Recommendations for CD/DVD-based or on-line Python classes?

[Joel Kolstad]

Just curious... I have plenty of programming background (C++ being the closest
to Python), and I have a copy of Lutz's "Learning Python," but before I dive
head-first into that tome, does anyone know of a web-based or CD/DVD-based
training class that's priced for individuals?

Example of what I'm looking for: Something like 6 or 7 years ago Ziff-Davis
had a bunch of on-line instructor-lead courses, where you'd read a chapter in
a book, read the instructor's take on the chapter (just a few pages), perform
the programming assignments, and ask the instructor if you had any
difficulties. There was a solid schedule (ch. 1 this week, ch. 2 the next,
etc. -- courses repeated every quarter or somesuch) as well. Ziff-Davis
charged something like $99 or $199/year for this service (all the courses you
wanted to sign up for -- quite reasonable, IMO) and also made money by
requiring the use of their own books (which were often someone else's book
that they'd just put their own name on) -- which were usually cheap enough at
something like $30/ea.

That whole setup worked quite well for me... anyone know of something similar?
If not I probably will have to force myself to spend an hour a day or
something going through Lutz's book...

Thanks,
---Joel Kolstad

 

[Scott David Daniels]

Just curious... I have plenty of programming background (C++ being the closest
to Python), and I have a copy of Lutz's "Learning Python," but before I dive
head-first into that tome, does anyone know of a web-based or CD/DVD-based
training class that's priced for individuals?

Example of what I'm looking for: Something like 6 or 7 years ago Ziff-Davis
had a bunch of on-line instructor-lead courses, where you'd read a chapter in
a book, read the instructor's take on the chapter (just a few pages), perform
the programming assignments, and ask the instructor if you had any
difficulties. There was a solid schedule (ch. 1 this week, ch. 2 the next,
etc. -- courses repeated every quarter or somesuch) as well. Ziff-Davis
charged something like $99 or $199/year for this service (all the courses you
wanted to sign up for -- quite reasonable, IMO) and also made money by
requiring the use of their own books (which were often someone else's book
that they'd just put their own name on) -- which were usually cheap enough at
something like $30/ea.

That whole setup worked quite well for me... anyone know of something similar?
If not I probably will have to force myself to spend an hour a day or
something going through Lutz's book...

Thanks,
---Joel Kolstad

Well, you could read through all the web thingies around (the online
tutorial is great), many others listed "getting started" should help,
and to really build your muscles, try the "Python challenge."