# Ruby Newbie Advice **URL:** \ **Category:** ruby-talk\ **Created:** [6 February 2007 01:10 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110 "2007-02-06T01:10:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shawn\_W](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Shawn\_W](https://rubytalk.org/u/Shawn_W)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 14:33 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/21 "2007-02-06T14:33:36Z")
James Gray wrote: > **···** > > > On Feb 6, 2007, at 2:54 AM, Shawn W\_ wrote: > > > > > I've looked at the Ruby Quiz site but so far haven't found them > > > easy or short enough for my liking... > > > > There are easy quizzes. Look for the problems solved by many, many > > people. In general, those are the easier problems. LCD Numbers and > > pp Pascal are two examples. > > > > James Edward Gray II > > How many is many many? I do get it, but it's not something that's going > to occur to a newbie. Would be nice if there was a simple, say, three > star indicator, easy, average, hard, or even just a simple header > [suitable for newbie] sign at the top of each quiz, after all I would > think beginners are a good proportion of visitors to the Ruby Quizzes, > yes? > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Patrick\_Hurley1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Patrick\_Hurley1](https://rubytalk.org/u/Patrick_Hurley1)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 17:42 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/22 "2007-02-07T17:42:55Z")
You are very welcome to join use a the South East Michigan Ruby Brigade ([http://rubymi.org/\](http://rubymi.org/%5C)). We meet on the first Monday of every month, generally on campus in Ann Arbor. There is also talk about trying to have meetings a little further East on a different day (metro Detroit is pretty spread out, you know we all have cars and like to drive around here \). There is also a mailing list for RubyMI ([http://lists.rubymi.org/listinfo.cgi/rubymi-rubymi.org\](http://lists.rubymi.org/listinfo.cgi/rubymi-rubymi.org%5C)), where you can the details of our meetings, make suggestions for up coming meetings, etc. It is much lower volume than ruby-talk. Let us know you are coming and we will try and have some of those chocolate chip cookies for you. pth > **···** > > On 2/5/07, Samantha \ wrote: > > > Absolutely. I might be relocating to downstate Michigan (either Metro > > Detroit area or Ann Arbor) and I'm pretty stoked that there are user groups > > down there. I'm sure I can gleam some ideas there, too. ---
**Author:** ![James\_Edward\_Gray\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ea5d25/32.png) [@James\_Edward\_Gray\_II](https://rubytalk.org/u/James_Edward_Gray_II)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 03:12 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/23 "2007-02-06T03:12:19Z")
I've used PDF::Writer recently and I think that should be worth more than four points. 😉 (No offense intended Austin!) James Edward Gray II > **···** > > On Feb 5, 2007, at 9:07 PM, Jeremy McAnally wrote: > > > I'll give you four extra credit points if you can make you resume > > builder spit out a PDF using PDF::Writer or use LaTeX. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Samantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Samantha](https://rubytalk.org/u/Samantha)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 03:15 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/24 "2007-02-06T03:15:29Z")
Oh wow, I just downloaded your eBook either today or last night. Eventually, the hope is to do PDF. 🙂 Right now, I'm fumbling my way through YAML. :I > **···** > > On 2/5/07, Jeremy McAnally \ wrote: > > > I'll give you four extra credit points if you can make you resume > > builder spit out a PDF using PDF::Writer or use LaTeX. 😉 > > > > --Jeremy > > > > -- > > [http://www.jeremymcanally.com/](http://www.jeremymcanally.com/) > > > > My free Ruby e-book: > > [http://www.humblelittlerubybook.com/book/](http://www.humblelittlerubybook.com/book/) > > > > My blogs: > > [http://www.mrneighborly.com/](http://www.mrneighborly.com/) > > [http://www.rubyinpractice.com/](http://www.rubyinpractice.com/) > > -- > Samantha > > [http://www.babygeek.org/](http://www.babygeek.org/) > > "Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all > things are at risk." >   --Ralph Waldo Emerson ---
**Author:** ![Samantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Samantha](https://rubytalk.org/u/Samantha)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 03:17 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/25 "2007-02-06T03:17:31Z")
Thanks so much, Chris. I will check it out when I'm there. Again, I am still fumbling through YAML. 🙂 I haven't been this excited about something relating to computers since I first discovered Linux. > **···** > > On 2/5/07, Chris Carter \ wrote: > > > Hi Samantha! > > > > Welcome to ruby! So now you have an idea for a project, and it sounds > > like a good one too! For support, there is this wonderful list, and > > there is the #ruby-lang channel on freenode. It is one of the best > > resources you can find. Just don't be afraid to ask questions, no > > matter how stupid they sound. The ruby community is pretty darn nice. > > > > For you project, I would like to suggest you check out Ruport for > > generating the pdfs: > > [http://rubyreports.org/](http://rubyreports.org/) > > > > -- > > Chris Carter > > concentrationstudios.com > > brynmawrcs.com > > -- > Samantha > > [http://www.babygeek.org/](http://www.babygeek.org/) > > "Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all > things are at risk." >   --Ralph Waldo Emerson ---
**Author:** ![James\_Edward\_Gray\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ea5d25/32.png) [@James\_Edward\_Gray\_II](https://rubytalk.org/u/James_Edward_Gray_II)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 14:39 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/26 "2007-02-06T14:39:17Z")
I've wanted to add such a rating, but it's not as easy as it sounds. Who decides what is a three star rating? You and I probably differ on our definition of such. James Edward Gray II > **···** > > On Feb 6, 2007, at 8:33 AM, Shawn W\_ wrote: > > > James Gray wrote: > > > > > On Feb 6, 2007, at 2:54 AM, Shawn W\_ wrote: > > > > > > > I've looked at the Ruby Quiz site but so far haven't found them > > > > easy or short enough for my liking... > > > > > > There are easy quizzes. Look for the problems solved by many, many > > > people. In general, those are the easier problems. LCD Numbers and > > > pp Pascal are two examples. > > > > > > James Edward Gray II > > > > How many is many many? I do get it, but it's not something that's going > > to occur to a newbie. Would be nice if there was a simple, say, three > > star indicator, easy, average, hard, or even just a simple header > > [suitable for newbie] sign at the top of each quiz, after all I would > > think beginners are a good proportion of visitors to the Ruby Quizzes, > > yes? ---
**Author:** ![Patrick\_Hurley1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Patrick\_Hurley1](https://rubytalk.org/u/Patrick_Hurley1)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 17:43 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/27 "2007-02-07T17:43:50Z")
Arrg line.gsub! /use a/, 'us at' pth > **···** > > On 2/7/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > > You are very welcome to join use a the South East Michigan Ruby ---
**Author:** ![Samantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Samantha](https://rubytalk.org/u/Samantha)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 18:23 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/28 "2007-02-07T18:23:47Z")
Thank you, pth! 🙂 I've expanded my job search to the Ann Arbor and Detroit Metro area so hopefully I hear something soon. Northern Michigan (where I am now) isn't exactly the job seeker's paradise. Btw, I laughed at your last message regarding the gsub for your typo, and my partner (who telecommutes so is at home, too) asked me what I was laughing at. I tried to explain to her, and while she got it, all she could do was shake her head. > **···** > > On 2/7/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > > On 2/5/07, Samantha \ wrote: > > \> Absolutely. I might be relocating to downstate Michigan (either Metro > > \> Detroit area or Ann Arbor) and I'm pretty stoked that there are user > > groups > > \> down there. I'm sure I can gleam some ideas there, too. > > > > You are very welcome to join use a the South East Michigan Ruby > > Brigade ([http://rubymi.org/\](http://rubymi.org/%5C)). We meet on the first Monday of every > > month, generally on campus in Ann Arbor. There is also talk about > > trying to have meetings a little further East on a different day > > (metro Detroit is pretty spread out, you know we all have cars and > > like to drive around here \). > > > > There is also a mailing list for RubyMI > > ([http://lists.rubymi.org/listinfo.cgi/rubymi-rubymi.org\](http://lists.rubymi.org/listinfo.cgi/rubymi-rubymi.org%5C)), where you > > can the details of our meetings, make suggestions for up coming > > meetings, etc. It is much lower volume than ruby-talk. > > > > Let us know you are coming and we will try and have some of those > > chocolate chip cookies for you. > > pth > > -- > Samantha > > [http://www.babygeek.org/](http://www.babygeek.org/) > > "Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all > things are at risk." >   --Ralph Waldo Emerson ---
