Camps Dreams and Nothing In-between

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soldiers standing in a row.
You better keep reading if you don’t want me to add Old Bay seasoning to this backhand.
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It’s crunch time, you’re sitting at your computer with your shoulders slumped down heavily, your face in your hands covering up your exhaustion.  You rest your head back in search of relief due to the increasing weight of your thoughts.

Thoughts flanking your left and right rapidly firing questions of how you are going to fend off bills, provide for yourself and your family (if you have one), and see yourself in a better position than you currently are.

You ask yourself; “How would I be able to get to the next level?” You have made your declaration and have made it known that you don’t want to spend your best years in school, trying to ascend your way to the top of the class because let’s be honest, going to school has never been your kind of jam.

You were more of a System of a Down kind of person in your glory days and going to school would see your dreams end in Chop Suey. Would you be interested if you found out there was another path you could take?

You just might have to strap up your bootlaces and camp it out a bit.

Grayscale of group of people seated in class
I busted a cheek and smelt it yet…the game is on.
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The New About Face

With not wanting to be Another Brick in the wall, what is going to see you get to the next level? Simple, you can just join the Army and become more meat for the machine instead.

No, you don’t have to join the Army, you can opt for the less painful version which is a coding boot camp. Coding boot camps are short-term intensive training programs that provide students with practical and job-ready technical skills.

Boot camps enable students to go from “drooling at the mouth I can’t read, nor can I feel my brain” to “it’s so easy a caveman can do it.” Shout out to my Geico OGs. This provides students with the confidence and knowledge needed to immediately apply their new skills to solve real-world problems, please keep in mind solving world hunger and peace will not be included.

Now, undergoing this training looks great on paper but can have a steep learning curve depending on the instructor and class structure. Like the aim of a trade school, a coding boot camp is usually built around building marketable technology skills that can be leveraged toward a lasting career…or until they decide to let you go, I’m not going to lie to you, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows kid.  

And with how well-known companies are treating longtime employees like they’re the side-chick in public and acting like they don’t know them nowadays it’s something to brace for. The world will embody you as a stray cat, floor the gas pedal, hear a thud and pretend it never saw you in the rearview mirror.

young woman seat at computer with blurred bottle on desk.
I’m going to get through this boot camp.
It might not be sober, but I’m going to make it.
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Boot Perfect

So, coding boot camps, who uses them? Well, people who want to be developers obviously. This goes either way since people who are not developers and people who are can both benefit from entering a coding boot camp which either could be attempting to break into the field or simply learn another avenue of IT.

These programs often cover basic programming languages like JavaScript, SQL, and Python, along with modules on current industry software, tools, techniques, and best practices. You know, everything you would get if you enlisted minus being yelled at daily and performing repetitive self-affirmation of “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home”.

As mentioned earlier, there’s no need for prior coding experience but at the same time having a little experience is a plus. A quick thought let’s say you were homeless and just so happen to have the funds through a Miracle on 31st Street sign yourself up for a coding boot camp, you could theoretically learn the skills needed to land yourself a job. However, these conditions are theoretical and in a perfect world, the odds may be low but they’re still there.

Coding boot camps, like many trade schools, are typically run by private, for-profit companies and is offered both in-person or online depending on the program.

man wearing brown backpack yelling.
COME YOU APES! YOU WANNA PRINT “HELLO WORLD” FOREVER!?
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Camp Field of Dreams

Coding boot camps, why are they so important? Well, there’s a massive shortage of skill, and developers are finding that trying to use those good ole job descriptions isn’t the vibe anymore.

To pair with that companies are finding themselves starting to favor the results of over-time-based experience versus simply just attending a four-year college and getting real-world experience later than sooner. This means going out and getting involved in as many hands-on projects as you can versus asking your parents for that sweet financial blood juice called a loan.

Now you may be wondering “Are coding boot camps worth anything?” The short answer is yes. I have checked around a few forums and have seen a few hiring recruiters say that this along with certificates is something they take into consideration.

I have a ton of certificates however, my email inbox is piled with rejection letters and my phone doesn’t even ring (the ringer is on, I checked). Am I saying this for you to feel bad for me? No, but you’re welcome to.

Just know, IT and a few other fields have gray areas, and this is one of them. I will say coding boot camps can work it just depends on your goals and you. That’s rich coming from me, I know but shut up, I’m being positive.

young gentleman meditating in the forest.
If I build a camp and wear a boot…they will come. Nope, never saying that again.
Photo by Maik Kleinert, please support by following @pexel.com

Wrong Boot Size

Wondering if completing a coding boot camp is something you could put on your resume? I will tell you…yes, yes you can, again I’m being positive. Not only does it show you have the needed skills and education, but it also displays that you have the dedication and work ethic to successfully complete a challenging program.

Now, while all of this sounds great, one thing to keep aware of is coding boot camps have some shortcomings such as limited personal instruction, which is depending how big the group you’re a part of, the instructor may not be able to provide enough feedback regarding your query on a project.

This is one of those, sitting with your hand raised high, the teacher selects you, and hears your question but never answers because someone in the class is having an outburst. They don’t mean to ignore you, but thanks to your classmates, it happens.

The other issue to be aware of is the “one size fits all”. Coding boot camps sometimes will have you learn something either you already know, or they think you should, but your skill level isn’t there and this ends up hurting more than helping.

This sucks but being selective with what camps you opt into by using reviews and checking the curriculum could save you from being fitted wrong.  

Drill Instructor: I SAID, “SUBCRIBE TO SCRIPTINGTHEWHY”!
Private: I DID SIR!
Drill Instructor: THEN WHY AREN’T YOU READING MORE SCRIPTS!?
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Would like to give sincere thanks to current followers and subscribers, your support and actions mean a lot and has a play in the creation of each script.

Thinking about enlisting into a coding boot camp?

Script a comment below about one you’re interested in.

Continuous Learning in Cloud Computing: Embracing Basics, Choosing Platforms, and Community Engagement

Key Takeaways

  • Cloud computing delivers services like data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software through the internet.
  • Users and companies don’t need to manage physical servers or run software applications on their own machines with cloud computing.
  • Choosing the right cloud provider is crucial, with popular options including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
  • Follow a step-by-step learning path that includes assessing your current knowledge, learning fundamentals, choosing a platform, taking online courses, advancing your skills, practicing, and getting certified.
  • Popular cloud platforms include AWS (comprehensive and evolving), Microsoft Azure (enterprise-friendly), and Google Cloud Platform (specializes in Big Data, analytics, and machine learning).
  • Engaging with the cloud computing community through forums, webinars, and connections can provide valuable support and collaboration opportunities.
  • Cloud computing is a journey of continuous learning and practice. Stay curious and keep exploring!
Clouds are computers, not pockets of air Mr. Don.
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You Start Here

Understanding the Basics of Cloud Computing
Before diving into the world of cloud computing, it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals. Cloud computing is the delivery of various services through the Internet, including data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software. With cloud computing, users and companies don’t have to manage physical servers themselves or run software applications on their own machines.

Choosing the Right Cloud Provider
For beginners, selecting the right cloud provider is a crucial step. Some of the most popular providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Each provider has its strengths and caters to different needs. AWS is renowned for its vast array of services and global reach. Azure integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft services, making it ideal for those already within the Microsoft ecosystem. GCP is known for its strong data analytics and machine learning services.

Always look to step upward.
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Step-by-Step Learning Path

  1. Assess Your Current Knowledge: Identify your existing skills and knowledge gaps.
  2. Learn the Fundamentals: Understand the types of clouds, service models, and deployment models.
  3. Choose a Cloud Platform: Pick one platform to start with, such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
  4. Take Online Courses: Enroll in courses that teach the basics of your chosen platform.
  5. Advance Your Skills: Learn about cloud architecture, security, data storage, and more.
  6. Practice: Apply your knowledge through hands-on practice.
  7. Get Certified: Consider obtaining certifications from your chosen cloud provider to validate your expertise.

Starting with AWS
AWS offers a comprehensive and evolving cloud computing platform provided by Amazon. It has a mixture of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and packaged software as a service (SaaS) offerings. For beginners, AWS provides a free tier to start experimenting with cloud services.

Exploring Azure
Microsoft Azure is another excellent choice for those starting their cloud journey. It offers a wide range of services and is known for its enterprise-friendly tools. Azure also provides a free tier, and Microsoft offers various learning paths and certifications to help beginners.

Discovering GCP
Google Cloud Platform specializes in high compute offerings like Big Data, analytics, and machine learning. It also provides a generous free tier and ongoing free trials of various products.

Learn well with others.
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Engaging with the Community
Join forums, attend webinars, and connect with other cloud enthusiasts. Engaging with the community can provide support, insights, and opportunities for collaboration.

Conclusion
Learning cloud computing is a journey of continuous education and practice. By starting with the basics, choosing the right platform, and engaging with the community, you can build a strong foundation in cloud computing. Remember, the cloud is vast, and there’s always something new to learn, so stay curious and keep exploring!

We invite you to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section. What are your experiences with learning cloud computing? Which platform did you choose and why? Let’s learn and grow together in the cloud computing space!

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Louis Armstrong didn’t see this

Quick note: if you’re viewing this via email, come to the site for better viewing. Enjoy!

friends sitting at a park with a dog
A wholesome picnic in the park. Do you think the dog will ever realize it was kidnapped?

Clouds Among Us

Have you ever gone to the local park, set up a picnic with your family, and when one of your members looks up at the clouds, asks you the following with a look of curiosity, “Hey, up there, is that where all the pictures of Gam-gam and us go?”

If your answer was “no”, then you would be correct in your answer both knowingly and unknowingly. How, might you ask?

Simple, one way would be that it’s 2022, and very few people go on picnics with their families anymore since the thought of meeting someone in person (especially in a public setting) has become a bit of “um gross”.  The other way you are correct is any information that is sent to the cloud does not go into an actual cloud.

If you said “yes”, there’s nothing wrong with you aside from the answer. You’re just hopeful and currently, that’s a hard thing to be.

