From: Alexander Kellett <ruby-lists@...>
Date: 2005-02-14T07:17:44+09:00
Subject: Re: Printing why's (poignant) guide to ruby

i'm really puzzled by this.
why python? or even worse. vb??!!

Alex

On Feb 13, 2005, at 11:08 PM, Navindra Umanee wrote:

> Richard Dale <Richard_Dale@tipitina.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>> I'd like to try ruby on non-programmers teaching them using why's 
>> amazing
>> guide, to see how it works as a beginner's language. I showed some 
>> ruby
>> code to my 45 year old lodger who has never used a computer or seen a
>> computer program. He said "it looks like English, I thought computer
>> programming was maths". And he is especially impressed with the 
>> cartoon
>> foxes in Chapter 3, they have got to be the killer feature..
>
> Oh you think Ruby might be suitable for a total beginner?
>
> I have the same problem.  My dad wants to learn programming.  I
> thought maybe Python or even Visual Basic (or one of the KDE
> implementations) might be more suitable.  He's going to be pretty much
> learning on his own, so a suitable book and references must be
> available.  With something like Visual Basic, he'll probably be able
> to get immediate and more gratifying results as well, which should
> help keep up the motivation.
>
> I've seen some interesting beginner books for Python that make it a
> strong contender as well.  One thing that might be a problem at first
> is the whitespace issue...
>
> Somehow I'm not sure that Ruby would fit the bill here but I'm
> interested in hearing of other's experiences/opinions.  I never
> considered/read why's guide before but I'll have to take a look now.
>
> Cheers,
> Navin.
>