From: Alex Combas Date: 2006-02-26T08:45:31+09:00 Subject: Re: Ruby as First Language On 2/25/06, Chris Pine wrote:> I have written a tutorial, and recently a book, lovingly and> painstakingly built over the last three years, aimed at teaching> programming, using Ruby, to non-programmers. So I'm totally,> hopelessly biased here...>Chris, I really enjoyed your book. The exercises are well thought outand practical.The lessons build knowledge in a logical manner. When you are finished thebook you feel "learned", I've been subconsciously buying tween blazersever since. I am a big, really big big... not even in a strictly volume sense, I'mtalking mass...ridiculously humongous fan of the Poignant Guide. However I found the actual lesson material was not always as thoroughas I would like, and there are no exercises. I don't think I will everforget the forklift, or the caterpillar but _why's book is not reallyfor a new programmer, unless theyare really strange/wonderful/interesting/open minded type people or unlessthey have just finished reading your book ;) I think normal[1] folk will probably find _why's guide too distracting. I think the books add to each other. _why's guide is very entertainingand fun. Yourguide is very practical. Both guides will teach you a lot and we as acommunity are far richer for having both to read. Thanks Chris, and thanks _why. [1]People who know how to send email and download music, but not much else. --Alex Combashttp://noodlejunkie.blogspot.com