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Santiago
@svpino 5 years, 5 months ago 769 views

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Some of the things I've learned in more than 20 years in the tech industry.

You need to hear these.

🧵👇

Listen to more people who don't look like you, don't speak your language, and don't come from the same place you do.

We aren't doing this near enough.

Small habits compound.

No small improvement is too small.

Just aim for something new every day, and you'll be surprised at the end.

Take responsibility.

It doesn't really matter how you feel, I'm sure you could have done better.

Always keep the big picture in mind and never lose the forest for the trees.

Be the person that pulls everyone out of the rabbit holes.

Focus on the final goal, and don't worry too much about how you get there.

Great results will get you farther than processes, but good processes can help you achieve good results.

Be generous with your knowledge.

It's funny how everything you share finds a way to reward you back.

Who you are is more important than who you were.

We all make mistakes. Move on from them and focus on what's coming.

There are no stupid questions.

Ask away!

(There are, however, stupid people with fragile egos that get bothered when others ask. Ignore them.)

Change is the only thing you can always count on. (And death, and taxes, of course.)

Embrace change.

Better is not always best.

People fantasize about perfection, but perfectionism rarely wins.

Shipping more often will give you better odds than gilding the lily.

Learn to say no.

(I can't say this loud enough!)

Be gracious, professional, nice, but say it more.

Make a habit out of learning.

What you know today will be outdated tomorrow.

Make a plan to keep up and follow it... or you'll get behind.

Focus on one thing at a time.

Multi-tasking murders productivity.

(And turn your phone off!)

Job-hoping may be great for your bank account, but it does nothing to improve the impact you make in the world.

(And it looks horrible in your resume.)

Ideas are worth shit. Execution is worth everything.

Don't be the "idea person". Be the one that takes them and runs with them.

Good communication is a fundamental asset.

You can never invest too much in improving it.

(It doesn't matter how technically good you are if you can't properly communicate with others.)

More from Santiago

Santiago
@svpino

A surprising situation.

A machine learning model predicting 3 classes ends up with these results:

• Class A: 90% accuracy
• Class B: 80% accuracy
• Class C: 70% accuracy

Class C seems to be the worst-performing.

But you know already that I'll say it isn't. ↓

Here is the correct answer: We don't know yet which class is the worst.

This is important to understand, so keep reading.

Many people make this same mistake every day and try to fix things that ain't broken.

We are missing something, so let's go and get it.

How about if we ask a friend to look at the dataset manually?

Let's say these are the results of our friend doing the job:

• Class A: 95% accuracy
• Class B: 100% accuracy
• Class C: 71% accuracy

Do you see what just happened?

The model is actually really accurate when predicting Class C! 70% versus 71% when done by a human.

Class B, however, is a disaster: 80% versus 100% when done manually.

Class B seems to be the worse performing class!

The work that our friend did is called a "baseline."

Without having it, it's hard to determine how good are the results of a model.

I've seen tons of money down a drain just because teams didn't create a baseline beforehand.

But now, that won't happen to you 😉.

Santiago
@svpino

I sat next to one of the smartest, most successful software engineers in the country for over 10 years.

Here's what I learned.

Fast is 10 times better than good.

9 out of 10 times, a "good enough" solution is all you need to unlock time, money, and attention.

Focus relentlessly on being first. Then take the time to be right.

Fast, then right.

Ship more frequently.

The faster you show your work to your users, the faster you'll hear their feedback, you'll adapt, and you'll ship again.

A question you should ask every day:

What can I do to ship this one day before planned?

Technical debt is a good thing.

Everyone hates technical debt. I think they don't know how to take advantage of it.

When used appropriately, technical debt means working on what truly matters and deferring anything that can wait.

No debt ⟶ You waited too long.

Ask, don't think.

People burn their time every day instead of asking for help.

You don't get extra points for working harder, especially when a little help will make you faster.

Time is your most valuable resource. Don't waste it.

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Santiago
@svpino

What's machine learning?

Not a framework. Not a different language. Not the latest "cool" thing around the Internet.

Thread: Let me convince you that machine learning is the best thing since sliced bread 🍞.

Let's start with a simple exercise:

"Write a function that returns 0 if a supplied number is even or 1 if the number is odd."

If you are a developer, I'm sure you know how to write this function. It should be simple, right?

To avoid using a specific syntax, let's represent this function as follows:

y = f(X)

Where:
• X → The input number
• y → The result (0 if even, 1 otherwise)
• f → The function that does the work

We can now get to the interesting part.

If you are a programmer, writing this function is simple.

You know the relationship between X (the input number) and y (the output), so you can easily write the rules (the function.)

In machine learning, we don't write the rules. We learn them.

Imagine we had an algorithm that processes many samples (X → y), learns the relationship between them, and comes up with the correct rules.

We call these samples "training data," and they would like like this:

• 2 → 0
• 5 → 1
• 8 → 0
• 4 → 0
• 3 → 1
• ...

Santiago
@svpino

11 short programming problems to stretch your imagination and make sure you are staying on your toes.

