TOPIC: AMAZON
An AI email newsletter roundup: Cutting through the noise
23rd August 2025This time last year, I felt out of the loop on all things AI. That was put to rights during the autumn when I experimented a lot with GenAI while enhancing travel content on another portal. In addition, I subscribed to enough email newsletters that I feel the need to cull them at this point. So much is happening in this area that it is too easy to feel overwhelmed by what is happening. That sense got me compiling the state of things in a previous post using some help from GenAI, though I was making the decisions about what was being consolidated and how it was being done. The whole process took a few hours, an effort clearly beyond a single button push.
This survey is somewhat eclectic in its scope; two of the newsletters are hefty items, while others include brevity as part of their offer. Regarding the latter, I found strident criticism of some of them (The Rundown and Superhuman are two that are mentioned) in an article published in the Financial Times, which is behind a paywall. Their content has been called slop, with the phrase slopaganda being coined and used to describe this. That cannot be applied everywhere, though. Any brevity cannot cloak differences in tone and content choices can help with developing a more rounded view of what is going on with AI.
This newsletter came to my notice because I attended SAS Innovate on Tour 2025 in London last June. Oliver Patel, who authors this and serves as Enterprise AI Governance Lead at AstraZeneca as well as contributing to various international organisations including the OECD Expert Group on AI Risk and Accountability, was a speaker with the theme of his talk naturally being AI governance as well as participating in an earlier panel on the day. Unsurprisingly, the newsletter also got a mention.
It provides in-depth practical guidance on artificial intelligence governance and risk management for professionals working in enterprise environments, though not without a focus on scaling governance frameworks across organisations. Actionable insights are emphasised in place of theoretical concepts, covering areas such as governance maturity models that progress from nascent stages through to transformative governance, implementation strategies and leadership approaches needed to drive effective AI governance within companies.
Patel brings experience from roles spanning policy work, academia and privacy sectors, including positions with the UK government and University College London, which informs his practical approach to helping organisations develop robust AI governance structures. The newsletter targets AI governance professionals, risk managers and executives who need clear, scalable solutions for real-world implementation challenges, and all content remains freely accessible to subscribers.
Unlike other newsletters featured here, this is a seven-day publication that delivers a five‑minute digest on AI industry happenings each day that combines news, productivity tips, polls and AI‑generated art. It was launched in June 2023 by Matt Village and Adam Biddlecombe, using of beehiiv’s content‑focused platform that was acquired by HubSpot in March 2025, placing it within the HubSpot Media Network.
Created by Zain Kahn and based in Toronto, weekday issues of this newsletter typically follow a structured format featuring three AI tools for productivity enhancement, two significant AI developments and one quick tutorial to develop practical skills. On Saturdays, there is a round-up on what is happening in robotics, while the Sunday issue centres on developments in science. Everything is crafted to be brief, possibly allowing a three-minute survey of latest developments.
The Artificially Intelligent Enterprise
My interest in the world of DevOps led me to find out about Mark Hinkle, the solopreneur behind Peripety Labs and his in-depth weekly newsletter published every Friday that features comprehensive deep dives into strategic trends and emerging technologies. This has been complemented by a shorter how-to version which focusses on concrete AI lessons and implementation tips and comes out every Tuesday, taking forward a newsletter acquired from elsewhere. The idea is that we should concentrate on concrete AI lessons and implementation tips in place of hype, particularly in business settings. These forms part of The AIE Network alongside complementary publications including AI Tangle, AI CIO and AI Marketing Advantage.
Found though my following the Artificially Intelligent Enterprise, this daily newsletter delivers artificial intelligence developments and insights within approximately five minutes of reading time per issue. Published by Rowan Cheung, it covers key AI developments, practical guides and tool recommendations, with some articles spanning technology and robotics categories. Beyond the core newsletter, the platform operates AI University, which provides certificate courses, implementation guides, expert-led workshops and community networking opportunities for early adopters.
A round-up of online portals for those seeking work
5th August 2025For me, much of 2025 was spent finding a new freelance work engagement. Recently, that search successfully concluded, but not before I got flashbacks of how hard things were when seeking work after completing university education and deciding to hybridise my search to include permanent employment too. Now that I am fulfilling a new contract with a new client, I am compiling a listing of places on the web to a search for work, at least for future reference if nothing else.
Founded in 2011 by former executives from Gumtree, eBay and Zoopla, this UK-based job search engine aggregates listings from thousands of sites across 16+ countries with headquarters in London and approximately 100 employees worldwide. The platform offers over one million job advertisements in the UK alone and an estimated 350 million globally, attracting more than 10 million monthly visits. Jobseekers can use the service without cost, benefiting from search functionality, email alerts, salary insights and tools such as ValueMyCV and the AI-powered interview preparation tool Prepper. The company operates on a Cost-Per-Click or Cost-Per-Applicant model for employers seeking visibility, while also providing data and analytics APIs for programmatic advertising and labour market insights. Notably, the platform powers the UK government Number 10 Dashboard, with its dataset frequently utilised by the ONS for real-time vacancy tracking.
