Young Hands Club

Priority 1 : Tasks 1, 2
Priority 2 : Tasks 3, 4, 5
Priority 3 : Tasks 6

1. [ ] v.py : 10 lines, minimum.
2. [ ] Continue reading the book Serious Cryptography
   1. The primary goal is to cover the necessary portions to move forward with v.py, and atleast an overview of encryption as a concept, and the process of hashing, which will help me understand signatures.
3. [ ] Learning about software and the software industry (Spillover from week 6)
   1. [ ] Summarise / Discuss: http://ossasepia.com/2017/02/18/the-open-sores-of-monkey-code/
   2. [ ] Summarise / Discuss http://ossasepia.com/2017/06/12/o-brave-new-code/
   3. [ ] Read: http://ossasepia.com/2017/12/21/eucrypt-correcting-mpi-implementation/
   4. [ ] Summarise / Discuss: http://trilema.com/2019/no-platforms/
4. [ ] Complete partially finished pending Python basics revision.
5. [ ] Open Data : Wages dataset
6. [ ] Learn + Summarise :- systemd | init ( Refer log)

Notes:

• Due to a sudden demand from the mines, I was unable to devote significant time and energy to the planned tasks. As explained in the channel: this should ease off in another week or at the most two – I am working specifically towards making that happen. Meanwhile – I will work on higher priority tasks.
• I’ve actually completed more than I thought I would manage, though I was stuck for a while with v.py before suddenly seeing some light in some areas.
• I’ve improved in rejecting shiny distractions and pacing myself. I’ve found the latter is also a reason I missed earlier review deadlines, because I floundered around ‘working’ till I had no energy left to review, and did not want to review till I had finished the task. Such an approach is fueled by feelings rather than thought, and does not produce the intended result. I also have to improve in my estimation of the time it takes to review.
• Based on the discussion today, I’ve decided to make an effort in savoring progress and not become overly dejected when I cannot attain a goal. i.e to strive for a more balanced way of thinking and to give progress the time it needs.

Review:

1. [ ] v.py : 10 lines, minimum.
   1. I have made (minor) progress with the vdiff algorithm. It appeared that I need to understand atleast the terminology and fundamental concepts of encryption better to understand what V does, and why. For example, I am now familiar sending encrypted messages and the basic idea of a GPG key pair, but I had not explored the terminologies of symmetric, asymmetric and the process of hashing. I have just started reading the book Serious Cryptography which I found after today’s discussion on #ossasepia. There appears to be a significant gain in comfort through reading the structured text even though I’ve barely finished a single chapter.
   2. Refer Updated prelim notes.
   3. Some questions still remain as shown in the post – but I would like to make one more attempt at cracking it, and think I should be able to, though I will not wait long before asking for help.
2. [ ] Complete partially finished pending Python basics revision.
   1. Dropped this task due to the redirect in focus.
3. [X] GLMnet results issue – spillover from Week 5.
   1. This was resolved. Luckily, it was almost resolved even before the redirection of focus. Additionally, as hoped – I was able to make more inroads into grokking Linear Regression and in particular Penalty based extensions like glmnet. Re-reading things I read in the past was invaluable in making these new connections. I know enough now to apply the glmnet algorithm as well, but I strongly think – I need a little more depth, and definitely a revision.
   2. I started writing a summary of the problem, but realised that I also wanted to interweave a summary of the algorithm itself, and did not have enough clarity to do so. This was paused to work on v.py.
4. [X] Hash out project plan for exploring Open Data, and using it as practice. Datasets of ‘interest’
   1. Computer price index
      1. Decided to start with the wages dataset as it appeared more interesting at this point, based on a brief exploration of the datasets.
   2. [X] Wages
      1. Generic plan is laid out. A brief exploration of the dataset is complete. It appears to be a good dataset to work with, i.e there are challenges in the data wrangling and exploration. Refer Blog post.
5. [ ] Learning about software and the software industry
   1. None of these subtasks were completed.
6. [X] Improve summary of ‘Your feelings are to get you’, based on Diana’s comment. (1 paragraph).
   1. This was completed, but I am yet to respond to Diana’s subsequent comment about the improved summary appearing like a first pass. Though I did draft a response – I was not satisfied with it, and wanted to give it more attention.
7. [ ] Learn + Summarise :- systemd | init ( Refer log)
   1. [2019-08-20 Tue] This task is at the lowest priority as advised in earlier comments.
8. [X] Formulate response to Diana’s comment on ‘what is data science’. Worth noting that this was discussed before. My ‘view’ has improved, since then, but I’m not sure I would answer very differently.
   1. This was discussed in the comments on the previous post. My definition has in fact changed slightly since the same, which is expected as I progress in my learning. However, I will keep note of Diana’s advice and focus on specific projects, rather than an ambiguous and rather unhelpful goal of ‘conquering data science’.

