TITLE: Quotes of the Day
AUTHOR: Eugene Wallingford
DATE: February 07, 2013  5:01 PM
DESC: 
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BODY:
<EM>Computational Thinking Division</EM>.  From
<A HREF="http://blog.jonudell.net/2013/02/06/check-your-assumptions/">
   Jon Udell</A>,
another lesson that programming and computing teach us which
can be useful out in the world:

<BLOCKQUOTE><EM>
Focus on understanding why the program is doing what it's doing,
rather than why it's not doing what you wanted it to.
</EM></BLOCKQUOTE>

This isn't the default approach of everyone.  Most of my students
have to learn this lesson as a part of learning how to program.
But it can be helpful outside of programming, in particular by
influencing how we interact with people.  As Udell says, it can
be helpful to focus on understanding why one's spouse or child
or friend is doing what she is doing, rather than on why she
isn't doing what you want.

<EM>Motivational Division</EM>.  From
<A HREF="http://www.theportlandballet.org/BalletBlog/?p=556">
   the Portland Ballet</A>,
of all places, several truths about being a professional dancer
that generalize beyond the studio, including:

<BLOCKQUOTE><EM>
There's a lot you don't know.     <BR/>
There may not be a tomorrow.      <BR/>
There's a lot you can't control.  <BR/>
You will never feel 100% ready.
</EM></BLOCKQUOTE>

So get to work, even if it means reading the book and writing
the code
<A HREF="http://www.cs.uni.edu/~wallingf/blog/archives/monthly/2013-02.html#e2013-02-03T11_10_30.htm">
   for the fourth time</A>.
That is where the fun and happiness are.  All you can affect,
you affect by the work you do.

<EM>Mac Chauvinism Division</EM>.  From
<A HREF="http://mattgemmell.com/2013/01/15/writing-tools/">
   Matt Gemmell</A>,
this advice on a particular piece of software:

<BLOCKQUOTE><EM>
There's even a Windows version, so you can also use it before
you've had sufficient success to afford a decent computer.
</EM></BLOCKQUOTE>

But with enough work and a little luck, you can afford better
next time.
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