Founded in 2000 by Lee Biggins, this independent job board has grown to become one of the leading platforms in the UK job market. Based in Fleet, Hampshire, it maintains a substantial database of approximately 21.4 million CV's, with around 360,000 new or updated profiles added monthly. The platform attracts significant traffic with about 10.1 million monthly visits from 4.3 million unique users, facilitating roughly 3 million job applications each month across approximately 137,000 live vacancies. Jobseekers can access all services free of charge, including job searching, CV uploads, job alerts and application tracking, though the CV building tools are relatively basic compared to specialist alternatives. The platform boasts high customer satisfaction, with 96 percent of clients rating their service as good or excellent, and offers additional value through its network of over 800 partner job sites and ATS integration capabilities.
Formerly known as TryRemotely, Empllo functions as a comprehensive job board specialising in remote technology and startup positions across various disciplines including engineering, product, sales, marketing, design and finance. The platform currently hosts over 30,000 active listings from approximately 24,000 hiring companies worldwide, with specific regional coverage including around 375 positions in the UK and 36 in Ireland. Among its notable features is the AI-powered Job Copilot tool, which can automatically apply to roles based on user preferences. While Empllo offers extensive listings and advanced filtering options by company, funding and skills, it does have limitations including inconsistent salary information and variable job quality. The service is free to browse, with account creation unlocking personalised features. It is particularly suitable for technology professionals seeking distributed work arrangements with startups, though users are advised to verify role details independently and potentially supplement their search with other platforms offering employer reviews for more thorough vetting.
This is a comprehensive job-hunt management tool that replaces traditional spreadsheets with an intuitive Kanban board interface, allowing users to organise their applications effectively. The platform features a Chrome extension that integrates with major job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed, enabling one-click saving of job listings. Users can track applications through various stages, store relevant documents and contact information, and access detailed statistics about their job search progress. The service offers artificial intelligence capabilities powered by GPT-4 to generate application responses, personalise cover letters and craft LinkedIn profiles. With over 25,000 active users who have tracked more than 280,000 job applications collectively, the tool provides both free and premium tiers. The basic free version includes unlimited tracking of applications, while the Pro subscription adds features such as custom columns, unlimited tags and expanded AI capabilities. This solution particularly benefits active jobseekers managing numerous applications across different platforms who desire structured organisation and data-driven insights into their job search.
This organisation provides a specialised platform matching candidates with companies based on flexible working arrangements, including remote options, location independence and customisable hours. Their interface features a notable "Work From Anywhere" filter highlighting roles with genuine location flexibility, alongside transparency scores for companies that reflect their openness regarding working arrangements. The platform allows users to browse companies offering specific perks like part-time arrangements, sabbatical leave, or compressed hours, with rankings based on flexibility and workplace culture. While free to use with job-saving capabilities and quick matching processes, it appears relatively new with a modest-sized team, limited independent reviews and a smaller volume of job listings compared to more established competitors. The platform's distinctive approach prioritises work-life balance through values-driven matching and company-oriented filters, particularly useful for those seeking roles aligned with modern flexible working preferences.
Founded in 2007 and based in Puerto Rico, FlexJobs operates as a subscription-based platform specialising in remote, hybrid, freelance and part-time employment opportunities. The service manually verifies all job listings to eliminate fraudulent postings, with staff dedicating over 200 hours daily to screening processes. Users gain access to positions across 105+ categories from entry-level to executive roles, alongside career development resources including webinars, resume reviews and skills assessments. Pricing options range from weekly trials to annual subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee. While many users praise the platform for its legitimacy and comprehensive filtering tools, earning high ratings on review sites like Trustpilot, some individuals question whether the subscription fee provides sufficient value compared to free alternatives. Potential limitations include delayed posting of opportunities and varying representation across different industries.
Founded in November 2004 and now operating in over 60 countries with 28 languages, this leading global job search platform serves approximately 390 million visitors monthly worldwide. In the UK alone, it attracts about 34 million monthly visits, with users spending nearly 7 minutes per session and viewing over 8.5 pages on average. The platform maintains more than 610 million jobseeker profiles globally while offering free services for candidates including job searching, application tools, CV uploads, company reviews and salary information. For employers, the business model includes pay-per-click and pay-per-applicant sponsored listings, alongside tools such as Hiring Insights providing salary data and application trends. Since October 2024, visibility for non-sponsored listings has decreased, requiring employers to invest in sponsorship for optimal visibility. Despite this competitive environment requiring strategic budget allocation, the platform remains highly popular due to its comprehensive features and extensive reach.
A meta-directory founded in 2022 by Rodrigo Rocco, this platform aggregates and organises links to over 400 specialised and niche job sites across various industries and regions. Unlike traditional job boards, it does not host listings directly but serves as a discovery tool that redirects users to external platforms where actual applications take place. The service refreshes links approximately every 45 minutes and offers a weekly newsletter. While providing free access and efficient discovery of relevant boards by category or sector, potential users should note that the platform lacks direct job listings, built-in application tracking, or alert systems. It is particularly valuable for professionals exploring highly specialised fields, those wishing to expand beyond mainstream job boards and recruiters seeking to increase their visibility, though beginners might find navigating numerous destination boards somewhat overwhelming.
