Another cool thing about Python is that you can even write GUI applications that run on Linux and...

[G+_Lee Crocker]

Another cool thing about Python is that you can even write GUI applications that run on Linux and those other OSs. The standard module "Tkinter" is optional, so you may have to install it even if you already have Python, but it's there on all platforms. 

 

Here's a really simple GUI program:

 

https://github.com/lcrocker/Coding-101/blob/master/adder.py

 

I wrote this on my Mint box, but it runs fine on Raspbian, and should also run fine on Windows and Mac.

https://github.com/lcrocker/Coding-101/blob/master/adder.py

[G+_Joe C. Hecht]

Mint rocks. Also runs on the raspberry pi, and my favorite, the beaglebone (runs circles around the pi). Btw, thought padre did a slight disservice claiming Lynda.com was needed to get that running. Not true.

[G+_Lee Crocker]

Recent versions of Debian are good on the Beaglebone--kernel 3.13 fixes a lot of issues. Nothing against Lynda, but good Pi tutorials are almost as common on YouTube as cats. I would still recommend the Pi for new users even though you're right about the Beaglebone being a better machine. The Pi is still cheaper, has a larger community, and more mature software. Beaglebones are more bleeding-edge.