Baines Blogging

 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...

 Introduction When we think of great programmers, we often picture long nights of coding, complex algorithms, and coffee-fueled problem-solving. But what truly separates the most productive programmers from the rest isn’t just skill — it’s discipline. One of the most effective habits they cultivate is the practice of deliberate time blocking — a focused approach to managing work sessions and avoiding the chaos of constant context switching.  ☝ The Power of Time Blocking Time blocking involves setting aside specific chunks of time dedicated to deep, uninterrupted coding. During these blocks, programmers silence notifications, close unrelated tabs, and focus solely on the task at hand. This technique helps them enter a state of “flow” — that powerful zone where creativity, logic, and problem-solving converge effortlessly. Instead of scattering attention across multiple tasks, productive programmers give their full cognitive energy to one priority.  ☝ Protecting Focus i...

I n a world that celebrates productivity and visible output, thinking time can often be undervalued. We're so used to equating work with motion — typing, emailing, attending meetings — that stillness can feel like laziness. But the best ideas, the clearest plans, and the most innovative solutions usually begin in the quiet moments when nothing appears to be happening. Before diving into action, we need to give ourselves space to think things through — to explore possibilities, test assumptions, and map a direction. S tepping away from your desk can be one of the most productive things you do all day. A short walk, a moment by the window, or even just sitting with a notebook can shift your perspective entirely. When we remove ourselves from the constant tug of the screen and allow our minds to wander, we often find connections and insights we wouldn’t have spotted while knee-deep in tasks. It’s not procrastination — it’s preparation. I n the early stages of any project, pen and pa...

  I Graduated with a 2:1 in Computing from Sheffield Hallam University! I'm incredibly proud to share that I’ve officially graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a 2:1 in BSc Computing! It’s been a challenging, rewarding, and ultimately fulfilling journey, and I’m grateful for all the experiences, both technical and personal, that have shaped me along the way. From learning core computing principles to diving deep into specialist areas, my time at university has equipped me with the tools and confidence to move forward in the tech world. One of the standout modules for me was Data Management. I found it fascinating to explore how data is structured, stored, and retrieved, and how good design can make or break the efficiency of a system. This module really laid the groundwork for many of my later projects, giving me the practical skills and theoretical understanding to handle data effectively and responsibly—something that proved crucial in my final year work. My Artific...

1. Begin with the 16 “rules” of Esperanto and its simple grammar Start by immersing yourself in the concise foundational rules of Esperanto: its phonetic spelling, predictable affixation, and regular verb system make it far easier to grasp than many natural languages. For a clear overview of why Esperanto is easier to learn than typical languages, see Why Learn Esperanto? (Lingolia) which outlines its regularity and simplified grammar. ( esperanto.lingolia.com ) 2. Use a structured online course to build vocabulary and grammar Enroll in a free, guided Esperanto course such as Transparent Language’s Esperanto module (which offers vocabulary lists, interactive exercises and listening tasks) to build a solid grammar and vocabulary foundation. ( Transparent Language ) 3. Complement your lessons with the community platform Lernu! Pair your formal lessons with practice on Lernu! , the free multilingual Esperanto learning site, which offers exercises, multimedia, dictionaries, and a co...

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....