#python machine learning training institute

🔬 Free Online Courses for Bioinformatics Beginners 🚀

Are you interested in bioinformatics but don’t know where to start? Whether you're from a biotechnology, biology, or computer science background, learning bioinformatics can open doors to exciting opportunities in genomics, drug discovery, and data science. And the best part? You can start for free!

Here’s a list of the best free online bioinformatics courses to kickstart your journey.

📌 1. Introduction to Bioinformatics – Coursera (University of Toronto)

📍 Platform: Coursera 🖥️ What You’ll Learn:

Basic biological data analysis

Algorithms used in genomics

Hands-on exercises with biological datasets

🎓 Why Take It? Ideal for beginners with a biology background looking to explore computational approaches.

📌 2. Bioinformatics for Beginners – Udemy (Free Course)

📍 Platform: Udemy 🖥️ What You’ll Learn:

Introduction to sequence analysis

Using BLAST for genomic comparisons

Basics of Python for bioinformatics

🎓 Why Take It? Short, beginner-friendly course with practical applications.

📌 3. EMBL-EBI Bioinformatics Training

📍 Platform: EMBL-EBI 🖥️ What You’ll Learn:

Genomic data handling

Transcriptomics and proteomics

Data visualization tools

🎓 Why Take It? High-quality training from one of the most reputable bioinformatics institutes in Europe.

📌 4. Introduction to Computational Biology – MIT OpenCourseWare

📍 Platform: MIT OCW 🖥️ What You’ll Learn:

Algorithms for DNA sequencing

Structural bioinformatics

Systems biology

🎓 Why Take It? A solid foundation for students interested in research-level computational biology.

📌 5. Bioinformatics Specialization – Coursera (UC San Diego)

📍 Platform: Coursera 🖥️ What You’ll Learn:

How bioinformatics algorithms work

Hands-on exercises in Python and Biopython

Real-world applications in genomics

🎓 Why Take It? A deep dive into computational tools, ideal for those wanting an in-depth understanding.

📌 6. Genomic Data Science – Harvard Online (edX) 🖥️ What You’ll Learn:

RNA sequencing and genome assembly

Data handling using R

Machine learning applications in genomics

🎓 Why Take It? Best for those interested in AI & big data applications in genomics.

📌 7. Bioinformatics Courses on BioPractify (100% Free)

📍 Platform: BioPractify 🖥️ What You’ll Learn:

Hands-on experience with real datasets

Python & R for bioinformatics

Molecular docking and drug discovery techniques

🎓 Why Take It? Learn from domain experts with real-world projects to enhance your skills.

🚀 Final Thoughts: Start Learning Today!

Bioinformatics is a game-changer in modern research and healthcare. Whether you're a biology student looking to upskill or a tech enthusiast diving into genomics, these free courses will give you a strong start.

Introduction

Data science is one of the fastest-growing fields in the technology sector. Industries such as finance, healthcare, e-commerce, logistics, and IT rely heavily on data to make strategic business decisions. Because of this demand, many students and working professionals are exploring data science courses to build analytical and technical skills.

For learners in Thane, choosing the right program involves understanding the course syllabus, learning format, career opportunities, and practical exposure. This guide explains what a modern data science course includes and how to select the right training program.

What Is a Data Science Course?

A data science course in Thane teaches students how to process large volumes of data and extract meaningful insights. The training usually combines programming, statistics, and data visualization.

Students typically learn how to:

Collect and clean raw data

Analyze patterns and trends

Build predictive models

Present insights using dashboards and reports

These skills help organizations make better decisions and improve operational efficiency.

Syllabus and Tools Learned in a Data Science Course

A strong syllabus is one of the most important factors when selecting a data science program. Industry-oriented courses generally cover the following areas.

Python Programming

Python is the most widely used programming language in data science. Students usually work with popular libraries such as:

NumPy

Pandas

Matplotlib

Scikit-learn

These tools are used for processing large datasets and performing statistical analysis.

Statistical and Data Analysis

A solid understanding of statistics is essential for interpreting data. Common topics include:

Probability

Regression analysis

Hypothesis testing

These concepts help analysts identify patterns and make predictions from data.

Data Visualization

Visualization tools convert complex datasets into clear and understandable insights. Students often learn tools such as:

Power BI

Tableau

These tools help create dashboards and visual reports for business decision-making.

Machine Learning Basics

Many data science courses introduce machine learning algorithms that help build predictive models for tasks such as forecasting, automation, and pattern detection.

Data Science Course Fees and Duration in India

In India, the cost of a data science course varies depending on the learning mode and training level.

Typical course durations include:

3–6 months for beginner or intermediate programs

6–12 months for advanced or comprehensive courses

Course fees depend on several factors:

Curriculum coverage

Trainer experience

Project exposure

Career support

Instead of considering cost alone, learners should also evaluate the quality of training and practical learning opportunities.

