Newbie questions: write permission, interpreter minimizing

[pcarey at lexmark.com]

Win2K, Python2.2
Hello list.

I'm relatively new to Python.

When I want to test for write permissions (on Win2K),
I use try: except: clauses, something like this:

try:

      os.mkdir("X:\\anydir")

except OSError (e,s):

      print s

os.rmdir("X:\\anydir")



Is there an easier way?

I tried os.access("X:\\anydir", W_OK), but it always returns 1,
so I guess I am misunderstanding that.



Also, (and forgive me if I betray woeful ignorance)...

I use PythonCardPrototype to make UI's.
When launching these apps (double-clicking),
the interpreter launches (as it should) and remains in the background
(as it should)... but is there any way to automatically minimize the
interpreter?



Thank you,

Pete