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Simple Programmer Podcast

The Simple Programmer Podcast is a short podcast that is a mix of career advice, philosophy and soft skills from successful author and software developer, John Sonmez. John is the founder of http://simpleprogrammer.com, one of the most popular software development blogs, and the author of the best-selling book, "Soft Skills: The Software Developer's Life Manual." (http://simpleprogrammer.com/softskills) Geared towards a programmer or software developer audience, but contains practical advice on: Career development Entrepreneurship Fitness Finance Productivity Personal development And more... That anyone can benefit from. Each episode is between 5 and 10 minutes long with at least 3 new episodes each week.
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Now displaying: 2019
Dec 18, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Dec 11, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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In programming, we hear so much about what tech stack we need to learn or what the new hot technology is.

What we do not talk about much is the mental health aspect behind how you can be a better programmer.

And that often times affects a lot of programmers.

Self-doubting comes into play. And that can have a whole cascade effect in your career.

Doubting yourself can leave you paralyzed. You stop working. You stop doing whatever needs to be done. Your head starts telling a lot of different bad stories.

And... Down the road, it makes a whole lot of difference.

This is a message for all the self-doubting developers out there.

Dec 4, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
SUBSCRIBE HERE: https://simpleprogrammer.com/subscribespyt

 

Video game development is not for the faint of heart. It’s an extremely difficult and demanding line of work, and the rewards are not nearly as great as you might think.

I would guess that at last 70 percent of professional programmers have fantasized about becoming video game developers at some point in their lives—hell, I’m fantasizing about it right now.

video game development is difficult. Really difficult. There is a large amount to learn and so much of it is art.

You can easily get in way over your head, where you don’t even know what you don’t know or what is important.

You can certainly teach yourself video game development (I did), but are you going to teach yourself how to make video game graphics, how to design a story and level, 3D modeling, how to use the latest graphics engine, and all the other countless areas of speciality that are required to build one of the complex video games of today?

The thing is... You can actually do that. And the funny thing is that you don't even need to go to college to do that. #GameDevelopment #GameDesign #College

Here are my top 5 reasons why you should NOT go to college to study game development.

Nov 27, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Do you want to learn game development in 2020? Then, you're in the right place.

However, you might be asking yourself: where do I start? With so many game engines out there, which one should you pick?

Unity? Unreal Engine? Godot?

Unity is amongst the most popular game engines and it is definitely one of the most intuitive ones, especially for beginners.

Unreal Engine, on the other side, uses C++ which is a much more powerful programming language and also lets you create AMAZING graphics.

Godot, on the other hand, is a new game engine that is rising in the latest years and lets you create pretty cool games in an easy way...

Which game engine should you pick for 2020? That's what we're going to be discussing in this video

Nov 20, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Maybe you hate your current job as a salesman, or accountant and want to become a programmer. You want to work for a cool new tech company and get the nice salaries of a programmer.

But... How do you actually find the drive and motivation to change careers and become a programmer? #programming #coding #careerchange

I'm gonna do this by asking you a simple question: WHY? Why do you want to become a programmer?

Just because it looks fun? Chances are you won't make it then. You must absolutely have a real deep reason why you are doing this.

In today's video we are going to discuss how you can shift the sails of your career and become the programmer you've always wanted to be.

 

Nov 13, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Agile methodology is the most sought after software development model today. It promotes continuous iterations in development and testing.

Agile is about going fast, releasing often, and working toward the real needs of the users. When it comes to businesses where the requirements are unpredictable, agile should be the go-to methodology.

The core values of agile development are:

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan

The key to the agile plan is that it offers flexibility for changes to the product as it continues to develop.

However, the most important thing is understanding that agile is an IDEA. And that is what most software companies and teams get wrong.

In today's video we are going to talk about agile methodologies and how it relates to software development.

Oct 30, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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This video is so important for software developers I can't even tell how.

Saying no is one of the most important soft skills you can learn in your life in order to advance your career in tech. #tech #techindustry #programming

As soon as the urge for embracing the world starts to develop in you and you feel you need to say yes to job, side projects, teachings, etc., that's when your life starts to fly off the rails.

In today's video, we are going to discuss why you need to start saying NO if you really want to have a successful career in the tech industry.

