Outreachy: Restrategizing

When I embarked on my 12-week internship journey with Parsl, I was brimming with excitement and ambition, hoping to tackle two projects: creating a beginner-friendly user guide and bringing Parsl to Android OS. I have had to adjust my goals based on the amount of time it's taking to get one project done, now I am focusing on creating a beginner-friendly user guide. I am still excited, but I am a bit more realistic about output now than I was in the beginning. 


Simplifying Parsl for Beginners

My initial goal was to craft a user guide that would resonate with individuals new to Parsl and with limited Python experience. Starting with a detailed table of contents, I eagerly dove into research to understand the intricacies of Parsl and GitHub. Along the way, I picked up valuable skills like converting plain text to reStructuredText (rST) and navigating the GitHub landscape.

Progress on the beginner guide has been slow but steady. I've written content based on an approved table of contents, tested code snippets, and done my best to check for errors. I'm particularly proud of the infographics I am designing to visually aid understanding. However, this part of the project has taken longer than anticipated, as I strive for clarity and accuracy.


What I would do differently

Magically teleport to the Netherlands perhaps, it's hard to say because some situations have been beyond my control. At first I would leave my house to help with concentration but political unrest grew violent where I live and I stayed indoors out of fear. I found I typed faster when I got an external keyboard and mouse for my tablet, I have also been experimenting with productivity hacks. Right now as I type this, I have a small SunKing pico lamp illuminating my keyboard and a little table fan to provide background noise and beat the heat. There's been no electricity since June 26 2024 (It wasn't even steady before this big bang).

 

Overcoming Challenges and Adjusting my Expectations

One of the most significant challenges I've faced is the lack of reliable electricity and internet connectivity at home. Working primarily on an Android tablet has also slowed my progress (when there's no electricity I rely heavily on my android tablet since I can power it on my small solar generator). Additionally, being new to Parsl and GitHub meant dedicating considerable time to learning and research.

Due to these unforeseen hurdles, I had to adjust my expectations and focus solely on completing the beginner guide. While initially disappointed, I've embraced this as an opportunity to delve deeper into this project and hopefully deliver a valuable resource.

 

The second half

For the second half of my internship, I'm committed to refining the beginner guide, ensuring it's clear, engaging, and resonates with its intended audience. I aim to showcase Parsl's potential through relatable use cases and encourage new users to join the community.

Although my original plans shifted, I'm grateful for the knowledge and skills I've gained. I'm eager to continue as a volunteer with Parsl beyond this internship, contributing to documentation efforts and supporting a community that is doing something that aligns with my values.


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