From: Hilary Bailey Date: 2011-01-21T19:13:47+09:00 Subject: Totally lost in learning Ruby This is my second attempt to understand Ruby. I completely read 1) "Beginning Ruby- From Novice to Professional (which to me is a completely waste of time), 2) The Pragmatic approach to Ruby (which is incomplete)3)Ruby in 20 minutes, 4)other 15 to 20 minutes cute intro programs 5) Shoes and now 6)The Book of Ruby by Huw Collingourne, which seems like a bible without a compiler, which may be totally useless. Is there anyone out there that could make my experience to Ruby practical and meaningful? As noted previously, I am a school teacher trying to create an education database software for administrators and teachers which will hold educational institutions accountable for the performance of their school district. My only programming experience is the confusion I had trying to read and comprehend the above sources that do not offer a stable compiler or the appropriate programs that will go hand in hand with their book or resource for Ruby. Is there a free compiler and other supporting software that I can use to make my so far miserable learning Ruby experience worth a while? So far I am still sold on the idea that Ruby is the programing language to know, but at this moment I really need HELP. Tk in advance, Hilary -- Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.