This is my first post here and I just started learning Ruby a few days 
ago, so forgive me if I sound a little ignorant.  That said, I do have 
some questions...

I come from Perl land and I'm wondering about some similar resources 
that I valued there.

First, there is an excellent mailing list called Perl Beginners, where 
coders learning the ropes post code they need help with and get tips 
from the pros.  (The website Perl Monks is similar.)  I see that people 
are posting code here, but I'm wondering if Ruby has a similar 
environment?

Second, the Perl Quiz of the Week is a fun way to test and improve your 
skills.  I can always try it in Ruby, of course, but it would be great 
to see other Ruby solutions and analysis.  Any Quiz-like material in 
Ruby land?

My final question is about Ruby itself.  I'm working my way through 
Programming Ruby, which I believe covers Ruby 1.6 or so.  I've brought 
my installation up to the current 1.8.1 though.  Is there place I can 
read about what's changed since then?

Thanks for you time.

James Edward Gray II