[Tutor] [tutor-bounces@python.org: Auto-response for your message to the "Tutor" mailing list]

Tim Johnson tim at johnsons-web.com
Mon Mar 15 20:05:12 EST 2004


Danny: I'm forwarding this as an assumption that you
are the python list maintainer now. 

My apology if I've forwarded this to the wrong person...

I get a message like this from time to time. 

FYI, to the best of my memory, I've been continuously on this
list for about 3 years now..... I.E: I'm not new to the
list, I just don't post a lot. Guess that makes me a 
"lurker". 

Thought the list maintainer might like to know,
as this is kind of an error.

Thanks
tim

----- Forwarded message from tutor-bounces at python.org -----

Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 19:31:42 -0500
From: tutor-bounces at python.org
Subject: Auto-response for your message to the "Tutor" mailing list
To: tim at johnsons-web.com
Errors-to: tutor-bounces at python.org
X-Mailer: The Mailman Replybot
Precedence: bulk
X-Ack: No
X-BeenThere: tutor at python.org
X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5b1
X-List-Administrivia: yes
List-Id: Discussion for learning programming with Python <tutor.python.org>

Your message for tutor at python.org, the Python programming tutor list,
has been received and is being delivered.  This automated response is
sent to those of you new to the Tutor list, to point out a few
resources that can help with answering your own questions, or improve
the chances of getting a useful answer from the other subscribers.

If your question is something akin to:

    "I've just heard about Python, and it sounds great!  Where can I
     find out more on how to program with Python?"

  or:

     "What's Python?"

please read section 1 below.

On the other hand, if your question is:
  
    "I've heard that Python is good for hacking -- I want to know
more!"

  or

    "Can you teach me how to break into a computer with Python?"

please read section 2 at the bottom of this email.

Section 1: ----------

The most comprehensive overview of python.org help resources is at

  http://www.python.org/Help.html

The Python FAQ is available at

  http://www.python.org/doc/FAQ.html 

and it has answers to many questions that people ask, possibly
including your question.  Another wealth of information and experience
can be found via the python.org searches, at

  http://www.python.org/search/

There you'll find comprehensive, easy-to-use searches over the
python.org web site and the Python newsgroup, comp.lang.python.

Python has an online tutorial, available freely from

  http://www.python.org/doc/current/tut/tut.html

Finally, when you do send email to the Tutor list, be as clear as you
can about the problem, including, when relevant, details like:

 - Precise error messages, including complete tracebacks    
 - The hardware platform (available in the Python sys module as
sys.platform)
 - The python version (sys.version) 
 - The python search path (sys.path)

In general, be specific about what was going on connected with the
problem or what specific concept you're having difficulties with.  The
better the info you provide, the more likely the helpers will be able
to glean the answer...

There's a HOWTO that shows how to ask "smart" questions to technical
folks:

http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Although it is provocative, it does have some good points, and is an
interesting read.


Note that no one is paid to read the tutor list or provide answers,
and most readers often have other work that demands their attention.
Well-posed requests for help are usually answered fairly promptly, but
occasionally a request slips by, so if you do not get a response with
one or two working days (it's usually quicker than that), please feel
free to send a followup, asking whether anyone is working on your
question.

Anyway, your message is being delivered to the Tutor list as this one
is being sent.  However, if your question was about as detailed as
"Teach me how to program in Python", do not count on an answer -- this
email contains all the information you need to start.  Come back with
a more precise question, and we'll be glad to help.


Thanks!

Section 2: ----------

We periodically get requests which ask about hacking or cracking or
breaking into computers.  If you haven't yet, go read Eric Raymond's
article "How To Become a Hacker" at
  http://catb.org/esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html

If, after you've read that, you want help learning how to hack the way
Eric defines the word, then come back to us (and read Section 1
above).  If you want help learning how to crack, go look elsewhere --
we're not interested in helping you do that.

----- End forwarded message -----

-- 
Tim Johnson <tim at johnsons-web.com>
      http://www.alaska-internet-solutions.com



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