[Python-bugs-list] [ python-Bugs-468443 ] Python download/install process (original) (raw)

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Fri, 05 Oct 2001 17:23:15 -0700

Bugs item #468443, was opened at 2001-10-05 16:43 You can respond by visiting: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=105470&aid=468443&group_id=5470

Category: Installation Group: Feature Request Status: Open Resolution: None Priority: 5 Submitted By: Talin (talin) Assigned to: Nobody/Anonymous (nobody) Summary: Python download/install process

Initial Comment: I just guided a friend through the process of downloading and installing Python 2.1.1. Here is the transcript of our conversation. See comments below.

Deanna: Talin, I want to d/l Python but I don't see where the download is. can you help me?

Talin: What does the web page title say?

Deanna: Python 2.1.1 - a bugfix release for Python 2.1

Talin: OK, scroll down to where it says "download locations" and click on the link that says HTTP

Deanna: got it

Talin: Click on the file ending with .exe and download it

Talin: Then run that file

Deanna: k

Talin: That's an installer.

Deanna: and the others?

Talin: Just that one

Deanna: thanks

Normally I wouldn't bother to mention this - people who use programming languages should know how to download and install things. However, since Python is supposed to be intended for novice computer users, I think it would make sense to improve the download process and make it more self-explanatory.

In the above transcript, some things are apparent:

  1. The download page is kind of terse - the "Download Locations" simply says "Python.org HTTP". Not everyone knows that "HTTP" is a way of downloading files, most people think it's just a way of viewing web pages. (Most people don't realize that web pages are files.)

  2. The link leads you to a raw listing of files, with no explanation of which files to download.

  3. Since my friend is a windows user, she doesn't know that ".tar.gz" files are typically only used on Unix systems. A similar logic can be made about the other files in that directory.

Comment By: Martin v. L�wis (loewis) Date: 2001-10-05 17:23

Message: Logged In: YES user_id=21627

Your point 2) is not true. Above the download locations, it say

"Windows users should download Python-2.1.1.exe, the Windows installer, from one of the download locations below, run it, and follow the friendly instructions on the screen to complete the installation."

It also explains Python-2.1.1-Debug.zip. This also makes your point 3) irrelevant: the page clearly says that the .tgz is for "All others".

On HTTP/FTP, somebody who doesn't know what to do would hopefully be smart enough to click on the link that follows the text "Download locations", perhaps assuming that these were different locations.

So I propose to close this with no change.

You can respond by visiting: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=105470&aid=468443&group_id=5470