Boston Python Workshop/Friday handout

Site information

• Friday setup and the Saturday workshop are both happening at Microsoft NERD, which is at One Memorial Drive in Cambridge, in the Thomas Paul room on the 1st floor.
• To access the wireless network, connect to the Cambridge network and open a browser. You should be redirected to a login page, which will prompt you for a wireless code. The code is: pw304.

Setting up Python

This section has instructions for installing Python and running Python from a terminal prompt.

1. Windows
2. OS X
3. Linux

In addition to being able to run Python, you should pick the text editor you'll use for writing and saving Python code during the workshop.

• On Windows, you might use NotePad. To start NotePad: click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.
• On OS X, you might use TextEdit. To start TextEdit: search for TextEdit from Spotlight, or navigate to Applications/TextEdit.
• On Linux, you might use GEdit. To start GEdit: click Applications, point to Accessories, and click Text Editor.

Setting up the ColorWall

You'll be writing effects for a ColorWall like the one in this video! {{#ev:vimeo|16522975}}

1. Download the ColorWall project from http://mit.edu/jesstess/www/BostonPythonWorkshop
   • Windows users, try http://mit.edu/jesstess/www/BostonPythonWorkshop/ColorWall.zip first. The file should automatically get uncompressed when you download it.
   • OS X and Linux users can use either the .zip or .tar.gz file.
2. The ColorWall project has no dependencies to install on common, modern Windows, OS X, and Linux* distributions. To confirm that you have no dependencies to install, at Python prompt run:

   import Tkinter

   If that command results in an ImportError, let a staff member know and we'll help get your dependencies set up. (*On some Debian installation, when you import Tkinter it will tell you that you need to install the python-tk package, which you should do)
3. Run the example effects

(Optional) Setting up the web app

The web app is an example of an integrated Python-based application. It uses the Django web framework. Because the setup for this project is somewhat involved, this project and it's setup are optional. Attendees interested in the material or who have some programming experience are encouraged to work through the setup instructions with a staff member.

The web app setup instructions are here.

That's it! Friday is over.

In summary, make sure you leave on Friday comfortable with the following things:

1. Running Python from a command prompt
2. Running the ColorWall from a command prompt
3. Editing Python code in a text editor

Let us know if you have any questions about Friday's setup or Saturday's workshop, and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday!