I've thought about this quite a lot
Aims:

1) Earn my living by trading in the foreign exchange markets
2) Complete a computer science degree
3) Decide whether or not to move to a different country. Currently my feeling is yes but I'm not not sure which at the moment.
4) Occupy myself mostly by writing open source software and skiing

Progress:
1) Getting there. Aiming to put my money on the table for the first time in January. I was hoping to trade 4 currency pairs from the start but it's looking like I'll start with 1 and add others gradually.
2) Waiting to see how 1) turns out before I do anything about this. Currently teaching myself things in my own time. Mainly python, linux and postgresql at the moment as they're all very useful for 1).
3) This is somewhat dependant on 1) and 2). Vancouver is in my mind at the moment but I need to do a lot more research once moving becomes viable.
4) I already ski a lot but that's about it for this one.
( Captain V, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 11:03, 1 reply, 17 years ago)

Bear
in mind that while your learning of programming languages / OS may be good for helping you with your trading, it's unlikely to be incredibly useful in a Computer Science degree.

A Computer Science degree will involve a bit of coding, but not that much. A decent one will mostly cover the science, theory and logic behind computing, such as that practiced by Turing, Dijkstra, Hoare etc. Learning a bit of coding won't harm though.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 11:13, Reply)

Bear in mind?
AAARRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
RaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
*head explodes*
( Cawl, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 11:28, Reply)

I see
you've encountered the MINDBEARS too.

Vicious bastards they are.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 11:29, Reply)

Yes indeed.
Your sig...
Have you been reading my profile again?
( Cawl, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 11:31, Reply)

Nope
*reads*

Haha I see what you mean now. No - it's based on a comment someone made about me a few weeks ago. I'm not even sure I can remember the context now,
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 11:42, Reply)

Aye
I just put em down as it's something I'm doing to extend my knowledge of computing.

:edit: I presume you did a compsci degree ducky? Any advice on what I should particularly look for or avoid? All I have in my head at the moment is "do it at a good university" =/
( Captain V, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 11:49, Reply)

I
did indeed do a CompSci degree.

You won't go far wrong with the general mantra of 'do it at a good university', but the course you choose should mainly be governed by what you want to do with it afterwards.

I already knew what I wanted to do after I graduated, so I chose a degree at a good university that would allow me to specialise in real time computing and embedded system design in my final year. I wouldn't worry too much about which programming languages they use, because proficiency in any mainstream OO language will make it very easy to pick up others.

Don't bother with degrees where there are modules in systems management etc., although these seem to be mainly the lower-tier universities. Also, don't be enticed with modules in things like graphics, game design etc., unless these are areas you really want to move into. They've got little academic weight, and don't leave much scope for MScs/PhDs etc.

A decent degree will be mainly comprised of computer science theory, backed up with a strong mathematical component. Many of the better courses specify a decent grade at A-level maths, and this is often a good indicator of the course quality.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 12:05, Reply)