Hi All, I'm guessing some you noticed ovid summoned the meme-that-will-not-die once more on use.perl.
Anyway, rather than waste time arguing at python zealots who will never change their minds, or try and change perl so that python zealots who hate it will hate it a little less and still never use it.. how about something more useful, a TPF backed student outreach program. If we can organise a mailing list, and maybe a web page or wiki we can provide some resources aimed at students based on what they needed - I found my contact with london.pm introduced to loads of stuff that would have really helped me at uni, and I suspect most computing students would find guides on practical programming using perl (amongst many other things) immensely helpful, and it would help fill the skills gap of graduates with useful skills rather than Java-by-whiteboard-and-mouse-click. Anyway, in the south west of the UK we have 2 perl monger groups and 5 universities, what we could do with is trying to establish a liason at each uni (in the computer club, comp sci department, bio-informatics, wherever) and a couple of people in local mongers who will try and to look at what students are doing, coordinate talks, socials and trips to workshops. A joined up effort could make it easier, we could share information about what uni's are using perl and how, and also ideas about what we could have done with at uni, (If I had Perl Testing Handbook, Perl Hacks, and the Perl Cookbook in my first year at uni, I'd have kicked ass, ok, if I had them, and actually read them maybe) - a shared wiki, both for the mongers and students could help, and could also make it easier to hook up graduates or placement students interested in Perl with employers looking for trainees. Cheers, A. -- http://www.aarontrevena.co.uk LAMP System Integration, Development and Hosting
