[Chicago] Good Tech Bookstores in Chicagoland?

[Feihong Hsu]

Reminds me of when I used to program formulas and algorithms into my
calculator to use during high school math tests. Unfortunately I
didn't ace every test, because my programs had too many bugs and 30
minutes is not enough time to debug a BASIC program without a
keyboard.

What I'm wondering is, how the heck did you pass your states and
capitals test with a DOS computer? Did they let you lug your computer
into the classroom and set it on top of your desk? 

--- Christopher Allan Webber <cwebber at imagescape.com> wrote:

> "David Goodger" <goodger at python.org> writes:
> 
> > Actually, the "Python For Dummies" book is quite good, as a
> > beginner-level text.  Aahz co-wrote it, and I tech-edited it. 
> Unlike
> > many books out there, it gets the concept of Python names (vs.
> other
> > languages' variable) right.  I made sure of it ;-)
> 
> Good to know.  I'll have to check it out.  I'm constantly trying to
> introduce people to python.
> 
> Actually, I have to admit that my first real introduction to
> computers
> was an ancient DOS for Dummies book that my father handed me, and
> the
> index and glossary that came with QBASIC.  That's right, I learned
> how
> to program without any tutorials, like a REAL MAN.  As it turns
> out,
> REAL MEN are about 11 years old and write pretty shitty programs. 
> I
> passed my states and capitals test with programming that looked
> something like this (Note that I don't remember qbasic syntax any
> more, so this is probably wrong.):
> 
> IF $CAPITAL_ANSWER == 'MADISON' AND $STATE == 'WISCONSIN':
>   GOTO CAPITAL_ANSWER_IS_RIGHT
> ELSE
>   GOTO CAPITAL_ANSWER_IS_WRONG
> 
> ... for every single state and capital combination, and since it
> quizzed you for either capitals or states, that was 100 IF/ELSE
> statements. But I passed that test, dammit.
> 
> Also, the application played "Yankee Doodle" through my PC speakers
> when it started up, which, when I was 11 years old, was just about
> the
> coolest thing ever.
> _______________________________________________
> Chicago mailing list
> Chicago at python.org
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/chicago
> 



      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?  
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.  http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping