How to do an event triggered callback function?

[sam schulenburg]

I'am in need of an event trigger mechanism to control seperate process under
cPython. I have found a sample mechaninism under Tkinter using
self.after(interval,function).
I would like to accomplish the same thing under python in console mode so I
and return to the command line interpretor and issue commands while various
background process take place at predevined intervals. Could anyone point me
towards a simple example that may help me. I have searched the faqs on
threads and process withou much help.

Sam Schulenburg