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To: python-list@python.org
From: Ned Deily <nad@acm.org>
Subject: Re: Python site-packages permission denied?
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:47:37 -0800
References: <5849344.1361.1331154163099.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@pbls8> <CAMZYqRTXy3mSMXtivuE8ApYX2ZFAG3DQp1UN+fqWnAYWNOANAw@mail.gmail.com>
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Xref: csiph.com comp.lang.python:21372

In article 
<CAMZYqRTXy3mSMXtivuE8ApYX2ZFAG3DQp1UN+fqWnAYWNOANAw@mail.gmail.com>,
 Chris Rebert <clp2@rebertia.com> wrote:
> You generally shouldn't mess with Mac OS X's system copies of Python.
> Typically, one installs a separate copy using MacPorts, Fink, or
> whatever, and uses that instead.

I don't understand what you mean by "mess with".  Certainly one should 
not attempt alter standard library modules provided with the system 
Python but adding additional packages is fully supported.  Apple 
conveniently provides a special directory in user-controlled space 
(/Library/Python) as the default location for Distutils-based installs.  
They even provide versions of easy_install for the system Pythons.

-- 
 Ned Deily,
 nad@acm.org