Forget project Euler or babby's first web server. This is an _excellent_ way to learn a new language, to learn a huge amount about crypto, and it's a huge amount of fun to boot. I cannot recommend them enough.
>> Forget project Euler
Thus, the project being discussed is a toy attempt at building a web server. This is a fairly common mid-sized project for learning a new language, as it implicates lots of the stdlib (file I/O, networking, etc), has a defined scope with lots of opportunity for flourishes, and is immediately showable.
Matasano Cryptopals challenges is amazing, back off
;-)
[0] Honestly ... Say 'pandigital prime' again, I dare you, I double dare you motherfucker, say 'pandigital prime' one more goddamn time! Ahem