Python-developers, Pursuant to PEP 287, one of the deliverables of the just-released Docutils 0.2 (http://docutils.sf.net/) is a processing system for reStructuredText-format PEPs as an alternative to the current PEP processing. Here are examples of new-style PEPs (processed to HTML, with links to the source text as usual): - http://docutils.sf.net/spec/pep-0287.html (latest) - http://docutils.sf.net/spec/pep-0000.html (as a proof of concept because of its special processing) Compare to the old-style PEPs: - http://www.python.org/peps/pep-0287.html (update pending) - http://www.python.org/peps/pep-0000.html Existing old-style PEPs can coexist with reStructuredText PEPs indefinitely. What to do with new PEPs is a policy decision that doesn't have to be made immediately. PEP 287 puts forward a detailed rationale for reStructuredText PEPs; especially see the "Questions & Answers" section, items 4 through 7. In earlier correspondence Guido critiqued some style issues (since corrected) and said "I'm sure you can fix all these things with a simple style sheet change, and then I'm all for allowing Docutils for PEPs." I'd appreciate more critiques/suggestions on PEP formatting issues, no matter how small. Especially, please point out any HTML/stylesheet issues with the various browsers. I hereby formally request permission to deploy Docutils for PEPs on Python.org. Here's a deployment plan for your consideration: - Install the Docutils-modified version of Fredrik Lundh's nondist/peps/pep2html.py script into CVS, along with ancillary files. The modified pep2html.py auto-detects old-style and new-style PEPs and processes accordingly. (http://docutils.sf.net/tools/pep2html.py) - Install Docutils 0.2 on the server that does the PEP processing. I don't think it's necessary to put Docutils into Python's CVS. - Make up a README for the "peps" directory with instructions for installing Docutils and running the modified pep2html.py. - Modify PEP 1 (PEP Purpose and Guidelines) and PEP 9 (Sample PEP Template) with the new formatting instructions. - Make an announcement to the Python community. - I will maintain the software, convert current meta-PEPs to the new format as desired, handle PEP conversion updates, and assist other PEP authors to convert their PEPs if they wish. If this is acceptable, to begin I will need write access to CVS and shell access to the Python.org server (however that works; please let me know what I need to do). Once I have the necessary access, I will try to ensure a near-zero impact on the PythonLabs crew. Feedback is most welcome. -- David Goodger <goodger@users.sourceforge.net> Open-source projects: - Python Docutils: http://docutils.sourceforge.net/ (includes reStructuredText: http://docutils.sf.net/rst.html) - The Go Tools Project: http://gotools.sourceforge.net/