There’s a lot to learn in the Technical domain. The saying ‘Learning Never Stops’ — holds perfectly true here. In this blog, I’m sharing my technical journey so far. I’m sure there will be a few takeaways for anyone reading. The idea here is not so much to show what I’ve done — but rather, to put things into context. Every person is different — and therefore each person is more likely to have a unique journey of their own (even within the Tech realm). So, navigation is mostly left to you — but hopefully, some parts of this blog can provide some ‘micro-bursts’ of thrust — to help you get to where you want to.
A) First Steps
I did my entire schooling in a Special school — with every kid (including myself) — having various types and degrees of disability. Back in our school days, we had absolutely no access to Technology. There was no internet, no smartphones nothing. In the mid 80’s — TV was the latest piece of tech. Somewhere in 1984 — my father bought our first Color TV. There was like 3 hours of TV Programming per day. So, I don’t have much to write about here.
I was in a Special School. Due to my Cerebral Palsy — I had difficulties in doing almost everything. I had speech problems. I also couldn’t write. And I was not alone. We were asked to buy Typewriters. My father managed to get an Electronic Typewriter — which I used during my school days. Although I got used to using a keyboard pretty soon — my typing speed was too slow for comfort. It still is — after a good 40 years, when I started typing.
Our first glimpse into Tech — came during the last 3 or 4 months of school. A set of 3 Dolphin systems were purchased — and kept in a room. Nobody knew how to use them. We used to finish our lunch early — and get into the Computer room. Once in the room — we’d switch on the system and start playing. The Dolphin systems had like 4kb of total memory — and came with ‘Logo’ Program pre-installed. Nobody knew / taught us Logo programming. So we just entered random text — and got Error messages. But in a matter of couple of weeks — we started entering text such that the Error messages made much more sense to us. This was a new kind of game we were playing. I knew one thing for sure — Computers were going to be the future for me.
After my schooling — we moved to Mumbai — where I got an opportunity to do couple of Computer courses. I was introduced to flowcharts and some basic programming concepts. This was enough to ignite my interest in programming / technology.
B) Intro to Linux
Fast forward to 26th April 1999. I was in my 4th year of college. I had done couple of Courses on Computer Fundamentals. I had also got my first PC at home. But on that day, when I turned on my PC — Nothing happened. The PC just wouldn’t turn on. The warranty on my system was barely days away from expiry. We quickly got in touch with Customer Support and asked them to Replace the Entire PC. Luckily, they agreed. Later in the year — we learnt that we were victims of one of the Worst Virus Attacks in history — the Chernobyl Virus Fiasco.
This was a close call. It was a wake-up call for me — to look for Alternatives to Windows. As it turned out — I had a CD with Red Hat Linux 5.2. And so, I spent the next couple of months doing a deep dive into the CD contents. Half the CD was full of Documentation — which I really loved going through. At the end of 2 months — I was ready to do a duel-boot install on my system. And my first Linux install was a Success. It was a completely Alien world. There were very few GUI Apps on Linux back then. Accessibility was very scarce — and as a result, it was that much more difficult for me to use the system.
It’s been nearly 24 years since I started using Linux. I’ve tried out every major Linux distro out there. But I can never say — I fully know / have mastered Linux. Here are a few takeaways from my Linux journey…
– I never had anybody teach me how to install / use Linux. Good Documentation / Videos can compensate for not having a Guru
— Linux is a good place to start one’s Tech journey. Once you get started with Linux — the Learning never stops
— You don’t need to wait for a disaster to happen — before switching to Linux. The sooner you Switch — the better
— Linux enables you to understand your computer system in a much better way. Among its many advantages — it’s also Free
— Linux is not just an Operating System. It’s also a Philosophical Stance — You Own your System.
