Python 2.4.3 For Sharprom, Updated my python-for-arm-linux feed Options

[Mickeyl]

Hi SharpROM and clones-lovers,

I've updated my python-for-arm-linux feed at PythonForSharpROM with Python 2.4.3. This time I used a very ancient Embedix SDK in order to make the packages work with the SharpROM.

I'd be interested in knowing
*) whether they work for you and
*) whether the SharpROM feed is still of any use for you.

The URL for the project page is Python-for-arm-linux - note that the package browser points to the "modern" feed, which is atm. older than the SharpROM feed ;-)

Happy Python'ing,

[fpp]

Hi mickeyl,

I can understand that the lack of response to your offer (and the work you have put behind it) can be disappointing.
However, I don't think it's due to your efforts being ignored or general disaffection for Python on the Zaurus in general (Sharp ROM or not :-). My feeling is that there are three factors at work here :

1) Python users are probably a minority in the Zaurus user base, and even in the Zaurus developer base, just like everywhere else unfortunately :-)

2) Those who do install Python on their Z are either regular users who just want the runtime for an interesting app they've found (like Treeline etc.), or coders who want to port some existing app, or create their own. In either case, for any serious work, it quickly becomes frustrating not to have a comprehensive, "all-in-one" Python distribution (ie the standard Python package enhanced with platform-specific packages like PyQt, PyGtk, Pygame etc.). There's always some import failing for which you need to fetch the relevant module, and sometimes it's hard to find (especially binary modules like datetime for example).

3) This "piecemeal" approach made a lot of sense for the first generations of very limited machines (like the "brick" series), where you could install only what was strictly needed. But nowadays I guess most clamshell users (from the 760 upwards) have loads of storage space, on flash or on disk. For these people the "python image" offered by Kopsis (50 megs writable, 10 megs read-only) is a very practical, no-hassle solution, so there's little incentive to do it any other way.

For the last few months I've also had a Nokia 770 to play with, and the fact that ready-made packages for Python, PyGtk, pyGame and PIL were available *before launch* was not innocent in that purchase decision...

Anyway, I wanted to also thank you and the other actors like Kopsis for keeping up the rap about our favourite language, and making it available on our favourite toys :-)

Best,
fp