How to convert arbitrary objects directly to base64 without initial string conversion?

[Russell Warren]

After some digging around it appears there is not a tonne of
documentation on buffer objects, although they are clearly core and
ancient... been sifting through some hits circa 1999, long before my
python introduction.

What I can find says that buffer is deprecated (Python in a Nutshell),
or non-essential/for-older-versions (Python documentation).

At least it no longer seems terribly weird to me that I never noticed
this built-in before... I got this from the python docs in reference to
buffer and others:

"Python programmers, trainers, students and bookwriters should feel
free to bypass these functions without concerns about missing something
important".

Is buffer safe to use?  Is there an alternative?

> ctypes objects support the buffer interface

How can you tell what objects support the buffer interface?  Is
anything visible at the python level, or do you need to dig into the C
source?

Regarding documentation, I assume the C PyBufferObject is the
underlying thing for the python-level buffer?  If so, is the best place
for docs on this ancient object to glean what I can from this link:
http://www.python.org/doc/1.5.2p2/api/bufferObjects.html ?

Any help is appreciated... I'd like to understand what I can about this
object if I'm to use it... I'm wary of nasty surprises.

Russ