[Python-ideas] Make py.exe default to Python 3

[Chris Barker - NOAA Federal]

> Failing to run Python in the terminal occurs every single introduction
> course I give. Every single one. And without help, a beginner will have
> trouble solving

Absolutely! I have the same experience in my classes.

The reality is that MS has not updated the GUI for setting PATH since
Windows 3.1 as far as I can tell. It sucks.

So we really, really, want this to Just Work for newbies.

Yes, things get complicated with multiple versions of Python, etc, but
that is going to require understanding s fair bit about PATH et al. No
matter how you slice it.

Let's be sure the simple case is easy and obvious.

-CHB




> it because it's hard to search in Google for something
> you know nothing about. So some of them, the ones that can understand
> English and see the value of looking it up for hours, may solve it. The
> other ones will give up.
>
> Another problem is the gigantic time and energy wasted for this : I have
> to tell about this box in every course, write it down (with screenshot)
> in every tutorials, mention it in every videos I do. And yet, yet!
> People still come to me, write comments, emails, not understanding why
> typing "python" in this big black windows doesn't work.
>
> And then, you have the worst case scenario. The one where the person, a
> bit tech saavy, tried to edit the PATH manually in this tiny,
> unresizeable window, and messed it up. Now, try to diagnose that over
> skype, or on a forum, or on twitter...
>
> I already made the choice to spends hours of my life helping people with
> Python, but I wish I could spend it on explaining how they can make
> their computer do nice stuff, not on making sure they tick boxes.
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