From: Timothy Hunter Date: 2005-02-14T08:19:57+09:00 Subject: Re: Printing why's (poignant) guide to ruby On 2005-02-13 17:17:44 -0500, Alexander Kellett said: > 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 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 agree that Ruby would make a good "first" language, but I have to admit that _why's book probably won't be the best guide for your Dad. It's a great book, don't get me wrong, but it's way too, ah, avant-guarde for Dad-type people. Unless your dad is an IPod-dancing Halo II champion that likes to party all night, that is. :-)