At PyCon 2004, a BoF discussed ways to get grant money for Python development. The initial target of the funding requests will be for the development of a "Fat Python" distribution. This will take the form of a bootable CDROM. The application on the CD will cover a variety of educational topics, in addition to teaching introductory computer programming. We plan to develop a demo version of the CDROM in parallel with writing a grant request for funding.
This project is discussed on [http://starship.python.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/python-grants the python-grants list].
See also PythonEducationalDistribution by the Seattle Python Interest Group. They are creating a Windows CD. Also, the Python EduSig list has discussed using [http://www.morphix.org/modules/news/ Morphix] to create a bootable custom CD. I would encourage you to get in touch with both these groups.
Possible Contents
Here's a quick (incomplete and biased by my bookmark file) list of example things that might be included in the "Fat Python". Current thinking is to focus educational/scientific applications.
- Core Python distribution
- GUI toolkit bindings
- Scientific plotting applications
- PyX
- Numeric Python extensions
- Image processing
- ["PIL"]
- PyAC # album creator
- Documentation
use a running MoinMoin wiki as documentation "glue logic"
- Python Docs, Essays
Free Python Books (IntroductoryBooks, AdvancedBooks?)
[http://www.network-theory.co.uk/python/manual/pytut.pdf An Introduction to Python] by GvR
Tutorials and FAQ on PyGtk
- John Miller's Thesis
- Fun Stuff (movies - as far as space allows)
Other Ideas
- Databases and adapters
[http://gadfly.sourceforge.net/ Gadfly]
- adapters for ["MySQL"], ["PostgreSQL"] (do we then have to include the database?)
It will not be any good IMHO if not provide out of the box compatibility with MS (SQL, IIS) -- MR
Editors & GUI Builders
how about [http://die-offenbachs.de/detlev/eric3.html Eric3]?
- Web tools
- PyXML
- libxml2
- other XML packages
- ["Quixote"]
["Zope"] (imho Plone will be better -- MR)
PythonApplications (written in Python)
GuidovanRobot (GvRobot)
WorkforceConnections (courseware through a web interface.)
- Chandler
- Shtoom
There are some ready to go apps like
- library automation
- Plone based school setup
that may show something good out of the box. -- MikeRovner DateTime(2004-04-09T18:59:28Z)