**Author:** ![Samantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Samantha](https://rubytalk.org/u/Samantha)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 03:25 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/29 "2007-02-06T03:25:48Z")
I just discovered require 'yaml/store' So far, I've put the different companies I've worked at into an array: require 'yaml' companies = Array.new #plugged the companies in puts companies.to\_yaml it spit something out. 🙂 This is fun. > **···** > > On 2/5/07, Samantha \ wrote: > > > \> > > Again, I am still fumbling through YAML. 🙂 I haven't been this excited > > about something relating to computers since I first discovered Linux. > > > > -- > > -- > Samantha > > [http://www.babygeek.org/](http://www.babygeek.org/) > > "Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all > things are at risk." >   --Ralph Waldo Emerson ---
**Author:** ![Samantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Samantha](https://rubytalk.org/u/Samantha)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 14:47 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/30 "2007-02-06T14:47:40Z")
Thanks for all the great responses to my conundrums. They are really appreciated and really have given me a lot to chew on, so to speak. This is definitely a friendly and welcoming community and I'm rather lucky that I picked Ruby as my first programming language. > **···** > > -- > Samantha > > [http://www.babygeek.org/](http://www.babygeek.org/) > > "Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all > things are at risk." >   --Ralph Waldo Emerson ---
**Author:** ![Shawn\_W](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Shawn\_W](https://rubytalk.org/u/Shawn_W)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 08:23 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/31 "2007-02-07T08:23:22Z")
James Gray wrote: > **···** > > > On Feb 6, 2007, at 8:33 AM, Shawn W\_ wrote: > > > > > > James Edward Gray II > > > > > > How many is many many? I do get it, but it's not something that's > > > going > > > to occur to a newbie. Would be nice if there was a simple, say, three > > > star indicator, easy, average, hard, or even just a simple header > > > [suitable for newbie] sign at the top of each quiz, after all I would > > > think beginners are a good proportion of visitors to the Ruby Quizzes, > > > yes? > > > > I've wanted to add such a rating, but it's not as easy as it sounds. > > Who decides what is a three star rating? You and I probably differ > > on our definition of such. > > > > James Edward Gray II > > Even a wrong assessment on your part is going to be far more accurate > than the assessment of a newbie who knows nothing. Think of it as a way > of steering the newbie away from the hard, ego deflating stuff that may > discourage them. Start with the easiest problem you have, slap a Newbie > Approved stamp on it, and go from there. Just keep it simple. It would > be just a guide. > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Winston\_Tsang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/71e660/32.png) [@Winston\_Tsang](https://rubytalk.org/u/Winston_Tsang)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 18:57 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/32 "2007-02-07T18:57:39Z")
If you still have access to your schools systems, you might be able to read a good amount of ruby stuff online. Some schools give open access to the Safari Online Books ([http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com](http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com)). How you access the books will probably vary by school but it's worth checking out. The Ruby Way, and Ruby for Rails (which I highly suggest) are both on there. There are over 4000 books available for viewing on various topics. A search for 'Ruby' on the site comes up with 336 books, 43 articles and 1 Safari Guide. As to how to get started... Don't discount "administration tasks". Even the ones you have linux commands for. You can learn a lot about File and Find that way. That knowledge can then be used to help you write your resume writing program. All The Best, Winston Tsang > **···** > > On 2/7/07, Samantha \ wrote: > > > On 2/7/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > \> > > \> On 2/5/07, Samantha \ wrote: > > \> \> Absolutely. I might be relocating to downstate Michigan (either Metro > > \> \> Detroit area or Ann Arbor) and I'm pretty stoked that there are user > > \> groups > > \> \> down there. I'm sure I can gleam some ideas there, too. > > \> > > \> You are