September 05, 2018

Learning New Technologies

1 hour 18 minutes

Learning new technologies can be a difficult thing to start, let alone master. In this episode we discuss how we started with new technologies and how to expand those introductions into mastery with a given framework, plugin, or other product.

Segment 1 - Getting Started

Identify Objectives

Ensure that your selected technology cover as many of your objectives as possible

Sometimes your objective is just to learn a given technology - with no specific project objective(s)

Do the "My First App" example

Most documentation have users go through a first introductory app to get them started quickly

Use this first app as a way to get your foot in the door - use it as a foundation for your project, or as a learning platform

Documentation Open

Don't shy away from documentation - I always have it open!

As you look up each and every piece of a given technology you're slowly learning its ins and outs

Eventually you won't need the documentation to complete a given task

Easiest Start

There are typically a lot of different ways to get started with a given technology (ie install via npm, use via CDN, etc.)

Use the easiest starting point - probably the one that compliments your existing development environment - so that you don't get caught in a rut trying to learn how install something

Find the fastest route to learning

Segment 2 - When to Learn New Technologies

Personal vs Client Work Projects

You must find the balance between learning something new, or using something familiar because you're working on your client's time

Let the client know what you're doing or planning, they may want you to work on learning a new technology - maybe they want a new feature

Do extensive research into a given technology to prevent issues down the line, costing you time and your client needless money

Performance

Sometimes performance becomes important when applications get large, make sure you use the technology that best compliments your objective and gives the best performance

For example: NodeJS is good at concurrent connections

Popularity

Popular apps typically have a job market

Learning React or Angular, as of writing this, would put you in a good position for finding a job

You can also participate in an up and coming technology to get into a growing community

Need

Sometimes you have no choice but to learn a new library, framework, language, etc.

Segment 3 - Get Up and Running Quickly

Researching

Google your issues

Check documentation

At this stage ensure that the tech can cover all your needs

Watching/Reaching Tutorials

Before commiting, watch some YouTube tutorials to see if you like any of them

If you continue working with the technology you now have a reference/video series to learn more

Documentation

Great documentation can make learning a lot easier

Bad documentation does the exact opposite, makes it harder

Community

Take a look at the community and try to avoid toxicity

Check various communities (ie Reddit, Discord, Stack Overflow, etc.)

Your own "My First App"

Choose a simple function that might be a single piece of a project

Gives you a good view on learning and implementing

Web News - Cell Phone Longevity & Endurance

Battery life on cell phones is typically not great, after several product generations of fighting for better battery life (specifically more capacity), it seems that consumers have given up to a degree

Android seems have issues managing background tasks

Apps dont' close completely sometimes

Sometimes they close too early from the "recent apps"

Manufacturers try and combat this by having various battery management software added to their Android versions

More efficient processors like those in the Snapdragon 600 series offer more efficient battery usage, but don't offer flagship speed like those in the 800 series

Flagship phones have the best features and specs, but typically lack in battery life

Android phones seem to drop in battery performance when you're on the go - GPS turns on a lot even when not navigating

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By Matt Lawrence and Mike Karan

4.8

4646 ratings