Getting Smalltalk
Ramon Leon makes a good point about learning Smalltalk:
Edward was lucky, he had a Smalltalker handy to show him the ropes, few have that opportunity. I’m still amazed by how many people think they can grok Smalltalk by seeing syntax examples. Smalltalk isn’t its syntax, it’s its environment. Smalltalk is a living world of running objects, there are no files, no applications, just what’s running. To understand Smalltalk, you have to either actually use it for a while, or have a seasoned Smalltalker demonstrate it to you. Reading sample code just won’t cut it.
While I can't guarantee a person at your shoulder, I can point out our free download, and the Smalltalk Daily screencasts to help you get started.
Comments
Similar situation
[Mel Riffe] April 4, 2007 10:29:06.921
While I don't consider myself a 'seasoned' Smalltalker (I've been NOT doing Smalltalk longer then I did do Smalltalk) it was my first professional language/environment and, so, formed the foundation of how I look and approach coding solutions.
However, more to the point, a colleague of mine, after hearing extoll the virtues of Smalltalk, asked for some resources. I handed him my 1st technical book: Discovering Smalltalk by Wilf Lalonde and sent him many links to online resources and downloads.
He was able to follow the examples in the book and actually execute them in a Smalltalk environment; experience /is/ the best teacher. And after working within the environment he's starting to grok Smalltalk, grok the possibilities.
Cheers, Mel
your early screencaster
[jimg] April 4, 2007 19:32:53.440
Hi, James, I think you'd better re-produce the first 2-3 things in Smalltalk daily in wink and unify the web pages tor them if you've not done. Since a new comer may find it not convenient and give up in downloading.