On Friday, I decided to work on website using the django framework.
Well, after spending most of Friday evening trying to get mysql installed, I started again on Saturday morning. I decided to use an alternative database, like PostgreSQL or sqlite3 (again). But it was not to be. After several hours trying to get my django model to sync with the database, I decided it was time for something else: a hike.
My sfAWIS partner in crime and I headed out to San Pedro Valley park for a hike. We went probably 5 miles up a mountain, and had a wonderful view of Linda Mar beach in Pacifica nearby and Mt. Tam in the distance. It was so nice to get outside, breathe some fresh air, and to see the start of wildflower season. I also went to dinner with some friends at Gracias Madre, a vegan Mexican place in the Mission. Definitely interesting food, including fake “cheese.”
Today I went back to playing around with my website. I haven’t finished what I wanted to, but did manage to complete my MySQL installation. Yippee! After that, I went on to get my “python manage.py syncdb” command to work. I’m having other issues now, but feel that I’m making progress.
Do you also feel a sense of accomplishment when you get your computer/ code to do things you expect?
YES. I’m a total newbie to the blog/coding/PHP/HTML world, but any time I figure out how to adjust anything successfully, I have a happy little dance party.
I ways just discussing this with a friend who’s also new to the blogging world, and delving a little deeper than just her graphic interface (she’s also a biologist). You see, we start fiddling, knowing that there MUST be a way to do what we want to do – it’s just a question of finding the right place/command/code/etc – and once we do, it will work. Biology doesn’t guarantee the same success. You might bust your tush on an experiment for months, and for some (unknown) reason, it simply refuses to work. With the computer, we start off assuming it can be done – as long as WE can figure it out. With science, there’s always some uncertainty about whether what we’re trying to do really CAN be done…
“With science, there’s always some uncertainty about whether what we’re trying to do really CAN be done…” So true, Holly, so true.
With computer stuff, I always feel like it’s a matter of time and/or thinking about it right, or finding the entry point for the piece of code that manages what I want to change. And if you make the change and everything stops working… at least you know where the problem is! TOTALLY the opposite of bench research. The experiment refuses to work. Or the experiment works for months and suddenly doesn’t. Is it you? Is it some reagent? Does the science just not work that way?
So many more variables, but I still would get the same rush of “It worked!” when it finally did 🙂