[Python-Dev] Python Package Management Roadmap in Python Releases

[David Lyon]

Hi All,

I started out some time ago and wrote a Python Package Manager
with wxpython. It was an interesting learning experience for
me. I was new to python.

Some have pointed out that using wx was not a good idea for
a tool to go into all the python distributions. Because it
required the external dependency of wx.

So, given that, I'm ready to have another go.

Some have suggested using Tk. But I noticed python Tk isn't
standard on ubuntu.

A console mode tool is possible. That would be better than
the nothing that we have under windows today.

Vote [1] - console mode tool for this

Alternatively, a web server based tool along the lines
of the old python docs system might be possible.

Vote [2] - web tool for this

I have come to understand that python-dev is full of
people that know the packages that they like, know how
to install them by hand, and probably only ever go
looking for upgrades.

However, for new users, it is so much harder.

It also seems to me that we have a lot of reasonable
and talented people, who are committed and dedicated.

To me, a relative outsider, it's not clear if this
is a python central issue, or a distutils issue. It
could be either. Advise me please.

By June next year, some people including myself, want
to go to europe for holidays - sorry conferences.. and
we want to take some work with us to talk about.

We can do the work..

But we need concessions...

What can we work on that might make a difference ?

If the current roadmap for distutils package management
on windows for the next 8 months is nothing, I can
live with that.

But seriously, lets get this discussion going again.

If a command line tool is all that windows users will
allowed to have, then it would be better than the
current plan which is for them to have nothing.

It's not just nothing for now, it's nothing for years.

That doesn't seem fair or nice. It's not just one
person saying that, it is a handful who don't use
windows on a regular basis. 

Why can't we have an advocate from each major 
platform? bring their issues, and try to come 
to a consensus.

Even if that tool would simply allow them to choose:
 - PIP
 - Distribute
 - Easy Install
 - Python Package Manager

>From there, users could explore each offer on it's
own merits.

I'm interested in getting all types of opinions and feedback. 

David