[nfbcs] Blindness and Computer Science RE: (no subject)

Tue Feb 19 23:56:45 UTC 2013

Hi Tami,
Thanks for your thoughtful response.

So what kind of programming do you do now? Do you think age plays a factor
when it comes to learning programming because nowadays you have young kids
in their teens becoming wizards at programming. It seems like your
experience has been great a a programmer, what are some of the challenges
you face being a programmer in general, not necessarily being blind, when
it came to learning programming? Any specific resources you would be able
ot point me to, as I am looking to get started right away.

Thanks,
Zeeshan

On Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 3:30 PM, Tami Jarvis <tami at poodlemutt.com> wrote:

> Hi, and welcome!
>
> Like you, I got into programming along the way of my career and made a
> career switch of it starting about the time I got to be legally blind. I
> just happened to have the opportunity to pick up a project no one else
> wanted, which led to a more advanced project, which got me hooked. I could
> also see the advantage of having those skills for the future because the
> technology was coming along that would make it possible to continue to do
> it as I lost the ability to read along the way. Back then, it was a real
> advantage to be able to read print because there wasn't the equivalent
> wealth of accessible reading material there is now. Stuff happened, so I'm
> happy all that material I need to read is available in the formats I need
> now to get back up to snuff and advance my skills. Whew!
>
> Oddly, the new stuff I'm learning nonvisually from the get go is actually
> proving easier than what I'm re-learning that I learned visually and now
> have to totally reconceptualize, especially for programming. That doesn't
> prove a thing, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. /smile/ The stuff I
> used to need a pencil and drawing pad for on the design end is dratted
> difficult, but since I know blind people who do it and have picked up some
> hints of how from them, I'm beginning to make headway even there. Whew!
>
> As for the bit where you need "a solid foundation in computer science" ...
> Generally, it is people who *aren't* in the field who come up with that
> one. Real programmers these days seem to be more of the opinion -- and so
> am I -- that you can get going and accomplish quite a lot without actually
> knowing all the nitty gritty underlayers between your program and the
> machine.
>
> That being said, it wouldn't hurt to read up on the machines themselves if
> you don't already have a general idea of how they work below the surface.
> Programming is really communicating with the machine in a way that makes
> sense to it. Most modern programming languages enable you to do that by
> using existing compilers that translate your instructions down to the
> machine itself. So if you learn Java, say, you can focus on what is there
> and let the Java compiler take care of the rest. If that makes sense. But
> for learning purposes of *how* to use Java to do more than send greetings
> to the world or make balls bounce colorfully, I think it would be a
> strength to understand how and why at least in a general way. But that
> could be just me. /smile/
>
> Er... If you haven't really gotten started yet, I will translate my last
> attempt at humor: "Hello, World!" That is the first program you will ever
> write in any programming language. /lol/ Then you will probably give
> greetings in colorful text and... Well, it's a start, and I'm doing more
> tutorials, and it's still there.
>
> Tami
>
>
> On 02/18/2013 08:28 PM, Zeeshan Khan wrote:
>
>> Hi Nicole,
>> Yeah sorry about that, I realized I hadn't included a subject after I sent
>> it.
>>
>> I am looking to establish a solid foundation in programming whether it be
>> in programming for the computer or the internet. I really want to start
>> out
>> learning the basics and work my way up to being good enough to land a job
>> hopefully.
>>
>> What I hear many people say is , if you don't have a solid foundation in
>> computer science, it doesn't make sense to jump into different languages
>> if
>> you are a beginner.
>>
>> On Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 8:15 PM, Nicole Torcolini
>> <ntorcolini at wavecable.com>**wrote:
>>
>>  What kind of programming are you thinking about? There is programming
>>> that
>>> runs on the computer itself and there is programming that works on the
>>> internet. Both have high level and low level languages.
>>> Also, on a side note, please include subjects in your emails in the
>>> futures
>>> as emails without subjects are often suspected of being spam or a virus.
>>>
>>> Nicole
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.**org<nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org>]
>>> On Behalf Of Zeeshan Khan
>>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 8:09 PM
>>> To: nfbcs at nfbnet.org
>>> Subject: [nfbcs] (no subject)
>>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I am trying to learn programming and I am an absolute beginner. As a
>>> legally
>>> blind person I want to ask you all if anyone has learned programming and
>>> computer science as a blind person. The things is I have already gotten
>>> my
>>> degree in economics about 3 years ago, so I am not sure if I am too late
>>> to
>>> the field. So how did any of you learn computer science/  programming?
>>> What
>>> resources did you use? how long did it take you to become a decent
>>> programmer, or at least good enough to land a job? I am not trying to go
>>> back to school and get a Bachelors as it own't really help me, plus I
>>> don't
>>> have the time as I am working. I really want to learn computer science
>>> as I
>>> am looking to make a career change, and the future is in technology. I am
>>> aware of many online resources, like codecademy, coursera and other free
>>> things online, but not sure if I should get into these, as I lack a
>>> foundation in computer science. What is the job market like , in your
>>> opinion?
>>>
>>> I really look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences, Thanks,
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Zeeshan Khan
>>>
>>> ToiBooks
>>> www.toibooks.com
>>> http://www.facebook.com/**ToiBooks <http://www.facebook.com/ToiBooks>
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>>
>>
>>
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-- 

Zeeshan Khan

ToiBooks
www.toibooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/ToiBooks