Founded in Milan by Vito Lomele in 2006 (initially as Jobespresso), this global job aggregator operates in 58 countries and 21 languages. The platform collects between 28 and 35 million job listings monthly from various online sources, attracting approximately 55 million visits and serving over 100 million registered users. The service functions by gathering vacancies from career pages, agencies and job boards, then directing users to original postings when they search. For employers, it offers programmatic recruitment solutions using artificial intelligence and taxonomy to match roles with candidates dynamically, including pay-per-applicant models. While the platform benefits from its extensive global reach and substantial job inventory, its approach of redirecting to third-party sites means the quality and freshness of listings can vary considerably.
Founded in 1993 as Fax-Me Ltd and rebranded in 1995, this pioneering UK job board launched the world's first jobs-by-email service in May 1994. Originally dominating the IT recruitment sector with up to 80% market share in the early 2000s, the platform published approximately 200,000 jobs and processed over 1 million applications monthly by 2010. Currently headquartered in Colchester, Essex, the service maintains a global presence across Europe, North America and Australia, delivering over 1.2 million job-subscription emails daily. The platform employs a proprietary smart matching engine called Alchemy and features manual verification to ensure job quality. While free for jobseekers who can upload CVs and receive tailored job alerts, employers can post vacancies and run recruitment campaigns across various sectors. Although respected for its legacy and niche focus, particularly in technical recruitment, its scale and visibility are more modest compared to larger contemporary platforms.
Founded in 2020 with headquarters in London, Lifelancer operates as an AI-powered talent hiring platform specialising in life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare IT and digital health sectors. The company connects organisations with freelance, remote and international professionals through services including candidate matching and global onboarding assistance. Despite being relatively small, Lifelancer provides distinct features for both hiring organisations and jobseekers. Employers can post positions tailored to specific healthcare and technology roles, utilising AI-based candidate sourcing, while professionals can create profiles to be matched with relevant opportunities. The platform handles compliance and payroll across multiple countries, making it particularly valuable for international teams, though as a young company, it may not yet offer the extensive talent pool of more established competitors in the industry.
The professional networking was core to my search for work and had its uses while doing so. Writing posts and articles did a lot to raise my profile along with reaching out to others, definitely an asset when assessing the state of a freelancing market. The usefulness of the green "Open to Work" banner is debatable because of my freelancing pitch in a slow market. Nevertheless, there was one headhunting approach that might have resulted in something if another offer had not gazumped it. Also, this is not a place to hang around over a weekend with job search moaning filling your feed, though making your interests known can change that. Now that I have paid work, the platform has become a way of keeping up to date in my line of business.
Established in 1994 as The Monster Board, Monster.com became one of the first online job portals, gaining prominence through memorable Super Bowl advertisements. As of June 2025, the platform attracts approximately 4.3 million monthly visits, primarily from the United States (76%), with smaller audiences in India (6%) and the UK (1.7%). The service offers free resources for jobseekers, including resume uploads and career guidance, while employers pay for job postings and additional premium features.
Established in 1999 and headquartered in Richmond, Surrey, PharmiWeb has evolved into Europe's leading pharmaceutical and life sciences platform. The company separated its dedicated job board as PharmiWeb.jobs in 2019, while maintaining industry news and insights on the original portal. With approximately 600,000 registered jobseekers globally and around 200,000 monthly site visits generating 40,000 applications, the platform hosts between 1,500 and 5,000 active vacancies at any time. Jobseekers can access the service completely free, uploading CVs and setting alerts tailored to specific fields, disciplines or locations. Additional recruiter services include CV database access, email marketing campaigns, employer branding and applicant management tools. The platform particularly excels for specialised pharmaceutical, biotech, clinical research and regulatory affairs roles, though its focused nature means it carries fewer listings than mainstream employment boards and commands higher posting costs.
If 2025 was a flashback to the travails of seeking work after completing university education, meeting this name again was another part of that. Founded in May 1960 by Sir Alec Reed, the firm began as a traditional recruitment agency in Hounslow, West London, before launching the first UK recruitment website in 1995. Today, the platform attracts approximately 3.7 million monthly visitors, primarily UK-based users aged 25-34, generating around 80,000 job applications daily. The service offers jobseekers free access to search and apply for roles, job alerts, CV storage, application tracking, career advice articles, a tax calculator, salary tools and online courses. For employers, the privately owned company provides job advertising, access to a database of 18-22 million candidate CVs and specialist recruitment across about 20 industry sectors.
Founded by digital nomad Pieter Levels in 2015, this prominent job board specialises exclusively in 100% remote positions across diverse sectors including tech, marketing, writing, design and customer support. The platform offers free browsing and application for jobseekers, while employers pay fees. Notable features include mandatory salary transparency, global job coverage with regional filtering options and a clean, minimalist interface that works well on mobile devices. Despite hosting over 100,000 remote jobs from reputable companies like Amazon and Microsoft, the platform has limitations including basic filtering capabilities and highly competitive application processes, particularly for tech roles. The simple user experience redirects applications directly to employer pages rather than using an internal system. For professionals seeking remote work worldwide, this board serves as a valuable resource but works best when used alongside other specialised platforms to maximise opportunities.
