How I tackle a new topic: My 8-step workflow

  1. Google.
  2. Find blogs for comprehensive info on large topics.
  3. Follow links within posts or comments.
  4. Check YouTube for demos, Wikipedia for explaining terms, podcasts if I want some passiveĀ absorption.
  5. Take notes, usually either in Gmail, Google Docs (Drive), or here in WordPress.
  6. Email some questions, usually to a blogger but perhaps a professor (professors like helping “students”).
  7. Experiment, if I can somehow (even on paper), to cement what I’m learning in my head.
  8. Repeat, skipping steps when possible. šŸ™‚

I don’t mess with forums – too sloppy except for technical problems – and books take too long. It’s a brave new world.