Python+GNU/Linux+Oracle 10 g Express Edition+cx_Oracle

[cirudinezidane at gmail.com]

Hi!!

I'd like to install Oracle 10 g express edition over Ubuntu to use with
Python 2.4. I have installed Ubuntu, Python 2.4 and Oracle database. I
think that I have installed correctly cx_Oracle because I have
cx_Oracle.so in /usr/share/python2.4/site-packages/ directory. My
environment variables are ORACLE_HOME=/usr/lib/oracle and
LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$ORACLE_HOME/lib. I am trying to connect to Oracle
database:
 >>>import cx_Oracle
 >>>db=cx_Oracle.connect('sergio/sergio at XE')
Traceback (most recent call last):    File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
RuntimeError: Unable to acquire Oracle environment handle


     What is the problem?  

 Thanks.