[CentralOH] OS Package Managers and Python

[Mark Aufdencamp]

Greetings All,

I've been playing with python on my MacBook.  Of course, it shipped with
python 2.6 and easy_install.  I installed pip on it last year at PyOhio.
 I've upgraded pip to the current version, and been able to install
Django and such.  I'm now looking at installing 2.7 and 3.3 on it. 
Concurrently with this, I'm looking at my environment on my Ubuntu
desktop and servers. So questions:

1. Should I use the standard release page distributions, Mac Ports, or
build my own for the newer versions on my MacBook? Pros and cons of 32
vs 64 bit?

2. Same goes for Python on Ubuntu, apt-get, or standard release source?

3. How about easy_install and pip on Ubuntu? Install python-setuptools
for easy install and then pip, or use the apt-get pip package?  Really
like some discussion on pros and cons, as I know this has been a huge
issue in the ruby world with gems.

TIA

Mark Aufdencamp
Mark at Aufdencamp.com