Does anybody have ideas for programs that would be good to make for practice?

There are a lot of suggested practices in my MCTS-study books. I'll post one. Let me know if this is the kind of stuff you're looking for (i don't know your preferred language, platform and experience level):

1a) Build an application that duplicates the functionality of Windows Explorer. You should be able to display a directory tree in one pane and files in a praticular directory in another.
1b) (I made this up): Extend the previous program so that it allows a user to rename a file, copy a file between the two dirs, delete a file and get statistical info (such as the creation date and size) about the file.

Or make something that is entertaining: a small game :ok: .

Since I don't know your level of skill I'll just give you this link.
I think the site contains some wonderful examples of real small games, some of them not even games just prototypes but the good ones can be quite difficult to program so in case you are a beginner take is as a source of inspiration.

The first game I programmed was noughts&crosses (tic-tac-toe). It doesn't need a lot of code or any fancy graphics, and it's simple to make in just about any language. In fact, whenever I learn a new language I make it just to test myself. So far I've done it in basic, pascal/delphi, C++ and python.

I just started programing in ruby about 2-3 weeks ago. I have never programed before but i have manage to make a address book program that supports as many contacts as your hd has room for. I have not learned anything with GUIs yet. :max:

sry bout the double post put heres were you can get my address book program right here

You could have just edited your post. Anyway, I've merged the two posts and fixed your link. Javascript doesn't work here. ;) Please avoid double-posting in the future unless absolutely needed. Thanks. :)

how do u edit a post and thanks for fixing the link i figured it out but thanks for fixing the link

At the bottom of your post you should see Report, Top, Delete, Edit.... Now please stay on topic. Thanks.

How about a 2d tile editor? Thats one of the first things I did. You could then use it for the games you create. A simple one would not be too complex for a beginner, nor would it take too much time.