DEV Community: Howard Steinfeld

Learn Python the RIGHT WAY

Howard Steinfeld — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 06:35:56 +0000

If you want to learn Python the right way? You're probably thinking it's difficult but I can assure you that it's not! DaemonCore specializes in software development and creation. They just released the Holy Grail for upcoming Python coders. They're selling it for $49.99 but keep checking the link because Microsoft is always having sales. At the time of publishing this article they are having an 80% off on DaemonCore© store wide which brings it to about $10 give or take

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9NHNZD19738D?hl=en-us&gl=US&ocid=pdpshare

Check DaemonCore out on their website @ https://www.daemoncore.app/

Free Cybersecurity Training for Certification Prep

Howard Steinfeld — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 04:50:59 +0000

Preparing for a cybersecurity certification can get expensive. Exam fees, courses, books, and lab access all add up. DaemonCore Academy gives you a place to build practical cybersecurity skills for free, so you can start learning before deciding which certification to pursue.

DaemonCore Academy is built around hands-on training. Instead of only watching lessons or memorizing terms, you work through practical exercises and answer questions as you go. That helps connect the concepts to the kinds of tasks cybersecurity professionals encounter.

You can use DaemonCore Academy to strengthen your foundations in areas such as networking, security assessment, and penetration testing. Work through the material at your own pace, revisit topics that need more practice, and use the experience to identify what you want to study next.

If you are preparing for a certification, start with the certifying organization’s current exam objectives. Then use those objectives to guide your study plan: learn a topic, practice it in a safe lab, and check that you can explain what you did and why. DaemonCore Academy can support that preparation, but it does not issue certifications or guarantee an exam result. Certification requirements and exams are controlled by the certifying organization.

DaemonCore Academy is available free on Linux and through a web preview. It is a practical way to explore cybersecurity training without paying for a course up front.

Start learning with DaemonCore Academy: https://www.daemoncore.app/

Trying something new for my CS students

Howard Steinfeld — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 04:01:24 +0000

This year I’ve got 33 students in my cybersecurity classes, and I decided to try something a little different with how I structure the year.

I’m planning the entire year around DaemonCore Academy — CORE 01.

What I like about CORE 01 is that I don’t have to constantly piece together a bunch of unrelated labs, videos, websites, and activities. There’s enough material there to give us a real structure for the year while still having students actually do cybersecurity instead of just talking about it.

The students can work through the material, get their hands dirty in the labs, troubleshoot when things inevitably break, and learn how to document what they’re doing. That last part is particularly important to me. Being able to explain what you did, why you did it, and what evidence you found is a very different skill from simply getting the right answer on a test.

And I did something else this year that I’m pretty excited about.

I purchased CORE 02 specifically as an extra-credit opportunity.

So CORE 01 is our main journey for the class, but students who want to push themselves further have another path they can work through. I like that model because the students who are really hungry for more cybersecurity aren't limited by the pace of the rest of the class.

With 33 students, keeping everyone engaged is always a challenge. Having a structured core curriculum and something meaningful for the students who want to go beyond it feels like a pretty good setup.

I’m looking forward to seeing where this takes the class this year.

And honestly, one of the things I’m enjoying most is that I’m not having to spend every Sunday night inventing another cybersecurity lab for Monday morning. 😂

One feature I want to point out that I am in love with is the ability to add COHORTS and invite students>grade students. I know this feature is in beta but its working flawlessly. DaemonCore says it will be a premium/paid feature in January 2027...depending on how much it is I'm definitely going to be keeping it. Oh man, I didn't even mention the best part about it all....CORE 01 is COMPLETELY FREE!! So my whole year is planned FOR FREE!!!! WHAT?!!! lol Thank you DAEMONCORE!!!!