Founded in 2015 and based in Boulder, Colorado, this platform exclusively focuses on remote work opportunities across diverse industries such as marketing, finance, healthcare, customer support and design. Attracting over 1.5 million monthly visitors, it provides jobseekers with free access to various employment categories including full-time, part-time, freelance and hybrid positions. Beyond job listings, the platform offers a comprehensive resource centre featuring articles, expert insights and best practices from over 108 remote-first companies. Job alerts and weekly newsletters keep users informed about relevant opportunities. While the platform provides strong resources and maintains positive trust ratings of approximately 4.2/5 on Trustpilot, its filtering capabilities are relatively basic compared to competitors. Users might need to conduct additional research as company reviews are not included with job postings. Despite these limitations, the platform serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking remote work guidance and opportunities.
For jobseekers in the technology and digital sectors, Remotive serves as a specialised remote job board offering approximately 2,000 active positions on its free public platform. Founded around 2014-2015, this service operates with a remote-first approach and focuses on verifying job listings for legitimacy. The platform provides a premium tier called "Remotive Accelerator" which grants users access to over 50,000 additional curated jobs, advanced filtering options based on skills and salary requirements and membership to a private Slack community. While the interface receives praise for its clean design and intuitive navigation, user feedback regarding the paid tier remains mixed, with some individuals noting limitations such as inactive community features and an abundance of US-based or senior-level positions. The platform is particularly valuable for professionals in software development, product management, marketing and customer service who are seeking global remote opportunities.
Originally launched in Canada in 2011 as neuvoo, this global job search engine is now headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, providing access to over 30 million jobs across more than 75 countries. The platform attracts between 12 and 16 million monthly visits worldwide, with approximately 6 percent originating from the UK. Jobseekers can utilise the service without charge, accessing features like salary converters and tax calculators in certain regions to enhance transparency about potential earnings. Employers have the option to post jobs for free in some areas, with additional pay per click sponsored listings available to increase visibility. Despite its extensive coverage and useful tools, user feedback remains mixed, with numerous complaints on review sites regarding outdated listings, unwanted emails and difficulties managing or deleting accounts.
Founded in 1999, Totaljobs is a major UK job board currently owned by StepStone Group UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Axel Springer Digital Classifieds. The platform attracts approximately 20 million monthly visits and generates 4-5 million job applications each month, with over 300,000 daily visitors browsing through typically 280,000+ live job listings. As the flagship of a broader network including specialised boards such as Jobsite, CareerStructure and City Jobs, Totaljobs provides jobseekers with search functionality across various sectors, job alerts and career advice resources. For employers and recruiters, the platform offers pay-per-post job advertising, subscription options for CV database access and various employer tools.
Founded in 2011, this is one of the largest purely remote job boards globally, attracting approximately 6 million monthly visitors and featuring over 36,000 remote positions across various categories including programming, marketing, customer support and design. Based in Vancouver, the platform operates with a small remote-first team who vet listings to reduce spam and scams. Employers pay for each standard listing, while jobseekers access the service without charge. The interface is straightforward and categorised by functional area, earning trust from major companies like Google, Amazon and GitHub. However, the platform has limitations including basic filtering capabilities, a predominance of senior-level positions particularly in technology roles and occasional complaints about outdated or misleading posts. The service is most suitable for experienced professionals seeking genuine remote opportunities rather than those early in their careers. Some users report region-restricted application access and positions that offer lower compensation than expected for the required experience level.
Founded in 2014, this job board provides remote work opportunities for digital nomads and professionals across various industries. The platform offers over 30,000 fully remote positions spanning sectors such as technology, marketing, writing, finance and education. Users can browse listings freely, but a Premium subscription grants access to additional jobs, enhanced filters and email alerts. The interface is user-friendly with fast-loading pages and straightforward filtering options. The service primarily features global employment opportunities suitable for location-independent workers. However, several limitations exist: many positions require senior-level experience, particularly in technical fields; the free tier displays only a subset of available listings; filtering capabilities are relatively basic; and job descriptions sometimes lack detail. The platform has received mixed reviews, earning approximately 3.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot, with users noting the prevalence of senior technical roles and questioning the value of the premium subscription. It is most beneficial for experienced professionals comfortable with remote work arrangements, while those seeking entry-level positions might find fewer suitable opportunities.
Advance your Data Science, AI and Computer Science skills using these online learning opportunities
25th July 2025The landscape of online education has transformed dramatically over the past decade, creating unprecedented access to high-quality learning resources across multiple disciplines. This comprehensive examination explores the diverse array of courses available for aspiring data scientists, analysts, and computer science professionals, spanning from foundational programming concepts to cutting-edge artificial intelligence applications.