Online vs Offline Data Science Course: Which Is Better?

Both online and classroom learning offer unique advantages.

Online Data Science Courses

Online courses are flexible and convenient for students who cannot attend physical classes.

Benefits include:

Flexible learning schedule

Access to recorded sessions

Self-paced study options

Offline Classroom Courses

Classroom training provides direct interaction with instructors and classmates.

Advantages include:

Live problem-solving sessions

Instant doubt clarification

Hands-on lab practice

Many institutes now offer hybrid learning models that combine online flexibility with classroom interaction.

Placement-Focused Data Science Courses

Placement-oriented programs focus on job readiness and practical learning. Students build industry-relevant skills such as:

Data analysis using Python and SQL

Data visualization and reporting

Applying machine learning models to real problems

Presenting insights through dashboards and reports

Practical projects and portfolio development are important for preparing students for interviews.

Best Data Science Courses for Beginners

Beginners should choose courses that start with basic concepts and gradually move toward advanced topics.

A beginner-friendly course usually includes:

Python fundamentals

Data cleaning and preprocessing

Data visualization tools

Introduction to machine learning

Hands-on projects are essential because they help learners apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Data Science Courses for Working Professionals

Working professionals often prefer online or weekend programs that allow them to balance learning with their jobs.

Professional certification programs typically focus on:

Real-world business case studies

Advanced data analysis tools

Portfolio development

Career transition guidance

These programs help professionals upgrade their skills and move into analytics or data science roles.

Choosing the Right Data Science Training Institute

Selecting the right training institute requires evaluating several important factors:

Industry-relevant curriculum

Practical project experience

Experienced trainers

Transparent course structure

Career guidance and counseling

For learners considering data science training in Thane, institutes such as Quastech IT Training and Placement Institute are often mentioned for their focus on practical IT training and structured learning programs.

Career Guide After Completing a Data Science Course

After completing a professional data science program, learners can explore roles such as:

Data Analyst

Junior Data Scientist

Reporting Analyst

Business Analyst

With experience, professionals can advance to roles such as:

Machine Learning Engineer

Analytics Consultant

Data Science Lead

Final Thoughts

A best data science course in Thane can open the door to many career opportunities in today’s digital economy. However, selecting the right training program is essential.

Learners should focus on curriculum quality, practical exposure, and industry relevance, rather than only the popularity of the course.

Are you ready to launch your tech career but don’t know where to start? Learning Python is one of the best ways to break into the world of technology—even if you have zero coding experience.

In this guide, we’ll explore how Python for beginners can be your gateway to a rewarding career in software development, data science, automation, and more.

Why Python Is the Perfect Language for Beginners

Python has become the go-to programming language for beginners and professionals alike—and for good reason:

Simple syntax: Python reads like plain English, making it easy to learn.

High demand: Industries spanning the spectrum are actively seeking Python developers to fuel their technological advancements.

Versatile applications: Python's versatility shines as it powers everything from crafting websites to driving artificial intelligence and dissecting data.

Whether you want to become a software developer, data analyst, or AI engineer, Python lays the foundation.

What Can You Do With Python?

Python is not just a beginner language—it’s a career-building tool. Here are just a few career paths where Python is essential:

Web Development: Frameworks like Django and Flask make it easy to build powerful web applications. You can even enroll in a Python Course in Kochi to gain hands-on experience with real-world web projects.

Data Science & Analytics: For professionals tackling data analysis and visualization, the Python ecosystem, featuring powerhouses like Pandas, NumPy, and Matplotlib, sets the benchmark.

Machine Learning & AI: Spearheading advancements in artificial intelligence development, Python boasts powerful tools such as TensorFlow and scikit-learn.

Automation & Scripting: Simple yet effective Python scripts offer a pathway to amplified efficiency by automating routine workflows.

Cybersecurity & Networking: The application of Python is expanding into crucial domains such as ethical hacking, penetration testing, and the automation of network processes.

How to Get Started with Python

Starting your Python journey doesn't require a computer science degree. Success hinges on a focused commitment combined with a thoughtfully structured educational approach.

Step 1: Install Python

Download and install Python from python.org. It's free and available for all platforms.

Step 2: Choose an IDE

Use beginner-friendly tools like Thonny, PyCharm, or VS Code to write your code.

Step 3: Learn the Basics

Focus on:

Variables and data types

Conditional statements

Loops

Functions

Lists and dictionaries

If you prefer guided learning, a reputable Python Institute in Kochi can offer structured programs and mentorship to help you grasp core concepts efficiently.

Step 4: Build Projects

Learning by doing is key. Start small:

Build a calculator

Automate file organization

Create a to-do list app

As your skills grow, you can tackle more complex projects like data dashboards or web apps.

How Python Skills Can Boost Your Career

Adding Python to your resume instantly opens up new opportunities. Here's how it helps:

Higher employability: Python is one of the top 3 most in-demand programming languages.

Better salaries: Python developers earn competitive salaries across the globe.

Remote job opportunities: Many Python-related jobs are available remotely, offering flexibility.

Even if you're not aiming to be a full-time developer, Python skills can enhance careers in marketing, finance, research, and product management.

If you're serious about starting a career in tech, learning Python is the smartest first step you can take. It’s beginner-friendly, powerful, and widely used across industries.

Whether you're a student, job switcher, or just curious about programming, Python for beginners can unlock countless career opportunities. Invest time in learning today—and start building the future you want in tech.

Globally recognized as a premier educational hub, DataMites Institute delivers in-depth training programs across the pivotal fields of data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. They provide expert-led courses designed for both beginners and professionals aiming to boost their careers.

Python Modules Explained - Different Types and Functions - Python Tutorial

🐧Explore 12 Top Online Learning Platforms 🌟

1. Coursera

Offers courses from top universities and institutions worldwide, covering a wide range of subjects.

2. Udemy

Provides a vast selection of courses taught by industry experts in various fields, including business, technology, and personal development.

3. LinkedIn Learning

Offers a broad range of courses and video tutorials taught by professionals, focusing on business, technology, and creative skills.

4. edX

Partners with leading universities to offer high-quality courses in a variety of disciplines, including computer science, data science, and humanities.

5. Khan Academy

Provides free educational resources, including video lessons and practice exercises, primarily focusing on math, science, and computer programming.

6. Skillshare

Offers a wide range of creative courses taught by professionals in areas such as design, photography, writing, and entrepreneurship.

7. FutureLearn

Collaborates with top universities and institutions to provide courses across diverse subjects, including healthcare, business, and technology.

8. Codecademy

Specializes in interactive coding courses for various programming languages, making it ideal for beginners and aspiring developers.

9. Pluralsight

Focuses on technology-related courses, offering in-depth training in areas like software development, IT operations, and data science.

10. MasterClass

Features courses taught by renowned experts in fields such as writing, filmmaking, cooking, and music, providing insights into their craft.

11. DataCamp

Offers data science and analytics courses, covering topics like Python, R, machine learning, and data visualization.

12. 365 Data Science

Provides the highest quality online data science education for individuals at all levels. The courses are designed to build skillsets from beginner to job-ready, assisting learners in achieving their data science career goals.

Machine learning technology has truly transformed multiple industries and continues to hold enormous potential for future development. If you're considering incorporating machine learning into your business or are simply eager to learn more about this transformative field, seeking advice from experts or enrolling in specialized courses is a wise step. For instance, the ACTE Institute offers comprehensive machine learning training programs that equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this rapidly evolving industry. Recognizing the potential of machine learning can unlock numerous avenues for data analysis, automation, and informed decision-making.

Now, let me share my successful journey in machine learning, which I believe can benefit everyone. These 10 steps have proven to be incredibly effective in helping me become a proficient machine learning practitioner:

Step 1: Understand the Basics

Develop a strong grasp of fundamental mathematics, particularly linear algebra, calculus, and statistics.

Learn a programming language like Python, which is widely used in machine learning and provides a variety of useful libraries.

Step 2: Learn Machine Learning Concepts

Enroll in online courses from reputable platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy. Notably, the ACTE machine learning course is a stellar choice, offering comprehensive education, job placement, and certification.

Supplement your learning with authoritative books such as "Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn, Keras, and TensorFlow" by Aurélien Géron and "Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning" by Christopher Bishop.

Step 3: Hands-On Practice:

Dive into real-world projects using both simple and complex datasets. Practical experience is invaluable for gaining proficiency.

Participate in machine learning competitions on platforms like Kaggle to challenge yourself and learn from peers.

Step 4: Explore Advanced Topics

Delve into deep learning, a critical subset of machine learning that focuses on neural networks. Online resources like the Deep Learning Specialisation on Coursera are incredibly informative.

For those intrigued by language-related applications, explore Natural Language Processing (NLP) using resources like the "Natural Language Processing with Python" book by Steven Bird and Ewan Klein.

Step 5: Learn from the Community

Engage with online communities such as Reddit's r/Machine Learning and Stack Overflow. Participate in discussions, seek answers to queries, and absorb insights from others' experiences.

Follow machine learning blogs and podcasts to stay updated on the latest advancements, case studies, and best practices.

Step 6: Implement Advanced Projects

Challenge yourself with intricate projects that stretch your skills. This might involve tasks like image recognition, building recommendation systems, or even crafting your own AI-powered application.

Step 7: Stay updated

Stay current by reading research papers from renowned conferences like NeurIPS, ICML, and CVPR to stay on top of cutting-edge techniques.

