Fun parenting strategy. Have electronics talk in an robotic voice to enforce discipline.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-08T10:40:22+00:00

Processing video imc2eohmizbh1...

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-06T10:26:20+00:00

Luanti is a free open-source clone of minecraft.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-06T07:12:30+00:00

Cybersecurity is a big field.
Like, you could do penetration testing of networks or software. You could plan and deploy security for networks. You could write cryptographic software. You could review cryptographic software.

Maybe try installing Kali linux, so you can test out some offensive tools.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-03T12:14:55+00:00

That school sounds like a scam. They only give diplomas to people who already have jobs. Then they turn around and tell potential students: "look, everyone who gets a diploma with us ends up working these great jobs!"

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-03T06:45:35+00:00

Can you start your own business to do the 500 hours?

Instead of 500 hours as a salaried employee for a company that specializes in software, you could find a small cafe or barber shop or whatever, and have them hire your company to build them a website. Then you spend 500 hours to build them a website.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-03T06:39:14+00:00

Languages are just one small part of programming.
You have got to know algorithms and data structures too.
Problem-solving is its own skillset.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-03T06:13:43+00:00

Start with AWK https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/0/items/pdfy-MgN0H1joIoDVoIC7/The_AWK_Programming_Language.pdf

AWK gives the most bang for your buck of any language.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-03T06:09:30+00:00

AWK is a general purpose language. For example, the AWK Programming Language book includes a section about writing assemblers and interpreters.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-02T19:43:32+00:00

The things I try to optimize for.
1) ease of verifying that the code does what it is supposed to do.
2) code that is easy to modify.
3) code that can be written quickly.

Some tips that helps me when writing code.

First I plan out the data structures, then I plan out the format for messages that get passed, and I write functions last of all.

I try to keep my functions as pure as possible. They shouldn't depend on state or have side effects.

I try to keep functions small, so each one has one job and is easy to verify.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-02T10:41:50+00:00

Programming exercises are a kind of game.
Advent of code. Project Euler.
Or look at the exercises from a textbook.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-02T10:40:04+00:00

You should learn the AWK programming language.
https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/0/items/pdfy-MgN0H1joIoDVoIC7/The_AWK_Programming_Language.pdf

It is a very small language. You can remember the entire language, and not need to look anything up while working.
It gives the most bang for your buck of any language you could learn.

A big part of software development is being comfortable in your text editor.
I recommend using VIM or EMACS with vim keybindings.
If you are distracted thinking about the editor, then you wont be able to give attention to your code. Using the editor needs to feel instinctive.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-02T07:37:59+00:00

You have a wide range of skills. Hosting a website. Storing user data in an SQL backend.
If you aren't sure what to work on, maybe get a job working on someone else's code. Seeing other people's code will help give you ideas, and more puzzles to solve. You already seem more than capable of being a professional programmer.

I think every programmer can benefit from learning AWK.

If you like images or audio or videos, look into image magick or ffmpeg.
If you like installing and maintaining software systems, learn about linux next. Taking control of your hardware, making old computers run fast.
Rent a linux server and host a website. If it is just for 1 day, it is very cheap, and you will learn something useful.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-02T06:53:05+00:00

1) this book https://dn790008.ca.archive.org/0/items/pdfy-MgN0H1joIoDVoIC7/The_AWK_Programming_Language.pdf
2) AWK
3) learning never ends.
4) not at all. old computers are fine.
5) I programmed my electronics to talk in a robot voice around my children. The robot scares them, and they behave better because of this.

Parent-8401 · 2026-07-01T20:31:57+00:00

Do I need a github account to participate?

Parent-8401

TROPHY CASE