[Tutor] Getting Started

[Chris Acreman]

Amit and Alan,

Thank your for your prompt responses to my questions.  If you don't mind I 
will try to merge your questions into a single, hopefully comprehensive 
response.

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"But to go further we need to know which OS you are using?" -- Alan

I'm using Windows 7.  The book assumes a Windows environment, but includes 
instructions for installing on other systems.

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"If you tell us the website we might know where it's equivalent lives..." --  
Alan

The book recommends downloading Python fro free from 
www.courseptr.com/downloads.

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"Does the book by chance use IDLE?" -- Amit

Yes, the book mentions IDLE and seems to assume that is the standard.  It 
says nothing about whether you can turn it on or off, much less about when 
you might want it on or when you might want it off.

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"Can you be more specific about the 'Python screen' ?" -- Amit
"How are you running Python at the moment?  Is it just the command line 
interpreter? Or do you have some kind of GUI tool?" -- Alan

The "Python Screen" is what opens up when I click the Python button on the 
desktop.  The book calls it a "console window,  window that can display only 
text."  It is a command line interpreter, with no apparent GUI tools.  The 
book does have a chapter entitled "GUI Development:  The Mad Lib," so I 
assume it will include instructions for writing programs with GUIs.

It is black with gray lettering.  The first four lines of text are:
    Python 3.3.0 (v3.3.0:bd8afb90ebf2, Sep 29 2012.  10:57:17) [MSC v.1600 
64 bit (AM
    D64)] on win 32
    Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
    >>>

The screen can be stretched vertically but not horizontally.  It is 80 
columns wide.

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"I used to live in Elgin, Scotland. Small world :-)" -- Alan

Is Elgin, Scotland, also famous for barbeque sausage?  :-)

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Once again, thank you for your assistance.


Chris