Can we have a Python discussion for an episode?

[earthling]

I've only recently managed to wrestle control of my computer from my
father and now I am free to use it to learn about everything open
source. I was using UB, and years ago, redhat... now I'm enjoying
LMx64. My plan is to move over to BSD and learn more about that in the
near future also.

For years I have been a luser, and finally, now, I can be free to code
and debug and listen to podcasts.

I am only beginning to learn about the CLiT (Comand Line interface -
Terminal, for short) due to many of the python books I have found
being a little outdated, or full of 'educational' bugs / errors I am
requesting a python tips and tricks podcast.

Topics which might be cool to discuss - JPL and nasa using python. Web
and python, scripting to create a GUI. whatever you feel is easiest
and most entertaining.


HR

;)

[Thomas 'cmdln' Gideon]

On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 12:54 AM, earthling <alive...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've only recently managed to wrestle control of my computer from my
> father and now I am free to use it to learn about everything open
> source. I was using UB, and years ago, redhat... now I'm enjoying
> LMx64. My plan is to move over to BSD and learn more about that in the
> near future also.

Sounds like a fun project. I hope your dad either no longer has need
of that computer or has access to the net through some other means.
Or maybe you have created an account for him on your Linux, soon to be
BSD, system since both are very fine multiple user operating systems?
You're never too old to learn something new about computers.

> For years I have been a luser, and finally, now, I can be free to code
> and debug and listen to podcasts.

The difference between typical users and power users, even hackers, is
slight in my experience. Simple curiosity is often enough. I'm
assuming my podcast is one of the ones to which you are listening?
There are a ton of excellent podcasts relating to Linux, programming,
free software, you name it. If you've got the facility to view video,
there are also some excellent screen casts specifically geared at a
more hands on approach. Just search for Linux and screencast or any
other topic and screencast.

> I am only beginning to learn about the CLiT (Comand Line interface -
> Terminal, for short) due to many of the python books I have found
> being a little outdated, or full of 'educational' bugs / errors I am
> requesting a python tips and tricks podcast.

The only Python book I felt was worth the purchase price was Alex
Martinelli's Python in a Nutshell. For a reference, the introductory
chapters are actually a pretty good tutorial if you already know some
programming. Martinelli has been teaching Python for years and it
shows. The O'Reilly Nutshell books tend to get updated pretty
regularly, too.

For free resources, I think you cannot really beat
http://docs.python.org. I still occasionally look through the
tutorials to refresh on some more exotic aspect of Python, usually the
functional programming aspects. http://docs.djangoproject.com/ is
equally well maintained in terms of staying current to the latest
developments for Django.

> Topics which might be cool to discuss - JPL and nasa using python. Web
> and python, scripting to create a GUI. whatever you feel is easiest
> and most entertaining.

I'll add it to the queue and see what I can come up with. I usually
like to try to fit it into one of my existing segments. This might be
an idea that could make a good interview, though. I've been meaning
to apporach Guido van Rossum but I have friends who work with NASA who
might be able to put me on the trail of someone interesting.


cmdln
--
The Command Line Podcast
http://thecommandline.net/
Open Media Review
http://openmediareview.com/