This is my collection of files and the book Learn Python the Hard Way.  I worked through this book about a year ago when I first started learning python and I found it very helpful, but I was new to programming and so I was a bit lost.  I now have some friends interested in learning programming, so I suggested this book to them.  I also purchased the udemy.com course offered by this book's author, Zed A. Shaw, which includes video tutorials.  I'm hoping that this time through the simple tasks will be a breeze, and possibly a bit boring, while the more involved tasks I had trouble with last time will be easier and I will hopefully take more from those activities.
Update 7/Jul/12: I am definitely a better programmer than I was last time.  This is a lot more fun that I remember it being, but I am still learning a lot from doing it all.  I think the changes that have been made to the book are good clarifications from what I've noticed.  My friends have not continued to make progress, which is sad, but not really my problem, so I'm just going to continue through the book alone and hopefully it will pay off for me.