• Read “The Most Official and Complete Introduction on GitHub – Ever Written”
• Read “What 80% of People Do On GitHub”
• Download and Configure GitExentions in 5 Clicks
• Read “Use GitHub Like 80% of People”

The Most Official and Complete Introduction on GitHub – Ever Written

GitHub – A website to store and share code

• Repository – Where code is stored. Either, on GitHub or local machine – they are like folders.
• Clone – Transfer a repository, typically on GitHub, to your local machine – better than FTP
• Commit – Confirm code changes to a local repository – the ultimate CTRL + S
• Push – Upload your committed code changes to GitHub – again, arguably better than FTP
• Fork – Make a copy of someone else’s GitHub repository – stored under your GitHub account
• Pull Request – Make code changes to a forked repository then request the code changes be pulled into the original repository!
• Pull – Download the latest code changes to the original repository to your local machine

What 80% of People Do On GitHub

• Fork a repository
• Clone the forked repository to local machine
• Make code changes
• Add code
• Commit the code changes, locally
• Push local code changes to GitHub
• Submit Pull Request to have code changes, on GitHub, added to the original repository
• Rinse
• Repeat

Download and Configure GitExtensions in 5 Clicks

• Download and Install GitExentions (includes w/ MsysGit and Kdiff)
  
  
• Repair your “username” and “email address”
  

Use GitHub Like 80% of People

• Fork a repository
  
• Configure GitExtensions for cloning
  
• Enter GitHub username, password and API key
  
  
• Clone a repository
  Note: GitExtensions automatically suggests a Remote name. Use this remote name to pull (download) the latest code changes from the original repository
  
• Commit code changes
  
  
  
• Push (upload) changes to GitHub
  
• Submit a Pull Request
  

<insert commentary on the present state of HTML5 with emphasis on application development. Note: HTML5 hasn’t been ratified. Briefly mention that HTML4 hadn’t been ratified until recently. Mention marketing analyst percentages and numbers>

<insert closing commentary on the future of HTML5 with regards to application development on mobile, web and Windows 8. Make bold statement inciting controversy and alienation>

Quick Overview

• Demo *Note: Audio is supported on compiled iOS and Android
• Create index.html
• Download json2.js and phonegap-1.3.0.js
• Test
• Compile w/ PhoneGap Build

Create index.html

Download json2.js and phonegap-1.3.0.js

JSON2 is a utility library for working with JSON data. Although we’re using jQuery, at this time, serializing JSON data is not supported in jQuery.

PhoneGap is JavaScript which gets compiled down to native code. We will be using PhoneGap Build, an app compiler in the cloud!

Test

Open index.html in a browser. All the buttons, transitions, multi-page support and event handling are being performed by jQuery Mobile.

Demo *Note: Audio supported on compiled iOS and Android

Compile with PhoneGap Build

Create a zip of the 3 files and upload to PhoneGap Build. *Within minutes, you will have an .app, .apk and .xap to deploy to iOS, Windows Phone and Android devices.

* In order to compile a iOS app, you will need to upload two files, one being your Apple developer certificate.

Game strategy. War strategy. Coding strategy.

I’ll spend hours researching and testing techniques; searching for the “optimal” way.

Whether it’s minimizing 10 lines of JavaScript down to 8 or trying a new behavior to organize tasks.

Strategy is intriguing.

Take “Call of Duty – Modern Warfare 3″

I’ve tried a myriad of things to become better.

I’ve bought strategy guides to memorize maps and “call points” e.g. back alley, blue house, white car.

I’ve bought specialized thumb sticks for Xbox.

I bought a dedicated, 23″ LED monitor, to be closer to the screen to identify enemies.

I’ve watched countless hours of COD on Twitch.TV

Countless.

I’ve tried the “prone and fire” technique

I’ve tried the “run and knife” technique.

In the end, results were lack luster.

Then it happened!

My game took a drastic turn.

Drastic.

Now, I’m the guy raining down terror.

Averaging 17+

Threatening 30+

With no further ado, I bring you:

“The Best Call of Duty – Modern Warfare 3 Class Configuration” (TBCODMW3CC)

Primary: M4A1 + Double Attachments (Red Dot + Silencer)
Perk 1: Blind Eye
Perk 2: Assassin
Perk 3: Stalker
Kill Streak: Assault (UAV, Predator Missile, Attack Helicopter)

I tried Sublime.

The interface is fresh and clean.

No tool bars.

No file explorers.

Just you and your code.

Deterring noise; increasing focus.

With solid support for bracket and syntax highlighting, automation and plug-ins (written in python), Sublime is popular among python and Ruby developers.

However, I think a good amount of the buzz and popularity can be attributed to the fact that…

Sublime is pretty.

Fortunately, @ashansky has made these pretty colors possible in Visual Studio.

Download here and import into Visual Studio (File >> Tools >> Import and Export Settings)

Optionally, do this after installing.

Install “Windows Azure SDK for Node.js” with Microsoft Web Platform Installer

Run “Windows Azure PowerShell for Node.js”

Create a new Azure Node.js Application

Add a web role

Modify application

Test app locally

Deploy to the cloud

Remove app from cloud

I love reading. One novel a month. Dozens of articles a week. Hundreds of tweets a day. I devour text. All. Day. Long.

I’m also picky.

I have book shelves (analog and digital) filled with unfinished books. Not my fault.

I close browser tabs, all day long, on cleverly titled, worthless articles. Like this one!

It takes a lot to grab and hold my attention. And, yes, I have ADD.

My weakness (I’d argue strength) is amplified when applied to “coding” articles. I’m an absolute purist!

I like my coding articles accurate, distilled, thorough, direct, and neat.

Here are some quick (personal) check points. When I open an article, if not met, I’m out; faster than a buttered bullet.

• Design– Fit my eye or I’m bailing. If the information isn’t organized, I don’t want your take. I know. I’m a jerk.
• Screenshots– No screenshots? I’m gone. Have screenshots but clipped wrong? I’m hovering the close button.
• Distill – Is the article stripped to the essentials? Said another way, is the article accurate, concise, thorough and lacking blabber? If not, I’m hitting CTRL+W
• Split– Don’t overreach. Split up articles. For reference, note the title of this post.
• Syntax – Don’t paste code lacking color or formatting . Also, don’t use widgets which prevent me from ripping off your code! It’s mean.
• Inspire – Does the article excite me? Does it ignite an “ah ha” moment and spark a “new idea”? It should!

What do you think makes a great coding article?