Louis Pecora wrote:
> This seems to be where this argument goes: the user/newbies vs. the
> developers.
I don't think so. This entire conversation is about supporting the
newbies. The disagreements are about how best to do that.
> You shouldn't be forcing everyone to adopt a python system
> that then suits your marketing model.
I know why I'm pushing for the "Install the 2.4 version" approach, and
it's precisely to support newbies, not to fit a marketing model.
If we make it clear that there is one "Standard" way to do python on the
Mac, then it's easier for everyone:
- Newbies don't have to make a decision they don't understand the
implications of.
- We don't have to field questions about more than one version.
- When they need to add an extension package, there is only one set of
pre-built packages to look at.
- Extension package builders and maintainers only need to target one
version, and as a result, more packages will work on the Mac. (you
should see what's in the matplotlib setup.py: a fragile mess inside the
"darwin" section, looking around for whether you're running fink, or
darwinports, etc. so that libs can be found. What a pain!)
Those are some of the reasons that I think we need to establish a
single, standard, "Recommended by the MacPython community" version.
The Apple python is simply not an option as that standard (for reasons
very well discussed here!), so Bob's build is it, unless someone else
steps up to make something different.
None of this helps the power users: we can go build our own from source,
use fink, whatever.
Now the marketing: yes, the smaller the barrier to entry to getting
someone hooked, the better. On some level, I generally prefer to get
people started with an approach that will carry them far, rather than
the easiest way to get started, then tell them they need to do it
differently as they get going. However, I do think there is a real
advantage to showing people a bit about python without them having to
download or install something.
I think we can accomplish this on the main page of pythonmac.org, with a
link something like:
New to Python? The 30 second quick start:
That will link to a Wiki page that tells people how to fire up the
terminal and print hello world, maybe do a mini wx app: there have been
some good suggestions on this thread already.
At the end of maybe 15 minutes worth (or maybe more, I'm not sure what's
best) of getting started, point them to a page that talks about what
kind of extension packages there are, and advise about why and how to
install a new version.
The goal is to show just enough to get newbies interested, then set them
up with a system that will carry them well into their python career.
-Chris
--
Christopher Barker, Ph.D.
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