Oct 23, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Lots of people dream about getting a job at what they call "THE BIG 5" (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Netflix, etc.) #google #amazon #workatgoogle

Whether it is for their ability to offer high salaries, extravagant perks, or their exciting mission statements, it is clear that top companies like Google and Microsoft have become talent magnets. To put it into perspective, Google alone receives more than two million job applications each year.

Working for a top tech company is many people’s dream.

However... How do you actually get a job at one of these big companies? is it enough to start applying to all of them hoping to finally get your shot?

In today's video I'm going to tell you how you can get a job at Google, Facebook, Netflix, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple or another big company...

Hint: it requires a LOT of hard work.

Oct 16, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Oct 9, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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I was a kid there was nothing more exciting to me than playing around with the old broken computers and dreaming about building my own computer game.

However, things have changed and I quit programming.

One of the reasons why I decided to quit programming is the reason why I'll tell you in this video.

Software development is definitely a LUCRATIVE field. A lot. And it can really make you lazy and lose ambition in life.

There is nothing wrong with taking this path in life, but it's like not waking up from The Matrix.

In today's video, I'm going to share why you SHOULDN'T become a software engineer.

Oct 2, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Time and time again, I run into the same mistakes that many programmers make over and over, and they aren't even aware of them.

However, there are 3 MISTAKES I consider to be one of the biggest ones developers make in terms of their career, and it might be costing them a solid and strong career.

These mistakes are all about career, learning and self-improvement.

Sep 25, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Let me be clear here: most developers don't know a s**t about how to learn programming and improve their careers. This is absolute truth.

And I'm not saying this in a mean way, but as a way to alert most of you about something you've been doing wrong for most of your lives. Learning something new requires some strictly techniques in order to maximize your potentials, or, you'll be swimming in circles and you'll most likely to die in the middle of the sea.

Just take today's case: a guy that has completed a programming course but know nothing about what they've learned. It just feels like he hasn't completed any course at all.

Learning the art of programming can be a bit of a struggle for some. However, knowing some ways for making your learning process faster can be a huge help for you. It can be a manageable task if you follow and implement a few simple steps.

In today's video we are going to discuss why you usually feel lost after completing a programming course and how you can turn it around and start learning programming efficiently.

Sep 18, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Artificial Intelligence is definitely the next big thing. However, programmers still find it hard to understand what A.I. really is and how they can use that bring their programming career to the next level.

AI is a broad topic ranging from simple calculators to self-steering technology to something that might radically change the future.

The primary goals of AI include deduction and reasoning, knowledge representation, planning, natural language processing (NLP), learning, perception, and the ability to manipulate and move objects. Long-term goals of AI research include achieving Creativity, Social Intelligence, and General (human level) Intelligence.

AI has heavily influenced different sectors that we may not recognize. Ray Kurzweil says “Many thousands of AI applications are deeply embedded in the infrastructure of every industry.” John McCarthy, one of the founders of AI, once said that “as soon as it works, no one calls it AI anymore.”
(Source: https://www.hackerearth.com/blog/developers/artificial-intelligence-101-how-to-get-started/)

But... Where to start learning A.I.? How you, as a programmer, can incorporate A.I. opportunities in your career?

Is there a better programming language to learn artificial intelligence? Is there a specific technology you should learn?

Sep 11, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Being humans (unlike the robots some people think we are), programmers are emotional creatures too.

Today I would like to discuss with you why you should learn how to control your emotions as a programmer, and some skills you must develop to improve this master skill.

First, jobs and tasks that are given to us as programmers (or ones we assign ourselves) often involve high levels of logical thinking and reasoning. Most programming is a purely logical task. We do not want emotions to come and take us off the logical path.

When emotions come into play, it can take a decision that should be 100 percent logical and make it part emotional and part logical. In some cases it can be even worse: it can take a fully logical decision and make it fully emotional.

Take a look at this example: Bob, the senior engineer, is in charge of building out the payment system for Antonio Inc.’s backend. His part of the application is due at the end of the week, but he just heard that his girlfriend of three years cheated on him. This sends him into an emotional downward spiral. This causes him to lose focus at work, make poor engineering decisions (like not making a fully secure payment system), and makes him procrastinate, finishing his piece of the backend.

If he were purely logical in his decision-making, he would have been able to focus with no problem, and Bob would be able to make the proper sustainable engineering decisions necessary to support the application over the long term. However, if he kept making poor decisions, this could potentially affect his future at the company. This is a situation in which emotional control is crucial for success in your career as a programmer. #softskills #developer #programming

If you can learn to take control of your emotions and not let your emotions control you, then you can spend way more time producing and being a happier programmer and person overall.

Sep 4, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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A career as a freelancer is the reality for 35% of the United States’ workforce. It is designed for people that desire more freedom, or feel working for an employer limits their ability to be creative.

Freelancing is a viable option for programmers interested in earning additional income while employed or starting a full-time business in the future. Both are viable options with a differentiation between active income (working) and passive income (not working to earn income).

However, working as a freelance developer might arouse some questions. What programming language should you learn in order to become a successful freelance programmer? Should you learn a specific programming anguage in 2020 to succeed?

In the freelance world, there are generalists and specialists. A generalist programmer typically takes on all programming assignments in a variety of industries. The downside to this is that you may be seen as a freelancer that is new to the subject, which results in a low or beginner rate.

On the contrary, a specialist is a computer programmer that has worked in a specific industry—like real estate—for five or more years, or one who is knowledgeable of a specific skill set or programming language, like PHP.

The advantage of being a specialist is your rates can be set higher because of the value you can offer the client.

In today's video we are going to discuss what programming languages and technologies you should focus in 2020 to become a successful freelance developer

Aug 28, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Getting stuck is never fun. Especially when you’re working really hard. And yet, I find that this happens to people preparing for coding interviews all the time.

You put in consistent work. You’ve gone through hundreds of practice problems and block out an hour every day to study. And suddenly... You forget everything.

Most of the time, it happens during coding interviews because you get anxious. You feel the urge to answer the interviewer right away. But that's not always the best choice.

There are ways to buy more time in coding interviews - without looking awkward - that will make a huge difference when it comes to giving the right answer.

In today's video I'm going to show you how to buy more time in coding interviews.

Aug 21, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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When you're looking to market yourself as a programmer, you have a lot of different paths to follow and a lot of different techniques to implement. One of them is building an online portfolio.

How does an online portfolio work for a programmer? Well, in your online portfolio you should place all of your projects, things you've worked on, etc.

However... How much is an online portfolio important? How to build an online portfolio as a newbie developer?

Is this type of strategy the one you should be really be focusing to boost your career? What are other alternatives for you to implement that could have a much greater impact on your strategy?

 

Aug 13, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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https://simpleprogrammer.com/yt/flowstate

How To Get Into Flow State 🧠💡 | Become A Productive BEAST!

Flow state is something super important for programmers and, those who have entered this state know what I'm talking about.

In flow, every action, every decision, arises seamlessly from the last. In this state, we are so focused on the task at hand that all else falls away. Action and awareness merge. Our sense of self vanishes. Our sense of time distorts. And, as the research demonstrates, every aspect of performance goes through the roof.

Today I'm going to partner up with Rian Doris, part of the Flow Research Collective. The Flow Research Collective is a research and training organization. Their mission is to understand the science behind ultimate human performance and use it to train up individuals and organizations.

By decoding the neurobiology of flow—understanding what is going on in the brain and in the body when humans are performing at their best—they can open up a new possibility space for human potential.
(Source: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com)

If you're interested in getting into the flow state, especially if you're a developer and want to get the best out of your code, definitely watch this video and the FREE video training Rian has stored for you.

Flow Research Collective: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/

Jul 31, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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When leaving the workforce, whether it be to raise a child, take a break, or take care of a parent, the employment gap leaves hiring managers with questions.

One of their biggest questions: do you still have what it takes to be an integral part of their team? The answer often is yes, but how do you convince the employer to take a chance on an interview and potential career transition?

In today's video, we are going to talk about what programmers can do after a long time out of the workforce and how it can help you land your next job!

 

Jul 24, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Many bootcamps claim or imply that you can become a professional developer in three weeks, 12 weeks, or perhaps six months when you take their courses. But most of these 90%+ job placement claims are largely unaudited.

After years of helping students get through coding bootcamps, I know exactly their biggest mistakes.

You can expect to join a coding bootcamp and leave as a full programmer. You need to put in the work. You need to put in the practice. And this is where most aspiring developers fail.