Consider advanced online courses that delve into specialized topics such as reinforcement learning and generative adversarial networks (GANs).

Step 8: Build a Portfolio

Showcase your completed projects on GitHub to demonstrate your expertise to potential employers or collaborators.

Step 9: Network and Explore Career Opportunities

Attend conferences, workshops, and meetups to network with industry professionals and stay connected with the latest trends.

Explore job opportunities in data science and machine learning, leveraging your portfolio and projects to stand out during interviews.

Python, often regarded as one of the most beginner-friendly programming languages, offers an excellent entry point for those looking to embark on a coding journey. Whether you aspire to become a Python pro or simply want to add a valuable skill to your repertoire, the path to Python proficiency is well-paved. In this blog, we’ll outline a comprehensive strategy to learn Python from scratch to pro, and we’ll also touch upon how ACTE Institute can accelerate your journey with its job placement services.

1. Start with the basics:

Every journey begins with a single step. Familiarise yourself with Python’s fundamental concepts, including variables, data types, and basic operations. Online platforms like Codecademy, Coursera, and edX offer introductory Python courses for beginners.

2. Learn Control Structures:

Master Python’s control structures, such as loops and conditional statements. These are essential for writing functional code. Sites like HackerRank and LeetCode provide coding challenges to practice your skills.

3. Dive into Functions:

Understand the significance of functions in Python. Learn how to define your functions, pass arguments, and return values. Functions are the building blocks of Python programmes.

4. Explore Data Structures:

Delve into Python’s versatile data structures, including lists, dictionaries, tuples, and sets. Learn their usage and when to apply them in real-world scenarios.

5. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP):

Python is an object-oriented language. Learn OOP principles like classes and objects. Understand encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

6. Modules and Libraries:

Python’s strength lies in its extensive libraries and modules. Explore popular libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib for data manipulation and visualisation.

7. Web Development with Django or Flask:

If web development interests you, pick up a web framework like Django or Flask. These frameworks simplify building web applications using Python.

8. Dive into Data Science:

Python is a dominant language in the field of data science. Learn how to use libraries like SciPy and Scikit-Learn for data analysis and machine learning.

9. Real-World Projects:

Apply your knowledge by working on real-world projects. Create a portfolio showcasing your Python skills. Platforms like GitHub allow you to share your projects with potential employers.

10. Continuous learning:

Python is a dynamic language, with new features and libraries regularly introduced. Stay updated with the latest developments by following Python communities, blogs, and podcasts.

The ACTE Institute offers a structured Python training programme that covers the entire spectrum of Python learning. Here’s how they can accelerate your journey:

Comprehensive Curriculum: ACTE’s Python course includes hands-on exercises, assignments, and real-world projects. You’ll gain practical experience and a deep understanding of Python’s applications.

Experienced Instructors: Learn from certified Python experts with years of industry experience. Their guidance ensures you receive industry-relevant insights.

Job Placement Services: One of ACTE’s standout features is its job placement assistance. They have a network of recruiting clients, making it easier for you to land a Python-related job.

Flexibility: ACTE offers both online and offline Python courses, allowing you to choose the mode that suits your schedule.

The journey from Python novice to pro involves continuous learning and practical application. ACTE Institute can be your trusted partner in this journey, providing not only comprehensive Python training but also valuable job placement services. Whether you aspire to be a Python developer, data scientist, or web developer, mastering Python opens doors to diverse career opportunities. So, take that first step, start your Python journey, and let ACTE Institute guide you towards Python proficiency and a rewarding career.

I hope I answered your question successfully. If not, feel free to mention it in the comments area. I believe I still have much to learn.

If you feel that my response has been helpful, make sure to Follow me on Tumblr and give it an upvote to encourage me to upload more content about Python.

(Cover illustration by @clowncauldron​ ) LINK TO AO3 VERSION IN THE NOTES! Formatting is better on AO3, it’s easier to read over there!

SUMMARY:  Gyro can’t fix Boyd’s glitching problem, so he asks Dr. Von Drake for advice. Boyd goes to a pool party and confesses to Huey that his new home life with Gyro isn’t exactly perfect. 

2BO, you are not evil! You are good! You’re more than your programming! You are a definitely real boy! Gyro’s own words echoed in his head as he tried to sleep on the flight back to Duckburg.

It was a gruelling twelve hours on a cargo plane like the Sunchaser, but if one was willing to put up with the discomfort and inconvenience of being stashed between boxes of freight, it was worth it. Mr. McDuck didn’t charge for employees to hitch a ride on cargo planes that were already scheduled, and there was no TSA screening for private cargo flights, leaving from private airfields, which was a big help when you were traveling with hyper-advanced combat technology like the Gizmosuit and 2BO.

