Apps. Machine learning. Artificial intelligence. Big data. Blockchain. Being a programer keeping up with new tech can prove difficult. It’s like being a kid in a candy store. In my case, I have had trouble finding the store before I even got the chance to taste the candy.
There is no doubt that the #blockchain is one of the most hyped technologies at the moment. As such, you would have thought finding info beyond mere general technical definitions is easy. However, that is not the case.
As most people I to have thought of the blockchain as a ’coin’ thing. After all everything related to the term for that matter is somewhat stigmatized and widely labeled as Bitcoin/Ethereum/Coin ‘stuff’. And the truth of the matter is that the blockchain is so much more than coin and coin mining.
Being a newbie in this vast space of a new technology I have had a hard time finding resources and learning the ropes.
The definition and the example
Blockchain is essentially a sequential, distributed ledger of transactions that is constantly updated on a global network of computers. The ownership and history of a transaction is embedded in the blockchain at the transaction’s earliest stages and verified at every subsequent stage.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain
To put that in perspective of a real world situation, what makes blockchain special is its ability to enable the safe exchange of value (value is whatever the parties have agreed it to be) without a central verifying partner, making transactions faster and less expensive. When it comes to Bitcoin and coins in general, it means you are taking away the middleman (the bank) from the equation allowing direct transfer of coins between two parties securely noted in a blockchain ledger shared, encrypted and secured across the network of computers.
It is hard being a beginner in blockchain
To an actual beginner interested in learning everything about blockchain technologies all this nerdy talk explains hardly anything. What’s more, for those first timers venturing into the blockchain finding legit sources among thousand upon thousands of scam and spam pages, is a tantalizing task. That can be rather discouraging.
So, what’s the best road to take as a beginner in blockchain?
Well, we have lectures from a reliable sources like MIT, Berkley and Coursera. Webinars from known websites like Blockchain Council. Now, that’s all fine and well, but I am a firm believer that the best way to learn is to be engaged in a workshop that would lead you through the process step-by-step. A workshop that is made to encourage beginners and rookies to venture in blockchain tech.
The best way to learn is from the experience of others in workshops that are designed to educate and teach but also to share experience and collaborate with blockchain experts. Having an expert guiding you through these murky waters is by far the best option if you want to take a shot at blockchain. However, there aren’t many workshops like that.
IBM Blockchain Workshop
There is no doubt that the computer giant IBM is one of the best places to start or evolve your blockchain journey. The IBM Blockchain Workshop has multiple locations available worldwide, bringing business leaders, technical architects and developers together to create a deeper understanding of blockchain.
Visit IBM Blockchain Workshop here: https://www.ibm.com/blockchain/garage/
Blockgeeks Courses
Blockgeeks.com was the first real source on my blockchain path. It is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn Blockchain in business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Through individual, corporate, academic and government subscriptions, members have access to the Blockgeeks video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts.
Visit Blockgeeks here: https://blockgeeks.com/
Blockchain Workshop
As far as I am aware of, these guys are among just a handful in business offering thoughtful, insightful and customized blockchain workshops and lectures. Not bad considering This came as bit of a surprise since they are from a small European country. Their tailored workshops aim at helping you explore and understand full potential of the blockchain technologies for your business rather than just understand the blockchain princips.
Visit Blockchain Workshop here: https://blockchain.mvpworkshop.co
Technology and Applications Unchaining the Blockchain
Although this one deals with fundamentals of blockchain, the technology, characteristics and implications and it is available for everyone it is, in its actuality, a workshop made for those into research and development. Some basic knowledge is needed and especially interesting part are hands-on sessions which are to make sure that all attendees understand the functionality of blockchain technologies.
Visit Unchaining the Blockchain here: https://www.vdi-wissensforum.de/en/event/blockchain/
GitHub’s Blockchain for Developers: From Zero to Running app in the Cloud
As with all GitHub things some knowledge is needed to understand and participate in. Though not a workshop strictly speaking this one derived from a talk about Blockchain and Hyperledger.
Visit GitHub Blockchain here: https://github.com/LennartFr/blockchain-workshop-2018
CryptoZombies
Thinking out of the box can get you far. People at CryptoZombiess are trying exactly that and they offer a free, interactive code school that teaches you to build games on Ethereum. The course is designed for beginners to Solidity and starts off with the absolute basics providing you with a step-by-step guide in your game making path.
Visit CryptoZombies here: https://cryptozombies.io
This is great but your list is too short. What’s up with that?
Frankly, the current state of the industry is focused on conferences and events, which offer an increasing amount of workshops and small number attendee sessions.
Even the almighty Google associates keyword ‘blockchain workshop’ more with conferences offering one than real deal workshops. Not sure if that’s the intent behind the search query (I know it wasn’t mine) but it is a current trend. Navigating through all this is a huge pain in the arse and as such it fails short of having all the workshops at one place.
However, it is a beginning much like my own in the world of blockchain. I am yet to start my very first block…but that’s another story.
I’ll keep you posted.