[Python-uk] Re: Promoting Python interally
James Cooley
james.cooley@jcp.co.uk
Wed, 06 Oct 1999 10:47:18 +0100
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
> > >
> >
> >
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>
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James Cooley [+44 (0)171-6896924]
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