C) Developer’s role in an AT Project
For a person with disabilities — it’s nothing short of a dream come true — if he / she is given an opportunity to work on a project related to Assistive Technology. For starters — I cannot use computers without Assistive Technology. As it turned out — I got a developer’s role in an Assistive Technology project. There was this Hardware Device that emulated a mouse click. Our job was to build software around the device — to make it more functional. The project was interesting — and, I’d like to believe that I had put in my best efforts into the project. However, our Project manager (and his Boss) — well, the lesser I write about them — the better. There was an interesting pipeline of such projects. But for some reason — the ‘Mouse project’ dragged on for about 1 and half years. By this time — everybody lost interest and the project had to be closed down. Key takeaways…
– Persons with Disabilities must be encouraged / given opportunities to work on Assistive Technology Projects. The #1 reason that I’d like to give here — a PwD is more accurately aware of the problems he / she faces. So, the quality of inputs they provide — and consequently the overall solution that’s developed can be significantly better.
— The Success / Failure of a project is the primary responsibility of the Project Manager. A proper Work Culture and Accountability must be maintained at all times — only then the project can succeed.
— Even if a project fails — you could still gain — by way of the knowledge / insights gained while working on the project. So, if you’ve done your work to the best of your abilities / potential — then, you have very little to be worried / concerned about (even if your Annual Appraisal reflects a completely different story).
D) Tryst with Platforms
In early 2013, work started on a new project. I was looking for a change — and so I joined the new team. Our initial mandate was to build a Tech Platform for Waste Management. The Project Manager was one of the best — Anybody could’ve hoped to work with. We had a young, dynamic and highly energetic team. I don’t think we had a Project kick-off. But the first 4 months of work on this project was ABSOLUTELY Incredible. In about 6 to 9 months — we had built the first version of the Platform. The Project quickly grew and diversified. The team also grew to attract some of the best talent in the country.
The project had a Dream Run for around 7 years. We managed to create Tech Platforms for some 5 different Domains. Even with a really tiny footprint — we had managed to create a significant impact. Press coverage was far and wide. And best of all — we had a solid Project Roadmap for the next 20 years. Just getting to be a part of such a project — was a Priviledge (to say the least).
Trouble began when there was a ‘Hostile’ Takeover of our company — resulting in a change in Top Management. With this change — confidence levels in our project just vanished. In March 2020, Lockdowns were imposed on entire countries — as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This proved to be too much. During the last few months — conscious efforts were undertaken to downsize the team and to move the project into the Public Domain. While the project still survives — it now has a new team, a new business model and a new identity. A Great project like the one we had worked on — needed to survive — and it did. It’s a pity that we were no longer a part of it. A couple of key takeaways…
– Even the Best of projects can close down — for completely unexpected / unanticipated reasons
— BrainStorming is possibly at the Core of building a Tech Platform. The Experience is Absolutely Ultimate!
— If you can participate in building a Tech Platform — you have the potential to build pretty much anything in Tech
E) Hackathons — the Power to Build
I’m not a Hardcore Developer. But I can play around with code — and I love doing it from time to time. Over the years (especially after getting my job) — I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a number of Hackathons. And I’ve won prizes on many occasions. I must say — the concept of a Hackathon really appeals to me. Every time, you get exposure to a new / different flavour of Tech. Typically the requirements are different — and so are the technologies you get to work on. You’re judged not on the basis of what you know / how much you’ve learnt — but rather by what you’ve done / developed during the Hackathon (which is usually a short time frame of 1 or 2 days). From an organizer’s perspective — your developed PoC becomes a sort of base / foundation — upon which the final solution can be built and delivered.
As already mentioned earlier — I’ve participated in a number of Hackathons — and in the process, I’ve gained exposure to Technologies including .net, android, node-js, python etc. Most recently, last month — I was among the winners in the IBM WatsonX Challenge. By participating in this Hackathon — I was able to get exposure to Generative AI. I’ll not say much here. But you know…
- Hackathons are great — if you wish to stay on the Leading Edge of Technology
— In a Hackathon — you’re judged by what you’re able to develop. Even if you don’t win — you still gain precious knowledge / Insights
— some Companies have already started using Hackathons as a basis to determine whom to Hire for a developer’s role.
