CocoaHeads Chapter in Charlotte, NC

Hello CocoaHeads!

Well, that's what I'd like to be saying.   I am interested in forming  a local chapter of CocoaHeads in the Charlotte, NC metro area.  CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X (including the iPhone). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics.

I hope to find enough local interest to get a viable group going since the nearest established chapters are in Greenville, SC or Raleigh, NC.  These are both to far to be involved with on a regular basis (for me anyway).


If you are interested, I have started a FaceBook Group to help spearhead the effort.    There is also an 'old school' mailing list for CocoaHeads that I have signed up for and put out an initial mailing to gather interested people.

It is my intention for this chapter to be open to all, from complete n00bs to seasoned professionals, to help share knowledge.

Please post a comment if you are interested!  You can also email me directly:  doc 'at' tcah 'dot' com.

Thank you,
Paul

Big Nerd Ranch has a new Guide Coming Soon

I am very excited about a new book coming from those fine folks at The Big Nerd Ranch.   They have announced the soon to be released Advanced Mac OS X Programming:  The Big Nerd Ranch Guide.

 Although I am pretty sure it is way above my limited skill set, that has never stopped me before.

It will be available on iBooks and Kindle as well as hard copy and it can be pre-ordered now, but Amazon.com does not have a date listed that I could find.

Good stuff!  Keep on coding!

What's in a Name?

I know I shouldn't be concerned about hits on my pages.  I am.  I've been spending more time lately learning Cocoa and programming for Mac OS and iOS so I felt it was time for a name change.  "If I had known I was going to Live this Long" was cute and I do say that from time to time.  However, it really does not reflect the content of my posts now.   So a new name was in order!

Cocoa Cogitation came to mind.  Cocoa, duh.  But cogitation is a word my father uses often when referring  to a deep level of thought on a subject.  Ta Da! A new name is born!  Perhaps this new name will be more SEO friendly.  Comments are welcome.

Hats off to The Big Nerd Ranch

I have to take a moment from learning Cocoa and programing my Mac and iPhone to acknowledge the folks at Big Nerd Ranch.  The latest edition of iPhone Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide is really taking me to new levels.  I particularly like that it is available for immediate use in a Kindle version.  With the Kindle App on my iPad it is very convenient!  Now if only they'd release an updated version of Cocoa Programming for Mac OS X I'd be in "Nerdvana" to use one of their terms!

Big Ner Ranch Page Screen Shot

I do this as a hobby so I don't get to devote the time I'd like to otherwise.  But I am trying to figure out a way to justify one of their classes like Beginning Cocoa or Beginning iOS classes (or both!).  Perhaps soon I will.   

Until then, these books are great!  Thanks guys!

Cocoa and Objective-C

I've been teaching myself Objective-C and Cocoa lately. In doing this I have turned to the online communities for guidance and support. This is a strategy that has worked well with my other interests but really falls short with Objective-C and Cocoa.

I have noticed in my searches the Cocoa Touch for iOS seems to generate more community involvement. Perhaps I should focus on iPhone and iPad development instead. :)

Sites that I have found include but not limited too:

Cocoa with Love. -nice blog with good information; has comments enabled for feedback

Learn Cocoa - @cocoadevcentral.com has good basic information and examples; several good links to other sites but I don't recall any form of interaction such as comments or forums.

CocoaDev Forums - general forums, with wiki as main page supported by Panic (these guys produce some really useful software such as Transmit and Coda.

The Cocoa Programming Forum - very dated effort. Virtually no replies in first few pages of current posts.

Cocoa Community Forums - Nice forum where Admin, Darrell seems to make a valiant solo effort

Become an Xcoder - good pdf oriented to the beginner

Maybe I am looking in the wrong places but I haven't found any forums yet that seem to have a lot of traffic that produces many replies or help on posts. One exception seems to be stackoverflow.com that draws a wide range of programmers. I haven't posted there yet because it appears a little more advanced than my skill set, but I can foresee it being useful in the future.

These are the places I've bookmarked thus far. I'll surely add to the list as time goes on.

Anyone with knowledge of good sites for learning Mac OS programming feel free to chime in!

Paul

Click me!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/doggiedoc/5113055138/in/set-72157625258108873/