When I first learned about Bitcoin about seven years ago, I fantasized about quitting my job, going coding school and embarking on a world changing future Blockchain project for a well-funded tech start-up that not only had stock options but paid salaries with crypto.  Before taking the giant leap of quitting my job, I went to an introductory meeting for a coding boot camp, of which there were many at that time, for an idea of what was in store for me.  This first step was a big letdown, because I left the session feeling that I didn’t have a good knowledge base, the academic prerequisites or skills required to take the class.  In order to go to bootcamp, I would need to take Python and learn other coding skills prior to being admitted, which I wasn’t willing to do at the time. Needless to say, I never quit my job or pursued Bitcoin mining, but this didn’t stop me from doing a little investing….

Fast forward to this intro to DH class where we are exposed to digital methodologies and are required to “learn some of the fundamental skills used often in digital humanities projects,” including skill workshops, as the one I recently attended called: Introduction to Python with Rebecca Krisel. The class was much less intimidating than expect and the instructor was very deliberate in emphasizing that like with any foreign language, one needs to practice, make mistakes and with time and effort, muscle memory will kicks in.

I’ve installed Python on my PC. I’ll start by learning terms and replicating some of what Rebecca went over in the class. I’ve also downloaded a children’s book from the Mina Rees Library for reference. I look forward to the follow-up Python class(es0, but I have started playing around with some easy exercises and here’s what I’ve come up with thus far for days 1 and 2 of practice: