Hey everyone...
I'm trying to put together a program for some fall meetings of the Homebrew Mobile Phone Club in the SF Bay Area. (We have a pretty bad page at http://www.hbmobile.org/ for more info.) We're basically a face-to-face group that gets together to support people building their own mobile phones.
I was wondering if anyone out there familiar with the Xanadux project would like to give a presentation to our members. About 80% of the people who come to our meetings are technical, so you're *mostly* among friends. You won't have to explain why Linux is good, Open Source is good, or even why mobile phones are cool. We already know that stuff. We even understand why people would want to put non-carrier-blessed bits on their mobile phones.
To date we've been focusing on DIY hardware and software. Now that we're starting to deliver hardware designs and some application software to provide UIs and control GSM modems, I figured it would be fun to see what everyone else out there in the world is doing.
We can't offer too much more than a slice of pizza, a cola drink and an interested audience. So... if you're interested in explaining what Xanadux is all about to a bunch of SiliValley geeks, please get ahold of me at msh[at]hbmobile[dot]og
-Cheers!
-Matt H.
Hi All,
I'm running a special event around mobile and wireless development in London, UK at the start of April (4th-5th).
Its called "Over the Air" and has a tag line of 48 hours of mobile development. So basically its a chance to spend a weekend learning, experimenting and hacking around with mobile and wireless devices.
I'm already expecting lots of iphone, linux, java, symbian and even adrioid hackers to turn up but whats missing is the XDA/WM community. Hence it would be great if any of you can make it and show off some of the simply stunning things your doing with HTC hardware.
The event is completely free and will take place at Imperial College in Central London, UK. We have discount hotel places for those who are coming from far and already BBC mobile, BBC Backstage, Momo Monday and Vodafone are onboard. We talking to many different companies about running sessions and sponsorship of free data simcards for the 2 days.
So I hope to see some of you there...
If you need any more information or would like to sponsor the event please contact me off list
is it open to anyone?
I know pretty much all there is to know about the devices, but next to nothing about developing, so is it more aimed at developers, or can the normal guys who love their ppc's come along?
Rory
Over the Air
rorydaredkign said:
is it open to anyone?
I know pretty much all there is to know about the devices, but next to nothing about developing, so is it more aimed at developers, or can the normal guys who love their ppc's come along?
Rory
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Short answer: Yes come along
Long answer: So Over the Air is yes aimed more at the developer community because there is also a developer competition on the last day. But we are really open to people who want to learn or want to learn how to take advantage of their mobile phones or check out the latest in wireless devices. Its 2 days back to back including sleep over or over night hacking. So you may just want to come over for the day tutorials and the competition results on the 2nd day.
First a little background on me:
- Hey I am currently a college student (hopefully I will get my A.S. & A.A. in computer science in the summer of 2011 -yes, I am eligible for both due to the fact there was no A.S. in Computer Science when I started attending college consecutively in 2007, so why not?...haha)...
- I would really love to be a Software Engineer some day (I was originally thinking Systems Software Engineer, but Applications Software Engineer will still be great for me)...
- I have a lot of experience troubleshooting and fixing /repairing / building computers starting from when I was about 12 years old when I set up my first PC (not build, mind you) and I used to always mess with the computers in Elementary (figuring out how to exit the schools provided screen and getting to a regular desktop etc...)
-Now I do not have any of what you may call formal experience (I never had an actual job with computers)...I have a lot of warehouse job experience though...and lately I was getting worried that it will hold me back, because I do not know how to get into the job field....
- I would like to get a masters degree (in Computer Science), hopefully with honors if everything continues as it is. (currently a 3.4 Cumulative GPA...)
Some of my thoughts / ideas / questions:
+I was thinking of trying to get some kind of IT Tech or support job to start off in the field (though jobs are scarce right now, so that may have to wait at least until I get my degree)...Is that a good thought?
+I currently have some experience with Visual Basic .net, C, C++, IA32 Assembly and now have developed my first Android app in Java.
Now I really would like to be a Software Engineer one day, so how would you suggest I go about doing so? Do you have any advice / ideas / comments @ all for me? Could you in the field give me some tips or even tell me your story (short OR long, I would love to hear it either way) about how you got to where you are & your current thoughts about it (do you like it?, what would you have done different? How and Why ?)