Data Analysis with R Programming
R programming has established itself as a cornerstone language for statistical analysis and data visualisation, making it an essential skill for modern data professionals. DataCamp's Data Analyst with R programme represents a comprehensive 77-hour journey through the fundamentals of data analysis, encompassing 21 distinct courses that progressively build expertise. Students begin with core programming concepts including data structures, conditional statements, and loops before advancing to sophisticated data manipulation techniques using tools such as dplyr and ggplot2. The curriculum extends beyond basic programming to include R Markdown for reproducible research, data manipulation with data.table, and essential database skills through SQL integration.
For those seeking more advanced statistical expertise, DataCamp's Statistician with R career track provides an extensive 108-hour programme spanning 27 courses. This comprehensive pathway develops essential skills for professional statistician roles, progressing from fundamental concepts of data collection and analysis to advanced statistical methodology. Students explore random variables, distributions, and conditioning through practical examples before advancing to linear and logistic regression techniques. The curriculum encompasses sophisticated topics including binomial and Poisson regression models, sampling methodologies, hypothesis testing, experimental design, and A/B testing frameworks. Advanced modules cover missing data handling, survey design principles, survival analysis, Bayesian data analysis, and factor analysis, making this track particularly suitable for those with existing R programming knowledge who seek to specialise in statistical practice.
The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate programme, developed by Google and hosted on Coursera with US and UK versions, offers a structured six-month pathway for those seeking industry-recognised credentials. Students progress through eight carefully designed courses, beginning with foundational concepts in "Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere" and culminating in a practical capstone project. The curriculum emphasises real-world applications, teaching students to formulate data-driven questions, prepare datasets for analysis, and communicate findings effectively to stakeholders.
Udacity's Data Analysis with R course presents a unique proposition as a completely free resource spanning two months of study. This programme focuses intensively on exploratory data analysis techniques, providing students with hands-on experience using RStudio and essential R packages. The course structure emphasises practical application through projects, including an in-depth exploration of diamond pricing data that demonstrates predictive modelling techniques.
Advanced Statistical Learning and Specialised Applications
Duke University's Statistics with R Specialisation elevates statistical understanding through a comprehensive seven-month programme that has earned a 4.6-star rating from participants. This five-course sequence delves deep into statistical theory and application, beginning with probability and data fundamentals before progressing through inferential statistics, linear regression, and Bayesian analysis. The programme distinguishes itself by emphasising both theoretical understanding and practical implementation, making it particularly valuable for those seeking to master statistical concepts rather than merely apply them.
The R Programming: Advanced Analytics course on Udemy, led by instructor Kirill, provides focused training in advanced R techniques within a compact six-hour format. This course addresses specific challenges that working analysts face, including data preparation workflows, handling missing data through median imputation, and working with complex date-time formats. The curriculum emphasises efficiency techniques such as using apply functions instead of traditional loops, making it particularly valuable for professionals seeking to optimise their analytical workflows.
Complementing this practical approach, the Applied Statistical Modelling for Data Analysis in R course on Udemy offers a more comprehensive 9.5-hour exploration of statistical methodology. The curriculum covers linear modelling implementation, advanced regression analysis techniques, and multivariate analysis methods. With its emphasis on statistical theory and application, this course serves those who already possess foundational R and RStudio knowledge but seek to deepen their understanding of statistical modelling approaches.
Imperial College London's Statistical Analysis with R for Public Health Specialisation brings academic rigour to practical health applications through a four-month programme. This specialisation addresses real-world public health challenges, using datasets that examine fruit and vegetable consumption patterns, diabetes risk factors, and cardiac outcomes. Students develop expertise in linear and logistic regression while gaining exposure to survival analysis techniques, making this programme particularly relevant for those interested in healthcare analytics.
Visualisation and Data Communication
Johns Hopkins University's Data Visualisation & Dashboarding with R Specialisation represents the pinnacle of visual analytics education, achieving an exceptional 4.9-star rating across its four-month curriculum. This five-course programme begins with fundamental visualisation principles before progressing through advanced ggplot2 techniques and interactive dashboard development. Students learn to create compelling visual narratives using Shiny applications and flexdashboard frameworks, skills that are increasingly essential in today's data-driven business environment.
The programme's emphasis on publication-ready visualisations and interactive dashboards addresses the growing demand for data professionals who can not only analyse data but also communicate insights effectively to diverse audiences. The curriculum balances technical skill development with design principles, ensuring graduates can create both statistically accurate and visually compelling presentations.
Professional Certification Pathways
DataCamp's certification programmes offer accelerated pathways to professional recognition, with each certification designed to be completed within 30 days. The Data Analyst Certification combines timed examinations with practical assessments to evaluate real-world competency. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in data extraction, quality assessment, cleaning procedures, and metric calculation, reflecting the core responsibilities of working data analysts.
The Data Scientist Certification expands these requirements to include machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, requiring candidates to collect and interpret large datasets whilst effectively communicating results to business stakeholders. Similarly, the Data Engineer Certification focuses on data infrastructure and preprocessing capabilities, essential skills as organisations increasingly rely on automated data pipelines and real-time analytics.
The SQL Associate Certification addresses the universal need for database querying skills across all data roles. This certification validates both theoretical knowledge through timed examinations and practical application through hands-on database challenges, ensuring graduates can confidently extract and manipulate data from various database systems.
Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has created new educational opportunities that bridge traditional data science with cutting-edge generative technologies. DataCamp's Understanding Artificial Intelligence course provides a foundation for those new to AI concepts, requiring no programming background whilst covering machine learning, deep learning, and generative model fundamentals. This accessibility makes it valuable for business professionals seeking to understand AI's implications without becoming technical practitioners.
The Generative AI Concepts course builds upon this foundation to explore the specific technologies driving current AI innovation. Students examine how large language models function, consider ethical implications of AI deployment, and learn to maximise the effectiveness of AI tools in professional contexts. This programme addresses the growing need for AI literacy across various industries and roles.
DataCamp's Large Language Model Concepts course provides intermediate-level exploration of the technologies underlying systems like ChatGPT. The curriculum covers natural language processing fundamentals, fine-tuning techniques, and various learning approaches including zero-shot and few-shot learning. This technical depth makes it particularly valuable for professionals seeking to implement or customise language models within their organisations.
The ChatGPT Prompt Engineering for Developers course addresses the developing field of prompt engineering, a skill that has gained significant commercial value. Students learn to craft effective prompts that consistently produce desired outputs from language models, a capability that combines technical understanding with creative problem-solving. This expertise has become increasingly valuable as organisations integrate AI tools into their workflows.
Working with OpenAI API provides practical implementation skills for those seeking to build AI-powered applications. The course covers text generation, sentiment analysis, and chatbot development, giving students hands-on experience with the tools that are reshaping how businesses interact with customers and process information.
Computer Science Foundations
Stanford University's Computer Science 101 offers an accessible introduction to computing concepts without requiring prior programming experience. This course addresses fundamental questions about computational capabilities and limitations whilst exploring hardware architecture, software development, and internet infrastructure. The curriculum includes essential topics such as computer security, making it valuable for anyone seeking to understand the digital systems that underpin modern society.
The University of Leeds' Introduction to Logic for Computer Science provides focused training in logical reasoning, a skill that underlies algorithm design and problem-solving approaches. This compact course covers propositional logic and logical modelling techniques that form the foundation for more advanced computer science concepts.
Harvard's CS50 course, taught by Professor David Malan, has gained worldwide recognition for its engaging approach to computer science education. The programme combines theoretical concepts with practical projects, teaching algorithmic thinking alongside multiple programming languages including Python, SQL, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This breadth of coverage makes it particularly valuable for those seeking a comprehensive introduction to software development.
MIT's Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python focuses specifically on computational thinking and Python programming. The curriculum emphasises problem-solving methodologies, testing and debugging strategies, and algorithmic complexity analysis. This foundation proves essential for those planning to specialise in data science or software development.
MIT's The Missing Semester course addresses practical tools that traditional computer science curricula often overlook. Students learn command-line environments, version control with Git, debugging techniques, and security practices. These skills prove essential for professional software development but are rarely taught systematically in traditional academic settings.
Accessible Learning Resources and Community Support
The democratisation of education extends beyond formal courses to include diverse learning resources that support different learning styles and schedules. YouTube channels such as Programming with Mosh, freeCodeCamp, Alex the Analyst, Tina Huang, and Ken Lee provide free, high-quality content that complements formal education programmes. These resources offer everything from comprehensive programming tutorials to career guidance and project-based learning opportunities.
The 365 Data Science platform contributes to this ecosystem through flashcard decks that reinforce learning of essential terminology and concepts across Excel, SQL, Python, and emerging technologies like ChatGPT. Their statistics calculators provide interactive tools that help students understand the mechanics behind statistical calculations, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Udemy's marketplace model supports this diversity by hosting over 100,000 courses, including many free options that allow instructors to share expertise with global audiences. The platform's filtering capabilities enable learners to identify resources that match their specific needs and learning preferences.
Industry Integration and Career Development
Major technology companies have recognised the value of contributing to global education initiatives, with Google, Microsoft and Amazon offering professional-grade courses at no cost. Google's Data Analytics Professional Certificate exemplifies this trend, providing industry-recognised credentials that directly align with employment requirements at leading technology firms.
These industry partnerships ensure that course content remains current with rapidly evolving technological landscapes, whilst providing students with credentials that carry weight in hiring decisions. The integration of real-world projects and case studies helps bridge the gap between academic learning and professional application.
The comprehensive nature of these educational opportunities reflects the complex requirements of modern data and technology roles. Successful professionals must combine technical proficiency with communication skills, statistical understanding with programming capability, and theoretical knowledge with practical application. The diversity of available courses enables learners to develop these multifaceted skill sets according to their career goals and learning preferences.
As technology continues to reshape industries and create new professional opportunities, access to high-quality education becomes increasingly critical. These courses represent more than mere skill development; they provide pathways for career transformation and professional advancement that transcend traditional educational barriers. Whether pursuing data analysis, software development, or artificial intelligence applications, learners can now access world-class education that was previously available only through expensive university programmes or exclusive corporate training initiatives.
