[Pythonmac-SIG] a beginner's list (Or: everyone's talking; no-one's listening)

[Charles Hartman]

See my earlier message, subject "New Page, first proposal", for a  
possible organization of the page that builds on Chris Barker's  
suggestons (and others). The "beginner's list" thread is (just) an  
offshoot of one question posed there.

Charles


On Feb 8, 2006, at 12:00 PM, Louis Pecora wrote:

> Charles Hartman wrote:
>>
>> On Feb 8, 2006, at 11:18 AM, Louis Pecora wrote:
>>
>>
>> I'd like to get some feedback on the organization I proposed  
>> before I start trying to flesh anything out. The better the  
>> organization before I start, the less confusing (not to mention  
>> time-consuming) the work to refine it. I don't promise anything by  
>> the end of the weekend, but I'll hope to crank out a first (and  
>> text-only, not html) mock-up.
>>
>> Keep them cards & letters comin'.
>>
>> Charles
>>
> Agree.
>
> Here's what you wrote:
>
> Somebody who comes idly to the idea of programming in Python, and   
> finds the pythonmac page, will be happy if the result is an   
> afternoon's work that ends in a "hello world," possibly in a  
> window.  Using my own arbitrary preferences, that would entail:
>
> 1. downloading & installing Bob's framework
> 2. downloading & installing TigerPython24Fix
> 3. adding /usr/local/bin to the PATH
> 4. downloading & installing wxPython
> 5. downloading & installing [fill in name of IDE]
> 6. starting to browse how-to-program sites and writing some bits
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
> -------
>
> I like what Chris Baker had (If I can remember it).  It involved a  
> division into various categories like:
>
> o  Getting right into the Python already on your Mac (yes, it's  
> already there!)
>
> o  Getting a more powerful (better word here?) version of python  
> (2.4.1) that will work better with other packages and provide more  
> features (Charles, your list here, items 1. to 3. for a three-step  
> process and an easy install of 2.4.1
>
> o  Add-ons (other packages, better word here?):  a short list,  
> where to get them, how to install them, pointers to other more  
> complete lists.  Here we put wxPython, IDEs,
> o  Your item 6.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
> -------
>
> I found Chris B.'s list (which I like).  It offers some good  
> categories and overlaps the above.  Hope this helps.
>
>
> [from Chris B.]
>
> Welcome to Python on the Mac!
>
> Intro-
>   links to other python resources, etc.
>
> What Python should I use?
>   -- brief discussion of the options.
>
>
>   --The "Recommended Option" -- for users without special needs or  
> newbies that don't know what they need
>   ----- Link to Binary Python 2.4.* installer
>   ----- Instructions of stuff to do after installing:
>         -- Install TigerPython24Fix
>         -- Add /usr/local/bin to your PATH
>         -- Note: couldn't those steps be optionally done by the  
> installer?
>   ----- Link to Collection of packages on Pythonmac.org
>
>   ----- Link to Wiki pages for people that need to use other  
> Pythons. Perhaps build instructions, etc.
>
> What do I do now?
>   -- How to run from command line
>   -- IDE/editor options
>   -- Pointers to "learn python" resources
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -- 
> Cheers,
>
> Lou Pecora
>
> Code 6362
> Naval Research Lab
> Washington, DC  20375
> USA
> Ph:  +202-767-6002
> email:  pecora at anvil.nrl.navy.mil
>