-in advance: Thanks A LOT! I am sort-of worried about my situation because sometimes it gets a little discouraging and/or confusing on what to do to get where I want to be....
how come no one has responded? there seems to be many educated people here and I am sure someone has something to say... also I am sure there are many of you who happen to be in some type of IT field, I would like to hear from you all...
Please advise me, I am in need of a little advice and guidance...
Just one possibility:
Do a computer science degree and make sure you get a 2:1 or more. Work for a recognized (so your CV looks good) large IT consultancy for a couple+ of years working for lots of their clients so you get varied experience. If you can, get some Finance (in combination with your IT experience) experience there. Learn a language that's particularly commercial (I recommend C# combined with your C++ - plus other areas of Microsoft .Net - asp.net, win forms, smart clients, full n-tier development, full life cycle development). Then go IT contacting where the real money is - with C++ and C# and Finance you'll be able to get the best paid contracts - assuming you're personable and committed too.
Does that help?
My advice, get a real job.....Software Engineers are a dime a dozen.
corrie said:
My advice, get a real job.....Software Engineers are a dime a dozen.
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+1, i've met too many software engineers in college, and that is the main reason why i stay away from the computer field (i'm a biomechanical undergradate student, specializing in auto design or biomedical engineering)
1.) you need to go higher than an associate's degree, i suggest going for a bachelores in computer science than maybe some experience before going to get your masters, if you're lucky maybe your company will pay for your tuition
2.) specialize, as said theres too many software engineers in this world, therefore you have to specialize.
3.) engineering is the combination of art and science remember that
4.) for a tech job, since you're still a student with no real work experience in the computer field, i suggest getting certification such as A+ certification
5.) always have a backup plan, i was thinking network security personally since i like tinkering with things lol
d k of the new add for breaking its still up no more, whaaaatttt?
Danni3 said:
+1, i've met too many software engineers in college, and that is the main reason why i stay away from the computer field (i'm a biomechanical undergradate student, specializing in auto design or biomedical engineering)
1.) you need to go higher than an associate's degree, i suggest going for a bachelores in computer science than maybe some experience before going to get your masters, if you're lucky maybe your company will pay for your tuition
2.) specialize, as said theres too many software engineers in this world, therefore you have to specialize.
3.) engineering is the combination of art and science remember that
4.) for a tech job, since you're still a student with no real work experience in the computer field, i suggest getting certification such as A+ certification
5.) always have a backup plan, i was thinking network security personally since i like tinkering with things lol
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wow that is discouraging...
I am actually planning on going higher than an Associates degree for sure, hopefully a masters, but if not then a bachelors at the least...
hmm, now you have me thinking... should I really try to go for something else? I was excited thinking about being a software engineer ...
erebusting said:
wow that is discouraging...
I am actually planning on going higher than an Associates degree for sure, hopefully a masters, but if not then a bachelors at the least...
hmm, now you have me thinking... should I really try to go for something else? I was excited thinking about being a software engineer ...
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I'm not saying that you shouldn't become a software engineer, but i'm just implying that they're not in high demand currently. But that could be said about any job, you just have to be very good at what you do and you'll find a job in no time =P
I'm suggesting that you specialize in something a bit more specific than software engineer, just like there are specializations of mechanical engineering (auto,aerospace,bioengineering,energy systems... etc) that way you can still do what you love (programming i assume) but to a more specific goal.
The reason i tell you to get higher than an associates (2 years) is because the average job now a days require atleast a bachelors degree. My Mom, a tiny little asian women, has a computer science degree and works for the government, its about 60k starting and shes been there for a few years so now she makes just under 80k ;] but you need atleast a 3.0 gpa and a bachelor degree
http://www.earnmydegree.com/online-education/learning-center/education-value.html
just look at the difference in salary!
don't worry about what degree to get either, you can complete all of your undergraduate studies before you have to choose a major, thats about two years of undergrad study
thanks for that advice...
I currently have over a 3.0 which I am trying to maintain...
I am in California, where seems to be a dense pack of tech jobs around (am I wrong though?)...
Also, I have not looked at many colleges around and what specific section of computer science they specialize in, after I do that though- I will have an Idea of what programming I want to specialize in (any ideas of what may be popular?)...
I know theres like robotics programming, gaming programming, and there are others I am not too aware of which I will have to look into....
