[Visualpython-users] Making installers for the Mac

[Bruce S. <Bru...@nc...>]

I wonder whether a Mac expert who reads this list might have an
insight into a very strange problem I've encountered in building
VPython installers for Python 2.6, 2.7, and 3.1.

I use Apple PackageMaker to create the Mac installers posted at
vpython.org. Only recently I became aware that using one of these
installers (say for Python 2.6) deletes the contents of the folders
FontTools, numpy, Poygon, and ttfquery in site-packages for other
installed Pythons!! The folders vidle, vis, and visual are not
affected.

I cannot find any differences in the file permissions or other
parameters in PackageMaker between the folders that get emptied and
those that aren't affected, and it boggles the mind that an installer
that correctly places everything in the targeted site-packages folder
somehow manages to delete files from site-packages for other Pythons.
Of course the problem mainly affects me, since most people don't
maintain multiple Pythons and VPythons on their Macs.

Even if you don't have any advice on this bug, perhaps you can
recommend a different installer. I did at one time try another
installer (I forget which one) and didn't find it congenial.

Bruce Sherwood