Year: 2018

Getting Involved in Open Source Projects

open source projects

We all should be somehow thankful to the Open Source Projects. As in the past few years, these open source projects have provided us with some very useful software. Even many of the technologies, which we are using in our day to day life these days are because of the open source projects only. Like Python, Firefox, Android, VLC Media Player, and few others. For the new age programmers, open source projects are really a great opportunity. The programmers can contribute towards these open source projects and can help in developing some really great software or techniques. Below, we have mentioned a few things related to open source project, that may help you or inspire you in getting involved in open source projects.

Reasons why one should get involved in open source projects

There is not just one or two, but there are many reasons that can make one involved in open source projects. Here, we have mentioned some of the reasons.

  • With the open source projects, one can share the codes, and it will not just help them but will help others. The thought that the code should be open, helps in contributing more towards the technology and new inventions. As it is not just you who will learn but other people involved in the project will also learn and will get motivated for contributing more towards it.
  • Anyone who is motivated and is very much interested in open source projects can start contributing towards it. So, this not just gives the chance to experienced programmers, but it also helps the beginners. As being a beginner, one may not involve into the main work, but they can always start with fixing minor errors, writing code, and can also try to understand the other programmers or developers work.
  • Being a part of the open source project is itself a great thing. Not just you get to learn a lot of things while working on these projects. But you also get to meet people with similar interests. This helps in increasing your network as well.
  • When you actively get involved in many open source projects every now and then, it increases your credibility also. You are more likely to get a greater number of projects and it will add a great value in your CV as well. Also, when the employers notice you, the chances of promotion or better opportunities are always there.

Know how you can get involved in open source projects

When it is about getting involved in open source projects, there are a lot of things that you can do:

  1. Type of Open Source Project – It is not necessary that you should get involved in every open source project. So, when you are planning to contribute towards the open source projects, first check the type of project it is. It is no harm in getting involved in the projects about which you have less knowledge, as you can learn new things. But try to prefer those projects more which are of your interests. As by doing that, you will be able to contribute more. For example would work on a startup mobile app interest you? Within that would you be interested in a dating app, a local hook up app, or something completely different? The opportunities really are endless.
  2. Check whether it is paid or unpaid – Most of the open source projects are unpaid only. As they are volunteered. But there are few open source projects, which pay their developers. So, if you are looking for an open source project which can pay, then you need to check different communities for open source projects.
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Fun Ways to Learn How to Code

No matter whether your kid is going to do the coding for his/her whole life or not but learning a bit of coding can really be helpful. Coding is not always about the programming and a way to earn the living. It is also about developing problem-solving skills and becoming creative. When your kids will learn to code, it will help them in understanding the logical things and applying the logic correctly to any situation. They will be able to plan things in a better way and with proper strategies. So, there are a lot of things which your kids can learn just by learning the coding.

When coding is a fun thing to do, your kids will get more interested in doing that. There are a number of fun ways for kids to learn how to code. We are sharing some of the fun ways here, with the help of which you can make your kids learn coding. Let’s see what all these ways are:

Use toys for Coding

No kid can deny to toys, and that is why using the toys for coding can be really helpful. Also, the kids will learn to code in different ways using different toys. There are few toys available in the market and on online sites, which are not just simple toys but are really helpful for learning to code. Let’s see what all the toys you can get for your kids:

  • Dash and Dot – This is a kind of robotic game and is suitable for kids of 8+ age. In this game, there are little robots, who will help the kids in learning about the robotics, with the help of the commands. The kids can program the commands to which these robots will respond like voice commands.
  • Let’s start coding – The name itself says, what it is meant for. But this is not any normal toy or game. As this toy includes some objects like lights and circuit boards. There will be a complete tutorial with it, that can help your kid in doing around 20 projects by following the instructions.
  • Lego Mindstorms – The blocks game is always the favorite game for many kids. With this game, you can build a robot, that will respond to the commands given from the app on your phone. This is definitely going to help your kids in becoming constructive by creating such robots.

Make use of coding books

No, we are not talking about those big coding books, from which you have learned the coding in your graduation. We are talking about the coding books that are specially made for the kids. These books can be helpful as a reference for making your kids learn the coding. You can purchase the hard copy books or can also get eBooks available online for kid’s coding learning. Some of the books that are recommended for the kids to learn to code are Super Scratch Programming Adventure, Python for kids: A playful introduction to programming, Star Wars Coding Projects Using Scratch, Code your Own Games: 20 Games to Create with Scratch, Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World, and many others.

Taking help of coding websites

Yes, there are coding websites and they are especially for kids. Most of these coding websites are free to learn. There are some websites, which are specially designed for the kids of age 4 years, whereas, some websites are there for the kids of age 8 years to 16 years. Let’s know some of these websites.

  • Tynker – Tynker is one such platform where the kids can learn different modules of coding. Like from building games to building apps, coding robots to coding drones, there are a lot of things they can learn. It is suitable for the kids of 7+ age.
  • Scratch – Another online coding platform for kids, where they not just can learn coding or make something from their learning. But they can also share their coding work with the world. Your kids can make animations, interactive stories, games, and a lot.

Coding through Apps

At present, we have apps for almost everything. There are food delivery apps, dating apps, free fuck buddy apps, and almost an app for anything you can think of. You will see that there are a lot of apps on your smartphone app store, that can help your kids in learning. And that is why we do have the apps for the coding purpose also. Here, are few apps which your kids can use for learning to code.

  • Udemy – You all would have heard about this app known as Udemy, which is one of the largest online learning App in the world. With the help of Udemy, you can make your kids learn coding and that too easily.
  • Code Combat – This app is especially for the kids to learn coding with the help of different games. Your kids can play the games on this app and can learn while playing because of the coding games.

So, now you know, a number of ways you can help your kids learn to code. All these coding related platforms are good for kids of 7 or 7+ age.

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