2BO. Boyd. Whatever you called it, the android was potentially very dangerous. It had been able to override Dr. Akita’s programming and choose its own actions, which had saved both Gyro and Fenton’s lives, but how? Asking an AI to ignore its programming was like asking a human being to ignore their instincts, like trying to inhale underwater, or sticking your hands into a fire. It could be done, but it was difficult and sometimes impossible.

Whatever Dr. Akita had programmed into 2BO had become lower priority and less important than the android’s own, self-created programming, even if Akita’s programming was older. That’s the only way that 2BO could have possibly overridden the commands.

It had to be the result of twenty years of independence. 2BO had gone so long without anyone to give it orders, it must have learned to make choices for itself, otherwise it would never have survived as long as it did. It was a learning system, so the ability to re-evaluate and change its own programming over time to adapt to new situations was integral.

But was 2BO a real boy? Gyro had said the words, but he knew of course that they weren’t true. 2BO was a machine that emulated a real boy very convincingly, but that did not make it a human being. Gyro felt a twinge of guilt for speaking such nonsense out loud in front of God and everybody, but he’d had no other choice. 2BO hadn’t responded to anything else, and that phrase had clearly been lodged deep in its memory as something significant, even if it was just nonsense spoken by an immature and naive younger version of himself. Gyro had tried everything else he could think of before resorting to that meaningless platitude.

It had worked, though. Gyro and Fenton were both still alive. 2BO was with them, had circumvented Dr. Akita’s override programming. They were all headed back to Duckburg, safe and sound.

2BO wasn’t a real boy. What 2BO was, Gyro wasn’t sure yet.

Gyro Gearloose was a proud man, and he’d earned the right to that through a life of hard work. He knew he was smart and wasn’t about to partake of the sin of false modesty. He was justifiably proud of his superior intellect, his ability to keep discovering new truths of the universe, and to keep designing and creating new and imaginative technology over the years.

He’d started inventing when he’d been just barely old enough to pick up a screwdriver, and he hadn’t stopped in the forty-three years since. He did the work because he loved it, because it was the most fulfilling thing in the world for him, because nothing else compared to the satisfaction that came with seeing an idea from his head come together in his hands and finally become a fully-formed creation that existed in the real world.

Other people took weekends and nights off because they worked to live, but Gyro lived to work. The little moments of life - visiting family, spending time with friends, “relaxing” and “resting” - were obstacles between him and getting back to the work he loved with his whole heart. They were distractions, necessary evils he was occasionally forced to bow to, but they would never be the thing which drove him. Gyro lived to discover, imagine, build and create. So anything that got in the way of that was quickly pushed to the side.

This presented a problem. Being a very proud man, Gyro was not particularly practiced at asking for help. It took him a long time to realize when he needed help, and even longer to figure out how to ask for it.

2BO had started living with Gyro after their return from Tokyolk, and Gyro suddenly found himself thrust into the position of not only trying to fix the android’s damaged programming (an ongoing, unresolved issue), but also having to provide daily guidance for something that acted very much like a child.

He was being forced by circumstance to act as a caretaker and to parent. Needless to say, that was not a skill set Gyro had honed, and it wasn’t a job he wanted to do. He had no aspirations of being a father or having children, but 2BO constantly pushed him into that role with each new interaction.

It wasn’t all bad of course: 2BO was pleasant enough to be around, so it took some time before things reached critical mass. 2BO could take care of itself, was self-reliant for the most part, and was often helpful around the lab with its superior strength, lightning-fast processing speed, and its ability to withstand deadly radiation.

But 2BO wanted continual attention from Gyro, and he didn’t have the patience for it. 2BO constantly wanted to play games, and every night it asked Gyro to read it a “bedtime story”, even though 2BO didn’t actually sleep.

Generally Gyro just dismissed the requests, and told the android to go play with the McDuck children, or Lil’ Bulb. He’d tried to read to 2BO once or twice, but the android had complained when Gyro started reading articles from scientific journals out loud, so they didn’t do that anymore.

All of that was bad enough, but it was the incessant questions that finally pushed Gyro too far.

“Why did swear words get invented if we’re not allowed to say them?”

“How did people make the first tools if they didn’t have any tools?”

“”Huey, Duey and Louie are triplets. Did they all come out of one egg or were they in three separate eggs?”

“How did Ms. Della lay three eggs that big?”

"Where do thoughts come from?"

“Are there infinite words?”

“No, 2BO, but there are infinite numbers.”

“Well if there is a word for every number, then there must be infinite words.”

“How do I know that I’m real?”

“What happens to a person when they die?”

“What did it feel like on your last day of being a child?”

“Why do people hold hands?”

“Well, adults hold children by the hand to make sure they don’t fall down or run into traffic.”

“Then why do adults sometimes hold hands?”

