On Fri, 15 Sep 2006, Gary wrote:
Date: Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:02:07 -0400 From: Gary <pajer@...1943...> Reply-To: Inkscape User Community inkscape-user@lists.sourceforge.net To: Inkscape User Community inkscape-user@lists.sourceforge.net Subject: [Inkscape-user] multiple python installations
I use python regularly, so I already have an installation on my WinXP machine. In fact, I have two because this is a Lenovo Thinkpad, and Lenovo (nee IBM) installed python for its own purposes. So now I have three python installations on this PC. Another application that I used to use also installed a private python. That would have been four.
What are these other applications?
I understand the issues surrounding the distribution of python applications, but I'd encourage the developers to consider (if they haven't already and rejected the idea) of either using an existing python installation if it exists, or somehow ensuring that python is already installed in the normal way (for python). I'd rather not be having multiple python installations.
We frequently get similar requests about shipping Inkscape without GTK. Very often Inkscape does need the latest GTK. Including a seperate copy also helps avoid the kinds of problems GAIM is having. For testing purposes an all in one package is much simpler, and Inkscape has been praised in reviews for not being as complicated to install as the GNU Image Manipulation Program (which has a two step install, requiring the seperate GTK). It is great that Inkscape is easy by default, but I do encourage the people who are concerned about disk usage to help make it optional and make it possible to do things another way just so long as things remain easy by default.
In the case of GTK there is a workaround, if you delete the Inkscape copy of GTK it will try to pick up the global version instead. A similar trick may be possible for Python. Make sure there is a global version of python installed (usually this means it is included in the %PATH% variable) and try deleting the copy that comes with Inkscape.
Let us know how or if it works. Take detailed notes, record any errors messages. For extra credit update the wiki and provide patches which might help. A lot of great Inkscape work has come from one person trying something and recording their results so that others can build on them.
Sincerely
Alan Horkan
Inkscape http://inkscape.org Abiword http://www.abisource.com Open Clip Art http://OpenClipArt.org
Alan's Diary http://advogato.org/person/AlanHorkan/