Yeah, that's the cool thing about my business too. I get e-mail all the time about how people were on the brink, and now their life is turned around. It's awesome.
Awesome. I posted a whole bunch more lessons, so not sure when you stopped reading LPTHW but try grabbing it again. Learning Python is a great book, and it's huge so you'll have tons of things to work on. I haven't heard of python 4 fun before.
I'll be at Antidote in Houston tonight for the informal Learn Python The Hard Way Tuesday. No big deal. We just sit there going through Zed's book and if you get stumped, I help you figure out the answer. You can also try this userid on Skype or at yahoo by email. Tonight, I may be preoccupied by someone from okcupid.
He emailed me more details. Basically, he's a system administrator who learned Python through my book, and actually just an early version of it. He hadn't been able to learn programming before. He then wrote some software at his company that got him enough of a raise that he could move his family out of a bad neighborhood and buy a house. He then got a promotion and has been on the up ever since.
This is why I liked it so much. When I tell system administrators they have to learn to code, I really mean it will help them. Hopefully my book can do that for even more of them (and others).
Most of what you have to say here I find myself agreeing with with a smile and nod. But I wish you would just let this one go. He may not be the easiest person in the world to argue with, but his work and that book specifically are excellent. I also emailed him thanking him for sharing his work and got a prompt, sincere reply. I've been to your site and seen your thorough and organized postings on freelancing and I've read each one. And not having sent a thank you via email( my apologies), here's an honest one now;
Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge in an articulate and interesting way. It helps the late bloomers among us find our path.
That being said I just want to scream when I log on and the first comment on this post is pure snark from someone who should seemingly be above that. C'mon man, for some who is so clearly motivated by empathy and understanding in the comments they leave here I would hope you could just let. shit. go.
I flagged this comment, just to be clear. I don't understand how this adds value to the conversation at all. I understand people have opinions about Zed, but this is a great email response to a great piece of actual work.
[+] [-] ajj|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] lunaru|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pmichaud|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] takrupp|15 years ago|reply
Going to try Python for Fun this month (http://openbookproject.net/py4fun/index.html) to get a bit more advanced and pick up Learning Python (http://www.amazon.com/Learning-Python-Powerful-Object-Orient...), unless anyone else has any other better suggestions?
[+] [-] zedshaw|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] virinvictus|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] slowpoison|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] supirman|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] stcredzero|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] _3ex7|15 years ago|reply
Like a date? Or someone who works there?
[+] [-] cemetric|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tkahn6|15 years ago|reply
Does this mean he was able to get a job with his Python skills?
[+] [-] zedshaw|15 years ago|reply
This is why I liked it so much. When I tell system administrators they have to learn to code, I really mean it will help them. Hopefully my book can do that for even more of them (and others).
[+] [-] scorpion032|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] omaranto|15 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jacquesm|15 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] Mod_daniel|15 years ago|reply
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[+] [-] Vindexus|15 years ago|reply