Things, like holding yourself accountable, learning effectively and joining a peer group, are things that can help you in succeeding at a coding bootcamp.

If you really want to make the most out of your money after joining a coding bootcamp, then, this is the perfect video for you. I'll give you my 4 best tips after years of helping students succeed and become great programmers after joining a coding bootcamp.

Jul 18, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Blockchain is one of the hottest skills in tech right now.

Don’t believe me?

Hired.com’s 2019 State of Software Engineers report that shows that global demand for Blockchain developers is “through the roof”, growing at a rapid rate of 517% year over year!

Blockchain developers earn $155,000 per year on average in cities like San Francisco, and you’re more likely to earn higher pay in blockchain compared to other disciplines.

There’s even more good news: the blockchain workforce is highly distributed. That means you don’t necessarily have to live an a major tech hub like San Francisco to work for a blockchain business that operates in San Francisco. You can work remotely, which allows you command a “big city salary” while living in an area with a lower cost of living.

If you’re willing to work as a freelancer, you open up your earning potential even more. Many skilled developers can charge high hourly rates.

You might ask, “why are blockchain developers so highly paid?”

It’s a classic supply-and-demand problem.

There simply aren’t enough people with blockchain skills to satisfy the demand. Because the supply is small, and the demand is high, the price of compensation goes up.

How do you become a highly paid blockchain developer, then?

Thats exactly what me and Gregory, from Dapp University, will be talking about

Jul 10, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Being a new programmer means getting your word out there, sending your CV to a lot of different companies and hoping you'd get called.

However, the good news comes in: You've received two proposals. One for a startup and one for a big company.

How do you choose between both? What are the pros and cons of each programming job?

Both working for a startup and for a big company have its pros and cons.

If you're a newbie developer you might want the excitement of working different hats and working with cutting edge technologies, while, on the other hand, you might want the benefits of a big company like Google, Facebook, Amazon or even Intel.

How do you choose which programming job you should take? Is there anything you have to take into consideration?

Jul 3, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Have you ever shifted your mindset as a programmer when it comes to finding a programming job?

Picture this:

When I was starting out my career, I helped a lot of developers find programming jobs... Some of them, find the wrong ones.

Despite you thinking that you just need the money, there is much more into play when it comes to finding a programming job. One of the things I always say to my students is that you should look for a job that gives you fulfillment.

You need to ask yourself a few questions in order to really understand what you're getting into.

This is why I made a list of 13 questions to ask yourself to really know if you're looking for the programming job of your dreams.


Jun 26, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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Getting a job as a remote programmer is the dream of a lot of programmers. They dream of working from home, having the flexibility to work when they want, how they want, etc... Oh, and I almost forgot! Working from their underwears.

So, while this might not be as good as it may seem, today I'm going to show you how you could get a remote job as a programmer. I'm also going to tell you why you only see the low-paying positions and what you should do to avoid it.

What are the best strategies for getting a remote job as a programmer? What should you do to get hired for a remote position?

In this video I'll unveil everything you need to know in order to succeed as a remote programmer so you can work from home however you want :)

How to Create a Blog That Boosts Your Career:

Jun 19, 2019

Simple Programmer is now BACK with a brand new YouTube Channel
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You’ve decided to learn to code! Filled with excitement at finding a new career, you quickly sign up for a Udemy course and register at freeCodeCamp.

Feeling optimistic and eager, you sit down and start going through the material that evening.

In the next several weeks, you fall into a pattern of studying coding till late at night, then waking up early the next morning to go to work. But you’re starting to get confused by some of the concepts, and there isn’t anyone to ask for help.

The first stage of learning to code is the hand holding honeymoon phase. This is right when you start out, you are all pumped up to have so much motivation. You start some tutorials, and they are a piece of cake. Who told you that understanding python would be hard? They were stupid. That was easy!

As you do a few more tutorials you start to feel even more confident. This stage makes you feel like you are making significant progress. But then you are to start working on something that does not have a direct tutorial to give you an exact example of how to make it. And all of a sudden you realize, fuck... I know nothing.

So... Suddenly, you lose all motivation. And you give up on learning to code.

Not anymore.

After this video, you'll know how to regain your motivation when it comes to learning to code and make sure you don't give up along the way.

 

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