Who should attend this course?
The comprehensive Intro course is targeted towards technical individuals
who program periodically or full-time who may be new to Python or are already
familiar with it but want more formal and in-depth training to be even more
effective of a Python programmer.
The Advanced course is for those who are already familiar with Python
and would like to apply their craft towards very specific areas of Python
programming.
Those who attend our courses may work in any of the following professions:
software (systems, Internet, network) engineering;
QA / software quality assurance or QA tools, framework, or automation engineering;
technical support; release / SCM engineering; IT / IS / system
administration and webmasters; hardware design and verification;
scientists and mathematicians; technical management; database engineers;
multimedia / graphic artists and animators; embedded design engineers;
high school teachers, college lecturers, etc.
Are there any prerequisites?
The only requirement for the comprehensive Intro course is that you have
experience programming in another high-level computer language like C/C++,
Java, Perl, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby, Tcl/Tk, VB/Basic, Unix shell scripts,
LISP, SmallTalk, Fortran, Pascal, etc.
If you're taking the Advanced course, there are no other prerequisites
other than knowing the basics of Python and can confidently answer this
seemingly-simple quiz question and being able to
describe not only what the answer is but WHY. If not, it may be worthwhile
to consider taking the Intro course first -- you will likely both learn
something new as well as solidify what you already know.
Where is this course taking place?
Our public courses are generally taught at a facility near the San
Francisco International Airport (SFO) in San Bruno, CA (15-20 minutes
south of downtown). We will occasionally hold courses further
south in Silicon Valley as well as on the East Coast.
What are the course fees?
The cost (per person) our courses: $1295US
(Intro course) or $1495US (Advanced course);
a reduced fee of $1095US is available for the
2-day version of the Advanced course. The Core Python (combination
Intro+Advanced) course is $1995US.
Enrollment is limited to the first 20 confirmed
(paid) registrations, depending on the size of the venue. An
invoice will be made available to you after you register. Your
enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of payment.
You may register online, via e-mail at
cyberweb at rocketmail.com, or by phone -- just send us
an e-mail with your contact info, and we can connect that way. If paying by
credit card, you must register online. NOTE: see below for information on
discounts available to clients.
Am I getting my money's worth?
We are the best value for the money, providing expert training from an
intensely enthusiastic instructor who is not just a great trainer and
Python book author but also happens to be a software engineer by
profession; and coincidentally, was on the original development team
that built Yahoo!Mail using Python -- in short, a superior cumulative
track record and technical experience with Python.
Our courses are highly-rated and constantly get good feedback from
attendees. The Intro course isn't a watered-down "seminar" nor a
"beginner's class" to teach you Python's syntax, either of which you may
find being offered elsewhere. This is an intensive and comprehensive
introductory treatment
complete with hands-on lab exercises created to immerse you in the world
of Python and to make you effective in a very short period of time. And,
the Advanced course isn't focused on any one particular area, but
many areas of programming discipline as told from the Python universe. In
fact, we are the only Python training organization to offer an advanced
course.
Can I get a refund if I have to cancel?
Your registration will be cancelled and tuition refunded if the course is
already full by the time payment is received. You will also receive a full
refund if we have to cancel for any reason. You may also cancel your
registration and receive a full refund at anytime up to 30 days before the
course, however no cancellations/refunds will be accepted thereafter.
Do not make travel arrangements too early, as we are not responsible for
already-incurred travel costs if a course must be cancelled. We will send
a notification out when there are enough seats so that a course will proceed
as scheduled; it is at this time when travel can be booked.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept personal, company, or cashiers/bank checks and approved Purchase
Orders (with PO numbers) to confirm your registration -- just because you
register doesn't mean you're confirmed (see above). We now accept credit
cards as well. Although processed by PayPal, a PayPal account is
not required to pay by credit card. If you have a PayPal
account, you may also submit an eCheck (ACH/EFT) payment.
Cards we accept are Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Upon submitting your registration, you will be taken to a confirmation
page where you will find a button to submit your credit card payment.
If you accidentally close this browser window, you have two options: (1)
go to PayPal and send a payment to our e-mail address (see below), or
(2) send a check or PO instead.
Be aware that: (1) registrations using credit card payments aren't eligible
for multiple registration discounts, and (2) that any refunds due to
cancellation must be issued within 60 days of when payment occurred.
If you contact us too late, no refund may be possible. Also, (3) any refunds
must go back onto the original credit card. By selecting to pay by credit
card, you agree to such terms.
For international registrations, we accept the following types of payment
in USD: international money orders and credit cards.
Do you accept late registrations?
Yes. You may bring your payment to the venue on the first day of the
course. If there is still room available, you may register and join
the class. However, be aware that you may not receive course materials
on the first day as we only anticipate a few late enrollments.
Do you provide private corporate training?
Yes we do. A company can avoid significant expenses if there are enough
registrations to hold the course on-site rather than flying an entire team
in for a public course. There is also the advantage that it will be held
in your facilities so the course can be customized to your Python projects.
What is provided with registration?
You will receive the full set of course notes (230+ pages), all the
handouts and lab exercises, and of course, your instructor's delivery of
all content. Also, a copy of Core Python
Programming will be provided for each student. All the lab
exercises can be found in the book, and source code is available on the
book's website.
What is not provided?
