[Launch School] Community Update - September 11th, 2023

Hello everyone. It's Clare again with another update on snacks. My last update got more attention than an HMRC inspector at a Jaffa cake factory. The tale of tax and jaffa cakes clearly struck a chord, and I hope it has introduced many of you to this delectable cake. When visiting a local pinetum recently, I found that it even inspired a full-size cake flavoured like a jaffa cake (resistance is futile, right, Ewa?). It was yummy. I'll be returning. [jaffa_cake] Now, what's on the menu this time? More cake, of course. Pancakes, to be precise. To my British comrades, you might wonder why I'm discussing pancakes outside the hallowed Pancake Day (aka, Shrove Tuesday). Well, times have changed, and I've been known to indulge in these delights on lazy weekend mornings. But let's get back to the story. Recently, we had an au pair, Shannon, who, despite her deceptively Irish name, is, in fact, Belgian. When Pancake Day rolled around, I asked if she wouldn't mind trying her hand at cooking some pancakes for my little ones at dinner. "Of course," she said, "I'm always up for trying something new." This, my friends, was a cultural exchange of epic proportions. As the afternoon progressed, increasingly worrying sounds emanated from the kitchen - a symphony of flour clouds and sizzling butter, culminating in a cacophony of language that I do not remember from my school days' French lessons. Curiosity got the better of me, and I ventured in. It looked as though a flour bomb had detonated. I offered my assistance. After whipping up some fresh batter, I expertly flipped the first pancake. Shannon's face turned a shade of disbelief. "Crepe. That's a crepe. I'm Belgian. Of course, I know how to make crepes, but you requested pancakes!" She had spent hours trying to craft the perfect but oh-so-inferior American-style pancakes for us. Who did she think we were? An uncivilized clan with no appreciation for the fine art of pancake making? While I may have grown up south of the river, my culinary standards are far from lacking. Anyway, many more English pancakes were enjoyed from that evening on. Shannon does indeed know how to make crepes, and they were delicious. [pancakes] Now, onto some Launch School news (because we must keep up appearances). --------------------------------------------------------------- Important Updates Peer-led Seminar: The Zen of Python How do you fancy upgrading your skills? Grab your tea and biscuits, and join Brandi who will be hosting a seminar all about the programming language Python. This seminar will run for 7 weeks starting October 5th with groups of attendees taking turns presenting sections from the book we'll be using. Make sure to check out all of the details in [this post](, and sign up! If you already have Python installed, go run the command import this into your Python REPL for an easter egg to give you a sneak peek into why we love Python. I've already signed up and ordered my book - I'm very excited about attending my first LS seminar! It does run from midnight for me, so I'll need the tea, and I may resemble this character during the seminars: [tired_python] Smooth Start Our smooth start programme has been a roaring success, and from October 2nd, we will be running our final cohort of the year. So, if you're a Launch School newbie, check out this [post]( for more information on how to get involved. Coding Pawzzles, Now on Slack! My post in general: [:cat2:] Do you like cats? [:desktop_computer:] What about coding? [:jigsaw:] How about fun, cat-themed coding puzzles sent straight to your inbox every Monday morning? If so, you'll want to sign up for our Coding Pawzzles email series and check out the [#coding_pawzzles]( channel in Slack. Each week you'll receive an email containing a quick puzzle to help build and challenge your JavaScript, HTML, CSS, or SQL skills. If you need a hint, they'll be posted every Monday in the #coding_pawzzles channel. As a free bonus, each puzzle email includes a silly cat photo sourced straight from the Launch School community and more groan-inducing puns than you could ever want. Sign up today at and I'll see you over at #coding_pawzzles! Capstone News We have had some awesome Capstone presentations. Don't worry if you missed out; they are all available [here](. [capstone] Rule Reminder This is a reminder of a previous notification that assessment rules were updated effective September 1st. Referring to notes is now explicitly disallowed during interview assessments to be in line with actual job interviews. This wasn't something we saw often, but it may affect those who like to copy and paste in a PEDAC