Learning how to code

[peterska2]

Hi everyone,

This poll is aimed at non-coders only. Please do not take part of you are a coder or designer (with some experience). New designers/coders are free to take part, but please use the relevant poll options.

I would like to know how many would be interested in learning how to code. This can be in the form of products, full blown major hacks, template modifications, or styles.

If you had the opportunity to learn how to do this, would you?
Are you interested in writing your own hacks?
Will you be in the next generation of coders & designers?

Please register your vote in the poll.

Note: the poll is public, and your username will be viewable. This is simply so that the existing coders can see who is interested.

Thanks.

Kerry-Anne

[TheMusicMan]

Hi Kerry-Anne

Excellent idea for a thread, kudos to ya.

I'd love to learn to code and can think of a way i'd like to do that too... which is to learn how to do what i would do with a template amendment, but with a hook/plug-in that can be installed utilising the vB Plugin system.

I recently amended one of my templates to include a banner to appear just above the message area, as I wanted to give one event on my site some more prominent promotion. I'd love to have been able to do this via PHP and the vB plugin system. Easy for many, a piece of cake for some, but for us who would love to be able to do this - we'd love some form of instruction.

I am a fast learner... teach me.... I am a sponge!!!!!

[Lady Divus]

I voted 'Yes - I am a non-coder' I would love to learn how to code. I have experience with Java Script Rewriting to suit my needs, and i have HTML basics, but PHP is a whole other beast lol

I am learning PHP as i go, (Working out my many goofups ;) ) along the way, but would love nothing more than to write code for myself, as well as to share with others. Some of the hacks i see here that are java based drive me insane (Not in a bad way), because i think of how often i have used that same java script on html pages but could never imagine making it work for PHP w/o messing up the board.

Are you thinking of staring a 'Coding 101 Class'? If so, i would be most interested in placing myself in the very front seat in full attention to the teacher...I hope this can be a reality. Thank you. Be well -

Lady Divus

[Gaskell]

Non coder, probably going to need to learn to code at some time so it may as well be now!

[SaN-DeeP]

nice idea but i am non-coder and interested to know more :)

[peterska2]

Some great response here. This is brilliant to see.

In June I will have some spare time and will be looking for a couple of people to take under my wing on the templates side of things, along with some basic php such as including custom templates.

I am seriously hoping that some of the other coders will also be willing to take a couple of people under their wings and teach them either template modifications, or php coding. At present no coders have come forward to say that they would be interested in helping someone learn, so it could be limited numbers working from my knowledge on a waiting list system.

At present, I am simply trying to gauge how many people are interested then I can work out some form of plan on the best way to do it.

It will be good to get some fresh blood into coding (not that I think that you literally need to give your blood ;)) as more ideas will emerge and with time, the quality and quantity of hacks available will increase.

Once I have some exact structure into the plans, I will be posting further information, along with what to do next.

In the meantime, the poll is open until 24. May 2006 at 16:35 (GMT). Please continue to register your interest in the poll, and preferably post to state which area of coding you are interested in learning.

The area of coding is simply for the benefit of those, like myself, prepared to teach from our experiences. Obviously, I am not a php coder (hence being a designer not a coder), so the majority of tuition from myself will be in conjunction with the style manager and template manipulation.

[TruthElixirX]

<i>Yes - I'm a new coder</i>

If you had the opportunity to learn how to do this, would you? I'm learning as I go, slowly but surely as my plate is full with other things.

Are you interested in writing your own hacks? Very much so.

Will you be in the next generation of coders & designers? I hope.

[TTG]

I would love to learn how to code .. I've edited a few plugins when I've liked the principle of the plugin but didn't want to have all the items, but coding is something I've alway wanted to understand.

To be able to produce something in return for all the existing coders hard work here that I've used, would be truly satisfying.

[Dr.Viggy]

I would love to know how to do this. I was the first to reply to the poll but hadn't posted here. I am in a similar situation to lady divus. I can code HTML well and i can understand PHP when i read it but that's about as far as it goes. I'd like to know PHP as well as the template system so I can make my own mods/hacks for myself and others as well as tweak mods to fit my needs 100%

thanks for this, by the way. I really appreciate you stepping up to give a hand to us that need it. We all have to start somewhere so I'm glad we've got someone willing to give the first push.

[Hellcat]

I am seriously hoping that some of the other coders will also be willing to take a couple of people under their wings and teach them either template modifications, or php coding. At present no coders have come forward to say that they would be interested in helping someone learn, so it could be limited numbers working from my knowledge on a waiting list system.I'd like to take up the challange to show others how to do some PHP :)

Only problem, tho, would be SPARE TIME on my side for this.

However, once there's a plan, I can see if I got some, depending on how much iss needed :)

[dan35]

I used to code with C++. Will learn PHP soon ;)

[peterska2]

I'd like to take up the challange to show others how to do some PHP :)

Only problem, tho, would be SPARE TIME on my side for this.

