There are some slight differences between python 2 & 3.  Most of Python 3's new features and syntax were backported to 2.6 which is what I would guess Elemental is using at a minimum, given it's python bindings seem to have been added late in development.  Actually, is it even in there yet at all?

So, in short, learning the Python 3 way is probably safe.  Even if Elemental for some reason is using 2.3 or something, it should be a very easy adjustment.

There's no point in learning Python 2 today if you don't intend to use major python apps that are still 2.xx only (Django, Twisted...).  Python core developers are pushing hard for Python 3 (aka Python 3000) anyway, and the 2.x branch will not have any new feature, but only bugfixes.

These are the books I recommend for python newcomers:

• Learning Python
• Python Essential Reference
• Dive into Python (freely available online)