MCCC Software Developer Academy Offers First Course In Pottstown

Pottstown, PA —Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) Software Developer Academy (SDA) will offer the first course in its new, part-time iOS Developer Program in Pottstown starting June 6.

The inaugural, seven-week course—iOS Application Development—will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-10 p.m. at MCCC’s West Campus in the Sustainability and Innovation Hub, 140 College Drive, Pottstown. Optional, guided lab time will be available to students on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The course runs through July 28. To learn more, visit http://www.mc3.edu/sda.

Through a generous gift made to MCCC’s Foundation, students who are selected for admission into the inaugural course will receive full-tuition scholarship, valued up to $2,350. Supplemental hardware may also be provided based on need.

The iOS Developer Program is designed to prepare students to become entry-level mobile developers who are capable of creating applications for Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. In the first course students will learn to use the appropriate programming languages and tools necessary to work as professional iOS developers.

“Our goal is for students to learn the skills they need to work as developers. But, just as important, they’ll also learn how to be positive and contributing members of the technical community, which is critical for their career development,” explained Assistant Professor of Computer Science Jason Wertz, who is coordinating MCCC’s SDA.

According to Wertz, the program is ideal for existing developers who are looking to change careers or for programmers who are new to the industry. To be considered for admission, applicants should have at least one year, or equivalent, of programming experience in a modern object-oriented programming language like C# or Java. This prerequisite can be met through work experience or coursework. Prior knowledge of iOS is not required.

Prospective students must complete an online application, available at http://www.mc3.edu/sda, as well as an in-person or video chat interview. Admission decisions will be made within a week of the interview.

Future courses in the iOS Developer Program will include Advanced iOS Application Development; User Interface, User Experience and Accessibility Design; Development Methodologies; Career and Personal Development; and Developer Essentials.

To learn more, visit http://www.mc3.edu/sda or contact Jason Wertz at jwertz@mc3.edu.

Pottstown Purchase Of iPads Questionable

Editor’s note:  We SO agree!  Chief BM has a spending addiction.

Going paperless, going green, embracing technology are goals of government these days, and Pottstown borough is getting on board.

A positive path to be sure, but it comes with a cost.

At Pottstown’s council meeting last week, it was announced that the borough has purchased 23 iPads for members of borough council, the mayor, and members of the borough authority.

Each iPad cost $389 for a total of $9,960 with the cost of the covers, Borough Manager Mark Flanders reported.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130317/OPINION01/130319487/pottstown-purchase-of-ipads-questionable-

Pottstown Officials All Get iPads To Save On Paper Costs.

Editor’s note:  While I am ALL about technology, there might be better uses for taxpayer money at this time.  I would have been far more impressed if security cameras were purchased for high crime areas in Pottstown to act as a crime deterrent and a means to solve crime faster. Pottstown‘s crime problem isn’t going away (even if we stick our bobbleheads in the sand and make a wish).  

Another item sorely needed, as pointed out by the Golden Cockroach, is a street sweeper.   The first block of North Charlotte Street looks like a landfill there is so much debris blowing about. Maybe suck up a few loitering souls down by the clock tower too.  I am as sick and tired of looking at vagrants standing around doing nothing as I am the trash!

Considering the scope of Pottstown’s problems, this is a waste of money.  Especially giving Missy Mayor an iPad.  What on earth will that woman do with an iPad?  Hope you bought the extended warranty and service contract.

POTTSTOWN — If you’re thinking that you might like to get yourself an iPad, perhaps you should instead consider running for borough council whose members, it was revealed Monday, have all received a shiny new electronic device courtesy of you the taxpayer.

In addition to the eight members of borough council, also receiving the popular electronic device were the five members of the Pottstown Borough Authority.

(It should be noted that one fewer iPad is needed for the borough authority board given that Council Vice President Jeff Chomnuk is also a member of the borough authority.  It is presumed he will only receive on iPad and not two.)

All total, Pottstown taxpayers have purchased a total of 23 iPads “for borough councilors, the mayor, the authority board members, and department heads,” according to information provided in an e-mail from Borough Manager Mark Flanders.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130313/NEWS01/130319690/pottstown-officials-give-themselves-ipads-to-save-on-paper-costs#full_story

City Of Reading Buys iPads For Some Employees

Image via Wikipedia

An interesting article from the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal about Reading buying 11 iPads for some city employees as a cost saving measure.  Make sure to read the comments.  I suppose this would be considered a one time investment and would pay for itself over time.

http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/index.php?showpage=bloglists&url=thegadgetcube/?p=529