How to promote Python in the Federal government?

[Kim Petersen]

Martin v. Löwis wrote:
> Stephen Ferg wrote:
> 
>> Currently, the level of Python-awareness in the Federal government (or
>> at least at my agency in Washington DC) is extremely low.  Most
>> programmers and managers aren't even aware of the existence of a
>> programming language named "Python".  Most managers are barely aware
>> of open-source software, and would never switch to open-source from
>> Microsoft for fear of "lack of support"!
> 
> 
> People who have successfully introduced Python into their organization 
> often reported that they succeeded by showing that Python helps to solve 
> real problems. Speaking in the abstract about how great the language 
> isn't very convincing: everybody has heard dozens of advertisements of 
> new technology, just to see that technology disappear or get superceded 
> a few years later. So people are very careful, and rightfully so.

I agree with the above - but in addition to this - in my company the 
turning point was a kind of wager.... i first introduced Python like 
above, but then as the final coup d'etat i asked if i could borrow a 
programmer (not a good one - he said he did "household" programming in 
Visual Basic pretty well) for 14 days .. so we gave him a task, some 
tutorials on Python - one person to ask - and the concept Tkinter (via Pmw).

14 days later he had a working program - and i had a convinced audience ;-)

> 
> Instead of fighting a holy war, try to get Python accepted in your 
> environment. Look what problems people have, and show them how to solve 
> the problem with Python. Choose problems where a Python solution would 
> be non-intrusive (e.g. were it won't require extra privileges, or not 
> being shipped to third parties). Target potential multipliers, i.e. 
> experienced developers who might become advocates themselves, or 
> managers who could just "order" usage of Python once they are convinced. 
> Avoid system administrators :-)
> 
> Regards,
> Martin
> 



-- 
Med Venlig Hilsen / Regards

Kim Petersen - Kyborg A/S
IT - Innovationshuset
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