Category: Geeks r Us
Hello all,
I was kind of thinking of an idea, since I've had a few questions while I've been around the last couple days. I was considering some interactive sessions of a sort, in order to help people get started programming. Lots of people seem to have interest in making games, or just knowing how to do it, as well as programming in general. So, here's my thought. Ideas, comments, whatever are all welcome.
I was thinking of going for either python or c#, and including both those who have had experience and those who haven't in the sessions. I would create a tentative cariculum that would start with the basics, then move up to get people to a point from which they can learn themselves.
So, for those that don't know, Python is a scripting language, that is extremely flexable and easy to use; the only drawback is it needs indentation. This isn't so much a drawback, as it is something that is a bit harder to get used to, but it's doable. C# is a bit more on the lower level side, and it's main target is the windows platforms; windows phones, Microsoft's MP3 player and windows moble, as well as just plain old Windows. While there is a framework for running it on Linux, Python is going to be your best bet for cross platform.
First, I want to see what the general census is for this thing; I want to get a feel for how many people (if any) care for this, answer any questions and figure out what language will be used. Then, I want to set up a time (probably Saturday or Sunday), comfortable for most that this can be done. I am thinking this will be a sort of formal session, and the seven or whatever number that end up doing this will be in for the amount of time set by the cariculum. I don't want it to be to formal, but kind of a midpoint. I'm also considering optional assignments of a sort, that will allow each individual person to test and make sure that they understand what was went over in the last session. I was thinking of doing the sessions over ventrilo, where they could be recorded and listened to by anyone. Unless people wanted to chip in for a vt server for two months, (this could be a collective thing), the limit will be 7 people, (me as well as 7 people will fill up the max 8 slots). This is all dependant on the interest generated. If the server is cheap enough, I'll just pay for the thing myself. The sessions would be totally free, I would just throw out a sort of survey to try to figure out who will be in the seven, assuming there is enough interest generated to make the numbers go over that amount. The survey will just make sure that the person is interested, and that they will be able to attend most of the sessions. If the dog dies, aunt ethel loses her dentures or whatever the problem may be prevents someone being around on one of the days, there will also be recordings to review later. The main idea with this is to make sure that the person will be able to stick with it for the whole time period, whatever time that may span (6 weekends maybe), at a guess. This insures that we won't end up with to many open slots if we're limited to 7 people, because accepting someone in at say week 3 will be a bit dificult if there is a lot for them to catch up on.
So, thoughts, suggestions, questions, comments; anything is welcome. I thought this would be cool to get people going, for those who are interested in it. I'm not looking for a certain level of proficiency, the goal of this is to get everyone interested and involved, whatever your skillset may be. As I don't know to many people that read this board, if people could forward this on to whoever may be interested, I would also appreciate that.
My msn, email, aim and the rest of my contact info is in the profile, or there's always just the expedient method of replying.
Peace,
hi i wood bee interested in python and if you had a bigger number that wanted to do this then 7 i wood bee more then willing to set up a vt server on my server for no charge
Hello,
Thanks for this. We'll see what sort of interest this gets, and then go from there. Do you have a VT license? that as far as I know is the only way to get a server going, and they are extremely picky.
Thanks,
I probably couldn't participate because of the homework I have, but I would do python for the language, and I would download the recordings definitely.
Python is used by the scientific community and by NASA among other places.
I like that it's very class-based and modular, and though a high-level language, can do a whole lot with not a lot of overhead.
Haven't had much case to piddle with it, as I currently have no professional need for it, but from my reviews of books it seems rather straightforward to learn.
Good luch with this
I'm currently tinkering with java, and it's not hard at all. But then again, I have eclipse, which is really good until JAWS doesn't like it, and then well goodbye. Sometimes JAWS does that good old blank blank blank tactic where it considers everything a blank blank.
how can one fix that
i can get i licence if need bee so its no problem just let me no what the interest is
Though the indentation may be a problem for those not used to it, python itself seems like a better choice. Data structures are built-in and easy to use for the beginner, there are enough built-in modules for almost any small project, and the code, if you ignore decoraters, is quite concise.
I would be glad to help with Python; I've developed several projects for personal use, and could share my experiences and knowledge whenever needed.
As for VT, I've got an unused license somewhere, as well.
Teamtalk might work as an alternative.
If we could modify Dive Into Python, by Mark Pilgrum, and add a good intro, that might be a good jumping off point.
On the other hand, if you decide to start with c#, I'd love to jump in and learn.
Just some thoughts.
Brandon McGinty
Hi!
I also like to learn that kind of program as well.
So if you going to conduct such atraining like that please do include me as well.
It will help people and my community here a lot as well.
Cheers!
Bee.
Hello. I don't know if this thread is still as active as before, but I would like to participate in this little course. This is something that I've been looking for. You see, I have started off by learning JAVA, then C++, Visual Basic, and finally just steered away from the programming and went into web designing with HTML, PHP, and JavaScript. But if you will be conducting such a course, I would gladly participate! I do want to develop some kind of application or audiogame that I can put up for people to play freely. Python, I heard, is a good beginner programming language. Anyway, I've tried to program so many times, but failed. I do know the basics of programming though. For example, conditional statements, loops, variable declarations for various programming languages, creation of functions, and object creation. But when it comes down to the actual writing of the sourceCode, my mind goes blank! Anyway, if your still up for the course, I would gladly participate in it!
Thanks so much.