Here’s a summary of the software that you’ll need to install on your laptops if you’re participating in the Programming Track at BootCamp.

For the “Introduction to Programming, using Python,” you’ll need to download and install Python from www.python.org/download/releases/2.7.1/. Make sure you choose the version that matches your computer. Current Macs (i.e., those that don’tuse PowerPC chips) should use the last link. If you’re on Windows, you’ll need to know if you’re using a 32- or 64-bit processor. Documentation about Python can be found at docs.python.org/.

For the second session, “Introduction to the Django Framework, Using Python,” you’ll need to download and install Django. Please note that you must install Python before installing Django. Documentation about Django can be found at docs.djangoproject.com/en/1.2/.

Installing Django On a Mac
Download Django from www.djangoproject.com/download/. Once it’s downloaded, you’ll need to work through your command line interface, which you’ll find in Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Once in the terminal, you will need to go to the directory where you’ve saved the Django download. I’d saved the file to the desktop, so I typed “cd desktop.” I then had to type the following (w/o quotation marks): “tar xzvf Django-1.2.5.tar.gz”. This extracted the files for Django. I then entered the Django directory by typing “cd Django-1.2.5”. And then I ran the install by typing “sudo python setup.py install”. I had to authorize the sudo process, and then I was set.

Installing Django on a PC
The easiest way to install Django is to download Python’s setuptools from pypi.python.org/pypi/setuptools. Once that set of tools has been installed, access your command line. You should then be able to simply type “easy_install django” and it should download and install the package.

Please let Brian know if you’re having trouble getting things installed. We could perhaps makes some screenshots if necessary.