Baines Blogging

  5 Reasons Why AI Tools Can Be Useful — And 5 Reasons Why AI Is Becoming a Bubble Artificial intelligence has quickly become the center of global attention. It promises efficiency, creativity, automation, and entirely new business models. But as the hype grows louder, so do concerns that we may be entering bubble territory — a cycle of inflated expectations, overinvestment, and unrealistic assumptions about what AI can deliver. Below is a balanced look at both sides: why AI tools truly are useful, and why the current boom may be a bubble in the making. 5 Reasons Why AI Tools Can Be Useful 1. They dramatically speed up repetitive work From drafting documents to generating code templates, AI automates time-consuming tasks. This frees humans to focus on higher-level judgment, strategy, or creativity. 2. They democratize access to advanced capabilities You no longer need to be a programmer, designer, or data scientist to perform tasks once reserved for specialists. AI expands...

  Imperial measurement system converter app  I decided to spend an evening making a unit converter app without using an api to do the heavy lifting for me *and* with a python based gui because I haven't really made anything with one of them before and this is the result: 👍👍👍      I installed Tinkter to get the GUI ( graphical user interface ) This is the GUI it produces when it's running.     The next job is to tidy up the code, it needs it.  Then I want to add some more functionality to it.  I can add volume conversion or weight .  I've always wanted to do some research into old money so I can add that to the app. After I've added a bit more functionality to it I'll find a way to host it on the public internet.     This is my advice to any other programmers out there:  Once you've got something working make the most of it because it's easier to add things onto something that's already working than startin...

  Let’s be honest — when people hear “data analysis” , they often picture spreadsheets, endless rows of numbers, and someone yawning behind a laptop at 2 a.m. But that’s a myth. Data analysis isn’t dull — it’s detective work, creativity, and storytelling rolled into one. If you’ve ever dismissed it as boring, it’s time to think again. Here are 7 reasons why data analysis is anything but boring: 1. You Get to Solve Real-World Mysteries Data analysts are like modern-day detectives. Every dataset hides clues that reveal why something happened or how it could change. Whether it’s uncovering why sales dipped last quarter or predicting the next big trend, you’re constantly piecing together a puzzle — and few things are more satisfying than cracking the case. 2. It’s a Gateway to Understanding Human Behavior Data tells stories about people — what they buy, how they think, where they spend their time. Analysing data gives you a front-row seat to human patterns and decision-making...

1. Why a Proper Setup Matters Before diving into code, a structured setup helps you avoid “spaghetti” projects that become hard to maintain. Using a virtual environment ensures your dependencies are isolated (so you don’t clash with system Python or other projects). Having a clear skeleton (separating imports, variables, functions, and “main program logic”) gives you and future readers a map of where each piece lives. Many software engineering experts emphasize that good architecture up front can save you enormous friction later — clean structure is one of the foundations of maintainability. ( Ciklum ) 2. Creating a Virtual Environment  💾💻💹 Here’s a typical workflow: Open your terminal / command prompt in your project folder (or create a new folder). Run (for Python 3): python3 -m venv venv This creates a directory venv/ (or whatever you name it) containing the isolated Python environment. Activate it: On macOS / Linux: source venv/bin/activate On Windows ...

📶💻💹 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are terms that are used by a lot of people but do you know about the technical nuts and bolts of how they actually work? If you don't that's OK, — I’ve broken down some of the most common terms you might hear in the world of AI/ML into simple explanations anyone can understand. Plus, if you're using Google Colab , there's a built-in AI assistant called Gemini that can help you understand and write code but you need to know the right questions to ask it first.   1. NLP (Natural Language Processing) 🎤🎧 NLP is a branch of AI that helps computers understand and work with human language. Think of it as the technology behind things like chatbots, language translators, and voice assistants like Siri or Alexa. It allows machines to “read” and make sense of text or speech, just like we do. 2. BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) BERT is a special AI model developed by Google that he...

 In the world of tech, it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. Maybe it's the developer on your team who seems to solve problems twice as fast, or that person on Twitter who contributes to five open-source projects and still has time for a blog and a podcast. But the truth is, trying to be the “best” in class is a moving target—and a distracting one. A more sustainable and rewarding mindset is to focus on raising your own level, day by day. Progress, not perfection, is what actually moves you forward. One of the most powerful habits in tech is deliberate practice . It's not just about writing more code; it's about writing it thoughtfully, reflecting on what went wrong, and iterating. Whether you're learning a new language, framework, or debugging a tricky issue, take time to understand why things work the way they do. Set mini-goals for yourself like “understand closures in JavaScript” or “write a CLI tool in Python.” Small, focused wins a...

Unlocking the Power of Data Analysis: Tools and Techniques for Understanding User Feedback Data analysis is the backbone of decision-making across countless industries, providing insights that drive business strategy, marketing decisions, and customer experience improvements. With the explosion of user-generated content on platforms like YouTube, analyzing user comments has become a powerful tool to understand public sentiment, track brand reputation, and improve user engagement. Step 1: Data Collection – Pulling User Comments from YouTube Before any analysis can happen, we first need the data. In the case of YouTube, user comments are stored publicly on each video. To collect them, we use the YouTube Data API . This API allows us to programmatically retrieve comment data, such as the text of the comments, the date posted, and user metadata (like user ID or username). Here’s how it works: Set up the API : First, you’ll need to create a project on the Google Cloud Console, enab...

This is a summary of my GitHub Pages site!   https://cuthbert86.github.io/ It is my personal corner of the web where I’m showcasing a range of projects and experiments as I learn more about web design and development. Whether you’re a fellow tech enthusiast, a curious visitor, or someone interested in learning alongside me, I hope you’ll find something interesting and useful here. The site is a living portfolio, featuring examples of my work as I explore different technologies and programming concepts. You’ll see projects built with HTML and enhanced with popular web tools like Bootstrap, giving my pages a clean and responsive look. I’m always updating and improving the design as I pick up new techniques, and many of the pages reflect my journey in web development. One of the highlights is my exploration of Python and its many applications. I’ve included projects that demonstrate data analysis, working with CircuitPython and MicroPython, and even connecting devices using MQTT....

  CUTHBERT BAINES PROFILE Full-stack python/Django developer. Intellectually curious and open minded Computing graduate specialising in Internet of Things (IoT) and microcomputing solutions. Experienced in working with microcontrollers, data collection, transmission, analysis, and live dashboards. Strong problem-solving skills and a proven work ethic from years in diverse roles. I am completely focused on completing the project at hand. Always do what needs to be done to make the project a success. Inquisitive mind, always willing to learn. Approachable and supportive of other Developers and Users.  Enjoys finding Innovative solutions to any problems that arise. ROLE I love solving problems. Looking for my first main role ideally in python / micro python / circuit python and Embedded software systems, data hubs, dashboards. I also have hardware experience. Plus experience in various languages and systems. So also very open to working with other languages and frameworks. KEY SK...

  Dear Sir or madam, Up until May-June earlier this year I was a mature Student at Sheffield Hallam University and I’m looking for my first job in the computing/IT/Data analysis/software development sector, I’ve always had a job during my entire adult life but this is the first time I’m applying for a job in the IT sector. I didn’t have a great start to my adult life, my entire family moved hundreds of miles away when I was 16 years old and still in school doing my GCSE’s.  At that time I was close to being homeless.  So even though I was either the best student in my school or one of the best I didn’t get to go to University at the same time as everyone else.  I thought I’d missed my chance and I’d never get to go so when I did go I made the absolute most out of it!  No amount of work was too much for me and my attendance was by far the best in my class. I’m looking for an employer/manager to give me a chance to do some good work for them, I will make sure they...