In an effort to find something to focus my efforts on, I decided to revisit the Python Challenge. I was able to make it through three of the challenges yesterday, bringing me up to Level 12. In solving those 3 levels, I was reminded of why I gave up in the first place. There’s one thing I completely despise in these challanges, and that is the fact that quite a few of them require you to do some kind of image manipulation [usually using PIL]. While I can see the value in exposing people to 3rd party modules, I don’t see the value in relying on them as heavily as the challenges do. The task for Level 12 includes doing manipulation on a binary file, which I have never done and probably never will. The hints point at using a hex editor, again something with which I have no experience. So I’m stuck here on Level 12, with no ideas on what to do, or even what to Google for. Overall, I like the idea of the Python Challenge, I just wish it weren’t so challenging for a n00b like me. 
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2 Comments
Wow, I feel like I wrote this blog post myself! I just reached level 12 also and I have absolutely no interest in doing it myself. Googling for the answer got me nowhere (except to find your post!). It really is sad that the Python Challenge is relying so much on PIL. Using it the first time was nice, for the exposure, but this is now two in a row, and I think the fourth time we’ve needed it. I hope I can find the answer and move on to 13…
I think the thing that really sucks is that the forums over there seem to have lost steam. People were posting stuff there in relatively large volumes when the site first opened. Now after all this time has past and the excitement has worn off, the people who are good enough to know the answers to the challenges have long since gone, and the people like us who don’t even know where to start have given up. It’s sad really.
This guy seems to think level 12 was the hardest, if it’s any consolation.
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