An interactive version of A Byte of Python
Roorky is a new startup that has created a new file format and software for interactive books. As part of the default installation of the software, they are bundling A Byte of Python free with the software.
What is interesting is that this may help complete beginners who stumble in getting started with IDLE, etc. The most common email that I get asked is when people run python abc.py on the IDLE interpreter prompt and wonder why it is not working – both the concepts of two command lines as well as the concept of running a program is not grokked well by beginners who are getting started, especially people who are self-taught. From that perspective, this is an interesting approach to the problem.
I am still not convinced about this approach because people cannot bypass the learning of how to edit, compile and run the code in the native environment, because that will be needed when writing new programs. It will be interesting how the two opposing needs will be balanced.
But I hope beginners will try it out and see if it helps them get started.
A full size video of a walkthrough of the software is available at the Roorky website.
Note: Be warned that it is a beta software.
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November 9th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Nice! RT @swaroopch: New blog post: An interactive version of A Byte of Python http://bit.ly/2VnbIx
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
November 9th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Heh – nice to see other people having similar ideas. I posted about similar stuff a couple of months back : http://sayamindu.randomink.org/ramblings/2009/08/12/braindump-on-ebooks/
November 11th, 2009 at 10:50 am
this is..well…rather silly. why would anyone bother with this…I mean give me the PDF any day cand I can do highlighting/notes etc as I read.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Hi Swaroop,
Thanks a lot for mentioning about Roorky on your blog.
Hi Matt, You are right about PDF. What differentiates PDF from iPUB is that you can execute programs right within reader. Apart from that we will be adding new features notes saved for a book in one machine will be available in another machine
Also you can share, rate and discuss notes of all the readers of given iPUB in upcoming versions.
Thanks – Prasad
November 11th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
new startup #roorky has interactive #ebook reader http://bit.ly/5Des8
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
November 12th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Please visit http://roorky.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/why-ipub-is-needed/ to see major motivations for coming up with this new format.
Thanks – Roorky
November 14th, 2009 at 12:58 am
@Sayamindu Yes, that was eerily on the same lines
… And definitely, ebooks can be more fun and engaging based on what you have mentioned.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:46 am
Just wish e-books (of the future) would have this command :
[Minimalist Version: Just the FACTS! (i.e. Hide all blah-blah "fillers")]
November 14th, 2009 at 1:53 am
adding to my comment above ^^^
oh, and Swaroop, your BOP(120) is quite near that “minimalist/condensed” style. Good job. thanks