Donito
* Ajax * Event handling (scroll) * Basic arithmetic (e.g. when to trigger a new request based on % page scrolled) * Template/DOM insertion * Thinking about edge cases (e.g. what happens when the page is resized, or the ajax request has no more elements to return)
If you're a "superstar" (I don't really like that term), you want to work with other talented individuals. So if the interview process is non-existent or overly easy, it sends a negative signal about the "potential" quality of other hires.
Short answer to your question: Test the fix after deploying it on production :)
HOWEVER, there's still a way which works pretty well, which involves running rails from a Virtual Machine (e.g. Ubuntu) to which to ssh into, while coding from windows. Take a look at http://tinyurl.com/b8w4exm (using vagrant might be easier than this tutorial).
You can either start by choosing a technology, then a project that is adapted to it. Or pick a project, and choose the framework that is best for achieving said project. Here are some thoughts about Node vs. Rails to help with your decision:
Node: - Uses Javascript (on back-end) - Asynchronous IO, great for handling high volume of requests or massive amount of simultaneous connections. - Smaller learning curve, given you're most likely already familiar with JS - Can do much more than traditional web frameworks (e.g. php/rails), like binding to a specific port, handling socket connections etc.. - It's pretty fun :)
Rails: - Uses Ruby, so there's a bit of a learning curve here - Extremely mature framework with impressive amount of existing libraries (known as gems) that plugs into it - By nature, enforces great software practices (e.g. testing) - Best adapted for creating traditional SaaS applications - It's also a lot of fun :P
Honestly, if it's for fun, just pick one and start doing a project. They're both in their respective ways fantastic.
"The only real difficulties in programming are cache invalidation and naming things. " -- Phil Karlton
Came across that quote as I was reading some style guidelines for Ruby. In case it's of any interest to you: https://github.com/bbatsov/ruby-style-guide#naming
Regardless, I think what you're looking for is commonly known as "naming conventions": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_convention_%28programmin... - I would suggest googling "naming conventions for <insert your language of choice>" as a starting point. From there, if you have more questions, feel free to ask :)
In my case, I tend to feel like a loser when I'm exhausted from doing things I don't particularly enjoy, and neglect the things I do. For example, spending countless hours doing a job that doesn't particularly excite me (but still do it well), and neglect my favorite activities such as playing soccer, dancing, or going out with friends. Then begins the spiral loop of wondering "what you have achieved", and looking at what others your age or younger have done. If that's how you feel, you're not alone and thankfully there are ways to break that mentality :)
When that happens to me, my best approach over time has been to pause for a moment, take a step back, and reflect on my situation. Realize that at 25, having $$, job, and status is actually "quite an achievement" that many others wish they could have accomplished as well. Realize many of the things you take for granted, like eating every day, having access to water, are a dream for some in other parts of the globe. Being able to afford what you desire for the most part (except maybe that Lamborghini), is a dream for many for many within the country. All in all, on an absolute scale, you're definitely in a pretty good spot and by no mean a "loser".
At that point, I usually feel better about myself. But that's only a temporary fix, because the underlying issues are still there. Rethink your priorities in life in terms of what provides YOU happiness. Forget about what society and movies make you believe priorities should be, and think personal. A quote I really like on the topic, from fight club, is:
"God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need. We're the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War's a spiritual war... our Great Depression is our lives. We've all been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very pissed off."
Now don't get me wrong, it is possible you genuinely have a personal goal to become a movie star, which would make you the happiest person on earth (but again, that's beyond the point). So think hard about yourself and what really motivates and makes you happy, and reset your priorities. Maybe it's worth not staying as long at work, fix that bug tomorrow, and go play that soccer game you've been craving for. Or maybe instead of spending an afternoon going to some event you don't really want to go to is better spent hacking away this fun idea you've been wanting to do for a while. Whatever makes you excites you, make it and priority and find time for it. The rest really is secondary. In my case, after a while I decided to make the bold move of quitting my job for another that pays less, where I work longer hours, but that is oh soooooo much more fun. I'm loving it and am super happy learning great stuff on a daily basis, and being payed doing what I like. We're all different, so it's up to you to find what your thing is :) Good luck, and I hope if you got this far my answer helps.
It's also worth mentioning I have make "FOSS contributions", but didn't know the term :) Can't be the only one that missed the memo.
When you reach a point when you have proven customers, and a product that works, but are only limited by money to grow up (e.g. development offering doesn't work anymore), then you can start looking for investors (e.g. friends, family, incubator). It will much easier to convince them to invest in you at that point.