At long last, I have finally managed to created a fully clickable
VPython on the Mac. Don't get too excited because I have *NOT* ported
visual to Aqua as that's beyond my capabilities. We just got twelve
brand new MacBooks at work to use in astronomy and physics classes and
I put Python 2.5.1 and VPython on them via Fink, compiling from
source. I used a tool called XDroplets
(http://www.rhythmiccanvas.com/software/xdroplets/index.html) that
encapsulates a script of most any type and makes it behave and look
like an OS X application bundle. The best part is that it allows for
dropping a source file onto an icon and having both X11 and IDLE
launch and the source file shows up in IDLE! So with this applet in
the OS X Dock, students can launch VPython by clicking on a single
icon. X11 is launched if it's not already running. Multiple source
files can be dropped and each will open into its own window. It's
simply fantastic! The other best part is that when students open an
existing file, it opens in their home directory; they no longer have
to navigate through the filesystem and possible store their programs
in an insecure place or overwrite existing demo files. The app is only
about 228KB in size so it's very small. Actually, it's nothing more
than an encapsulated shell script.
I'm awaiting permission to use the icon I chose from the PSF. As soon
as I get the okay from them, I will make the app available for
distribution.
Joe Heafner
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