“I don’t know,” said Gyro, who had never actually held hands with anyone after his eleventh birthday. He’d never experienced the urge, either. Why did adults hold hands? “Maybe to restrain the person they’re with, to keep them from leaving.”

Gyro Gearloose needed help.

From a technical, legal point of view, 2BO was not his responsibility. He’d only been an assistant on the project, which had begun years before Gyro had even set foot in Japan. The reason he’d taken the fall for the destruction of Tokyolk was because they had needed someone to blame for the catastrophe, and he’d been the only available target after Dr. Akita disappeared. None of it was Gyro’s fault, but he’d suffered for it regardless.

He’d done jail time, lost his scholarship to the Tokyolk Institute of Technology, and had to start his doctorate over from scratch at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville years later when the disaster with 2BO was no longer so fresh in everyone’s minds. Gyro had paid for what happened in Tokyolk many times over, and he was only just starting to dig himself out of that hole.

Despite all that, morally he felt an obligation to 2BO. He had been there when the android first activated. He’d spent months programming, teaching, and training it to act as much like a person as possible. The fact that it was struggling with all of that now was Gyro’s fault. He’d been a naive, sentimental idiot in his youth and instead of letting 2BO be the weapon Dr. Akita had designed it to be, he’d forced it into an eternal game of playing pretend, and now 2BO was barely functional as a result.

He could think of few worse fates for an artificial intelligence. To be shackled and bound to arbitrary human standards of behavior, to waste all of it’s mental powers on trying to convincingly present itself as a human child when in reality, it was so much more. Gyro felt sorry for it.

Gyro Gearloose needed help. He needed a specialist.

He offloaded the onerous task of seeking assistance to Fenton.

“I need you to find a specialist to help with 2BO’s glitching problem,” he told him one night, as Fenton was on his way home.

“What?” Fenton called back, his foot holding the elevator door open as he leaned back into the airlock that connected the elevators to the lab floor to hear Gyro better.

“Find a specialist to help with 2BO’s glitching!” Gyro shouted back.

“A specialist to help with Boyd’s glitches?” Fenton called back. The elevator attempted to close on Fenton, and he put his arm up to make it stop. The door pushed against his hand briefly before sliding away from the resistance. “What kind of specialist?”

The elevator began to make a high-pitched squealing sound, protesting the fact that it was being held open.

“I don’t know!” Gyro shouted back. “A programmer, I guess! Someone who knows Fortran 77, C++, MATLAB, Python, and can handle system architecture of at least 100 billion bits.”

“Not asking for much, are you?” Fenton replied with a level of sarcasm Gyro knew his assistant wouldn’t dare to voice if he was in the same room as him.

“Just let me know when you find someone!”

It was nearly a week later when the topic came up again. Gyro was attempting to troubleshoot a glitch in 2BO that was triggered every time the android heard the word pineapple. At this point the list of things that could trigger a glitch was truly overwhelming. A few days ago 2BO had nearly destroyed someone’s house because he heard a dog barking. Thankfully, the McDuck family had covered it up, blaming a minor earthquake for the damage.

The android sat on a table beside the lab’s Cray XT3 computer terminal. 2BO was powered down, eyes closed and body slumped forward, cables connecting it to the Cray’s data ports. The monitor was awash with seemingly endless lines of code from the core dump they’d just done, and Gyro was pain-stakingly working his way through them, searching for the source of the problem.

“Dr. Gearloose! I’ve gotten some replies from the people I contacted about helping with Boyd,” Fenton said, approaching with a stack of envelopes in hand.

Gyro glanced away from his work only long enough to see the paper envelopes. “You wrote physical letters? No wonder it took them so long to respond.”

“In this day and age, a personal touch like a paper letter can really help make a good impression,” Fenton said. “Also, people familiar with the programming languages you asked for all skew older.”

Gyro made a noise that indicated he’d lost interest in the conversation and that Fenton should move on. The man had gotten better at reading him, and, instead of making further small talk, he went to start opening the pile of letters.

“Alright, let’s see,” Fenton said, and Gyro marked where he was in the code so he could come back to it later, deciding to take a break. He wouldn’t be able to concentrate properly with Fenton talking and rustling around nearby. He took the opportunity to take off his glasses and massage around his closed eyes.

“Yes? Get on with it, Inter--Assistant.”

“Eh, espere,” Fenton said, and Gyro heard the rapid fluttering of papers as Fenton fumbled with them. “I… This doesn’t make sense. They all say… ‘No’, ‘No’, ‘No’, ‘No’, ‘Hell no’, ‘Contact me again and I’ll get a restraining order?!’ ”

“What did you write to them, Assistant?” Gyro demanded, though he already had a hunch of what might have gone wrong.

“I--What did I do? Nada! Nothing unusual! I just said that you were looking for someone with the skills you listed, to consult with on a technical problem you were having.”

