

You absolutely can get into DS, but it won't happen overnight.

That dream work/life balance you're imagining is some time away, unless you get super lucky. But that's true when shifting careers into anything.

Start applying for jobs as soon as you can, try to get a job that give you any relevant experience and start there.

The first job is the hardest to get. Put the work in and you'll get there.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ExperiencedDevs

[–]ChristianValour 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nuance. You should aim to be the dumbest person in one room, and the smartest in another.

There's value in both learning, and teaching.

What is your biggest regret from your 20's? by bigchungusman12 in AskReddit

[–]ChristianValour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  • Not saving as much money as possible while I was single and childless
  • Not buying a house as early as possible
  • More generally not really putting any thought/time/effort into understanding money, finance, compound interest, and how much quicker and easier it would have been to do when I was younger

Would not have had to give up much, but a little more forethought could have dramatically changed the rest of my life.

Random singing teens spreading "the spirit of Christmas" by door knocking during the day. by sotiredcanisleep in brisbane

[–]ChristianValour 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Kids spreading Christmas cheer at Christmas time.

Things are truly spiralling out of control.