very welcome to join use a the South East Michigan Ruby > > \> Brigade ([http://rubymi.org/\](http://rubymi.org/%5C)). We meet on the first Monday of every > > \> month, generally on campus in Ann Arbor. There is also talk about > > \> trying to have meetings a little further East on a different day > > \> (metro Detroit is pretty spread out, you know we all have cars and > > \> like to drive around here \). > > \> > > \> There is also a mailing list for RubyMI > > \> ([http://lists.rubymi.org/listinfo.cgi/rubymi-rubymi.org\](http://lists.rubymi.org/listinfo.cgi/rubymi-rubymi.org%5C)), where you > > \> can the details of our meetings, make suggestions for up coming > > \> meetings, etc. It is much lower volume than ruby-talk. > > \> > > \> Let us know you are coming and we will try and have some of those > > \> chocolate chip cookies for you. > > \> pth > > \> > > Thank you, pth! 🙂 I've expanded my job search to the Ann Arbor and Detroit > > Metro area so hopefully I hear something soon. Northern Michigan (where I > > am now) isn't exactly the job seeker's paradise. > > > > Btw, I laughed at your last message regarding the gsub for your typo, and my > > partner (who telecommutes so is at home, too) asked me what I was laughing > > at. I tried to explain to her, and while she got it, all she could do was > > shake her head. > > > > -- > > Samantha > > > > [http://www.babygeek.org/](http://www.babygeek.org/) > > > > "Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all > > things are at risk." > >   --Ralph Waldo Emerson ---
**Author:** ![Forum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/43a26b/32.png) [@Forum](https://rubytalk.org/u/Forum)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 22:14 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/33 "2007-02-07T22:14:12Z")
why gsub? 😉 > **···** > > On 2/7/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > > On 2/7/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > \> You are very welcome to join use a the South East Michigan Ruby > > > > Arrg > > > > line.gsub! /use a/, 'us at' > > > > pth > > -- > We have not succeeded in answering all of our questions. > In fact, in some ways, we are more confused than ever. > But we feel we are confused on a higher level and about more important > things. > -Anonymous ---
**Author:** ![Keynan\_Pratt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@Keynan\_Pratt](https://rubytalk.org/u/Keynan_Pratt)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 22:22 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/34 "2007-02-07T22:22:43Z")
Patrick Hurley wrote: > **···** > > > On 2/7/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > > > > You are very welcome to join use a the South East Michigan Ruby > > > > Arrg > > > > line.gsub! /use a/, 'us at' > > > > pth > > for the record > > line.gsub! 'use a', 'us at' > > is way less resource intensive 🙂 > > -- > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). ---
**Author:** ![Austin\_Ziegler5](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/rubytalk.org/austin_ziegler5/32/1985_2.png) [@Austin\_Ziegler5](https://rubytalk.org/u/Austin_Ziegler5)\ **Post date:** [8 February 2007 13:07 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/35 "2007-02-08T13:07:31Z")
I'd love to hear your complaints, offline. -austin > **···** > > On 2/5/07, James Edward Gray II \ wrote: > > > On Feb 5, 2007, at 9:07 PM, Jeremy McAnally wrote: > > \> I'll give you four extra credit points if you can make you resume > > \> builder spit out a PDF using PDF::Writer or use LaTeX. 😉 > > > > I've used PDF::Writer recently and I think that should be worth more > > than four points. 😉 (No offense intended Austin!) > > -- > Austin Ziegler \* halostatue@gmail.com \* [http://www.halostatue.ca/](http://www.halostatue.ca/) >                \* austin@halostatue.ca \* [You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike. // halo • statue](http://www.halostatue.ca/feed/) >                \* austin@zieglers.ca ---
**Author:** ![Matt\_Lawrence1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@Matt\_Lawrence1](https://rubytalk.org/u/Matt_Lawrence1)\ **Post date:** [6 February 2007 03:33 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/36 "2007-02-06T03:33:28Z")
That's one of the stated design goals for Ruby. To have fun. -- Matt It's not what I know that counts. It's what I can remember in time to use. > **···** > > On Tue, 6 Feb 2007, Samantha wrote: > > > This is fun. ---
