From: Robert Klemme <bob.news@...>
Date: 2005-05-11T00:30:26+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby Newbie !!!

Chris Pine wrote:
>> http://www.ruby-doc.org/ has quite some pointers to documentation.
>> If you don't mind reading a book, I strongly suggest to get the
>> Pickaxe II http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974514055/
>> The first edition is online at
>> http://www.ruby-doc.org/docs/ProgrammingRuby/ but it is a bit dated
>> and does not cover some of the newer features etc.
>
> Excellent suggestions.  A few thoughts, however:
>
> - These are the references that most of us use; they are not so much
> geared toward those with "little or no knowledge of programming",
> however.  Perhaps starting with something a little more intruductory
> first... and yes, of course I'm horribly biased!  :)

Unfortunately the area of first time programming introductions is not
exactly my core field of expertise.  But since you have knowledgeably
jumped in I think it's ok. :-)

> - Rather than buy from Amazon (who tried to patent one-click ordering)
> and who give the authors only a few cents, why not buy direct?
>   http://pragmaticprogrammer.com/titles/ruby/
>
> I think they get more from one book bought direct than 10 bought from
> Amazon (or in a normal bookstore).  Plus, I don't think you can get
> the PDF option from Amazon (and I use it as much as I use the paper
> book).

Yes, you are completely right on this.  I should've pointed to that site
in the first place.  It's just my habit to use Amazon to link books
because they have all of them...  Thanks for correcting me.

> The URL is even prettier!  And it really *is* a fine book, one you'll
> use over and over (just as soon as you finish a really fine tutorial
> :)

I've never thought about the beauty in URL's.  For me gerenally shorter is
better...

> If you buy one book on programming, make it the Pickaxe II.  (If you
> buy two, get their first book, "The Pragmatic Programmer", as well.)
>
> Chris, who shops at Farmers' Markets  :)

Did they start to sell the Pickaxe on recycled paper recently? ;-)

Kind regards

    robert