Our Mission

We make scientists and engineering more productive by teaching them basic computing skills.

The Problem

• Surveyed 1972 scientists in 2008.
• “How do you use computers?”
• “How did you learn what you know?”

The Problem

• Scientists spend 40% of their time building or using software.
• 55% say this figure is rising.
• 96% are mostly self-taught.

The Problem

• No hard data on how well they do things.
• But anecdotal evidence suggests “not very”.

Our Solution

• Intensive hands-on training.
• Two full days of instruction.
• Unix shell (automate repetitive tasks)
• Git and GitHub (track and share work)
• Python or R (build modular code)
• SQL (manage data)

Outcomes

• 20% improvement in productivity is common.
• 10X isn't rare.

Outcomes

• Empowers people.
• HPC, the cloud, web services, big data, ...
• Reproducible research, open science, ...

The Details

• Materials are all open access.
• Instructors are volunteers.
• Only cost is travel and accommodation
• (but contributions to central costs are welcome).

How To Help

• Come and learn.
• Join the discussion.
• Host a workshop.
• Become an instructor.
• Create new teaching materials.

Learn More

• http://software-carpentry.org