Nice article. The steps are basically how I approach learning a new language, and I imagine it's the same for most people -that is, if they are serious about making the language one of their 'languages of choice'.

And, while I agree video is terrible for learning a language, it can be excellent for abstract CS concepts. For example, an expert explaining the design and analysis of algorithms.

I can't tell you how much IRC has helped me over the years. The communities there can be so extremely helpful and motivating. Sometimes when learning something new, it's hard to know where you're getting stuck and having a community to chat with in real time makes such a huge difference.

Does anyone have suggestions for a "guide book" to learn Python? Specifically - best practices, design patterns, rationale for implementations, preferred data structures, even the history of the platform.

I recognize the irony of this, given the 'Less Video' portion of the parent article[1]. But my first introduction to using Python in a truly 'Pythonic' way was Peter Norvig's free CS212 class on Udacity. (It will be starting up again June 25th).

Until then, I had just been translating my old habits into Python.

[1] Also, I'm a huge fan of learning languages from 'guide books,' as recommended by the parent article.

That was an amazing course and my first experience when video lectures didn't suck. I learned Python without even trying, as a by-product of solving interesting problems.

This won't have everything you're looking for, but the Python docs are a good start:

http://docs.python.org/

The Howto section has several gems:

http://docs.python.org/howto/index.html

Dive into Python was pretty good. That was how I learned it.

I've heard Zed Shaw's Learn Python the Hard Way is good and I'm enjoying his book on C.

Just keep in mind that Python 2.X and Python 3.X are fairly different.

For that matter, Python 2.4 is way different compared to Python 2.7

Same question, iOS development? And while we're at it, Grails?

Well I can certainly answer the iOS Development one with a shameless plug: http://www.amazon.com/iOS-Programming-Ranch-Edition-Guides/d...

Are you doing an update for iOS 6?

iOS 6 was really the first major revision that didn't change anything fundamental that will force another edition of the book. So, everything in the book not only works with iOS 6, it is still the recommended approach/foundation.

Thanks - downloading the Kindle sample :)