(Starting with the simple ones, they get more fun as you move towards the end.)

🧵👇

1. Write a function that reverses an array in place.

In other words, the function should not use an auxiliary array to do the work.

2. Write a function that finds the missing number in an unsorted array containing every one of the other 99 numbers ranging from 1 to 100.

3. Write a function that finds the duplicate number in an unsorted array containing every number from 1 to 100.

Only one of the numbers will appear twice.

4. Write a function that removes every duplicate value in an array.

There could be more than one value duplicated. You should remove all of them leaving a single copy of the value.

Santiago
@svpino

Free machine learning education.

Many top universities are making their Machine Learning and Deep Learning programs publicly available. All of this information is now online and free for everyone!

Here are 6 of these programs. Pick one and get started!

↓

Introduction to Deep Learning
MIT Course 6.S191
Alexander Amini and Ava Soleimany

Introductory course on deep learning methods and practical experience using TensorFlow. Covers applications to computer vision, natural language processing, and more.

https://t.co/Uxx97WPCfR

Deep Learning
NYU DS-GA 1008
Yann LeCun and Alfredo Canziani

This course covers the latest techniques in deep learning and representation learning with applications to computer vision, natural language understanding, and speech recognition.

https://t.co/cKzpDOBVl1

Designing, Visualizing, and Understanding Deep Neural Networks
UC Berkeley CS L182
John Canny

A theoretical course focusing on design principles and best practices to design deep neural networks.

https://t.co/1TFUAIrAKb

Applied Machine Learning
Cornell Tech CS 5787
Volodymyr Kuleshov

A machine learning introductory course that starts from the very basics, covering all of the most important machine learning algorithms and how to apply them in practice.

https://t.co/hD5no8Pdfa

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Devdutta
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Please please please take your cyber security seriously even if you don’t consider yourself a high risk person. Here are a few easy things to start with. 1/n

Switch from WhatsApp to Signal and enable disappearing messages. Most of us cannot stop using WhatsApp entirely but at least turn off back ups to Google Drive or iCloud. 2/n

Do not have private conversations using the messaging service on any social media platform like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. 3/n

Switch from Gmail to ProtonMail or any other secure email service provider. 4/n

Switch from Google Docs to CryptPad or RiseUp Pad.

foone
@Foone

I got a Toshiba T1200, which has a bad screen, and a dead CMOS battery, and I thought the hard drive was broken too...

but I rebooted it and heard a KTHUNK and a really loud spin-up noise and holy shit, the hard drive works!

and it still has files on it. the newest date is January 1994.

It's a 21mb hard drive, with ~37k of bad sectors.

This fucker is never going to spin up again, so I better go find some serial cables and copy shit off now.

The backlight is fucked so I'm shining a flashlight on it.
without it, it looks like this.

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Robin Berjon
@robinberjon

Recently, the @CNIL issued a decision regarding the GDPR compliance of an unknown French adtech company named "Vectaury". It may seem like small fry, but the decision has potential wide-ranging impacts for Google, the IAB framework, and today's adtech. It's thread time! 👇

It's all in French, but if you're up for it you can read:
• Their blog post (lacks the most interesting details): https://t.co/PHkDcOT1hy
• Their high-level legal decision: https://t.co/hwpiEvjodt
• The full notification: https://t.co/QQB7rfynha

I've read it so you needn't!

Vectaury was collecting geolocation data in order to create profiles (eg. people who often go to this or that type of shop) so as to power ad targeting. They operate through embedded SDKs and ad bidding, making them invisible to users.

The @CNIL notes that profiling based off of geolocation presents particular risks since it reveals people's movements and habits. As risky, the processing requires consent — this will be the heart of their assessment.

Interesting point: they justify the decision in part because of how many people COULD be targeted in this way (rather than how many have — though they note that too). Because it's on a phone, and many have phones, it is considered large-scale processing no matter what.

$\U0001f7e2 Ed Guiness$

🟢 Ed Guiness
@KiwiCoder

A long time ago I coded up a feature for SocialCoder which converts a link - any link - to a short URL. I use it all the time for sharing links to volunteer profiles and to volunteer opportunity listings.

The feature doesn't care what the link contains, it just hashes the URL, including any query params, and returns a shortened code.

More recently, around Christmas time, I added another feature where I can click a button to send a template notification to a charity that their new listing has been reviewed and published. I call it a next-steps email.

For the past few weeks, its all been working well. Its nice to keep automating things that previously were done by hand.

Fast forward to today.

A new opportunity listing is posted by a charity.

I review and publish it, tweet about it, then click a button to send the charity an emailed notification of next steps.

Tanay Jaipuria
@tanayj

YouTube’s ad business is officially bigger than Netflix.

YouTube ads at ~$35B run-rate vs Netflix at ~$31B run-rate

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Krugman is, of course, right about this. BUT, note that universities can do a lot to revitalize declining and rural regions.

