If you don't already have one, create a Gmail (Google) Account
Your email address says a lot about you. read: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/email_address or http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10605176/What-does-your-email-address-say-about-you.html
Gmail is the best ("free") email service (we are aware of). They take security seriously and have many great features (like search, filters and threaded messages).
Hundreds of millions of people have gmail accounts (most simply to use the Google/Android Play Store) as a result it can be hard to get your name as your gmail address. e.g. [email protected] is taken. So, consider adding an initial
Make sure you use a strong password. If someone can guess (or "crack") your password they will gain access to everything else. not good... 💩
While having a twitter account is not essential, it helps you
to stay up to date with news/updates in your chosen field.
Even if you don't become a Twitter "Power User", its good to follow what's going on in your the world of web/app development.
"All of the good names are taken..."
Not true.
Sure, most short, single word or personal names are taken, but there are still plenty of two-word names you can pick from.
Github.com is where people share the code they are working on, discover what others are building and collaborate on cool things!
There are other alternatives for sharing code in a team, but GitHub has become the gathering place for the Open Source community.
GitHub (and other services) use Gravatar to manage your avatar image.
ssh-keygen -t rsa -C "[email protected]"
Do not be intimidated by the command line.
Asking a computer to perform tasks by typing words instead of
clicking on buttons.
If you are completely new to using the Command Line
watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP0b0iaZiWk (Git For The Intimidated)
and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8GBXvdmHT4 (The Basics of Git and GitHub)
Learn how to use the Terminal:
Learn more about Unix (the Operating System of most Servers) read: http://www.unixmages.com/ufbm.pdf
Trello is the easiest, most versatile (and "free") project/task tracking tool. Take the tour, register and try it!
Use your google account to sign up.
StackOverflow is where technology people ask & answer questions. Create an account and explore.
More subjective (opinion-based) than StackOverflow, Quora lets you ask specific people in the industry a question.
Again, use your gmail to register/sign-in
JavaScript & jQuery Tutorial for Beginners: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRnQOcVclS8