[Python-uk] Re: Promoting Python interally

[James Cooley]

At the meeting last Tuesday Andy R. said it was easy to get sign-off
for "disposable" projects in Python but it was difficult to make real
progress in many organizations. It is difficult to motivate people to
try a new language as most people are illiterate in more than one 
(programming) language already and are still trying to figure out C/C++
for that next job.

Guido's "Computer Programming for Everybody" project is definitely a 
good way to increase the Python user base. 

I work in a Java shop and it is difficult to get anyone to try JPython
even though I think it is a great productivity enhancer. One guy wrote
his on language to interpret Java code (a la beanshell) to test his code 
rather than looking at a new language - perhaps he would make a good
case study for problems in promoting a new language. :) Given the 
environment of information overload we inhabit people do tend to have 
quite stubborn filters to some things - especially languages.

My 2 pence,

James




Gary Pennington wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I'm promoting Python inside Sun as a rapid prototyping development tool
> which is exceptionally well integrated with Java(through JPython). I'm
> making a few converts but progress is very slow, lots of Java and Perl
> language bigots and very few people with a sufficiently open mind to
> consider alternatives.
> 
> Now that's inside Sun ( a relatively open-minded sort of place)!! I
> wonder how people are getting on elsewhere?
> 
> Anyway, I think that the best way to raise Python's profile is through a
> combination of the tried and tested techniques of :-
> 
> Product Placement/Positioning
>         Interviews
>         Magazine/Journal Articles
> 
> Case Studies
>         Promote Python role in Project/Product
>         e.g I just finished writing X and it uses Python as a customisable
> scripting language, etc...
> 
> Internal Meetings
>         Architect BrainDump Meetings
>         Development Strategy Meetings
>         Development Proposals
> 
> External Meetings
>         BCS Branch Meetings
>         BCS Specialist Group (whichever is most appropriate or a new one for
> Python?)
>         Other Computing Professional Organisations (OCPO - new acronym?)
> Meetings
>         Academic Meetings
> 
> At some point if everyong plugs away at the above then we should make
> some progress. If someone volunteered to co-ordinate the above and
> capture feedback then we could all see the big picture and be heartened
> by the progress that is being made. Maybe publish the informaton on a
> website, maybe make the website a capture point where people could enter
> feedback directly and make the system self-documenting?
> 
> Gary
> 
> PS I don't have time to do the co-ordination role, but I would be able
> to put in a tiny amount of time to setting up such a website if one
> could be organised and managed by somebody.
> 
> PPS A small fund for promoting Python? Subs to cover PSA membership and
> website maintenance.
> 
> Michael Charlton wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >         The second U.K. meeting of the python users group took place last
> > night
> >         at the Princess Louise pub central London. In attendance were:
> >
> >                 Andy Robinson
> >                 James Cooley
> >                 Laurie Tratt
> >                 Michael Charlton
> >
> >         Talk and beer followed by a slap up meal (and more talk) at the
> > Tokyo Diner.
> >
> >         This was just a kick-off meeting to gauge interest in Python and to
> > see if it
> >         would be feasible to hold another meeting.
> >
> >         One topic for discussion was raising the profile of python in both
> > industry and
> >         the media. Any ideas?
> >
> >         Also what format do you want a meeting to take?. Again post your
> > comments/criticisms/ideas
> >         here.
> >
> >         Feedback appreciated
> >
> >                                                         Regards
> >
> >
> >                                                                 Michael.
> >
> >
> >         Michael Charlton
> >         Nortel Networks
> >         GSM HLR-PS Product Verification
> >                 Email:   Michael.Charlton@nortelnetworks.com
> > >               Phone:   ESN 590 4963  Intl: +44 1628 43 4963
> > >               Fax:          ESN 590 4381  Intl: +44 1628 43 4381
> > >               Address:   3 Roxborough Way, Foundation Park, Maidenhead
> > >                         BERKS, SL6 2UD, United Kingdom
> > >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Python-uk maillist  -  Python-uk@starship.python.net
> > http://starship.python.net/mailman/listinfo/python-uk
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Python-uk maillist  -  Python-uk@starship.python.net
> http://starship.python.net/mailman/listinfo/python-uk

-- 
James Cooley [+44 (0)171-6896924]
JCP Computer Services, 16 St Johns Lane, London, EC1M 4BS, UK.
PGP Key ID : 0x28CA7769
fingerprint: A39D 1357 89EF 3707 2D62  050B 6AA1 4D03 28CA 7769