[jasonrodriguez]

I'm right there with you. I have been an avid reader of HN for going on 2 years now. While I can't sit down and develop killer software from scratch, I am slowly learning more and more about technology and programming, and a lot of it is thanks to the great HN community.

I just started ready the updated edition of Learn Python The Hard way, and really enjoy it. It's the first book on programming that I have read that throws you right into the thick of things, get's you started writing code from the outset. Feel free to send me a message or email me if you want to bounce and ideas off of each other with Python or anything else, I get the impression we are both starting off on the same page. Should be a fun adventure!

[elxrr]

"Feel free to send me a message or email me if you want to bounce and ideas off of each other with Python or anything else, I get the impression we are both starting off on the same page"

Is that open to all?

[jasonrodriguez]

Yeah, absolutely. I'm always open to chatting with HN people. I would absolutely like to get in on a study group situtation for LPTHW like suggest below.

[colson04]

I just started LPTHW as well and would like to get in on the discussion too

[capnbuzzword]

Would you guys be interested in setting up a "study group", sort of a Procrastinators Anonymous for wanna-be developers?

I can't begin to count the books I've skimmed over and not completed a single exercise. LPTHW was really nice in the way it gave you nothing else to do but exercises. Perhaps something as simple as a small, tight-knit forum (plenty of free forum providers) & IRC channel (something like freenode #python-studygrp) can be useful to bust the barrier of "I'll just start on that exercise/project/book when I'm a bit less tired." Somebody shoots an idea of something they've been meaning to do and others can jump in with brainstorming, ideas, pair programming and general "let's just do it" attitude.

Hell, I know I've been meaning to write a python script to draw a daily histogram of the creation times of Opera bookmarks, but I never got around to it. If I had a twin, I'd prod myself to hunker down and just write those <1KLoC.

So if anyone's interested in the group thing, just drop me a line so I can set it up tonight (CEST timezone here).

[imp]

If you're interested, I started a website to help organize group studying just like you're suggesting. It's called Curious Reef, and here is an example class for the MIT OCW 6.00 class: http://curiousreef.com/class/mit-opencourseware-600-introduc...

Ping me if you have any questions (email in my profile). It's all free, open, etc.

[elxrr]

Thanks, this is a nice option.

[jasonrodriguez]

Definitely interested, let us know if you set something up. I think a forum would probably work out the best.

[kgermino]

I'm up for it. Drop me an email

[elxrr]

Sent you an e-mail.

[jasonrodriguez]

If you guys figure something out for a study group or IRC chat, email me! I would love to have some people going through LPTHW with me to keep each other at it. Like a lot of people, I always find myself starting the learning process with enthusiasm, but then dropping the hat when other projects come up. Really need the support to help make programming a priority.

[colson04]

Same here - support and group understanding are critical for taking things to the next level. Send me an email if anything takes form.

[amymattson]

Could you email me too please?

[elxrr]

Missed this one, sorry. Please respond with your e-mail address.