Python or Java or "X" from me and my little job

[Ben]

I am new to Linux. I have Python 1.5.2 up and working. I want to have
Python grab some files, ZIP them, and FTP them offsite. I will let CRON
start the job every night. Since I am just getting to look at Python, I
wanted to ask to make sure I don't pick the wrong tool for the job.


1)Am I selelcting a good tool to get light weight sys admin jobs done?

2)Should I go with JAVA instead?

3)Can Python ZIP files easily?



thankful for any comments;
Ben