[PYTHONMAC-SIG] Basic plotting using Python on the Mac

[W.T. Bridgman]

An individual where I work (Goddard Space Flight Center) got me exploring
Python for scientific applications and I've been (fairly quietly) following
the activity on this mailing list.

I'm particularly interested in Python as a way of freeing myself from the
tyranny of RSI's $1500 price tag on IDL which is so heavily used in
astronomy but for which I don't have the $$ to purchase for my home system
(PowerPC 7300/200).  Python's cleaner design around object-oriented
features is also a big selling point.

I've started experimenting with Python and the NumPy extension and am
impressed with how a GUI using Tkinter operates on my Mac and a Solaris
system at the lab with *no changes whatsoever*.

I'm exploring rebuilding many if not of all my science analysis routines in
Python but for one serious deficiency - portable graphics routines.  The
contributions library has graphics extensions for specific systems but
apparently none for the Mac.

Two questions:
1) Does anyone on this list have some basic graphics modules (that will run
on a PowerPC) they would be interested in sharing.  My basic needs are xy
plots, scatter plots, linear & log scales.

2) I understand there is talk of starting a plotting SIG.  My hope is that
this will be for a PORTABLE graphics library that can work across many
platforms.  Whom do I contact about becoming part of that SIG?

Thanks for your input.

Tom

Tom Bridgman, Ph.D.                                     wtbridgman@radix.net
Physics & Astronomy                               "Just say NO to
Microsoft."



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