You are responsible for travel and lodging arrangements as well as
your meals. We will provide refreshments throughout
the day however. There are many food and shopping choices within a
10-minute walk and plenty more in a 10-minute drive.
Can you tell me more about the venue?
In these economic times, we understand the meaning of value,
so we actively seek lodging and speaking facilities which provide
free high-speed Internet access in each room, free airport shuttle
service (if applicable), and either a free (preferably hot) breakfast
or a reasonably-priced breakfast buffet. We will also attempt to
negotiate discounted room rates for attendees coming in from
out-of-town.
We have secured all of the above from Staybridge
Suites for our current course:
1350 Huntington Ave
San Bruno, CA 94066-1301
(+1) 650 588 0770
Staybridge is part of the InterContinental and Holiday Inn hotel families
and is a member of the Priority Club Rewards
program. If you are staying at the venue, there is a discounted "Python
Training" rate, however neither the national reservations agents nor the
front desk will not have the rate available. You must contact Paul
Pascua directly in order to receive the special rate: Paul.Pascua@ihg.com
or by phone at (+1) 650 452 1347 or 650 588 0770.
Note: it is possible that we have not reserved the training
room yet so the discount may not be available if you book early --
in these cases, you can wait till later to book your room, or book
first, then get your rate adjusted once the discount is available.
A rental car is not necessary for the Staybridge location as there are free
shuttles for guests to/from the airport. Also, public transit is closeby
(see below).
If you don't want to walk, the hotel's shuttle service can take you to either
station, and not only that, but it can take you anywhere within a 5-mile
radius around the hotel!
If you prefer to stay elsewhere, there are many alternatives nearby...
you can do an online search for accomodations in the 94066 ZIP code.
Can you tell me more about how to take public transit?
The San Bruno BART station is almost just across the street from the
hotel (3-5 minute walk). For more info, including a trip planner,
visit BART's website.
CalTrain is slightly further away (about 1 mile) -- we highly recommend that
you take your bicycle. It's a good excuse to get a free workout, and CalTrain
has train cars specifically outfitted for bicyclists. If you take this option,
be sure to buy your ticket first. You can't buy tickets on the trains
anymore. The ticket vending machines accept cash or credit cards and are
easy-to-use. Then stand with your bike on the northern most end of the
platform. The bicycle car is always the one in front going northbound and
always the last heading south. You can find out more information from
CalTrain's website.
Also (unlike BART), food and drink are allowed on the train, so feel free to
have breakfast on-board after your morning ride to the train station. Make
sure you get on a train that stops at the San Bruno station! Due to the
number of express trains, not all trains will. Once you get off the train,
take your bike and head north (towards town and away from the residential
area). You are on Huntington Avenue. There are a few twists and
turns, but get back on course, staying on Huntington as the hotel is at 1350
Huntington. You know you going the right direction when you pass the casino
on your left, then later on, go under the (I-380) freeway. You will also
know you are getting close as you ride past the Tanforan Shopping Center
and BART station on your left.
What are some online resources for visiting the San Francisco area?
When is class in session?
The class meets generally every day 9a-5p in the designated conference room at the venue. There are usually short breaks after each hour of lecture, some mixed with lab sessions, and we break for lunch around 11:45a-12n for 75 minutes. For more information, go back to the course information page and scroll down towards the bottom to get the daily course topics and schedule.
What should I bring?
A laptop or notebook computer is required for the course. Don't forget your
power and Ethernet cables and network card. There won't be Internet access
during class, but you may wish to connect from your room. Also, if you have
one, bring a USB drive to backup, archive, and/or share your work.
If possible, install Python (if you haven't already done so) ahead of
time by going to Core Python's
website and clicking "Install Python". There is a grid that
links to all available downloads. You may use any computer platform and
operating system as well as most current versions of Python.
• PC users: install the MSI and EXE files
• Mac and Linux users: relax... most versions of Mac OS X and Linux
already have Python installed
• other users: either install Python packages, binaries, or RPMs; or
download the TGZ or BZ2 and build/install Python with ./configure; make; make
install
If you are attending the advanced course, you should also install the
appropriate database system and Win32 Extensions. (See the
course
description for more details.)
Are there any discounts available?
Yes, for multiple enrollments. If your company sends 2-3 people, you get an
automatic 5% discount.
For 4 or more registrations, there is a 10%
discount. Please contact us if you have a financial hardship
situation (and can prove it, such as collection of unemployment insurance,
etc.). There is also a discount for students, teachers, and repeat attendees
(see below). The same discount applies to those with financial hardship and
can provide documentation, i.e., those currently accepting welfare, employment
insurance, etc.
What is the discount for students and teachers?
Primary and secondary students and teachers get a 50%
discount, however, they are not eligible for multiple registration discounts. You must be attending, going to be attending, or be employed at a
valid educational institution and provide proof of attendance or employment
on school letterhead. Employees of vocational, professional, corporate
training, universities, or similar educational institutions are not eligible
for this discount.
I took your class a long time ago... can I get a discount
if I repeat your course?
Repeat attendees get the same discount as students and teachers:
50%. Just select the
student/teacher/repeat checkbox when registering.
When are the next sessions being taught?
We offer both the intro and advanced courses several times a year.
Check the course announcements for details when dates are finalized.
Our other courses are all taught "on-demand" and not currently
scheduled at this time. Contact us for information.