However, once there's a plan, I can see if I got some, depending on how much iss needed :)

Fantastic :)

Thanks Hellcat.

I'll be drawing up some plans next week and then we can take it from there.

[pranism]

I think this is a very solid idea, although I can already code in a few dif langs it would be interesting to sit in on.

One thing I have learned about coding thru all these years in visual and the like is everyone has their strong areas.

[Uncle Buck # 2]

I think the idea is great

I would certainly like to know more about it then rely on others less.

Just hoping it wouldn't take TOO much time. I would need to work at my own pace.

:banana:

[FLMom]

I voted- Yes, I am a non coder. I would love to learn how to do all of this, I have always found it so interesting...great thread :banana:

[Boofo]

Would sonme one please teach that damned Boofo how to code?!


Wait...

[Hellcat]

Would sonme one please teach that damned Boofo how to code?!
Wait...
*loool*

Lemme guess, teh first thing you'd code would be a "/me" hack, right?

;):D

[Boofo]

*loool*

Lemme guess, teh first thing you'd code would be a "/me" hack, right?

;):D

You know me too well. :cross-eyed:

[Lottis]

I voted wrong. *blush*
It should bee -Yes - I am a non-coder

[Hellcat]

You know me too well. :cross-eyed:
Yah, sure I do :p

[peterska2]

I voted wrong. *blush*
It should bee -Yes - I am a non-coder

Can a mod please change this vote?

Thanks.

[Lottis]

Can a mod please change this vote?

Thanks.
Thanks fore noticing, Peterska. It was a bit early fore me.

[bashy]

Hi Kerry-Anne..... :)

Yeah i would love to learn, although i have had a wee play already, i still voted Yes - I am a non-coder as i dont know diddly really, At the moment i am just playing with original code and not getting very far, saying that i have moved a few hacks that i have installed to locations other than in the installation instructions and most of the time it ends up ok :)

I would certainly like to learn how to code the basics, then perhaps move onto the plugins and products, I have found myself a dummies guide to php eBook but it aint the same as reading a proper book so i find it hard to make time for it!

To be honest, i aint even got a clue what i would like to create let alone create it lol

Can i ask, where would we start, How would we go about learning?
Would there be specific threads with small tuts on them or would there be home visits on a one to one basis ha ha ha ha ha :)

Count me in anyway, i would most definately want to learn something, if not coding then spelling :)

[peterska2]

Can i ask, where would we start, How would we go about learning?
Would there be specific threads with small tuts on them or would there be home visits on a one to one basis ha ha ha ha ha :)


At the moment the actual details haven't been considered.

It could be in the form of tutorial threads, or using test sites and IM as a more hands on approach. One thing it won't be will be home visits, simply due to the international nature of this venture (unless someone wants to cough up for a world hopper air ticket ;)).

The plans will be considered early next week, and the people who have voted will be contacted by myself via PM to discuss further details after the poll closes.

If any more experienced coders are interested/willing to help teach those who have expressed a strong interest in learning, then please let me know either via PM or this thread.

At the time of this post, there are 24 people wanting to learn, and just two people willing to teach, so there is a strong inbalance. However, everyone that expresses an interest will be given the opportunity to learn, it may just be a while before we get to you as there are only so many people that can be mentored at once.

[Hellcat]

Some combo multiuserchat (ICQ could do that, or simple IRC) and some sort of a "sandbox" where "the learners" can upload and test their code during the lesson would be good IMO.

MAYBE (and that's such a HUGE maybe) we'd get some sort of "sponsored" license to run the vB we are sandboxing on....

[peterska2]

There will be an IRC channel created nearer the time, but in the meantime I have created a temp channel for some sort of plans to be drawn up in.

I've PM'd you the address Michael.

[Chroder]

Great idea Kerry-Anne!

I'll help :D

[peterska2]

Great Chris. You have the address for the channel already, so I don't need to PM you with it. ;)

[xStylezx]

Im very interested in learning some php.Got a good understanding of html and even a few php basics from reading tutorials here and there.Anyways,sign me up:)

[peterska2]

I'll be sending PM's to those who have registered an interest in in the poll or thread with details of the IRC chat event location to organise exactly what is being taught and to sort everyone into groups and assign them an experienced mentor.

The IRC chat event will be taking place at 10pm GMT on the 24th June.

If for any reason you cannot make it, or no longer wish to take part, please reply to the PM from myself and I will either arrange another time with you, or remove you from the list as appropraite.

[Hellcat]

Whooo, that's on short notice.
Sorry, I will most definately not be able to make it 'cause I'm at work then :(

Save me a log!

[peterska2]

Sorry, what time will you be in from work? I can always postpone a couple of hours.

[Hellcat]

I'm at work 16:00-00:00 GMT+1 (4pm to 12am in meridian notation ;)) and I'm usually home at 1:15am then.

[peterska2]

Ok, change of time. It will be starting at midnight GMT.

(This is probably better for most folks anyway as they are over the pond. :p)