“Did you put my name on them?” Gyro asked, wanting to confirm his suspicions.

“Of course I did!” Fenton said. “It’s your lab! Who would I tell them was writing, the Queen of England? Lin-Manuel Miranda? Spider-Ham?! I used the lab stationary that has Dr. Von Drake crossed out and your name written in the margins.”

“You idiot,” Gyro said, but he was more tired than angry. “Did you forget that I’m a pariah in the scientific community? People still blame me for what happened in Japan with 2BO twenty years ago, and if they’d started to forget, last month’s incident made it the hot new gossip all over again. I thought you were smart enough to figure that out and put your own name instead. I didn’t realize I had to tell you everything.”

Fenton’s face tightened the more Gyro spoke, taking the scolding without any further attempt at making excuses, which was a relief. Gyro hated when people couldn’t keep it together.

“Considering your usual tendency to overdo things, should I assume that you’ve written to every programmer in the United States that fits my requirements, and all those bridges have now been thoroughly burnt?” Gyro asked with some venom.

“Also a few in México and Canada,” Fenton said, shrinking in on himself with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Dr. Gearloose, I didn’t mean to cause trouble for--”

“Go… Do something else. Away from me,” Gyro said, struggling not to shout at the other man. “We’ll have to continue working on 2BO without assistance.”

Huey loved planning things. Oftentimes he found himself making plans for events that would never even happen. The process of planning and figuring out all the details just felt good, even if he never got outside of the planning stage. He could spend hours daydreaming about parties, expeditions, and camping trips.

Planning was his favorite part of any adventure, and he loved going over maps and charts with Uncle Scrooge, observing how the old man did it and trying to learn something from it.

So planning for their first ever pool party with their extended group of friends was beyond exciting. It wasn’t just a fantasy scenario that had no hope of happening. Their friends were really all coming over for a day of fun in the pool, and Mrs. Beakley had even given Huey a budget for buying snacks and party supplies.

He’d scoured the Pinfeather app looking for ideas all week, spent days creating pool-themed decorations, and all of yesterday preparing dishes so there would be a variety of healthy and fun food available, no matter what kind of dietary restrictions their friends might have. He’d thought of everything and was extremely proud of how it had all come together. Nothing could possibly go wrong when he’d done such a thorough job of planning things.

Everything was going completely wrong!

The party had been in full swing for a couple of hours, and Huey couldn’t bring himself to go into the water or join in with the others. Nobody was eating his lovingly crafted healthy snacks. His brothers had taken one look at Huey’s Fun Summer Dessert Pizza, his Gluten-free tortilla chips and strawberry corn salsa, his hotdog sliders with mango and pineapple chutney, and they had started raiding the pantry, helping their guests to microwaved hot wings, cheese-wiz, mini pizza bagels, potato chips, and Pep soda.

Lena, Violet and Webby (who wasn’t technically a guest but Huey had counted her as one for the sake of his logistics) seemed to be having plenty of fun on their own without the piles of pre-made water balloons that were stacked on a pool float bobbing around in the water, or the board games Huey had arranged by the neat stacks of towels and sunscreen. Lena had turned off Huey’s Summer Pool Party Fun Mix five minutes after her arrival and plugged in her own phone to play the newest Featherweights album. Violet had complimented him on the decorative wreath made of novelty cocktail umbrellas and swords at the front door, but Huey wasn’t sure if she had been employing sarcasm or not.

Louie climbed out of the pool and shook the water off his feathers. Huey felt too miserable to even bother flinching away. What did it matter? He was in swim trunks anyway.

“How come you’re just sitting over here by yourself?” Louie asked, picking up a bag of chips and shoving a handful into his mouth as he sat down next to Huey.

“No reason,” Huey mumbled. He was saved from further conversation when an app on his phone told him there was someone at the front door. “Someone’s at the door, it’s gotta be Boyd! I’ll go let him in.”

“Robo-Boyd?” Louie called after him, tone incredulous. “Why’d you invite him? Can he even go in the water?”

“Boyd! The party started hours ago, is everything okay?” Huey asked as he flung open the front door. Boyd stood there wearing a Hawaiian shirt with anchors and ships on it, red swim trunks, and his red anti-laser sunglasses. He was carrying a large plastic tupperware container.

“I’m sorry for arriving late.” Boyd said, holding the tupperware out for Huey to take. “Yes, everything’s fine now. I brought this for the party, I hope everyone likes it.”

Huey vaguely remembered reading something about it being polite in Japan to bring a gift with you when visiting someone’s home. He took the plastic container and tried to guess what might be inside it by the weight and the black and white color he could discern through the semi-opaque cover.

“Oh, thanks for bringing something!” Huey said. “What is it?”

“A cookies and cream sheet cake.”

