[Noisebridge-discuss] The future of Python class at Noisebridge

[Daniel C. Silverstein]

The examples in Dive Into Python are needlessly complex, and, in some
cases, hopelessly outdated.  Also, like Think Python, I find the order
of topics to be questionable.

Zed Shaw has an amusing and vitriolic rant re: Dive Into Python here:
http://oppugn.us/posts/1272050135.html
I don't necessarily agree with the entire rant, but I agree with the
spirit of it.

(Dan)

On Tue, Oct 5, 2010 at 10:15 AM, jim <jim at systemateka.com> wrote:
>
> I'd love to know your take on Dive into Python.
> Can you summarize?
>
>
> On Tue, 2010-10-05 at 09:30 -0700, Daniel C. Silverstein wrote:
>> I should point out that, over time, I became dissatisfied with Think
>> Python and Dive into Python.  I have not used Al's book so I can't
>> comment on it for good or bad.  More recently I've been using the
>> Google Python Class curriculum available here:
>> http://code.google.com/edu/languages/google-python-class/
>>
>> (Dan)
>>
>> On Tue, Oct 5, 2010 at 8:13 AM, jim <jim at well.com> wrote:
>> >
>> >   The Monday night Python class began as a SF-LUG Python
>> > study group with Asheesh as mentor. Asheesh left the
>> > region to set up openhatch.org and Daniel took over,
>> > formalizing the meeting somewhat as a class with teacher,
>> > and has hung in there for over a year.
>> >   You can change the approach as you see fit. You might
>> > take it on with someone else to share the mentoring or
>> > lecture role or revert to study group format by reducing
>> > the role of the mentor or whatever. If you share the role,
>> > you have the plus side of better continuity (each mentor
>> > can take a break) but the with price of keeping in sync
>> > with each other. There's at least one other NB member
>> > who's got very good Python skills with an aptitude for
>> > teaching.
>> >
>> >   I believe there are two main aspects to support:
>> > * provide real-world, simple examples that demand that
>> >  attendees think out the problem solution in terms of
>> >  Python language features and Pythonic techniques.
>> > * accommodate stone beginners and also people who are
>> >  approaching intermediate levels. The Dive into Python
>> >  book is available on line and might work for both
>> >  groups. Al Sweigart's book, Invent Your Own Computer
>> >  Games with Python, is currently in the Turing room
>> >  and I believe has been used in the Python class; it's
>> >  certainly suitable for beginners and to some degree
>> >  to extending Python skills. The book that Asheesh
>> >  first chose as a basis for the group is Python for
>> >  Software Design: How to Think Like a Computer
>> >  Scientist and for a while, at least, Daniel stuck
>> >  with it.
>> >
>> > http://diveintopython.org/
>> > http://inventwithpython.com/
>> > http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/
>> >
>> >   (my opinions: ) I and a few others have had some
>> > objections to parts of the Think Python text. I'd not use
>> > it in favor of Al's book and Dive into Python.
>> >   I think sticking to the current schedule (Monday
>> > evenings from 6:30 to 8:00) is important.
>> >   There are several Python groups in the bay area, and
>> > one or more of their members might be willing to share
>> > the leader role or come in for an occasional lecture or
>> > point you to examples at times you find your own well dry.
>> >
>> > http://www.pygamesf.org/
>> > http://www.pywebsf.org/
>> > http://www.baypiggies.net/
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Mon, 2010-10-04 at 23:56 -0700, aditya bhargava wrote:
>> >> I have a fair amount of experience in the language, but I've never
>> >> been to one of these classes. What are they usually like? I can
>> >> volunteer to make up cheat sheets or talk about specialized topics if
>> >> there's interest in that. Off the top of my head, I could talk about:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> - scientific computing in Python
>> >> - working with Django
>> >> - writing modules in C++ using Boost::Python and other alternatives
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Adit
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, Oct 4, 2010 at 10:11 PM, Daniel C. Silverstein
>> >> <cubes at ghosthacked.net> wrote:
>> >>         Howdy,
>> >>
>> >>         Would anyone be interested in taking over teaching Python
>> >>         class at
>> >>         Noisebridge going forward?  Python is one of the longest
>> >>         running
>> >>         classes at Noisebridge, and I've personally been teaching it
>> >>         for the
>> >>         better part of the last year and a half.  I think it may be
>> >>         time for
>> >>         me to move on to other pursuits, but I'd rather not see the
>> >>         class die.
>> >>          Historically, Python class has been on Monday evenings from
>> >>         6:30 to
>> >>         8:00, but if anyone is interested in teaching it, I'm sure
>> >>         he/she
>> >>         would be welcome to reschedule.
>> >>
>> >>         (Dan)
>> >>         _______________________________________________
>> >>         Noisebridge-discuss mailing list
>> >>         Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
>> >>         https://www.noisebridge.net/mailman/listinfo/noisebridge-discuss
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> wefoundland.com
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>> >
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