Just over a year ago, Codecademy launched with a mission to turn tech consumers into empowered builders. Their interactive HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python tutorials feel more like games than lessons. In January, the site kicked off its wildly popular Code Year, which sparked more than 400,000 people (including New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg) to make "learn how to code" a New Year's resolution. Cofounder Zach Sims talked to us about his favorite apps, best time-saving tricks, and love of pen and paper. Want to know more about Zach and his work at Codecademy? He's chatting live for the next hour!
Update: the q&a is closed. Thanks for all the great questions!
Name: Zach Sims
Occupation: Cofounder of Codecademy
Location: New York City (and occasionally San Francisco)
Current computer: MacBook Air
Current mobile device: iPhone 4, but I have a Galaxy Nexus for travel and I've harbored the occasional thought of switching.
I work: Frenetically
What apps/software/tools can't you live without?
Pen and paper are probably the two biggest—I always carry a notebook around with me. It's easier for me to think with pen and paper than with a computer. Beyond that, I've really taken to Cue on my iPhone lately and I have my Kindle with me everywhere I go.
What your workspace like?
I sit with everyone else and have a Thunderbolt Display to go along with my computer. Things inevitably end up pretty disorganized so sometimes I'll head out to a coffee shop in the mornings to think about product.
Pictured above: Codecademy's NYC office.
What's your favorite to-do list manager?
I use pen and paper. I've had some luck with the Behance Action Method and I drop quick thoughts into Clear on my iPhone. I haven't ever found anything that feels just right.
Pictured above: Zach's custom Scout Books notebook.
What's your best time-saving trick?
I've tried to batch email but it never ends up working. Recently, it's been penciling things to do into my calendar so I set aside the time. Scheduling all my to-dos instead of putting them on a task list makes it a bit easier to get them done. Also, a bit cliche, but learning to program (even a bit!) has made me far more productive and has made me think about different ways to save time (could be moving files around and automating that, for example).
What do you listen to while you work?
I'm listening to Hype Machine almost all of the time. /popular is pretty awesome, although it sometimes takes too long to get new music (which I guess may be a feature for some people). I tried Songza recently and liked it, and sometimes I'll head over to Spotify for some techno or rap music as well.
What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?
I have the art of being fashionably late down pretty well. It's something I work on getting better at, but I think it's something everyone at Codecademy has started to think I'll never get better at.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
When I was growing up, a lot of people told me that I'd have to spend 10 years in a job I didn't like to get somewhere. Then I started interviewing entrepreneurs and all of them told me not to wait to start doing what I wanted to do. They were right.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?
Start programming! Whether it's with Codecademy or somewhere else, it's something you'll use everyday.
The How I Work series asks a handful of heroes, experts, brilliant, and flat-out productive people to share their shortcuts, workspaces, routines, and more. Every Wednesday we'll feature a new guest and the gadgets, apps, tips, and tricks that keep them going. Have someone you'd kill to see featured, or questions you think we should ask? Email Tessa.