Written by t4ggs the 15 Jan 09 at 21:06.

I've tried KTurtle and Little Wizard, never understood what I'm supposed to do.

I've tried KTurtle and Little Wizard, never understood what I'm supposed to do.

Written by timnwells the 15 Jan 09 at 23:50.

Improve the available development tools to aid new programmers. We need tools at the same sort of caliber as Visual Studio or the Mac dev tools with easy to use gui designers, good code completion and integrated debugging.
This would go a long way to encouraging new developers.

Improve the available development tools to aid new programmers. We need tools at the same sort of caliber as Visual Studio or the Mac dev tools with easy to use gui designers, good code completion and integrated debugging. This would go a long way to encouraging new developers.

Written by Primož Papič the 15 Jan 09 at 23:57.

I proposed this idea long ago and I think that it is an viable solution to this problem, even though that original solution tries to convey the same message, but it fails.
---
I'm rookie in Ubuntu and Linux, but I would like to get more
involved in process of developing and creating new programs
and applications for K/EDU/go/X-Ubuntu. But there is no really simple tutorial on how to learn basics of programming.
/EDIT: Let's say that I want to develop an application, so obviously I would go to Ubuntu site and look under development, but it there is no help for those that would like to start develop. The site should be similar to this site: http://techbase.kde.org/Development/Tutorials#Introduction_To_KDE_4_Programming

Where I could get all information on how to program in Ubuntu, plus it would be really great if on this site, there would be default IDE on which this programming would take place.

This would not be site for those who know what they're doing but for those that know no programming language, but would like to learn how to program.

I proposed <a href="http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/7933/" target="_blank">this idea</a> long ago and I think that it is an viable solution to this problem, even though that original solution tries to convey the same message, but it fails. --- I'm rookie in Ubuntu and Linux, but I would like to get more involved in process of developing and creating new programs and applications for K/EDU/go/X-Ubuntu. But there is no really simple tutorial on how to learn basics of programming. /EDIT: Let's say that I want to develop an application, so obviously I would go to Ubuntu site and look under development, but it there is no help for those that would like to start develop. The site should be similar to this site: http://techbase.kde.org/Development/Tutorials#Introduction_To_KDE_4_Programming Where I could get all information on how to program in Ubuntu, plus it would be really great if on this site, there would be default IDE on which this programming would take place. This would not be site for those who know what they're doing but for those that know no programming language, but would like to learn how to program.

Written by r0g the 20 Jan 09 at 22:31.

If you find c really boring then maybe programming is not for you. There are easier languages but it's not something you're ever going to be good at unless you have some enthusiasm for the subject because it goes deep. It's not inherently easy stuff either, this is why people spend thousands of dollars going to college or years of late nights to learn how to do it.

Ubuntu needs developers but they need to be half decent. A huge influx of total rookies wanting to program would be more hinderance than help what with all the hand holding the existing devs would have to do and the buggy/insecure/crappily commented code that would be generated.

There are plenty of ways to contribute to open source projects that don't involve writing code. If you do want to code you need patience, dedication and a very good reason. Even then it wouldn't be Ubuntu's job to teach you, especially as half the entire internet is made of coding tutorials and programming for Ubuntu is really no different than programming for Red Hat or Suse.

If you find c really boring then maybe programming is not for you. There are easier languages but it's not something you're ever going to be good at unless you have some enthusiasm for the subject because it goes deep. It's not inherently easy stuff either, this is why people spend thousands of dollars going to college or years of late nights to learn how to do it. Ubuntu needs developers but they need to be half decent. A huge influx of total rookies wanting to program would be more hinderance than help what with all the hand holding the existing devs would have to do and the buggy/insecure/crappily commented code that would be generated. There are plenty of ways to contribute to open source projects that don't involve writing code. If you do want to code you need patience, dedication and a very good reason. Even then it wouldn't be Ubuntu's job to teach you, especially as half the entire internet is made of coding tutorials and programming for Ubuntu is really no different than programming for Red Hat or Suse.

Written by diegoj the 21 Jan 09 at 00:33.

Easier than becoming a developper but sometimes twice as useful.

There are too much languages without 50% of basic translations.

I think is more important, easier and useful to reach more people than to "support" newbies to develop software.

Using Launchapad to translate packages and Ubuntu should be encouraged from ubuntu.com and as many ways as possible.

