[Pythonmac-SIG] Installing unix Python on OS X...a few details wanted

[christopher ariza]

i realize this is a bit out of date, but i was on vacation.

concerning using fink to run tkinter in X11:

i apologize for making possibly over-enthusiastic claims about fink! i
will try to clarify a bit. i forgot to mention that i had been using the
"dselect" application that comes with fink, which automatically checks for
dependencies for a given software component. thus if you select gnome to
be installed, gtk+ and all the other necessary packages are selected as
well.

which python/tk to use: when using dselect with fink, all software
selected is installed in the /sw directory, and nowhere else. if you have
a normal osx mach-o python intalled in /usr/local/lib it will not be
effected at all. dselect installs python in /sw/lib. same with tk.

assuming you are not concerned with hard disc space, it seems easiest to
me to just have duplicate copies of python, tk, and whatever else: one in
/sw for when using X11, and the other for using in darwin/osx land, if
needed.


from dselect, the python and tk i have installed are displayed as:

     Up-to-date Optional packages in section languages
 *** Opt language python       2.1.1-3     2.1.1-3     Python is an
interpreted, interactive, ob
 *** Opt language tcltk        8.3.3-5     8.3.3-5     Tcl (Tool Command
Language, pronounced ti


the python NOT installed is the one that is "nox", no X11. this means that
it doesnt expect to find tk:

     Available Optional packages in section languages
  __ Opt language python-nox   <none>      2.1.1-3     Python is an
interpreted, interactive, ob


from dselect, my x11 packages are as follows:

     Up-to-date Optional packages in section x11-system
 *** Opt x11-syst xfree86-base 4.1.0-8     4.1.0-8     XFree86 libraries,
utilities and data
 *** Opt x11-syst xfree86-serv 4.1.0-5     4.1.0-5     XFree86 display
server (stable release)

     Up-to-date Optional packages in section x11-wm
 *** Opt x11-wm   blackbox-roo 0.61.1-1    0.61.1-1    Blackbox patched
for rootless X environme
 *** Opt x11-wm   enlightenmen 0.16.5-6    0.16.5-6    Themeable,
featureful window manager
 *** Opt x11-wm   icewm        1.0.8-1     1.0.8-1     Window manager with
Windows, OS/2 and Mot


finally, I highly reccomend the blackbox wm. of all the wms i tried with
x11 on a little 300mhz powerbook, blackbox was by far the fastest, as fast
as normal aqua. gnome plus a wm was too slow for my machine.

christopher ariza