I don't have access to App Inventor yet, but hopefully I'll get it soon. If I do, I'd like to try to use it to build an app that someone wants.<p>My only programming experience is
1. Intro to CS class in 2003
2. Currently learning Python using MIT OCW 6.00 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming<p>I'm interested in recommendations both from those who think App Inventor is a great idea and those who think it is unlikely to lead to anything of value. Thank you.
From what I hear, it seems like a good introduction to the principles of programming, if nothing else. I didn't learn to program until my freshman year of college (and had no prior CS experience), but found that some similar-sounding software I had used for a long time had prepared me for actual programming in a surprising way ("Game Maker", for what it's worth). If the App Inventor ends up being anything like that, and actually useful for creating apps, it will certainly be a good reinforcement for basic programming concepts. On the other hand, by its very design it will be limited in what it can accomplish. How much is a matter to be seen!