Books. Good books. And we also can’t discount, now-a-days, helpful blogs from, in my case, I.T. experts in their given field. The website: https://www.medium.com for one is a good place to find expert blogs and articles around technical topics. Such as data science, web analytics, data engineering, development-operations (or, “devops”), programming in general as a multi-purpose solution, and more.
Another place, that’s very good for finding write-ups or written content from industry thought-leaders in the tech space is, hashnode, and one more is techcrunch which I often find helpful for staying in-the-know for current events when it comes to tech, in a broad way of speaking.
And going to books, I often find electronic-books or “ebooks” a lot more accessible (and portable), these are also, at least in my experience, more affordable. So this is always helpful for anyone. Less cost means, you save money that you can put some where else. Some where that matters, for you and for your loved-ones.
As most contemporary, or up-to-date self-help or self-improvement books, or other tech books — that’s physically printed books can cost considerably. Much so, if you source or buy your copies from leading bookstores. Which, in the Philippines, I believe would be places like: Fully Booked and National Bookstore. There places offer very good books, especially if you ask me, Fully Booked. Try to look for books here when they do some mark-downs and promos. You’re bound to find very good reads (physical books).
For me, whenever able, I would often get my own ebooks from web-apps like, Kindle books and Google Play Books. Especially when there promos, or when a sale is happening for some book titles, or book authors that personally I read about.
Friends, I do encourage you to read more.
Regardless, where it is you source, or, no matter where you get your books from. As I do recall, there is an adage, though I don’t remember from where I read it from, nor from whom. It says, that books are the “whetstone” for the mind. Or from another saying, that you must “sharpen your axe first”, as to chopping blocks of wood — before doing any actual chopping of wood for your fireplace.
Hands-on skills, please note, also are very important. Skills grow as you spend hours upon hours of practicing and actually doing something with your knowledge. But, my friends, understanding and getting a good grasp around key fundamental concepts, that often is acquired through reading books around a topic, is also crucial.
For example, if you don’t know why a particular set of tools was developed in order to do a particular set of jobs, in line with your field. Then, this is a sign that you need to read more about that space. Try to research good books from reputable authors. Who, if possible to find, have already devoted much of their time and have grown considerable expertise around the subject you’re trying to learn more about.
Take for example, as I’m coming from an analytics background from present work, if you’re learning about Web Analytics in general. I do suggest you read book-author and online marketing evangelist — Avinash Kaushik’s book about it. You can find it here.
Web Analytics 2.0 (ebook)
Or, perhaps you’re learning how to code. I would recommend that after learning HTML and CSS. As these are the corner-stones of modern web development. You need to also learn JavaScript, and or, the programming language called, Python.
Some helpful books that I would personally recommend around learning how to code are the following.
- Python – from O’reilly (ebook)
- Eloquent JavaScript – from its author
- Pragmatic Programmer – from Amazon books (try to get the Kindle version)
Additionally, if you need to start learning HTML, or CSS to get into web development. Or, if you need to have a refresher or to brush up on the topic. You can try these websites to learn how to code.
- W3 Schools – a no non-sense, hands-on and free learning site for a good number of programming languages, and mark-up like HTML and CSS.
- Codecademy – a very good place to learn how to code. Mostly pay-to-learn website, especially as you go through it. They also have free courses. It’s great for learners who want or need to learn about coding across different programming languages.
Well, I guess this brings us to the end of this post, my friends.
Thank you.
And, keep learning. Small progress, even tiny progress after each day of the workweek, is more to be desired for us. As long as, we learn and work for progress, consistently. With mindful rests in between, we will get to our destination eventually.
Don’t forget or neglect God, my friends. Offer up your plans to the Lord, our God. Pray. Pray from heart. Pray often. It need not be complicated, nor lengthy.
Okay, that’s it for now. Until next time, my friends.
Hello there! How are you? My name is Abraham, or, Abe to all my friends, acquaintances, and family.
I’m a young dad, an uncle, an older kuya, and a son. I love learning and putting things together when it comes to small projects around computers, and tech. And for me, I also love food, everyday drink — like coffee, and most furry creatures — like good doggo doggos (goofy doggos), and chonky (very fat, almost circular and literally round) cattos. ^_^ Anyway, I hope good animals also make you chuckle, my friends.
Recently, I was hired to work as an engineer in I.T., specializing in looking after web-servers, maintenance, and a few other stuff.
Thank God! From my end, I had been dreaming to become an engineer in I.T., and have been studying for it for a time now.
We mustn’t stop with our training and study. For we’ll need to keep learning in order for us to remain helpful.
Nawa, ang Panginoon’g Diyos ang Siyang purihin, dakilain, at pasalamatan sa ating mga gawain, at salita.
My friends, may the Lord our God be glorified, honored, and praised – through the kind of work that He called us unto.
Thank you, and for now, that’s mostly it for me. Salamat po!