Easier than becoming a developper but sometimes twice as useful. There are too much languages without 50% of basic translations. I think is more important, easier and useful to reach more people than to "support" newbies to develop software. Using Launchapad to translate packages and Ubuntu should be encouraged from ubuntu.com and as many ways as possible.

Written by woutersamaey the 21 Jan 09 at 22:37.

As a professional developer myself, I'd love to help out, but cannot spend hours and hours reading everything before I can even start to do anything.
If someone were to point me in the right direction, and get me helping out right away (even if it's just minor tasks), I'd be more eager to take that step. Also, the "coach" should give us the feeling of working together with other devs, instead of sitting alone at a desk, working our buts off.

Personal and vocal contact is a important social aspect of motivating skilled people.

I understand it's hard to talk to every single person, but I believe it's the only way. Give it a try, plz.

As a professional developer myself, I'd love to help out, but cannot spend hours and hours reading everything before I can even start to do anything. If someone were to point me in the right direction, and get me helping out right away (even if it's just minor tasks), I'd be more eager to take that step. Also, the "coach" should give us the feeling of working together with other devs, instead of sitting alone at a desk, working our buts off. Personal and vocal contact is a important social aspect of motivating skilled people. I understand it's hard to talk to every single person, but I believe it's the only way. Give it a try, plz.

Written by calimer the 24 Jan 09 at 04:57.

Hi, I currently work on a project called Platinum Arts Sandbox which is a free easy to use 3D Game Maker for kids and adults. The software is currently being used in schools throughout the world, has appeared at several linux conferences, and at moddb is currently rated as one of the top 100 mods/games of the year out of over 5k (hoping to make the top 10 :D voting ends in Feb). I personally have used the software to teach kids at various schools and colleges. I have had work submitted to me by kids as young as 6. The kids have created some really awesome projects and Sandbox is only growing. We currently have several different game modes such as Save The Princess, RPG, sidescroller, machinima, kartmode, and more! The project is capable of making FPS and other adult games as well. For more information on what it is capable of please check out our webpage at http://kids.platinumarts.net. Especially useful should be this section:
http://kids.platinumarts.net/what-is-sandbox.html
Here is our popular tutorial video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g44Ww2bg2_E
Here is a video of kids enjoying Sandbox :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvy3h3z8cvw

Sandbox is a great way for anyone to start with since it is easy to edit since it is done in game in real time and it is open source. The compiling process is relatively simple as we've put a lot of work into making the project as easy to use as possible and hoping to expand it even further. Another big strength is being able to work on levels cooperatively with other people.

Hi, I currently work on a project called Platinum Arts Sandbox which is a free easy to use 3D Game Maker for kids and adults. The software is currently being used in schools throughout the world, has appeared at several linux conferences, and at moddb is currently rated as one of the top 100 mods/games of the year out of over 5k (hoping to make the top 10 :D voting ends in Feb). I personally have used the software to teach kids at various schools and colleges. I have had work submitted to me by kids as young as 6. The kids have created some really awesome projects and Sandbox is only growing. We currently have several different game modes such as Save The Princess, RPG, sidescroller, machinima, kartmode, and more! The project is capable of making FPS and other adult games as well. For more information on what it is capable of please check out our webpage at http://kids.platinumarts.net. Especially useful should be this section: http://kids.platinumarts.net/what-is-sandbox.html Here is our popular tutorial video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g44Ww2bg2_E Here is a video of kids enjoying Sandbox :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvy3h3z8cvw Sandbox is a great way for anyone to start with since it is easy to edit since it is done in game in real time and it is open source. The compiling process is relatively simple as we've put a lot of work into making the project as easy to use as possible and hoping to expand it even further. Another big strength is being able to work on levels cooperatively with other people. I also plan on making a section on the webpage that lists free development tools. As a note I do have several years of game development experience and my past project was the doom 3 coop mod last man standing at http://doom3coop.com The project won many awards which you can check out in the About section. I'm really hoping to make Sandbox the best I can for everyone :) Take care and thanks for reading all this :D -mike http://kids.platinumarts.net

Written by Primož Papič the 24 Jan 09 at 15:01.

This idea is totally strange, but it might work.
---
It would be nice to have a game where you would compile your own Linux kernel or customize your distro...
You know something similar to Need for Speed (the later versions) just instead of adding spinners to the car you would compile a kernel with some mods in it, do different scripts and so on...
And after you've done you would run the "virtual machine" and see what happens.

