Computer Science student, Shane Hudson publishes a JavaScript Creativity book on imaginative uses for web browsers.
Not many undergraduates have the opportunity to order a book they have authored into their own University library, but that is just what Shane Hudson, final year Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) student has done.
Shane is the author of JavaScript Creativity, which highlights a range of things that were not possible on the web just a couple of years ago, for example making music by waving your hands at a webcam. The foreword sums it up as: ‘a snapshot of the cutting edge of what’s possible in web browsers today’.
Shane said:
‘I’ve always wanted to write a book. The contract came about when my editor-to-be asked on Twitter if anybody was available to review a few chapters of a book, which I willingly did. Afterwards I asked who I would need to talk to about writing a book myself; it turned out to be her.
‘After a couple of months of coming up with ideas (she had a vague idea for the book already), we confirmed it. I started writing in February 2013, it was due in July but I didn’t finish writing until 7 June 2014, the day before my 21st birthday. It was published two weeks later.’
While writing the book, Shane successfully completed his Stage 2 studies, secured and completed his year in industry placement at Plymouth Marine Laboratories, worked as a freelance web developer and raised over £2,000 to walk the great wall of China for the charity Make a Wish.