Learning Python

I'm currently trying to learn Python. My background with programming is that I took 3 courses in Java during college and wrote a medical scheduling program by myself during high school using VB6 and Access.  I would love to be able to contribute to open source projects, hoping to build a reputation in those communities.

Anyhow, I'm using this text: http://openbookproject.net//thinkCSpy/ch04.html  Is this a good book to use to learn Python given my background?  Also, what's the best IDE for python.

otherwise, python general thread.

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