Agreed about BASIC! It's poo.
Python is a great scripting language, but I've got to disagree with your ordering of learning. I would recommend doing C, then C++, then move on. Get a strong core in OOP concepts will help you learn any other language you want.
http://wibit.net/

It's still important to get a good base going I think. Start with languages that did it first and understand the concepts then you're in a better place when you get to the more complicated functions.
http://wibit.net/

I think everyone should start with C and C++ and move on.
http://www.wibit.net/curriculum/the_c_lineage/programming_in_c
http://www.wibit.net/curriculum/the_c_lineage/programming_cpp

In my experience backstory is important to put languages and learning in context. A lot of students are just running head-long into Java but if they started with C++, and were explained why it's important to start with C++, then many of the OOP concepts would come more naturally when learning something like Java. Then things like Python or PHP would come like second nature since their more complicated aspects are the OOP concepts they implement.

I think a main problem in making programming fun is that it's always so monotone and repetitive. I say if you learn OOP concepts when learning C++ why re-learn those concepts when learning Java? Get to the good stuff! Teach about what is unique to Java, the syntax difference, and move on! That's what we do at http://wibit.net/ and it's working for us.

Otherwise I'd say there is just a lack of creativity overall in programming learnin'. It's always the same "Hello World" projects teaching you how to build a Fibonacci sequencer or a tic-tac-toe game. Let's get real about this stuff and get linear and highlight the fun parts of development for the kiddies! Again, that's what we do at http://wibit.net/

I love this article and what the goal of this is! Programming and developing has been an absolute passion of mine for years, and it's been my career for at least half as long. My only qualm with this is that we're still dupping kids into this. Programming can be fun no matter what you're building! The problem, in my view, isn't teaching space invaders vs. a tip calculator; the problem is that the teaching gets monotonous, too many concepts get repeated course to course, and only about half (or less) of what is taught in schools is actually useful to get a job!

I'm not just complaining either. Together with a couple of guys I've put together a site http://wibit.net/ (as of this writing the site is down for maintenance, check http://twitter.com/wibit_usa for when we're back up, or to just check out some of the videos from now and older ones check out http://youtube.com/wibitnet :-) offering free video tutorials on how to get started in computer programming. We've done a few intro courses and C and C++ (23 hours of video my partners and I worked our asses off on) and we're doing this linearly. We're not repeating concepts, we're not monotone, we're telling jokes and making it entertaining! That's what it should be about, having fun with what you're building.

It is awesome that schools are trying to engage kids with this, I just think that can happen by offering them an engaging curriculum and not a gimmick (not to say game programming is a gimmick, but how they're pitching it they're using it as one).

Why not just say it's running Android? I don't see a tablet running Android being a victory for Linux. Is the nook a Linux victory too then?

Space travel creates new tech. New tech creates new jobs and new product to trade overseas. New tech is INCREDIBLY valuable. Why isn't this a point of interest in the space program? While I'd like to see people walk on Mars I will of course concede the point to those who comprised this panel as they are obviously more in-the-know than I am. We are capable of so much if we just learn to get over ourselves.

Then why are we all knocking up the bar skanks instead of our actual hot girlfriends!? Sheesh....stupid PBR...

So they're spending $18mil on a site to tell you they spent $18mil on a site to tell you they spent $18mil on a site to tell you they spent $18mil...on and on. Seriously...WTF?!

I'm sure this point has been made in one way or another but I want to make a simple point about Open Source and beginning programming. Open Source is driven by private projects.

If there is something you'd like to use (i.e. an application that interfaces with something or calculates something for you) and you don't know where to find it build it! That'll give you the experience AND that's how most Open Source projects start :) Even better, if you'd like to integrate something like Twitter or Facebook into something you'll get experience doing something for yourself using tools provided by someone else (so you get that mentor/lead dev kind of feel).

If dealing with web stuff isn't your cup of tea theres always Android dev or something like that. With Android you'll have the experience of using Eclipse and all that while developing for a simpler platform.

I'm only like 1 step ahead of you in all of this so I hope my advice helps. I'm explaining what I've noticed going through the same motions you are :)

I've been in a coma for 12 years and i didn't even know there was a climate! Couldn't we just kill the climate and then it wouldnt be a problem?

To get into a programmer position isn't that hard and you're not on the front lines. Try to find a PL/SQL programmer position and you can advance into a DBA or engineer or of-the-such position from there w/out the Masters. Thats what I'm doing and its working out well so far :) Programmer pays more than help desk too!

I'm just sayin'...they shoulda called it a firewall instead of "burning walls"....it appears science has no room for marketing.