One thing I've been noticing about responses to today's column is that many people still don't get how strong the forces behind regional divergence are, and how hard to reverse 1/ https://t.co/Ft2aH1NcQt
— Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) November 20, 2018

See this thing that @lymanstoneky wrote:

And see this thing that I wrote:

And see this book that @JamesFallows wrote:

And see this other thing that I wrote:

Jaya_Upadhyaya
@Jayalko1

HORANADU ANNAPOORNESHWARI, CHIKMAGALUR (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Annapoorneshwari is the Devi of nutrition and food. The literal meaning of Annapoorneshwari is “Feeding one and all”. Anyone who comes here is offered meals and shelter within the premises.
@LostTemple7

Maharshi Agastya is believed to have done pratishtha here.

Once, Shiva and Parvati had an argument. Shiva declared everything in the world including food to be Maya or illusion. To prove him wrong, Devi Parvati disappeared resulting in entire Earth becoming still.

Taking pity, Devi appeared as Annapoorna and relieved everyone.
Another belief is that once Shiva beheaded Brahma and his skull got stuck in Shiva’s hand. He was cursed that till the skull is not full of food or grains, it will remain stuck to his hands.

Shiva went everywhere and asked for food but the skull was never full. He finally came here and Maa Annapoorna filled the skull with grains and reversed Shiva’s curse.

It is believed that who ever visits Devi Annapoorna here will never be without food in their lives.

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Pegasus of Dharma
@HarduttSuhas

THE EVOLUTION OF OUR NATIONAL FLAG (1857-1947)

The INDIAN NATIONAL FLAG is not just a flag! It's a testimony of patriotism and seamless sacrifice. A symbol representing one of the oldest civilizations on this planet.

Let's hope what happened yesterday never repeats!

(Thread)

After the revolt of 1857, the first Indian flag was designed. The design was based on western heraldic standards with "Union Jack" in the upper-left quadrant and a "Star of India" enclosed in the royal crown in the middle of the right half.(1)

The flag was a symbol of the direct imperial rule in India.(2)

In 1904 the first Indian flag which stood for India's independence from the British was devised. The design was provided by sister Nivedita, an Irish disciple of Swami Vivekananda.(3)

The flag was red and yellow with an image 'Vajra' (weapon of god Indra). The phrase 'Vande Mataram' was written in Bengali on it. The red colour and the yellow colour signified freedom and victory while the symbol of vajra stood for strength.(4)

Mo Rajabifard
@morajabi

👨‍💻 Last resume I sent to a startup one year ago, sharing with you to get ideas:

- Forget what you don't have, make your strength bold
- Pick one work experience and explain what you did in detail w/ bullet points
- Write it towards the role you apply
- Give social proof

/thread

"But I got no work experience..."

Make a open source lib, make a small side project for yourself, do freelance work, ask friends to work with them, no friends? Find friends on Github, and Twitter.

Bonus points:

- Show you care about the company: I used the company's brand font and gradient for in the resume for my name and "Thank You" note.
- Don't list 15 things and libraries you worked with, pick the most related ones to the role you're applying.
-🙅‍♂️"copy cover letter"

"I got no firends, no work"

One practical way is to reach out to conferences and offer to make their website for free. But make sure to do it good. You'll get:

- a project for portfolio
- new friends
- work experience
- learnt new stuff
- new thing for Twitter bio

If you don't even have the skills yet, why not try your chance for @LambdaSchool? No? @freeCodeCamp. Still not? Pick something from here and learn https://t.co/7NPS1zbLTi
You'll feel very overwhelmed, no escape, just acknowledge it and keep pushing.

SK
@sk_diary1

Andhakasuravadha Samharamurti -#story #Thread
Sculpture of Bhagwan Shiva as the destroyer of the Asura Andhaka - Cave 29,Ellora caves

Asura Andhaka hangs on to a trishula held by 6-armed Shiva.

Once Parvathi & Shiva were relaxing in the pleasant gardens of Mount Mandhara.

Bhagwan Shiva sat down there to enjoy the happiness.Parvati closed the eyes of Shiva playfully & darkness covered the whole universe.Parvati was perplexed & her palms were wet with perspiration.A few drops of her sweat mixed with sweat from Shiva’s body& fell to the ground.

From this sweat,a fierce creature was born,it started to roar.Child was born blind as Shiva's eyes were closed so was named as Andaka.Andha means darkness&also ignorance.Around the same time Asura Hiranyaksha was performing rigorous tapas Shiva for a boon of powerful son.

Bhagwan Shiva was pleased by tapas of Hiranyaksha & blessed him with darshan.Hiranyaksha asked for a powerful son,Shiva told him that he cannot have his own son,but can adopt a blind child who would become very powerful later.Shiva gave child Andaka to Hiranyaksha.

Hiranyaksha returned to his kingdom with Andaka.Later after the vadh of Hiranyaksha, Andaka is said to have lived with his cousins.He was ridiculed,so dejected Andaka went to forest.He did severe tapas for over many years towards Brahma Dev. Brahma dev appeared before him.