While I think that the bootcamp/training idea has some merit, I'd like to
see if this "promiscuous pairing" idea can get some traction.  There is
plenty of "training" material on the web and in print that people can access
but I really think that the whole "apprentice" idea is the best way to put
out solid developers.  It has worked for centuries to train other "skilled
craftsmen/craftswomen".

Yes the "apprentice" idea does mean that some more "experienced" developers
will need to step up and help out but with winter coming I could see myself
spending some time coding on weekends and hopefully other will do the same
and when they do they will reach out via the site that Prakash is working
on.  Even if you get two less "experienced" people together, if they have a
plan in mind they can at least work towards that goal and learn what they
can along the way.

Setting up a bootcamp/workshop takes some work by one person and may not
serve the whole developer population...how many times can you learn how to
set up a controller in a blog app?

I learned to develop Ruby/Rails by picking an idea and creating a website
that actually was a business for a bit.  Yes the code was not my best work
but it gave me enough experience to continue on down the path and eventually
land me at Pivotal.

What is stopping you from creating your own "code retreats" with other
people where you pull down some open source code (pick something from
someone you think is a good developer) and start trying to fix some bugs or
add some features or simply reading through the code to see how it works?
 If nothing else, you'll get a chance to see how other people write code and
test things and if you are stick it out you'll get a high profile commit or
two.

Looking for a starting point, why not help out with Rails?  It worked for
Santiago Pastorino (http://bit.ly/aQ4znt)  They have a great  "contribution"
guide here:
https://rails.lighthouseapp.com/projects/8994-ruby-on-rails
http://wiki.railsbridge.org/projects/1/wiki/BugMash

You could also help out with Rails documentation here:
https://rails.lighthouseapp.com/projects/16213-rails-guides

I look forward to pairing with as many of you as I can in the coming months
when possible.


On Fri, Oct 22, 2010 at 10:26 PM, Marty Haught <[email protected]> wrote:

> > Open question to anyone in a similar vein. What do we have for training
> in the area? I would imagine basic Ruby, Rails, and other training would be
> of interest and fairly valuable.
>
> As far as I know, the only public training available regularly is the
> Pragmatic Studio.  I fully agree that having some other alternatives
> would be very useful.  I have even thought about putting something
> together as I've done a couple private training sessions but it's a
> lot of work.  Furthermore, I'm not sure if I want to become a trainer
> as sorts but maybe it would be better for the local community if
> someone did.
>
> Now that I don't have conference organizing taking all of my free
> time, I could ponder putting together a Ruby Bootcamp program.  I was
> originally thinking something that met weekly in the evenings and
> lasted for around 6 weeks.
>
> The other thought along this line was to take on an apprentice to work
> with me on my next project.  Though I would only be willing to take on
> one, it would be very beneficial to that one developer.  Doing a Ruby
> Bootcamp would help more people in a shorter time frame (the
> apprenticeship would likely be a 3 month thing).
>
> Just thinking out loud here.
>
> Cheers,
> Marty
> _______________________________________________
> Bdrg-members mailing list
> [email protected]
> http://rubyforge.org/mailman/listinfo/bdrg-members
>



-- 
Mike Gehard
Pivotal Labs Boulder
(970) 471-9835 | (303) 857-5980
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