> As far as I know, on a linux box there is no need to run > Idle. There's no *need* but many folks like to because it gives them some nice features over a shell python prompt: 1) syntax colouring(even at the >>> prompt) 2) a graphical debugger 3) tooltips for function parameters 4) some nice inspection tools(class and path browsers) Alan G. (Voting on the pro-IDLE side for a change!)