Now, would you believe me if I told you those lovely photos you uploaded of Gam-gam, your spouse, kids, the first home you ever bought, and the person you’re having that affair with whom you hope does not turn out to be anything like Glenn Close’s character from the movie Fatal Attraction are digital items stored in a data center somewhere in a region near you?

Don’t believe me? Oh, I’ll explain how in due time. So, cloud computing, what is it, who and what uses it, how it shapes our world, and whether you can break in without a four-year degree from Harvard are questions we’re going to be answering today.

ice cream cone scooping a cloud
Scoop up too much in the cloud and you’ll go broke in record time.

Everyone gets Ice cream

Cloud computing, while it sounds edgy and sexy is not what the name states. Cloud is a term that refers to platforms for distributed computing. Don’t know what distributed computing is you say? Fret not, I got you.

Imagine you’re at your place of employment and your boss comes to you and says, “hey slave, I need you to work harder so I’m going to bequeath a monolith of paperwork for you to file and it has to be done within two hours from now.”

You look at your boss crazed and confused, there’s no way you’ll have all the paperwork filed in time, also you question… “did he really just address me as a slave”.

Now, let’s say instead of your boss coming up to just you, he holds a meeting with your fellow slaves and you, and delegates the paperwork that he expects to have within two hours. It’s more likely the work will be done within two hours since the workload was distributed.

Take this same example and picture a multitude of your co-workers, all with different job functions they can perform at various levels.  

So, if we were to say you need storage space because you ran out of room on that external hard drive you’ve been hiding in your hollowed version of “Lord of the Flies” labeled “NoFap Challenge”, just dump it in the cloud. Need quick deployment and the ability to scale for the crazy demands of black Friday sales, the cloud has you on that as well.

Remember when I mentioned the information was not going into the cloud but into a data center somewhere near, well this is made possible because each Cloud Service Provider (CSP) has several regions they can operate. Within those regions are some availability zones that house the equipment.

The benefit of having a setup like this is let’s say an earthquake hits and takes out one of the availability zones, since the others in the area back up each other, there’s not a loss in storage, data, or speed and they can still operate without skipping a beat.

Ha, believe me now? Shun you for not believing. A crazy thing to note, you can request a timeframe for use of a satellite. Don’t know what you would do or why you would need it unless you’re trying to groin laser James Bond but that’s insane is all I’m saying.

Could you imagine if companies only hired a handful of people and expected a workload about the size of the state of Utah to get done? Oh no…I forgot they do.

people throwing items up in the air
Someone going to get hit in the face.

May not Hurt…may

This is buckshot but must be said. Plus, it’s not much of a surprise but wait for it (drum roll…and) … everyone uses the cloud. Cat’s out of the bag on that one, shocker, I know. There’s not one person (unless internet service is not a thing in your area) who does not use the cloud in some form or another.

The cellphone you use to text the “I’m about 6 and a half” followed by triple eggplant emoji to your date whom you met on tinder, connects to the cloud. Laptops, computers, video game consoles, and anything with a Wi-Fi connection use and store information in the cloud with or without your knowledge.

Literally, there are just too many use cases for the cloud to list. Just know, you use it every time you save or upload something that is not on a local drive. Plus, with technology consistently being improved upon the abilities are limitless.

man sitting at computer smiling
I… I don’t even want to know what’s on his screen for him to smile this hard.

Our world in Cloud

As mentioned earlier, the cloud is pretty much in every aspect of our day-to-day. Cloud has shed some of the burdens of having to run out and purchase physical equipment and warehouse space. Enabling businesses to grow at a faster rate than they have before since (depending on their needs) everything tech-wise is handled for them.

Businesses can focus on getting to market quickly and not be bogged down with in-house issues. Families may be in silos at the dinner table, but people are connected now more than ever due to the placement of information in the cloud.

degree being handed
Come to me and I will make you unpayable.

With or Without

Well, like with trying to get into any field without a degree it’s going to be a bit of work, but you will be able to get there. What does it take to get into this field you might ask? That is up to you since mentioned earlier, there are just too many use cases for the cloud. This means there are a lot of jobs that you could work in the cloud. Just boils down to what tickles your fancy.

But to give a direction and this is according to ziprecruiter.com, an entry-level cloud engineer makes about $87,189.00.

The main things you are going to need to even think about the cloud are knowledge of a programming language is a must; Python is a good start and it’s used a lot.

A debit card because the cloud follows the pay-to-play method, so your card information is going to be required before you receive credits to do anything. Obtaining (you can but not really, it’s a gray area) a certification in cloud computing, especially one of the big three which are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Getting one is good enough, getting more than one is better.

Finally, a portfolio of projects you have worked on either by yourself or with others. A funny thing I’ve heard about getting to work in the cloud is the old notion of “it’s not what you know but who you know”. Funny getting a job in networking deals with you being able to network.

family pointing at viewer
A big thanks to you for making it this far. Like, comment, and subscribe for more.

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Think you have what it takes to do cloud computing?

Script a comment about a project you would make in the cloud.