The future of professional development lies in this combination of accessibility, quality, and relevance that characterises the modern online education landscape. These resources enable individuals to build expertise that matches industry demands, also maintaining the flexibility to learn at their own pace and according to their specific circumstances and goals.
Turn off display of popular highlights in Kindle apps for Windows and Android
19th August 2024When I read books on a PC, I often make use of the Amazon Kindle web app. However, I do use its Android and iOS apps on mobile devices, and the Windows app remains available. On these, I never have taken to using annotations, though the facility does have its uses for many. Another feature that I rarely relish is the display of popular highlights, since I find this a little intrusive. Usually, I go about turning it off for that very reason.
On the Windows app, this is straightforward enough. Go to Tools > Options through the menu bar. On the dialogue box that produces, pick the Annotations screen and remove the tick mark in the Popular Highlights section. Then, click on the Save button to close the settings box and return to the main application screen.
Doing the same on Android is much less obvious. First, you need to open a book. Then, tap on the text size icon (Aa) followed by doing the same on the More menu item in the pane that appears. Scroll downward until you find Popular Highlights and toggle the setting to its off position. Lastly, swipe down the pane to close it. Though you have done this with one book open, it applies to all.
While some have commented that touchscreen devices can feel more intuitive to use, that has not been born out by what Amazon has done. It fits into the same category as how they responded when Google changed the rules for in-app purchases. Then, Amazon decided to remove this from their app. While that was a financial and business decision, their approach to user experience on their Android app does need another look.
Opening up Kindle for PC in a maximised window on Windows 11
18th August 2024One irritation with the Windows app for Amazon Kindle is that it does not open in a maximised window, and it scarcely remembers your size settings from session to session. Finding a solution to this sizing issue is no easy task, so I happened on one of my own that I previously used with File Explorer folder shortcuts.
The first step is to find the actual location of the Start Menu shortcut. Trying C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Amazon\Amazon Kindle should do that.
Next, right-click on the Kindle icon and choose Properties from the context menu that appears. In the dialogue box that causes to appear on the screen, look for the "Run:" setting. By default, this appears as "Normal Window" but you can change this to "Maximised", which is what I did before clicking on Apply before doing the same for the OK button to dismiss the dialogue box.
If you have pinned the shortcut to the taskbar or elsewhere, you may need to unpin it and pin it again to carry over the change. After that, I found that the Kindle app opened up in a maximised window as I wanted.
Thoughts on eBooks
20th August 2016Recently, I have been doing a clear out of paper books in case the recent European Union referendum result in the U.K. affects my ability to stay there, since I am an Irish citizen. In my two decades here, I have not felt as much uncertainty and lack of belonging as I do now. It is as if life wants to become difficult for a while.
What made the clearance easier was that there was of making sure that the books were re-used and eBooks replaced anything that I would want to keep. However, what I had not realised is that demand for eBooks has flat lined, something that only became apparent in a recent article in PC Pro article penned by Stuart Turton. He had all sorts of suggestions about how to liven up the medium, but I have some of my own.
Niall Benvie also broached the subject from the point of view of photographic display in an article featured in Outdoor Photography because most are looking at photos on their smartphones and that often reduces the quality of what they see. Having a partiality to photo books, it remains the one class of books that I am more likely to have in paper form, even I have an Apple iPad Pro (the original 12.9 inch version) and I am using it to write these very words. There also is the six-year-old 24-inch Iiyama screen that I use with my home PC.
The two apps with which I have had experience are Google Play Books and Amazon Kindle, both of which I have used on both iOS and Android, while I use the Windows app for the latter too. Both apps are simple and work effectively until you end up with something of a collection. Then, shortcomings become apparent.
Search functionality is something that can be hidden away in menus, and that is why I missed it for so long. For example, Amazon's Kindle supports puts the search box in a prominent place on iOS but hides the same function in menus on its Android or Windows incarnations. Google Play Books consistently does the latter from what I have seen, and it would do no harm to have a search box on the library screen since menus and touchscreen devices do not mix as well. The ability to search within a book is similarly afflicted, so this also needs moving to a more prominent place and is really handy for guidebooks or other more technical textbooks.
The ability to organise a collection appears to be another missed opportunity. The closest that I have seen so far are the Cloud and Device screens on Amazon's Kindle app, but even this is not ideal. Having the ability to select some books as favourites would help, as would hiding others from the library screen would be an improvement. Having the ability to re-sell unwanted eBooks would be another worthwhile addition because you do just that with paper books.
When I started on this piece, I reached the conclusion the eBooks too closely mimicked libraries of paper books. Now, I am not so sure. It appears to me that the format is failing to take full advantage of its digital form, and that might have been what Turton was trying to evoke, but the examples that he used did not appeal to me. Also, we could do with more organisation functionality in apps, and the ability to resell could be another opportunity. Instead, we appear to be getting digital libraries and there are times when a personal collection is best.
All the while, paper books are being packaged in ever more attractive ways and there always will be some that look better in paper form than in digital formats, and that still applies to those with glossy appealing photos. Paper books almost feel like gift items these days, and you cannot fault the ability to browse them by flicking through the pages with your hands.
