• Getting started with programming can be discouraging, find a language that has easy setup, a large amount of online resources, and nearby peers to help when you get stuck
• Jon recommends ruby as a language that fulfills all of the above points. It is practical and fun!
• Ruby provides a ‘conversation’ similar to actual language. The user provides instructions to the computer, and the computer ‘communicates’ back through Ruby.
• What about the pain? Some programmers think that painful-to-learn languages make better programmers, Jon advocates avoiding painful beginnings. Programming should be fun.
• With Ruby: Setup is simple!
• There is great documentation: http://ruby-doc.org/
• There is a THRIVING Ruby community:  Projects to contribute to and review (check out Github!)
• Don’t forget about Steel City Ruby and other local events!!
• Most importantly: Jobs Abound!
• ‘Start fun, Start small’: Check out ASP Katas(https://github.com/mark/asplus_katas), Ruby Warrior (https://github.com/ryanb/ruby-warrior), and Ruby Quiz (http://www.rubyquiz.com/ not maintained).
• Don’t start with Rails

Amanda Quaranto (@aquaranto) announced a new meetup group called “Buffalo Learning to Code” (BLC)! They are a group of beginner to novice programmers who want to work with other beginners to improve their skills.

• http://www.meetup.com/Buffalo-Learning-to-Code/
• The first meeting is on Monday 6/11 at 6:30pm. They’ll be meeting in the Cowork Buffalo space: 225 Delaware Avenue #10, above Spot Coffee (http://coworkbuffalo.com/).
• They will be working through Chris Pine’s Learn to Program book (which is free online @ http://pine.fm/LearnToProgram/ even if you just want to follow along). They may also cover other topics including some CS101 and HTML/CSS depending on the skill level of the group.
• BLC is also looking for some experienced programmers who would be interested in giving beginner-level talks to the group and a Sponsor to help cover food and other supplies!

Nick Quaranto (@qrush) has also started working with Ruby Motion and recommends the following links:

•  https://github.com/HipByte/RubyMotionSamples and
• http://www.rubymotion.com/developer-center/

PJ (@aspleenic) had a few announcements

• Next month’s meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 10th. Location TBD.
• PJ has posted an event on Meetup.com to determine how many WNYRuby members are attending Steel City Ruby: http://www.meetup.com/Western-New-York-Ruby/events/67980262/ (definitely check it out! It’s only $50! http://steelcityrubyconf.org/)