[Python-Dev] a new setuptools release?

[Zooko O'Whielacronx]

+1

For a large number of people [1, 2, 3], setuptools is already a
critical part of Python.  Make it official.  Let everyone know that
future releases of Python will not break setuptools/Distribute, and
that they can rely on backwards-compatibility with the myriad existing
packages.  Make the next release of the distutils standard lib module
be Distribute.

(Perhaps some people will complain, but they can channel their energy
into improving the new distutils.)

Regards,

Zooko

[1] The majority of professional developers using Python rely on
setuptools to distribute and to use packages:
     http://tarekziade.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/packaging-survey-first-results/
[2] setuptools is one of the most downloaded packages on PyPI:
     http://pypi.python.org/pypi/setuptools
     http://blog.delaguardia.com.mx/tags/pypi
[3] about one fifth of Debian users who install python2.5 also install
python-pkg-resources:
     http://qa.debian.org/popcon.php?package=python-setuptools
     http://qa.debian.org/popcon.php?package=python2.5