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Comment by mcxx | Hacker News Reader

It is not just about learning a language and some framework, though it's a good start. I'd recommend Python + Django. As you go, learn about software design, HTTP (RFC 2616 http://www.w3.org/Protocols/rfc2616/rfc2616.html), Javascript (http://javascript.crockford.com/) and preferably also some JS library (jQuery being my favorite), web app security (https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Category:OWASP_Testing_Proje...) and more... But most important, learn by doing. Start building something, no matter how unsignificant it may appear, right now. You will learn on the fly ;)

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Thanks for that.

Unclear...you recommend Python and DJango? "But most important, learn by doing. Start building something, no matter how unsignificant it may appear, right now. You will learn on the fly ;)" That is exactly what I want to do, I want to build a site like this one. How long do you think it would take to figure out how to learn a language with the capabilities to do that? I am a quick learner and am persistent.

Python is easy to learn, even if you don't have previous experience. Check out some tutorials (note - I recommend learning Python 2.6, forget about Python3 for now):

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/ http://docs.python.org/using/ http://python.org/doc/ http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/thinkpython.html

After learning the basics, take a deeper look into Django: http://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/ http://www.djangobook.com/

You should be able to build an app like newsYC in a week or so.

Have you had experience with RoR? it seems like people are really touting it.

How would you compare that with python and django?

"You should be able to build an app like newsYC in a week or so." -- WOW is it that simple?

thanks again for your help

Sorry, no RoR experience. It doesn't matter that much if you chose Ruby/Rails or Python/Django at the beginning, mainly if you don't have any previous experience. Maybe try both and see what are you most comfortable in.

Yeah, it's quite easy. For a toy project like this clone you're planning, you wouldn't even need a database.

okay...would you mind if I keep you up to date as per how it goes?

if you dont mind and would be okay helping out a newbie in his first project than follow me on twitter and I will keep you posted. twitter name:arongrinshtein

Same for you pclark

Thanks guys! You are champs!

I'm rather busy but if I can, I'll try to help ;) Good luck with this.

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