template. We expect you to be able to remember the steps in this process, so no copying and pasting, please. More information can be found [here](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Routine Updates Student articles Our students continue to shine in the spotlight with their fantastic articles. This month, we have Kwang's [article](kjolee/deploying-a-node-js-app-on-fly-io-3d511bbf34ac). If you've ever wondered how to make your code fly (literally), this article is for you. It's all about deploying a Node.js application on fly.io. Remember, if you've got a tale to tell or a tech trick up your sleeve, write it down and submit it to our [Sharing]( page. Launch School TA team We have a new member joining our family - Philip Knapp. He already has lots of experience from acting as a lead for the Smooth Start program and will be helping out on the Ruby track. Welcome to the gang, Philip! Meetups It looks like there was a fun meetup in Montreal last month (what a photogenic bunch!): [montreal_meetup] Mark your calendars for the Vancouver meetup on September 10th at 11:30 a.m., Sun Bo Kong. For all the curious souls wondering about that bowl of dirt (yes, you read that right), dive into the mysteries of the [#vancouver]( Slack group for more intel. As always, don't forget to explore Slack for groups in your neck of the woods or start your own if none tickle your fancy. As always, don't forget to look around Slack for a group near you, and feel free to set one up if nothing takes your fancy. Programming Essentials Workshops Our Programming Essentials Workshops are back in full swing after a summer siesta. Check out the complete lineup [here](. And don't miss the "Ask Me Anything with Chris: Unlocking the Secrets of Launch School" on September 27th. The burning question remains: cream or jam first, Chris? We'll also cover various topics in the coming weeks, from cats and HTML to overcoming setbacks, CSS, effective note-taking, and a guide to interviewing with Brandi. I'm pretty sure sharks feature somewhere too. Women's Group Our last Women's Group meetup was cosy and delightful. We chatted about the profound impact of two highly recommended books among Launch School students - "Deep Work" and "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport. And somehow, the conversation veered into jousting tournaments, dog agility, canteens versus cafeterias, and the joys of KFC after a visit to a magnificent fish market (even if seafood isn't our cup of tea). [jousting] Our next rendezvous is on Sunday, September 24th at 2 p.m. EDT. It's a Q&A session with the fabulous Capstone graduates Carolina Avila and Catherine Emond. Prepare for the icebreaker question: "What's the weirdest thing in your entertainment (TV/books/games) queue right now?" (I'm contemplating whether mentioning my book titled 'How to Kill Your Family' in my to-read stack is too revealing.) For more info and how to sign up, swing by [this forum post](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Sneak Peeks from Slack As always, our Slack channels are buzzing with intriguing discussions. Here are some gems that may whet your appetite: From Bootcamp to Launch School Many of us have journeyed to Launch School through the world of bootcamps. I, for one, was offered a scholarship for a bootcamp that was setting up shop in the UK. But the prospect of 6 hours a day for six months and the ever-looming threat of another lockdown pushed me to seek alternatives. Launch School's self-paced learning and mastery-focused approach were the perfect fit. (Don't get me wrong. While homeschooling two under-ten-year-olds with undiagnosed ADHD wasn't a complete dream, I have fond memories of the time. However, I never really nailed down what a fronted adverbial was.) The discussion is [here](. It has lots of insights and would welcome more contributions. Future podcasts To make the most of the [#student-lounge]( (also known as the Hotel California - you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave), Chris is on the hunt for podcast ideas. Don't be shy; share your suggestions [here](. Gratuitous Pet Photos Hands down, [this]( is the best channel on offer. Feast your eyes on a medley of some recent delights: [pets] --------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for sticking with me through this epic update. Keep those brain gears turning, and don't forget to share your beloved pet photos; it's the real icing on the cake! --------------------------------------------------------------- If you wish to stop receiving emails from us, you can use the one-click link below to unsubscribe. [Unsubscribe From All Email]( [Unsubscribe From Weekly Summaries](