this post was submitted on 21 Oct 2026
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Programming
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Edit: others suggested programming games; those are also a great start that satisfies the two big requirements I mention.
If he plays any single player games, i'd probably start there. Modding. Especially if Minecraft or Roblox or Rimworld and the like.
I've taught a lot of people low level C and C++ over the years. Two of the most important things for beginners is getting feedback (what I call "blinky lights") and a reason to persist when learning gets hard. Creating a mod or cheats for a game can be great at fulfilling both of those requirements. You get to see a more tangible result of your work than a CLI print, and you have goals or a vision you're chasing. This is one reason why webdev is so accessible; the issue there is learning multiple languages and frameworks all at the same time which can be difficult if unguided.
My circles tend to all be low-level systems people, may be different in others; but all of the best programmers I know started with hacking on or making games or things for games. The desire to understand, to know more, to create; that pushed all of them. Getting to see the beating heart —the code describing the game mechanics you've used for hours— for the first time, can be a magical experience; so things with open APIs or unity games where the code is relatively accessible, are quite good.
I'm completely with you
But I'm absolutely no familiar with modding since a long time and have no clue, if there would be many tutorials for Linux or if everything runs
I think Roblox e.g. doesn't run on Linux?
Minecraft was just possible with a different launcher, iirc.
I don't want to spend a day just setting up his environment - well, I do, but mostly for getting his system right. Getting stuck in something, that just maybe doesn't work in his environment is frustrating.
I went to a technical school and programmed micro controllers to make a running light or blinking Christmas trees
But that's just far too much, when he is only here for a week.
Here we call that "schnuppern".
Pretty much means sniffing, you just get the first taste of something.
Means, it should be a good experience.
So... Although I do like the idea, especially with Minecraft modding, I'm not sure if it's easily applicable
So currently I tend to the recommendation with the game "the farmer was replaced"
Reminds me of a challenge we had in our first week at the university, to just give an insight on logic and algorithmic thinking.
And as long as it works with Proton, it should just work and seems to step up the complexity, but still "gamecifact-ed"
I'll try to have a look at Minecraft modding, because maybe that's still cool - although he quit playing half a year ago or so - but I'll need to verify, that it works.
And sadly the planned week is months earlier than expected - I'm having 3 weeks and at least one of them I'll be on a business trip.
So, I need to keep it simple (read: just works) - and entertaining
Prism launcher works well on Linux and helps with keeping multiple versions of the game & multiple modpacks to keep stuff organized.
As for modding itself, it would need an IDE and build system, along with a bit of prep and research...
I think the programming game is definitely the way to go at first.
Though, knowing that modding is a possibility they can persue on their own in the future would still be good. Or maybe remind them of that once they gain some proficiency with the basic concepts.
Thanks
I'll need to try this on my system first to have some steps ready
Will probably be a decision be available free time
But yeah, I also thing the finished game should falls more in the category of "just works" and with this limited time, this is probably be better option
Yes. My thinking is that they may persue game modding on their own; if not in the near future, possibly some years down the line. You won't need to hold their hand that much if they discover a taste for it. That programming game definately wins in the short-term.