open source group on GitHub 1

[Celt83]

For anyone interested I have created a free open source group on GitHub.
The group name is: open-struct-engineer

If you would like to join or contribute code to the group let me know and we'll figure out how to add you to the group. Edit: it is a public group so anyone is able to join.

To be completely transparent I'm not sure how licensing works but it seems we'd be able to configure that based on repositories. I'd assume anyone contributing would be OK with things to be either the MIT or GPL Licenses', both of which have a liability waiver. In very limited terms MIT grants free unlimited use where GPL grants free use with the caveat that any portion of your code using the GPL'd code states so and is also made available.

One of the stipulations of being a free hosted group is that all of the repositories associated with the group are open source.

more info for GPL:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License

more info for MIT:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIT_License

If this sort of post is against the terms of the forums I apologize, but the intent is not malicious.

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[Lomarandil]

My programming skills are rudimentary at best, but I'm glad to contribute testing and comments for now... and hopefully more as I learn.

----
The name is a long story -- just call me Lo.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I with Lom, I haven't dabbled in significant programing since high-school but would love to participate and provide any feedback I can.

Ian Riley, PE, SE
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, VT, CT, MA, FL) Structural Engineer (IL, HI)
American Concrete Industries

https://americanconcrete.com/

 

[Celt83]

awesome...My hope for this is:
a. be a space where anyone interested can jump in and try and learn what is being done in the "black box"
b. be a space where I/anyone can grow their knowledge of our field be that by tackling the programming, math behind the programming, application of code criteria, testing/checking, etc.
c. hopefully have a little bit of fun and discussion along the way

Edit: wanted to add that while I've been doing stuff in python this public group is in no way intended to be limited to just that programming language or type. VBA, C++, java, etc. all are welcome.

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[sticksandtriangles]

count me in, I am enjoying my adventure in learning python.
I would love to dig into the one you just helped KootK out on. seems like it must have been a bear to code.

S&T

 

[Agent666]

Great idea, though I search for open-struct-engineer on GitHub but nothing shows up, what am I missing here? (spot the GitHub noob!)

 

[Celt83]

I had to click on users after I logged out and tried a search:

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[Agent666]

Ok, got that far now, but there seems to be no obvious way to join/follow? (2 x Github noob?)

I have an account of course, but only a free one.

 

[Celt83]

Edit: watch the only repository out there and I can then add you

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[IRstuff]

You can click the "watch" button near the top of the page to get notifications of releases, conversations, etc.

there are supposedly 9 users "watching" this project

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[IRstuff]

One thing that needs to be robust is the security on the account and any uploaded sources:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/backdoored-cryptocurrency-software-found-serving-azorult-malware/

Hackers could potentially compromise existing code by substituting hacked versions of common clients or upload an application that's been compromised.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[Celt83]

completely agree great point IRstuff

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[Agent666]

Github also supports 2 factor authentication.

 

[Celt83]

Agent666:
I added a few of you all to a "team" on GitHub are you able to see the team and discussion board associated with it?

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

I can see it. Been a little too busy to contribute but I'm getting regular updates.

Ian Riley, PE, SE
Professional Engineer (ME, NH, VT, CT, MA, FL) Structural Engineer (IL, HI)

 

[Trenno]

Hey guys, great looking project you've got here.

I'd be keen to hear your thoughts and experiences on bringing this sort of development to your respective companies?

Have they welcomed computational and parametric design and automation or simply put it in the too hard/expensive basket?

 

[Celt83]

My company as a whole has been fairly receptive to the idea of it, I lead some r&d efforts internally on some automation thru Dynamo and Revit. There have been some who don't understand why I would spend my weekend programming when we have software that can do this stuff already.

Adoption and use of these things has been poor, on the Dynamo front everyone sees the benefit but the interface immediately turns people away so when they want to track loads or bring reinforcement in from concept they call me over to their desk to step thru it. My wood wall and strap beam programs have gained traction with our younger engineers. That said they are being used but not necessarily understood by some, so I'm not getting much feedback on things to improve, change, fix because folks are just taking what it spits out, which to be honest I'm finding to be more and more common with the software use in our industry by everyone not just the younger folks.

Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

 

[IRstuff]

"folks are just taking what it spits out"

There's nothing new there; I heard the same comments exactly 40 years ago, and yes, we had software, even in the Stone Age ;-)

Seems to me that every time you are asked to help is a de-facto "things to improve;" there are always going to be people that require taking a class to use something, but there are lots of others that could muddle through, given a usable and friendly UI.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[Trenno]

It's almost people need to prove they understand what's going on before they're allowed to let loose with the software. Similar to a pen licence in primary school.

I think when developing these tools, you need to essentially walk the user through the experience with hints/tips/tricks/prompts.

 

[Agent666]

Nothing wrong with people actually understanding what they are doing? Makes a welcome change....

Some training for people really helps adoption, both in the theories being used and also the operation of the tool. In my experience creating plenty of examples with worked solutions for verification also helps people feel at ease with using anything like this. Also responding to what users actually want helps, adding new features people will actually use, and also taking it to a point where your one tool eliminates the need for using 3 different tools to achieve the same (as much automation of the calculations as possible).