I'm of the opinion that setting up your machine is a huge first step in exploring python. I am happy to point you to some resources when you are ready for that.
I'd say the first three steps on that front are getting used to iPython, finding a text editor you can learn to like (I can recommend sublimetext), and perhaps learning the pip tool so that you can grab 3rd part libraries quickly. These are all just opinion, but I think knowing your tools will greatly help you be able to explore the concepts you will be reading about. Sent from my iPad On Sep 15, 2012, at 10:54 PM, Mike Malveaux <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi folks, the subscription confirmation asked for an intro, so here goes. > > My name is Mike. I live in Tacoma. I'm not really a programmer -- my last > job was Snowboard Instructor, and for years before that I drove and > dispatched trucks -- but circumstances have convinced me that learning to > program is a Good Thing. But, which language first? > > The sources I've seen that I like best indicate that BASIC is no longer > considered the best program for newbies (nor for anything else, apparently). > But Python seems to be well recommended for neophytes, and looks like it will > do most or maybe all of the web scripting stuff I want to do down the road. > > So, here I am! I've begun working my way through the tutorial document at > http://docs.python.org/tutorial and I'm looking forward to see you kind folks > in person, probably next month. Probably 90% of the discussion will go > whizzing over my head, so I promise to listen more than I speak. > > All the best, > Mike M. / Tacoma
