Problem with Unzipping/Installing Python-2.3.exe

[John Machin]

bokr at oz.net (Bengt Richter) wrote in message news:<bgeqdp$b6v$0 at 216.39.172.122>...
> On 1 Aug 2003 15:06:20 -0700, sjmachin at lexicon.net (John Machin) wrote:
> 
> >John Latter <jorolat at msn.com> wrote in message news:<kjokivg3ptek5v2ueurba8k8c57vajm00l at 4ax.com>...
> >> Hi,
> >> 
> >> I downloaded Python-2.3.exe but when I used winzip it kept asking me
> >> if I wanted to replace old files with new ones, and in some instances,
> >> new files with old ones.
> >> 
> >> I've never downloaded/installed Python before, and as something of a
> >> computer novice, would like to know what I may be doing wrong!
> >> 
> >> This is the link I downloaded from:
> >> 
> >> >Windows users should download the Windows installer, Python-2.3.exe
> >> >, run it and follow the friendly instructions on the screen to complete 
> >> >the installation. 
> >
> >Faced with the 4 clues in the above sentence:
> >
> >(1) "installer"
> >(2) ".exe"
> >(3) "run it"
> >(4) complete absence of any mention of ".zip", "unzip", "Winzip", ...,
> >
> >my expectation would be that one should run the damn thing, not try to
> >unzip it.
> >
> >Do you feel that the instructions were unclear? Do you have any
> >suggestions on how they might be improved?
> >
> I guess for those who are rightfully afraid of any .exe's downloaded from the net,

Except that the OP's remarks didn't strike me as being those of one
who "fears to tread" :-)

> a parenthetic reassuring mention in the same paragraph that the MD5 digests and file
> sizes are displayed further down the page might be a small improvement. Then all you
> have to do is trust the folks that created installer and the files and web page ;-)
> 

Indeed.

In-Timbot-we-trust-ly-yours,

John