F) Presence on Github
I’ll keep things really short and crisp here. I was watching a Youtube video — by a MVP from Microsoft. He made an interesting point. In the past — IT Interviews used to revolve around what you know. Typically you could be asked Questions like — what do you know about MVC Architecture? or how do you implement Sharding in mySQL? or what does Bias / Hallucination in Gen AI Models actually mean?… and so on…
But now, times have changed. Now, one of the standard questions asked during interviews is — do you have a presence on Github? Think about this question for a minute… After some serious thinking — I was able to connect the following ‘dots’…
– First of all — being a good developer is no longer considered good enough. Associated skills (such as using Github) — is equally important
— If you have your own project on Github — it could be an indication that you have a good Idea what you want to work on
— If you’re participating in other people’s projects — that means your coding skills most likely meet widely accepted coding standards
— Github projects come with their own Documentation — so you need to have that skill too
— Above all, your project on Github MUST Run… This is sure shot Proof of Knowledge / Coding skills
Am I on Github? Yes, I have a handful of my own projects. So, that’s where I am currently…
G) Double-edged Tech Swords — the Internet, Smartphones, Youtube and Gen AI
Take Youtube for example. You login to Youtube and watch videos. After a few sessions — Youtube starts predicting what videos you’ll watch next. And these predictions are pretty darn accurate. So, if you like watching ‘unproductive’ videos — soon you’ll find that you’re wasting significant amounts of time in watching the same kind of videos. But on the other hand — if you tend to watch videos that add knowledge / value to your education / career / life — then the same Youtube can become a valuable asset for personal / professional growth.
Smartphones have almost become parts of our bodies. Most people feel uneasy if they’re without their smartphones for more than 10 minutes. I think, as Tech gets more and more smarter — people are becoming more and more dependent / dumber. Young children / adults are particularly vulnerable. There have been enough incidents (of an extreme nature) — involving smartphones (I don’t wish to talk about any such incident here). I personally have difficulties in using smartphones — which is more of a blessing in disguise. I tried to keep away from smartphones — for as long as I possibly could. But at some point — I had to jump in. There is no other option. The key here is to monitor / track usage. When I need to use a smartphone — I use it. But once I’m done with a particular transaction / function — I like to just put the smartphone away. I’m not suggesting that smartphones are evil. They are useful gadgets. They can even save lives — in certain situations. Remember — we must use smartphones (if and when we need to). Not the other way round.
The Internet and Generative AI are no different. At times, I feel — it’s important to maintain a distraction free / temptation free environment — especially when you’re working on something. Case in point — even as I’m writing this blog — I felt I was getting a bit distracted. So, I just booted into linux — in tty mode, opened up vim and started typing. Ya, there are few serious trade-offs. The tty font sizes are much smaller. You cannot get online quickly / easily. And Gen AI tools are mostly out of bounds. But the Focus that a tty session can provide is Ultimate. You could stay focused on one task for hours on end. No Notifications or Pop-ups. No scope to open Browsers / multiple Apps etc. There’s Nothing between you and the task at hand. If you absolutely need to get online and / or use Gen AI tools — then, you can. I really love the Isolation / solitude a Linux tty session can offer. As a bonus — tty sessions are least resource intensive / hungry — so your system will also last much longer. Here are a few key takeaways…
– Use Tech, if and when you need to. Don’t let Tech use you
— Tech can be used Productively or Unproductively. You get to decide — and You face the Consequences
— At the end of the day — we must retain our Human Qualities (such as creativity, emotions, dedication, empathy etc.)
— If you believe Tech can replace you — it probably will. Beliefs lead to Actions — which ultimately create your Destiny
H) Tech Skills needed at the Board level
Some time in March this year — I had an accident. During my Recovery period (of about 3–4 months) — I got myself Certified as an Independent Director by IICA. I could have just taken rest. But time is Scarce. And you can make up for anything else — but not for lost time. Now, one of the focus areas for Independent Directors is Technology — which is also the main topic of this blog. I think, coming from a primarily non-technical background — I’ve done well to get as much exposure to Tech as I have managed to. Here’s a summary of my Tech journey so far…
I have working experience in the following Technologies…
* C / C++
* .net — C# / Visual Basic
* Python — I’m more comfortable with python
* Android — have an App on Google Play Store
* node-js — have developed few Alexa Skills
* Cloud — AWS / Azure — I’m Azure fundamentals (AZ-900) Certified
* Automation — UI Path / Power Automate
* virtual assistants — Power Virtual Agents / IBM WatsonX Assistant
I also have wide practical knowledge / experience in….
* Linux Installation / Administration — have tried out Every Major Distro
* Windows Installation / Administration
Above all — I can learn / keep up-to-date with any Latest Technology out there. What’s required at the Board Level is a Sound understanding of Tech and also the ability to Analyze the effects of changes in Technology on Business. This is a vast topic in itself — and I might consider writing a separate blog on the topic.
So, purely from a Tech stand point — do I have the Credentials required to make it to the Board level? Well, you decide…
I) Concluding remarks
Given where I come from, my Tech journey so far and my perceptions about Technology — I’d like to make the following closing remarks…
- In the present day — almost every Profession is Super-Saturated. Being an Engineer is no longer considered special. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is an Engineer. Pay scales are not that great. Most Engineers are over-worked. Opportunities for Career growth are not good enough. The Cribbers can go on and on.
If you ask me — I’m not an Engineer. Yet, I’ve always aspired to be one. Not for the pay packages or the career growth options or anything else. In my opinion — Engineers are Creators. While Painters create paintings and Musicians create music — Engineers can create Solutions. If you’re ‘boxed’ in your current job / role — then there’s very little hope. But if you have Ideas, the intent to do something good and a passion to go and do whatever it takes — then, Anything is possible. The question here is not — how far you can be taken? Rather it’s — how far you’re willing to go?
— There are a handful of traits I really love about Westerners…
1. Their curiosity — they never hesitate to ask the right questions whenever needed
2. Their Ability to Innovate
3. Their Ability to Organize Information
4. Their Capacity to go to INSANE Depths of anything they want to
5. Their ‘Product Mindset / Approach’ to anything and everything
Look at the growth / progress of Western Civilization over the past 300 odd years. You’ll notice — these are precisely the traits that have been the differentiators. There are some other ‘not so good’ Political traits as well — which I wouldn’t like to mention here.
And in recent times — the development of Generative AI follows the exact same Approach. The Statement / Premise behind the Development of ChatGPT said — ‘Any action or transaction between / involving Human Beings — can be expressed by means of a Language Interactions.’. And so, a Language interaction (or a Prompt) can be used to Construct any given Action. Just think about it.
Almost every major Innovation in Tech (in the past 200 years) — has come from the West. Why? Are we less intelligent as compared to them? Why are we satisfied — merely doing outsourced bits and pieces of work? Do we have a sustained pipeline of Fundamental Research (in Math, Science & Tech) — in our Higher Educational Institutions? What will it take to build such a Pipeline? There are many such questions — that we need to find answers to. And we need some answers fast. Else, the Tech gap between us and the West — is only set to widen.
Lastly, I want to talk a bit about Intent and Intensity. I’m taking my own example here. I have CP. I’m a B.Com grad. I have a number of challenges in using computers. And for the most part — I had Nobody to teach me / guide me through my Tech journey. Question is — where would you be on your Tech journey — if you were in my shoes?
Please don’t get me wrong here. I’m not trying to brag about my accomplishments here. In fact — I have lots more to learn, lots more to do and lots more to write about. Point is — if you have two things I mentioned earlier (i.e. Intent and Intensity) — it could more than make up for all of your deficiencies.