To get the most out of my CS, I spent afternoons and evenings in the main library. If you really love computers you will be happy to do so.
Find the Computer Section usually 000-200 in dewey decimals. You will find the most esoteric and amazing stuff there. I took out books on the most amazing and crazy stuff in CS and even maths. I found it a treasure trove of ideas even if the books were a bit complex at the time.
Especially if you are already coping with your CS - then you must broaden your horizens. If you are struggling - get your studies right first. Then become a guru. I personally haven't stopped. Ever since I left varsity I have been buying more and more books. I have books on AI, IEEE CSDP, Robotics, Distributed Systems, OS etc. This is just the theoretic stuff.
I even have excellent books on Modern Compiler Theory and Type Systems - shit I had never seen even in varsity. I spend three hours a month going through my local online bookstore trying to find the wierdest shit I can find. I have a list which I maintain of my favourite top 10 books I need to buy this year.
Plus I did 3 years of an Electronic Engineering degree and I am going back over the courses looking for recommended readings and reworking my studies and getting new books on this stuff so that I can combine the knowledge of the two theories into one. Now I am looking to write my own OS and are outlining a new programing language using this stuff. It is all fun. PS get a NXT Mindstorms - it's a great way to learn various aspects of programming. It provides you with great excuses to read up on AI, Control Theory, Planning etc.
Bottom line - everyone starts somewhere. Sometimes you land up in a sh1thole of a job where you feel out of depth and are a lap monkey for the boss. I know, it's where I started. You feel as though you learnt absolutely irrelevant things at varsity. And no-one pays for you to learn the cool stuff. The secret is - and this is what I did from day one in my job - is to find nirvana outside your job. Do, learn and study the fancy sh1t outside of your job. Keep yourself inspired. Love your knowledge even when you don't love your job. My philosophy is - if you as my employer want me to know something, you must pay in time and books - at least - if not in courses. What _I_ want to learn I learn on _my_ private time. What _you_ want me to learn, I learn on _your_ time. I have probably spent 10 000 ZAR on books to teach myself. I have number of certifications under my belt. And I agree with the above post. Only you can aspire to be great - invest in yourself and start early.
Slashdot Mirror
This sounds a lot like Crystal Clear. Its a good book esp. for small teams of 4 to 10 developers.
To get the most out of my CS, I spent afternoons and evenings in the main library. If you really love computers you will be happy to do so. Find the Computer Section usually 000-200 in dewey decimals. You will find the most esoteric and amazing stuff there. I took out books on the most amazing and crazy stuff in CS and even maths. I found it a treasure trove of ideas even if the books were a bit complex at the time. Especially if you are already coping with your CS - then you must broaden your horizens. If you are struggling - get your studies right first. Then become a guru. I personally haven't stopped. Ever since I left varsity I have been buying more and more books. I have books on AI, IEEE CSDP, Robotics, Distributed Systems, OS etc. This is just the theoretic stuff. I even have excellent books on Modern Compiler Theory and Type Systems - shit I had never seen even in varsity. I spend three hours a month going through my local online bookstore trying to find the wierdest shit I can find. I have a list which I maintain of my favourite top 10 books I need to buy this year. Plus I did 3 years of an Electronic Engineering degree and I am going back over the courses looking for recommended readings and reworking my studies and getting new books on this stuff so that I can combine the knowledge of the two theories into one. Now I am looking to write my own OS and are outlining a new programing language using this stuff. It is all fun. PS get a NXT Mindstorms - it's a great way to learn various aspects of programming. It provides you with great excuses to read up on AI, Control Theory, Planning etc.
Bottom line - everyone starts somewhere. Sometimes you land up in a sh1thole of a job where you feel out of depth and are a lap monkey for the boss. I know, it's where I started. You feel as though you learnt absolutely irrelevant things at varsity. And no-one pays for you to learn the cool stuff. The secret is - and this is what I did from day one in my job - is to find nirvana outside your job. Do, learn and study the fancy sh1t outside of your job. Keep yourself inspired. Love your knowledge even when you don't love your job. My philosophy is - if you as my employer want me to know something, you must pay in time and books - at least - if not in courses. What _I_ want to learn I learn on _my_ private time. What _you_ want me to learn, I learn on _your_ time. I have probably spent 10 000 ZAR on books to teach myself. I have number of certifications under my belt. And I agree with the above post. Only you can aspire to be great - invest in yourself and start early.