QUESTION

[Matt Gerrans]

> I think you might want to be careful about deleting Python from your
> COMPAQ.  It appears that COMPAQ did actually deliver Python on some of
their
> systems:
>
>
http://wingide.com/pipermail/marketing-python/2003-February/001050.html
>
> Deleting Python from the computer may make future upgrades difficult.

Yup, Kevin did the sleuthing, found my name in the scripts then contacted me
and I promised to write up a Python success story
(http://www.pythonology.com/success) about the pre-installation of Python on
HP and Compaq machines.

However, in this particular case, the OP says it was a Windows 98 machine,
which would have been before the HP-Compaq merger, so it is more likely that
the Python was subsequently installed on that machine not pre-installed.
Additionally, the Python pre-installion that I've done for HP Pavilions (and
now also Compaq Presarios) was originally Python 1.5.2, then was (and still
is) Python 2.2, but never Python 2.1.1.   Of course, it is possible that
Compaq was also pre-installing Python on their systems before the merger,
but there is one other piece of evidence which may refute the pre-installed
theory: I don't think Python 2.1.1 and Windows 98 OEMs fit the same
timeframe (maybe WinMe or the first release of XP...).

- Matt