Suggestion: Coding Mentors

[Razasharp]

As we all know vB has one of the best hack communities for any forum platform - and that is largely down to the coders who spend so much of their time creating hacks.

To help perpetuate this, I was wondering if you could perhaps put this suggestion to the coders (maybe in the coders section)... how do some of them fancy becoming Coding Mentors?

Essentially, helping learner-coders get to grips with coding vB.

I think this would do two things; build even better relationships, and get more vB coders out there by speeding up the learning process.

Maybe coding Mentors can only be assigned to people actually serious about learning to code, perhaps to begin with a criteria is set where the learner coders must have already purchased a php coding book (or two) to show that they are serious, and can be tested they actually own the book by asking what word is on blah line on blah page etc. This would cut-out a lot of time-wasters.

You could make it clear that Coding Mentors will not write the hacks for us, but merely be on hand to help if we get stuck or to point us in the right direction.

If the Coders think this is a good idea, maybe we could start a thread where people interested in getting a Mentor could post, along with what books they have purchased, and perhaps the coders could decide between themselves who they might be interested in taking on? Coders should know they are never obliged to help and if they feel it's more time than they have, they can withdraw at any time - no hard feelings (I'm sure many will appreciae any help we got to whatever point).

I'm sure some people will say, well why not just start a thread with a question? Well this is a more pro-active way of handling this as in building a relationship Mentor and learner-coder get to know each other/levels of skill etc. And besides, threads often get overlooked, and this way a willing Mentor and a willing learner can go about things more effeciently.

I think this will also be good to help vB.org see which coders might be suitable for future openings on the admin side here and would be nice that Coding Mentors got a special badge in acknowledgment.

What does everyone else think?

[Adrian Schneider]

I've suggested this a few times and I think it's a great idea.

[Razasharp]

Sorry I missed your threads SirAdrian.

Glad coders like yourself are thinking along the same lines... if doesn't go ahead officially, can I put my name down to be first in line with you please? :knockedout:

[furst]

I would like to learn. It would save my so much time if I could help myself with custom hacks.

[Adrian Schneider]

I don't mind helping people over MSN, as long as they don't paste code there.

[furst]

What is a good book for someone who doesn't know a thing about php?

[Adrian Schneider]

a good read?

[furst]

lol naw, just something to get me started on the basics.

[Adrian Schneider]

Haha, kidding of course.

Back when I was learning, it was a real bummer to have to wait hours (at best) for a reply. If I had an answer within 30 seconds (okay, maybe a few mins with most people) it basically takes a day of waiting out of the equation.

Personally I already have a few people who constantly harass; er... ask me for help. As long as it's not every 30 seconds (ya I'm looking at you Cody) then it's not a problem. In most cases it's either quickly looking up a file, or a question you can answer off the top of your head.

But, as long as people find things out for themselves too, they'll learn. If you ask every time you are stuck, you'll never progress.

[Adrian.]

Well, i already am learning someone on my MSN.
Very slowly.

However, i would still help out some members here.

Adrian