Dan McKinley : Setting up a Python Development Environment for the Ignorant Windows Programmer:
"This assumes very little knowledge and hopefully this will be helpful to somebody. You will need:
Python - http://python.org/
Emacs - http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/emacs/windows/
python-mode: http://sourceforge.net/projects/python-mode/
Yes, tragically, you will have to learn emacs if you have managed to resist it up to this point. Luckily, it turns out to be worth the trouble."
Its funny, but I've been doing the almost exact same thing in terms of setting up a Python environment for Windows. Though I don't see anything tragic about having to learn how to use Emacs, I think emacs rocks! In any case, you can also download XEmacs from here:
XEmacs http://www.xemacs.org/Download/win32/
I use ActiveStates activepython:
ActivePython: http://www.activestate.com/Products/ActivePython/?mp=1
If you are using XEmacs instead of Emacs, in your .emacs file replace the following line:
(global-font-lock-mode t)
with:
(require 'font-lock)
I like using the command line a lot. Activestate adds python to the command line when you install. Adding xemacs directory to the PATH environment variable helps to launch emacs from the command line.
I too really do like the Consolas font in Windows. If for some reason you don't have it installed, you can download it from here:
Consolas font pack
So their you go, a slightly alternate path to take if you are an "Ignorant Windows Programmer". :)