**Author:** ![Samantha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Samantha](https://rubytalk.org/u/Samantha)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 19:06 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/37 "2007-02-07T19:06:29Z")
Thanks, Winston! I don't think I still have access to my school's systems anymore. I'm not taking any classes this semester because I'm unsure of how long I'll be in Northern Michigan because of the job thing. I looked at Safari and it seems really nice. I'm not sure that they offer it at the college here, though. Thanks for your thoughts, they are appreciated. (btw, see you have a umich email address - Go Blue!) > **···** > > On 2/7/07, Winston Tsang \ wrote: > > > If you still have access to your schools systems, you might be able to > > read a good amount of ruby stuff online. > > > > Some schools give open access to the Safari Online Books > > ([http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com](http://proquest.safaribooksonline.com)). How you access the books > > will probably vary by school but it's worth checking out. The Ruby > > Way, and Ruby for Rails (which I highly suggest) are both on there. > > There are over 4000 books available for viewing on various topics. A > > search for 'Ruby' on the site comes up with 336 books, 43 articles and > > 1 Safari Guide. > > > > As to how to get started... Don't discount "administration tasks". > > Even the ones you have linux commands for. You can learn a lot about > > File and Find that way. That knowledge can then be used to help you > > write your resume writing program. > > > > All The Best, > > Winston Tsang > > -- > Samantha > > [http://www.babygeek.org/](http://www.babygeek.org/) > > "Beware when the great God lets loose a thinker on this planet. Then all > things are at risk." >   --Ralph Waldo Emerson ---
**Author:** ![Forum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/43a26b/32.png) [@Forum](https://rubytalk.org/u/Forum)\ **Post date:** [7 February 2007 22:45 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/38 "2007-02-07T22:45:58Z")
ah no, you missed my point, (interestingly by the way, I agree with your application of "!"), but what disturbs me here is the "g". Well I am not gonna hitchhike this very useful thread any further, I might post my thoughts about this issue on a thread of its own, but I will rethink the matter before. Cheers Robert > **···** > > On 2/7/07, Keynan Pratt \ wrote: > > > Patrick Hurley wrote: > > \> On 2/7/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > \>\> You are very welcome to join use a the South East Michigan Ruby > > \> > > \> Arrg > > \> > > \> line.gsub! /use a/, 'us at' > > \> > > \> pth > > > > for the record > > > > line.gsub! 'use a', 'us at' > > > > is way less resource intensive 🙂 > > > > -- > > Posted via [http://www.ruby-forum.com/\](http://www.ruby-forum.com/%5C). > > -- > We have not succeeded in answering all of our questions. > In fact, in some ways, we are more confused than ever. > But we feel we are confused on a higher level and about more important > things. > -Anonymous ---
**Author:** ![Patrick\_Hurley1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Patrick\_Hurley1](https://rubytalk.org/u/Patrick_Hurley1)\ **Post date:** [8 February 2007 00:12 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/39 "2007-02-08T00:12:29Z")
mea culpa, mea culpa, mea summa culpa meta mod: correction\_post.sub!(/gsub/,'sub') \ pth > **···** > > On 2/7/07, Robert Dober \ wrote: > > > ah no, you missed my point, (interestingly by the way, I agree with your > > application of "!"), but what disturbs me here is the "g". Well I am not > > gonna hitchhike this very useful thread any further, I might post my > > thoughts about this issue on a thread of its own, but I will rethink the > > matter before. ---
**Author:** ![Forum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/43a26b/32.png) [@Forum](https://rubytalk.org/u/Forum)\ **Post date:** [8 February 2007 06:53 UTC](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110/40 "2007-02-08T06:53:40Z")
> \> ah no, you missed my point, (interestingly by the way, I agree with your > \> application of "!"), but what disturbs me here is the "g". Well I am not > \> gonna hitchhike this very useful thread any further, I might post my > \> thoughts about this issue on a thread of its own, but I will rethink the > \> matter before. > > mea culpa, mea culpa, mea summa culpa > > meta mod: > > correction\_post.sub!(/gsub/,'sub') thats a nice one, You will be forgiven (I guess, hope, no idea 😉 \ > **···** > > On 2/8/07, Patrick Hurley \ wrote: > > > On 2/7/07, Robert Dober \ wrote: > > pth > > -- > We have not succeeded in answering all of our questions. > In fact, in some ways, we are more confused than ever. > But we feel we are confused on a higher level and about more important > things. > -Anonymous [Previous page](https://rubytalk.org/t/ruby-newbie-advice/35110.md?page=1)