IPython at Ohio LinuxFest 2013

Are you signed up yet for Ohio LinuxFest on Sep. 13-15? I'll be there to present

IPython for non-Pythonistas

Break out of your (bash) shell! IPython and the IPython Notebook have swept over the Python programming community, but they're not just for Python programmers - they make for high-powered shell replacements even with little to no Python knowledge. They'll also let you document your work and collaborate with others like never before. Find out how these beautiful tools can improve your daily Linux work!

At PyOhio, I argued that all Python programmers need IPython. At OLF, I'll make the case that non-Pythonistas need IPython, too. Perhaps my next talk will be "Even Your Cat Needs IPython".

Also at OLF, look for PyOhio's booth for info on next year's PyOhio, other Python events around the region, and general Python love!

Linux Installfest, Dayton, Sat April 13

Dayton folks - are you coming to the Dayton Linux User Group's Installfest tomorrow?

The main point of our Installfests is to get everyone together for mutual help setting up and configuring computers and programs. But we like to throw in some educational talks, too, and I volunteered to give two:

Corrupting the Youth: a survey of programming environments for kids

Several open-source projects have been created to help introduce kids to computer programming by creating programming environments more intuitive and fun than simply writing code at a text editor. We'll take a quick look at several of them, some suitable for teens and others for kids barely into elementary school.

Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming Concepts

Object-oriented is the most common programming paradigm in use today, but some people who've only programmed in procedural languages find object-oriented terms and concepts mysterious and intimidating. We'll take the mystery out by explaining the motivations and fundamental techniques of OO programming with some easy-to-understand examples.

Hope to see some of you there!

HTSQL slides posted

Thanks to my Ohio Linuxfest audience for your attention and interest! My slides from yesterday are posted:

Your Database, Exposed: HTSQL


Shortly, I'll also post a summary of the questions I was asked that I didn't have firm answers for.

As usual, I had great time at OLF. As usual, I brought my voice to its knees by talking to awesome people in the noisy exhibit hall before my talk... I'm going to ask for a morning speaking slot next time I speak! Thanks, everybody!

Ohio LinuxFest

I feel bad for not blogging after PyOhio. I just have trouble finding words. Along with PyCon, it's a sort of family reunion for me.

But anyway - next conference: Ohio LinuxFest. This weekend, so sign up now now now move move move - I think today is the pre-reg deadline. It's always a great event, draws people from all over the East and sometimes further. Look for our PyOhio table to have a Python chat (or help staff the table, and introduce other attendees to Python joy). OLF is one of the best places in the region for midway mingling.

I'm speaking on HTSQL. I spoke on it at Indiana LinuxFest in the spring, too, only this time it follows several months of using it seriously at work. The experience has only made me more enthusiastic about HTSQL. Check it out... there's still time to be an early adopter and sneer at everybody else after it becomes famous.

See you in Columbus! Register now!

Oracle at Ohio LinuxFest

It's not official yet - so you can't find it at the Ohio LinuxFest website - but it looks like Oracle will be a sponsor and exhibitor this year. They're planning to do an Oracle-on-Linux installfest. If you'd like to get your first taste of Oracle on Linux, sign up for LinuxFest (it's free) and prepare to have a blast.

If you're already pretty good at Oracle-on-Linux and would like to help others get started, send me email! I hope to gather a small group of volunteers to help out at the installfest.

KDE 4: wait

I'm a habitual early adopter. For instance, I moved my production databases to Oracle 11g weeks ago. So, naturally, I had to try the new Kubuntu with KDE 4.0. Sometimes, however, "alpha" really means "alpha", as in "nope, it's not ready yet, leave it alone unless you really want to suffer for science".

So far, these are the features from earlier Kubuntu / KDE combinations that aren't working for me on the new Hardy / KDE4 alpha-alpha.

• response to volume / mute buttons on hardware
• Automatic mounting of USB drives (the device doesn't show up under /media until after you've navigated into it with Dolphin)
• Alt-Tab switching between windows (AAAAAARGH!)

This last one brings it to the threshhold of unusability, and I'll probably uninstall, unless I can find a keyboard shortcut to switching windows soon (and I've had little luck finding a good users' introduction to KDE4). Now, I'm sure there's lots of wonderful stuff about KDE4. I think there's an eternal tension between brilliant designers who improve products and ungrateful users who do nothing but gripe. That's because, if you introduce fifty new features that will please me greatly - when I get around to learning to use them - while, at the same time, breaking five old features that I know and have come to rely on... well, I say the new version "sucks". It isn't fair, is it? But it's the way it works.

Kubuntu

For Feisty, just to learn something new, I thought I'd try Kubuntu (KDE Ubuntu) instead of Ubuntu this time around.

And... and... I think I'm a believer.

For what I've done so far, the extra information KDE provides is very well thought-out, just what I need to know when I need to know it. For instance...

• When I want to remove a USB drive or somesuch, but something is still using it, Ubuntu (like Windows, including Vista) only tells me that something is using it. Kubuntu tells me what is using it.
• Alt-Tabbing through my open windows gives more information than just the icon of each running program - enough so that I can distinguish between my eight different command prompt windows.
• Hovering over an icon pops up the file properties. Nice! I mean, why else would I be hovering over an icon, except that I was fumbling for the right-mouse button so I could find out more?
• Clicking my networking icon provides all the information I need to choose at a single glance, and then one more click connects me. Also, Kubuntu seems to jump to conclusions and do the right thing for networking - when there's only one wireless network around, Kubuntu just connects me without waiting to be asked.

The downsides I've found so far...

• I really liked Ctrl-+ to increase the font size of GNOME windows. That's important when trying to read laptop screens in adverse environments (like outside). I haven't found a KDE equivalent.
• The built-in text editor, Kate, bungles the spaces/tabs in Python files. That's one good reason to install Komodo (free editor or the real thing) immediately.

Real gurus can discuss the relative strengths of KDE and Gnome for hours, of course, and I thank God that I've never been caught in such a debate. I'm just saying that KDE is making a really good first impression on me, and that's after years of Gnome experience.