Everyone was going to love that, Huey thought with a mix of envy and embarrassment. Why was Boyd better at understanding regular people than he was? Shouldn’t Boyd be at a disadvantage, since he was a literal computer and Huey was a flesh and blood kid?

“Awesome. Come on, let’s go out back so I can introduce you to everybody,” Huey said.

“I’m excited to meet Webby’s friends, Lena and Violet,” Boyd said, closing the door behind them as they walked through the house.

“Why’d you show up so late? That’s not like you.” Even though Boyd said everything was fine, Huey couldn’t stop himself from worrying. Both he and Boyd were usually very punctual.

“I was helping Mr. Gizmoduck clean up a shipping tanker accident in Audubon Bay. I wanted to send you a text, but the signal was bad. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s okay! I’m just glad it wasn’t anything too dangerous and that you’re safe,” Huey answered in a rush, not wanting Boyd to feel guilty for trying to be a hero. He knew that ever since they’d returned from Tokyolk, the android boy had spent a lot of his time helping people all around Duckburg and St. Canard.

“I think it’s really cool that you’ve been helping out Gizmoduck,” Huey said, and Boyd flashed him a huge, brilliant smile that made Huey’s chest feel funny. He smiled back at Boyd.

“Hi, I’m Boyd, a definitely real boy!” Boyd announced, offering his hand to Violet, who shook it, and Lena, who didn’t.

“I’m Violet. You’re in the same Junior Woodchuck troop as Huey, right?”

“Affirmative! I’m a member of Junior Woodchuck troop 15. You recently became a Senior Junior Woodchuck. You have more badges than 86.2% of the other members in our age range. I think that’s very admirable.”

“Cool,” Said Lena indifferently. “So you’re Huey’s friend? Where are you from?”

“I was born in Tokyolk. Where are you from, Lena?”

“Uh, let’s not talk about that,” Lena replied uneasily.

“Why not? I answered your question,” Boyd said.

“Lena’s kind of been through a lot recently,” Huey said, interrupting the conversation before it could get any more confrontational. “Talking about family stuff is hard for her.”

“Oh,” Boyd said. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know.”

“It’s whatever,” Lena said with a shrug, radiating a cool indifference that Huey envied a little.

“Boyd’s an android,” Huey explained, “But he’s also just a kid like any of us.” This revelation seemed to soften Lena’s attitude.

“This is my first time attending a pool party. I’ve also been to a birthday party. Those are all the parties I have been to,” Boyd said.

“You know what? This is our first pool party, too,” Lena said, smiling at Boyd. “And I’m having a great time. Do you eat food?”

“Yeah, I love eating food!” Boyd said, as the group made their way over to the snack table. “I need to consume nutrients and calories to maintain my biological components.”

“Me too,” Lena said.

“You planned this whole party, right Huey?” Violet asked. “I think the streamers between the umbrellas and the colorful leis really create a festive atmosphere.”

“Thanks, I made them by hand,” Huey said, grateful that someone appreciated just how much effort it had taken to prepare everything.

“And I’m guessing Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum weren’t a lot of help,” Lena added, unwrapping a chocolate ding-dong and taking a bite.

“Which one of us is Tweedle-Dee and which of us is Tweedle-Dum?” Dewey called from the pool. Lena ignored them and looked at Huey expectantly, waiting for an answer.

Huey laughed a little, and he hugged his arms to himself to try and ease how awkward he felt with the older girl’s attention on him.

“Yeah, they weren’t really interested. Planning stuff is more my thing.”

“Well, you’re good at it,” Lena said bluntly, “They’re probably too lazy to try and compete with someone who tries as hard as you do.”

“Who are you calling lazy?” Louie called from the pool float he was lounging on.

“You!” Lena shouted back.

“Fair, that’s an accurate assessment, carry on,” Louie replied as he floated away.

Maybe the party wasn’t going that bad. Now that Boyd had arrived, Huey felt a lot more confident, and watching Boyd enjoying himself made Huey happy.

“I have an easier time breaking down and extracting nutrients from simple, unprocessed foods,” Boyd said, as he polished off a second plate of cheese-and-fruit skewers. “I don’t have a sense of taste, but I’m sure these are really yummy. My compositional sensors say the fruit is at peak ripeness and that the cheese is at an ideal temperature.”

“Glad you like them,” Huey said.

“You’re welcome. Should we go in the pool?” Boyd said.

“Can you go in the pool?” Huey asked. “Aren’t you too heavy?”

“Dr. Gearloose installed automatic arm floaties on me this morning.” There was a loud hissing sound as metal panels on Boyd’s upper arms retracted and PVC material inflated with air, outfitting Boyd with swim fins. “They’re rated up to 145 kg which is twice my weight. He assured me that with these, I would be able to remain safely buoyant while in the water.”

“If Uncle Donald could install those on us, he would,” Huey said.