>>>>>I agree on training for kids. I'm trying to convince my youngest to learn some coding.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I'm not against teaching kids on some coding - but a good use of time as well is history and some composition. Seriously. What's history? Reading and writing and seeing patterns. What's development? Certainly includes reading and writing and development.
>>>
>>>Very much agree. I was actually thinking more of the 18 year old heading off to college to get a computer science degree. I would suggest he spend 2 years on Pluralsight first (and of course working in the field if he can) with the same level of commitment and intensity.
>>>
>>>If he can't do that for 2 years on his own, he would probably be better off in another field. If he is successful he can make enough money over the next 10 years to make the degree either unnecessary or something he can do without student loans focusing on whatever ( nanotechnology etc ) he needs to extend his professional horizons.
>>>
>>>I know 3 people now in undergraduate computer science programs and I am not impressed with the relevance of what they are doing or the ability of a traditional college curriculum to keep pace with our field. I think it is going to kill any interest in a lot of people who might really love the reality of what we do.
>>
>>I must say I am surprised to hear a Kenyon graduate express what seems to be a view of 4 year colleges as expensive trade schools. Not being critical, just surprised. You didn't get all your knowledge of history on the side, did you?
>>
>>As far as Pluralsight, I have come completely around to your view. Terrific stuff. If not for you and PS course offerings who knows how long it would have taken me to discover the various technologies that comprise SPA. A couple of months ago I would have said Angular is a geometric term and Breeze is something you're grateful for in the summer ;-)
>
>Kenyon? Heaven fore fend. Denison. We had girls <g> (a lot of rich ones but unfortunately rich enough that daddy could afford to have you killed if you weren't good enough for his little princess)
>
>As to history, very very glad I majored in that - it was the days of Liberal Arts - everything else was "trade school". But as I have often said, that degree never made a dime except on Jeopardy. I am somewhat consoled in that I went there on a full-ride. If I had been paying off student loans for 20 years I might have felt differently.
>
>But Computer Science is not Liberal Arts. I think people major in that figuring they want to get a job (something we thought was a vulgar goal in the 60s <s> )
>
>And for those reasons I think Pluralsight is a much better bargain. $400 a year with source code and if you pay attention and bring enough mental horsepower to the table you have marketable skills within a year. I think a bright kid who liked this stuff could have a six figure income in three years.
>
>For a history major , I would choose rich parents and Ivy League. (and then plan to live on my trust fund)

Denison, Kenyon, sorry. I seem to have conflated them in my mind.

Emily was here for a quick visit to the Czech embassy downtown. She will be studying abroad in Prague from February through June, plus a couple of weeks of sightseeing. (Based on what I have read about the authentic Slavic weather, I hope she decides to do that in July <g>). Anyway, on the drive into the city she mentioned a classmate at UW who is "really smart even though he's a philosophy major <g>. Spoken like a true engineering major.

I have read a bit about Prague and am envious of her for this opportunity. Such a beautiful city and so much history. It's also cool that English is not the main language, although according to the guide book I picked up for her most Czechs under 40 speak English. She is going to learn as much of it as she can before going and while there. The book says Czechs appreciate you trying to speak their language even if you don't speak it well.

I did manage to stick my foot in my mouth once at the consulate. There were two ladies working behind glass windows, very efficient. I chatted with one of them while the one who was helping Emily was copying some papers I asked if she was from Czechoslovakia and she said yes, well, sort of, but we aren't called that anymore. She said we are now two countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. She said we became independent peacefully. A lot nicer than the breakaway movement in 1968, a.k.a. the Prague Spring. (I know you know that). The Soviets tolerated quite a bit and then it went too far and the tanks rolled in.