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

[jim]

Many thanks. 


On Tue, 2010-10-05 at 10:21 -0700, Daniel C. Silverstein wrote:
> 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 cases, hopelessly outdated.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)
> >> >>         _______________________________________________
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> >> >>         Noisebridge-discuss at lists.noisebridge.net
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> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> wefoundland.com
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> >> >
> >> >
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