New to Python/Programming

[John]

Mark <m.tiesman1 at charter.net> wrote in message news:<10gsujk1og2gkbf at corp.supernews.com>...
> Hello.  I am new to programming and Python and was wondering if someone 
> could help get me started.  I picked Python to start learning to prgram 
> because of some things I have read about it (easy to learn, object 
> oriented, clear syntax, etc...).  Can anyone assist in getting me 
> started with learning to program and Python?  Recommended reading 
> material?  Online tutorials?  Recommended development tools (wxpython, 
> pythonwin, etc...)?  I am a network admin by trade and have done little 
> programming except for the occasional script or router config.  this is 
> something that has always interested me, but don't have the time to take 
> any formal classes.  Thanks for the help.

I really haven't read any books. All I used was online tutorials.
Python probably the best teach your self documentation online compared
to any languages I know.

A LOT of good online docs included in ActivePython. PythonWin is a
very good IDE.

Lots of links here
http://www.python.org/doc/Intros.html
I listed some below that I am familiar with. I see that the number has
grown since I last checked. So decide by yourself.

Begin with
Non-Programmers Tutorial For Python (ActivePython)
How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
(http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCSpy/)
"Instant Python" (http://www.hetland.org/python/instant-python.php)
looks like a good start

Intermediate
Python Tutorial (included in all Python distributions)

Advanced
Dive Into Python (ActivePython)