Category Archives: n4s-learning

Comparing SaaS GitHub and Self-Hosted GitLab: An In-Depth Analysis of Pros and Cons with Alternatives

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On the penultimate day of the NCSC For Startups programme, there was an ad hoc discussion on code repositories and DevOps tooling. A couple of the cohort were long-time GitHub users, while we use a self-hosted version of GitLab. One of the teams had just moved from the latter to the former, while the final team used Azure DevOps. I thought it would be nice to write up an objective look at the first two options, along with alternatives, as well as summarise our decision. I didn’t want to cover Azure DevOps as I’ve just spent two years using it and I’m grateful to have escaped its clutches. Learn more here.

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Comparative Analysis of Cicero’s Rhetoric and Patrick Winston’s Communication Techniques

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The art of rhetoric and public speaking has evolved significantly over centuries, yet the foundational principles established by ancient orators like Cicero resonate even in contemporary discourse. This essay aims to juxtapose the rhetorical techniques of Cicero, a master orator of the Roman era, with the modern communication insights provided by Patrick Winston, a renowned professor and expert in artificial intelligence. By comparing their approaches, we can discern both the timeless nature of effective communication and the nuanced adaptations necessary in the modern era.

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The Rhetorical Mastery of Cicero: Techniques and Tools for Effective Speaking and Persuasion

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Marcus Tullius Cicero, an eminent Roman statesman, lawyer, and orator of the first century B.C., left an indelible mark on the art of rhetoric and public speaking. His contributions, encapsulated in works like “De Oratore,” “Brutus,” and “Orator,” not only define the standards of eloquence in his era but continue to influence modern communication. This essay delves into the various techniques and tools Cicero employed and advocated for effective speaking and persuasion.

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Patrick Winston “How to Speak” MIT Lecture Analysed

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Parrick Winston’s “How to Speak” end of year lecture was a firm favourite at MIT running for over 40 years. This article reviews the last of these lectures captured at MIT on YouTube, providing a summary, a breakdown of key points, an expansion of each of them, a critique of the lecture, and some pointers for future enhancements.

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Sam Simpson’s Founder Catalyst Guide: Mastering Investment Readiness

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Are you looking to pitch to investors? How about a list of key items to cover? Sam Simpson, serial entrepreneur and founder of Founder Catalyst, has a useful article on the key points to pitch to investors called on “Nineteen easy steps to scare off potential investors”. This article categorises the key recommendations by group, where each group represents a common theme or aspect of startup fundraising and provides insights into potential pitfalls and best practices within that category.

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Mastering Product Sheets: Insights and Tips from Kim Gusta’s Expert Guide

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This article revisits and expands upon the principles laid out by Kim Gusta in her guide on crafting effective technology product datasheets. We aim to provide additional clarity and context to her valuable tips, helping readers create product sheets that are not just informative but also engaging. Whether you’re familiar with the intricacies of marketing or new to the field, this article is designed to be a helpful resource in optimizing your product datasheets. Plus additional assistance to the neurodiverse.

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“What’s Causing a Rise in Seed-Stage Valuations?”: Analysis, Key Takeaways, and Advice

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In response to Beauhurst’s article “What’s Causing a Rise in Seed-Stage Valuations?” on seed-stage valuations, this critique offers a concise analysis, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and key takeaways. We delve into the complex landscape of seed-stage valuations, exploring the factors behind their rise and assessing the article’s contribution to the discussion.

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Cheltenham Literature Festival 2023: “What if AI Doesn’t Change the World?” 

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As part of the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2023, in honour of Ada Lovelace Day and as a reaction to a new report from the University of Bristol’s Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security (RISCS), The Times hosted a discussion panel “What If AI Doesn’t Change the World”. Led by The Times technology business editor Katie Prescott, and with Cambridge Professor of Politics David Runciman, Oxford AI systems expert Michael Wooldridge and AI ethicist Kanta Dihal, looking to explore the promise and peril of AI, asking whether our fears for the future are in fact misplaced? The audience was invited to ask the panel questions, but invariably, they didn’t have time to answer them all. As well as document the event, I thought it would be fun to ask ChatGPT what they thought…

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Bridging DISC and Gallup Strengths: A Comparative Analysis and Mapping

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In the world of personality and strengths assessment, both the DISC profile and Gallup’s CliftonStrengths (formerly known as StrengthsFinder) have carved significant niches. These tools offer unique insights into individual behaviors and strengths, assisting in personal development, effective team dynamics, and leadership strategies. But how do these two models relate, and can they be coherently mapped onto each other? Here’s an exploration.

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