HN Academy

Public key cryptography is a good example, which solved the seemingly impossible to solve key-distribution problem:

https://www.coursera.org/learn/cryptography/lecture/be3ae/th...

My Coursera profile lists 67 courses, I have completed ~15 of them and with a passing grade ~8 of them. My most favorite one, which for me was the hardest as well, was The Hardware/Software Interface by Gaetano Borriello and Luis Ceze[1]. I also liked Computer Networks[2] even though it's an introductory course, Functional Programming Principles in Scala[3] which is surprisingly easy unlike the follow up course[4], High Performance Scientific Computing[5], Software Security[6] and Cryptography[7] although I prefer Boneh's class. For non-IT related courses I liked Think Again: How to Reason and Argue[8], Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade (Fundamental English Writing)[9], Child Nutrition and Cooking[10] and Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity[11].

I often take time to think why I have so many started but not finished courses. Most of them are abandoned on the first week and my assumption is that when I enroll my expectations for the course content and the workload needed are wrong.

Occasionally, I abandon courses because they demand too much time to get something working on linux or because of luck of time. The thing that I noticed about me is that when I get a little behind the schedule then it's almost certainly that I will abandon the course. Additionally, when I try to commit on two courses at the same time then it's certain that I will abandon at least one (usually both).

[1]: https://www.coursera.org/course/hwswinterface

[2]: https://www.coursera.org/course/comnetworks

[3]: https://www.coursera.org/course/progfun

[4]: https://www.coursera.org/course/reactive

[5]: https://www.coursera.org/course/scicomp

[6]: https://www.coursera.org/course/softwaresec

[7]: https://www.coursera.org/course/cryptography

[8]: https://www.coursera.org/course/thinkagain

[9]: https://www.coursera.org/course/basicwriting

[10]: https://www.coursera.org/learn/childnutrition/home/welcome

[11]: https://www.coursera.org/learn/work-smarter-not-harder/home/...

Does anyone know how this compares to Coursera course [1] or [2] + [3]?

[1] https://www.coursera.org/course/cryptography

[2] https://www.coursera.org/course/crypto

[3] https://www.coursera.org/course/crypto2

⬐ transedward

https://www.udacity.com/course/cs387

Udacity also has a applied cryptography, I haven't tried. but it's good if someones has feedback.

⬐ JoachimSchipper

I have heard good things about [2] from colleagues. Also, Boneh is a capable cryptographer.

⬐ spand

[3] has never been available while this seems only temporarily unavailable.

⬐ eroo

[1] is starting next week and I was considering spending time on it. I'd really appreciate any feedback from those who have taken it!

⬐ lvh

(Author here.)

I've taken Dan's crypto class ([2]), so I think I can weigh in.

Obvious difference: not organized as a MOOC. Whether that is good or bad is up to you.

Focus difference: I think Crypto 101 is targetting applied crypto more, whereas the Coursera classes take a more classical introduction. There is nothing wrong with either approach, in my opinion. Just a difference in focus.