/The result could be a bit more fictitious like you kernel caused your computer to burn or caused a outbreak of plague somewhere...

This idea is totally strange, but it might work. --- It would be nice to have a game where you would compile your own Linux kernel or customize your distro... You know something similar to Need for Speed (the later versions) just instead of adding spinners to the car you would compile a kernel with some mods in it, do different scripts and so on... And after you've done you would run the "virtual machine" and see what happens. /The result could be a bit more fictitious like you kernel caused your computer to burn or caused a outbreak of plague somewhere...

Written by Warbo the 6 Feb 09 at 20:13.

Etoys is a programming environment, made in Squeak Smalltalk, which is object oriented, prototype-based (like Javascript), has drag-and-drop programming and allows everything (including the menus and everything!) to be inspected, edited, scripted, etc.

I would say that the hardest part of my programming journey so far was the jump between structured programming (a big list of instructions, conditions and loops, all acting on global variables) to object oriented programming (everything being 'objects' which contain properties and can tell each other things by running each others' methods). This was because it involved a big switch in the way I thought about programs. Once I understood OO programming then masses of libraries and things became available to me, but getting over that hurdle took some time.

Since object oriented programming is a more natural way of thinking than structured programming, I think it would be better to introduce an OO system first, rather than teach something which needs to be partially un-learned later. Etoys offers such a system, and gives instant graphical feedback for the scripts written. It's been used around the world, most notably on the One Laptop Per Child XO machines, showing that it's possible to have a full object oriented programming system understandable enough for children to pick up without prior experience with computers.

I propose that Etoys be promoted on official guides for those who want to start developing for Ubuntu, as a way forward for never-programmed-before users who want to become developers, followed by guides on how to apply knowledge of the Etoys programming environment to Python (Ubuntu's preferred development language).

Etoys is a programming environment, made in Squeak Smalltalk, which is object oriented, prototype-based (like Javascript), has drag-and-drop programming and allows everything (including the menus and everything!) to be inspected, edited, scripted, etc. I would say that the hardest part of my programming journey so far was the jump between structured programming (a big list of instructions, conditions and loops, all acting on global variables) to object oriented programming (everything being 'objects' which contain properties and can tell each other things by running each others' methods). This was because it involved a big switch in the way I thought about programs. Once I understood OO programming then masses of libraries and things became available to me, but getting over that hurdle took some time. Since object oriented programming is a more natural way of thinking than structured programming, I think it would be better to introduce an OO system first, rather than teach something which needs to be partially un-learned later. Etoys offers such a system, and gives instant graphical feedback for the scripts written. It's been used around the world, most notably on the One Laptop Per Child XO machines, showing that it's possible to have a full object oriented programming system understandable enough for children to pick up without prior experience with computers. I propose that Etoys be promoted on official guides for those who want to start developing for Ubuntu, as a way forward for never-programmed-before users who want to become developers, followed by guides on how to apply knowledge of the Etoys programming environment to Python (Ubuntu's preferred development language).

Written by David.ZA the 13 Feb 09 at 12:52.

Forum where projects could post for help and those that want to help could sign up. This could work for all facets of development including documentation, translation and of course programming.

In fact this very forum should provide a link to 'project' for the solutions proposed; and if those projects require volunteers.

Forum where projects could post for help and those that want to help could sign up. This could work for all facets of development including documentation, translation and of course programming. In fact this very forum should provide a link to 'project' for the solutions proposed; and if those projects require volunteers.

Written by codeslicer the 5 Mar 09 at 23:30.

Qt 4.5, recently released by Nokia, allows the development of single-source applications across all platforms.

Plus they recently added better Gtk integration (with Qt 4.5 which isn't available in the repos yet).

See http://doc.trolltech.com/4.5/images/gtk-style-screenshot.png.

Qt 4.5, recently released by Nokia, allows the development of single-source applications across all platforms. Plus they recently added better Gtk integration (with Qt 4.5 which isn't available in the repos yet). See http://doc.trolltech.com/4.5/images/gtk-style-screenshot.png.

Written by neon the 7 Mar 08 at 00:45.

Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #3645 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

<i>Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #3645 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution.</i><br /> Thanks!