[ubuntu-us-mn] How do I create programs for Ubuntu?

[Steve McGrath]

I second the vote for Python with Pygame. I'm writing my first game with
that combination as we speak. Both Pygame and Python itself are fairly easy
to learn and have excellent tutorials.
Also, since Python is an interpreted language, you can easily experiment. I
like to start up Python and just type in simple programs, line by line, so I
can see what's happening as I go. It's awesome.

On Tue, Sep 8, 2009 at 3:50 PM, Max Shinn <max at bernsteinforpresident.com>wrote:

> Hey Matthew!
>
> Please don't let anyone tell you that you're too young to start programming
> because YOU'RE NOT!  I started when I was 12.  (I'm 16 now.)
>
> You shouldn't make the mistake I made, though.  Don't start on C++, or any
> compiled language for that matter.  I started by learning C++, and didn't
> really make it as far as I would have liked.
>
> I taught a 4th grader some basic concepts of programming using a program
> called Scratch a few years ago.  (http://scratch.mit.edu/)  This is
> probably
> the first thing you would want to do.  Make some cool stuff on here.  It
> makes it really easy to write programs that do a lot for someone who has
> never done any programming before.  The only problem with it is that it the
> only version that runs natively on GNU/Linux is a beta, and I think you
> have
> to dig a little to find it.  (It isn't right on their download page.)
>
> After that, you should start to learn a programming language.  I am a PHP
> guy,
> but since you want to develop games, you should probably learn Python.
> Python allows you to use PyGame, which is a powerful, flexible, portable
> way
> to develop games.  You can create apps that will run a variety of
> platforms,
> from Windows/Mac/GNU-Linux computers to cell phones!
>
> Another thing to keep in mind: there is more to software than what most
> people
> would lead you to believe.  Ubuntu, and every application that comes
> installed with it, were developed by volunteers or companies who wanted to
> give the user more freedom.  That is partially why it is free of cost, too.
> These developers allow anyone to redistribute and make changes to their
> applications.  I dearly hope that you give back anything you do to the
> community.
>
> Assuming that you do, I have a great program for you!  This summer, I
> interned
> at the Free Software Foundation.  They are an organization dedicated to
> keeping software free as in freedom.  The majority of my time was spent on
> GNU Generation, a program to get younger people involved in this type of
> software.  (http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/gnugeneration)  I am still
> managing this program, so you would probably have an added "edge", being
> from
> MN.  (Yes, it says 13-18, but you can never really be too young for this
> program.)
>
> I encourage you to check out some of this stuff, and let me know if you
> have
> any questions.  Good luck!
>
> On Tuesday 08 September 2009 3:23:45 pm Matthew Young wrote:
> > I am just wondering what I need to create software for Ubuntu. I plan to
> > have a game out for my brothers to play by 2010 or 2011. I hope it isn't
> > too hard to make programs for Ubuntu because I really want to be able to
> > start on them before I am a teenager. Right now, I am testing Karmic so I
> > will need to find a program that is Karmic compatible.
>
>
> --
> Leonard Bernstein for President Web Development:
>       www.BernsteinForPresident.com
> My Software Freedom Blog:
>       trombonechamp.wordpress.com
>
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