[Pythonmac-SIG] Mac User Python Newbies

[Andrew Meit]

On Feb 13, 2005, at 10:59 AM, Troy wrote:

> I for one, don't care to think of myself in the context of "begger",
> but more so in the context of uninitiated contributor. If developers,
> new to python, have a barrier to entry, they may well walk of to Ruby,
> or Lua... etc. At some point, I'd like to be contributing to the
> effort, but just getting off the ground is a bit daunting. Obviously,
> it is doable, since lots of folks work in it every day, but how many
> have peaked in and turned and left without saying a word? Out of that
> number, how many may have evolved into providing some contribution? It
> isn't up to the members of this list to fix, or at least isn't a
> "responsibility", but it is an issue which also shouldn't simply be
> dismissed, I think. I think if there is some governing body for
> Python, it should very much be paying attention to this issue, and
> recognizing that it is perhaps one of the most important aspects of
> maintaining and furthering the language... new developers. Many of
> which would prefer to get started (at least) within the relative
> controlled environment of an IDE.

-- Amen. I am tried of being told how great a language is when the IDE 
tools for it is not finished or stable, or welcomes a newbie well. Over 
the many years in computer industry, I have seen this subtle approach 
of forcing newbies into a rite of passage to master a tool. Its 
childish and doesn't serve well growing the installed base.

Andrew
-{Choose Life, Create hope, Nurture Love...}-