A reappraisal of Windows 8 and 8.1 licensing
15th November 2013With the release of Windows 8 around this time last year, I thought that the full retail version that some of us got for fresh installations on PC's, real or virtual, had become a thing of the past. In fact, it did seem that every respecting technology news website and magazine was saying just that. The release that you would buy from Microsoft or from mainstream computer stores was labelled as an upgrade. That made it look as if you needed the OEM or System Builder edition for those PC's that needed a new Windows installation, and that the licence that you bought was then attached to the machine from when it got installed on there.
As is usual with Microsoft, the situation is less clear-cut than that. For instance, there was some back-pedalling to allow OEM editions of Windows to be licensed for personal use on real or virtual PC's. With Windows 7 and its predecessors, it even was possible to be able to install afresh on a PC without Windows by first installing on inactivated copy on there and then upgrading that as if it were a previous version of Windows. Of course, an actual licence was of the previous version of Windows was needed for full compliance, if not the actual installation. At times, Microsoft muddies waters to keep its support costs down.
Even with Microsoft's track record in mind, it still surprised me when I noticed that Amazon was selling what appeared to be full versions of both Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro. Having set up a 64-bit VirtualBox virtual machine for Windows 8.1, I got to discover the same for software purchased from the Microsoft website. However, unlike the DVD versions, you do need an active Windows installation if you fancy a same day installation of the downloaded software. For those without Windows on a machine, this can be as simple as downloading either the 32-bit or the 64-bit 90-day evaluation editions of Windows 8.1 Enterprise and using that as a springboard for the next steps. Though this not only be an actual in-situ installation, there are options to create an ISO or USB image of the installation disk for later installation.
In my case, I created a 64-bit ISO image and used that to reboot the virtual machine that had Windows 8.1 Enterprise on there before continuing with the installation. By all appearances, there seemed to be little need for a pre-existing Windows instance for it to work, so it looks as if upgrades have fallen by the wayside and only full editions of Windows 8.1 are available now. The OEM version saves money so long as you are happy to stick with just one machine, and most users probably will do that. As for the portability of the full retail version, that is not something that I have tested, so I am unsure that I will go beyond what I have done already.
My main machine has seen a change of motherboard, CPU and memory, so it could have deactivated a pre-existing Windows licence. However, I run Linux as my main operating system and, apart possibly from one surmountable hiccup, this proves surprisingly resilient in the face of such major system changes. For running Windows, I turn to virtual machines and there were no messages about licence activation during the changeover either. Microsoft is anything but confiding when it comes to declaring what hardware changes inactivate a licence. Changing a virtual machine from VirtualBox to VMware or vice versa definitely does it, so I tend to avoid doing that. One item that is fundamental to either a virtual or a real PC is the motherboard, and I have seen suggestions that this is the critical component for Windows licence activation, which would make sense if that was the case.
However, this rule is not hard and fast either, since there appears to be room for manoeuvre should your PC break. It might be worth calling Microsoft after a motherboard replacement to see if they can help you, and I have noticed that it is. All in all, Microsoft often makes what appear to be simple rules only to override them when faced with what happens in the real world. Is that why they can be unclear about some matters at times? Do they still hanker after how they want things to be, even when they are impossible to keep like that?
US, not us?
5th December 2007As of the time of writing, Amazon MP3 is only available to customers in the U.S. of A., so any enthusiasm for its provision of DRM-free digital music offerings has to be tempered by that limitation on its availability. Apple's iTunes store offers some, but locked down tracks are its mainstay. Amazon's restrictions aren't the first in the digital audio world, and they are unlikely to be the last, too. Pandora have done it in the world of internet radio, and I seem to remember that iTunes might have done it too in their time.
There may be other reasons, but licensing and royalties might need to be negotiated country by country, slowing the rolling out of new products across the world. The iPhone faced an equivalent situation, though that involved mobile telephony providers. Commercial considerations pervade too, and I suppose that a worldwide launch of the iPhone might have been too complex a feat for Apple to manage; they probably wanted to nurture a sense of anticipation among customers in any case.
It appears that things are still following the pattern that at least used to be endemic in the motion picture industry: the U.S. gets to see a film first, and then everywhere else thereafter. Being able to reuse the movie film reels used in American cinemas has been the studios' advantage from the staggered releases. Because cinema releases have been staggered, video and DVD releases were staggered too, so it's both intriguing and frustrating to see American companies using a similar launching strategy in wholly different market sectors. It's astonishing how old habits die hard...
Why are there no savings on buying software using electronic distribution, Adobe?
15th March 2007If you ever potter over to Adobe's online software store, a curious anomaly awaits you: electronic download editions of their software are never cheaper than the equivalent boxed versions. In fact, there are cases where the electronic version costs more than the boxed one. One would have thought that ditching the box, the disc(s) and whatever accompanies them would save Adobe money, and they would pass this onto you, yet it does not seem to make its way into the pricing for some reason. Another thing is that selling direct should allow Adobe to undercut retailers and make more money from their software, but it is the likes of Amazon that have the better prices. Whatever way you look at it, you have to admit that this pricing model doesn't make a lot of sense.