In almost two days I've gone from a complete Python ignoramus to a beginning Python coder capable of building basic software. I would highly recommend it for anyone considering Ubuntu since it's the language of choice for writing apps and the language most used in Ubuntu programs. I'm planning to contribute to the Ubuntu project and as such have decided to go deep with the language. It's extremely fun and has a nice Eclipse plug in called PyDev.
If you're comfortable with OO languages this one is a snap to pick up. I've also had the advantage of using the Python Fundamentals DVD by Wesley J. Chun (Prentice Hall). I highly recommend this for anyone interested. I haven't even finished it and I find it hard to continue the video lessons because I'm too busy writing cool classes and experimenting with apps
Also, I had a discussion with a Ruby guru at work and asked him about the differences between Python and Ruby. He basically said 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other. Python has a tendency to get conceptually lumped in with Perl when it truly is more along the lines of Ruby. Ruby is just as much of a scripting language as Python.