Hey I just want to say I appreciate each and every comment here, it really helps chatting about it with you all...
I do look forward to more comments also from different people, I know things aren't the same for everyone and maybe some others have views on a different side of the story...idk, but thanks so far!!
Hi I have an app idea that will be (if implemented) profitable methinks- similar apps are available - it is for specialist field and is of an interactive map/ navigation type- the idea is very obvious and probbaly quite simple to implement with the feature design phase all done and explainable in a brief synopsis- i am clueless as to how to implement it though
?
would anyone like to help build it and share the credit?
i have no money to pay anytoine just an idea that will definitely pay off to some extent- whoever does this first has a captive market so to speak!
I spoke with my brother who is in the industry as a maarketing project manager- not a developer and he agrees that it is well worth doing.
the features the app would require are-
interactive map with user editable gps data additions, tagging in real time, possible photographs.
updates made by various professional bodies with information feeds on around 600
+fixed locations and areas, route planning facility directly affected by data from these feeds, these are the main features of the app but the capacity for expansion is seemingly endless- preferably a uk south east based developer.
this app also has the potential to save lives /prevent accidents as the data is of real world importnace and is already accessed by many as an essential reference- possible licensing by and definitely appreciated by the professional and govt bodies with respoinsibilities inhe speciliaist field.
anyone? i bet one of you guys could build ths in your sleep!
i would not know where to start however, there is a siumliar app out there it does not do the same thing as my idea but it would provide a template for the concept- trust me this idea is dynamite and my industry source- ie my brother tells me it is instantly saleable to the relevant bodies fort aa fee of around 50k!
but is worthless to me without the relevant skillset in an individul i can trust, cmon! whats to lose?>
ok anyone want to teach me how to do this on my lonesome?
i usually spend all day chopping trees down which is why im asking for help , not sure if i haave the time for leaarning computer progrmming but...
Perhaps you should be a little more specific as to what the app will be good for. I know you probably don't want to tell this everyone, but you'll have to eventually anyway.
are you lot on this forum an honest bunch? thats the question...
i m very aware that an intellectual community such as yours is by its nature ius n open nd honest one but bill gates and steve jobs are still bastards who got rich of your back!
the complexity of the app or the potential for its future complexity and added feature sets is one of the apps strong points as is its ingenuity in its area of application!
It would mean the safety apsect of the thing could be provided for free which kinda is the whole intellectual property business side of things hence my hesitation in being candid..i dont want to be charged in the future for an idea i had myself to save lives!
I was reckless in sharing an invention in the past- 12 months later my mate ws on dragons den flogging my idea!
it wasnt groundbreaking but he nicked it and never sent me a cheque out of the 150 grand one of them ponied up!!
but... the basic idea is very similar to chris boardmans pothole reporting app for cyclists- generating repair requests to uk councils- my bro happened to have worked on this very app and he said the development tools are readily avilable to create mine own whgich might bvew easiuer if tha button hADNT FALLEn off my old comp and i actually owned smartphone.
hence my request-
i can see the app in my head and can describe evry function of it very well but are you the man to describe it to?
eightyape said:
i m very aware that an intellectual community such as yours is by its nature is an open and honest one
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lol you can almost see the tumbleweeds rolling across-
ah well, was worth a try- can someone recommend me a good starting point or the best book for learning the android sdk?
Hi there.
I work for the NHS as a community nurse but found that this is no longer what i wanted. Ever since my real passion is tech & gadgets in particular PCs, tablets & smartphones. I like selling them and giving advice to people before they buy them. I'm currently a seller on Amazon and Ebay but i only have a few items in there and would be very impractical as a source of income for my monthly things. Besides me and my wife have many plans and living in London ain't cheap.
If i have a regular job in-stores or act as an online or telephone adviser that might be more better and more practical. I know its not totally what i have finished in college but at least its something of a passion and what i really want doing. Don't get me wrong. Visiting patients and talking to them and doing what you are supposed to do is nice. I work from 0830 till 1630pm. But i'm in my late 30's and i need to be somehwere where i am "relaxed" and comfy on what i do. And i fell "at home" with tech & gadgets.
I also have this idea of creating apps for Android (or iOS) but with a very stiff competition it has to be niche and caters to very specific demographics, etc.
Any advice on how or where to start please?