1. [ ] v.py : 10 lines, minimum.
   1. My intention is do more than 10 lines, but I will set ‘smaller’ targets untill I gain confidence.
2. [ ] Complete partially finished Python basics revision.
3. [ ] GLMnet results issue – spillover from Week 5.
4. [ ] Hash out project plan for exploring Open Data, and using it as practice. Datasets of ‘interest’
   1. Computer price index
      1. Computer price index – by type of purchaser, monthly link
   2. Wages
      1. Wages, salaries, employers social contributions. by province and territory link
      2. Employee wages by occupation, annual link
      3. Employee wages by industry, annual link
      4. Wages – 2017, 2018 link
5. [ ] Learning about software and the software industry
   1. [ ] Summarise / Discuss: http://ossasepia.com/2017/02/18/the-open-sores-of-monkey-code/
   2. [ ] Summarise / Discuss http://ossasepia.com/2017/06/12/o-brave-new-code/
   3. [ ] Read: http://ossasepia.com/2017/12/21/eucrypt-correcting-mpi-implementation/
      1. [ ] Understanding this article will need me to first complete http://www.dianacoman.com/2017/12/07/introducing-eucrypt/, which has been suggested earlier. I did start reading the same, but wonder if it would be better to attack this after gaining some traction with V.
   4. Summarise / Discuss: http://trilema.com/2019/no-platforms/
6. [ ] Improve summary of ‘Your feelings are to get you’, based on Diana’s comment. (1 paragraph).
7. [ ] Learn + Summarise :- systemd | init ( Refer log)
   1. Guidance on articles to definitely read would be helpful.
8. [ ] Formulate response to Diana’s comment on ‘what is data science’. Worth noting that this was discussed before. My ‘view’ has improved, since then, but I’m not sure I would answer very differently.

Tasks from the earlier week with notes / results.

1. [ ] v.py : Minimum 10 lines this week, gain familiarity with the concept and document notes. Some progress has already been made propelled asciilifeform’s comment regarding v.py being the non-docker solution to reproducible environment. Notes so far will be published today.
   1. Produced prelim notes. As such it is a win, compared to avoiding it, but I could not go beyond this.
2. [X] Complete draft response to Diana’s comment on the ‘indiewebifying my website’ post and publish.
   1. See blog post.
3. [ ] GLMnet: Linear Regression algorithm is showing different (and some strange) results on different computers. This has to be replicated and investigated. Additional revision of past learning on Linear regression to be done, and preferably published.
   1. I did revise my earlier studies in Linear Regression, but could not attack the problem. The task will be addressed next week.
4. [X] Summarise the article feelings are out to get you
   1. See blog post.
5. [X] Formulate a checklist based on CH article, and add related tasks next week.
   1. See blog post. Some tasks have already been completed.
6. [X] Re-evaluate and Re-prioritise tasks/projects from past ‘plan’ to ‘conquer’ datascience such that more time/energy/focus is given to tasks from Diana and TMSR.
   1. This should reflect in the upcoming weeks, through the plan and the results. There are several pending projects that I can pick from.
7. [X] Summarise progress this week and plan next and post this on [2019-08-18 Sun] or before.
8. [X] Maintain consistent communication on #ossasepia and get into the habit of publishing draft notes, even if ‘incomplete’ or transient, with a ‘Q&A’ section, so that Diana can review.
   1. Improvement has been made in this regard. It has to be maintained consistently.

These are my target tasks to be completed this week.

1. [ ] v.py : Minimum 10 lines this week, gain familiarity with the concept and document notes. Some progress has already been made propelled asciilifeform’s comment regarding v.py being the non-docker solution to a reproducible environment. Notes so far will be published today.
2. [ ] Complete draft response to Diana’s comment on the ‘indiewebifying my website’ post and publish.
3. [ ] GLMnet: Linear Regression algorithm is showing different (and some strange) results on different computers. This has to be replicated and investigated. Additional revision of past learning on Linear regression to be done, and preferably published.
4. [ ] Summarise: http://thewhet.net/2013/09/your-feelings-are-out-to-get-you/
5. [ ] Formulate a checklist based on http://cascadianhacker.com/how-to-actually-learn-programming, and add related tasks next week.
6. [ ] Re-evaluate and Re-prioritise tasks/projects from past ‘plan’ to ‘conquer’ datascience such that more time/energy/focus is given to tasks from Diana and TMSR.
7. [ ] Summarise progress this week and plan next and post this on [2019-08-18 Sun] or before.
8. [ ] Maintain consistent communication on #ossasepia and get into the habit of publishing draft notes, even if ‘incomplete’ or transient, with a ‘Q&A’ section, so that Diana can review.

My first week in #ossasepia, has been exciting, for too many reasons that won’t fit into a summary. I learned about the importance of identity, security, ownership and how the concept of ‘keys’ relate to bitcoin. Even more important, I’ve learned to not be overly cautious regarding expressing myself, and have re-discovered my willingness (and the critical need) to pursue and acquire deeper and less subjective knowledge. I’ve embraced the fact that I love the process of discovery, and the discussions on #ossasepia (and reading the btcbase logs) helped me reassure myself of the importance of documenting my journey. Going more technical – I got a brief, but functional exposure to the means of establishing my identity: by setting up new GPG keys and registering my nickname with Deedbot, as the first step to enter the Web of Trust (WOT). As a part of owning my identity – I’ve setup my own website on a self-hosted wordpress deployment on a VPS (only viable option!), and have started posting daily notes on the concepts learned, as well as the areas of improvement.

Links :
Week 1: Notes on PGP, GPG and WOT.

Finally, I’ve setup my wordpress site