Install Eclipse from the repos.  I’m just using Synaptic (installing on Mint), search for Eclipse and tick it (and agree to install the bunch of dependencies)

Once installed, open Eclipse.  Following the instructions here,

Click Help > Install New Software

Click Add

In the name field, enter Pydev and Pydev Extensions. 
In location, enter http://pydev.org/updates 

It should locate the software - Install Pydev for Eclipse (Pydev Django Templates Editor wouldn’t install because of a dependency - I’ve forgotten about it and moved on)

A restart, and you’re done.

I’m going to have a bash at building me a webpage using Django.  

On the tin it says it’s a “high-level Python Web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.”

Rapid = good.  And although my experience is limited (close to nil really), Python = good in my books too.  Plenty of folks will argue otherwise, but for a beginner apparently Python is The Business, and I like the way it rolls.  And I like Monty Python, after which the language is named.

This is a bit of a build log for getting a Django server up and running.  I’ve picked my usual poison, which is Ubuntu Server (10.04) running on a VMWare 2 VM.

I’ve left my Ubuntu install clean, with the exception of OpenSSH Server in the setup part (so I can connect and do stuff).

I’ve got some instructions from a couple of sources, but a good one is this: http://jeffbaier.com/articles/installing-django-on-an-ubuntu-linux-server/

Python should be installed by default, to check, open a terminal and type

python

You should be rewarded with the prompt

»>

If not, figure out how to install it.

Now install the web frameworks:

sudo apt-get install apache2 libapache2-mod-python

sudo apt-get install mysql-server python-mysqldb

Now to install the Django framework.  I’m downloading the latest Official version from here (1.2.1).  Download the file, extract, and I’ve popped it into my home folder.

Open the new folder, and run

python setup.py install

It should install the files into /usr/local/lib/python2.6/dist-packages/django

Check that you can run django-admin.py from any path, if not you’ll probably need to add a symbolic link to it (it lives in /usr/local/lib/python2.6/dist-packages/django/bin)

I’ve got a couple of Python books, but I’ve just stumbled across this that I’m going to keep here for safe-keeping!

http://www.awaretek.com/tutorials.html

Claims to be over 300 tutorials. I’m having a crack at using Eclipse with Pydev, which is apparently one of the better IDEs, but I’m struggling to get it going. There purports to be a tutorial here, about to give it a go.

I’ve decided to get my learn on, and learn a language. After random wanderings around the intertubes, countless advice against it and for it, I’ve decided to give Python a go. Given that I haven’t even decided what I want to do with it yet, what platform(s) (web, Linux, Windoze), I figure it’s enough of a “catchall” language to learn for starters.

I’ve started using the IDLE IDE, but I’m finding that’s not quite “slick” enough for me. Eclipse with the Pydev plugin seems to be recommended in a few spots, so I’m going to give that a go.

To install, I was originally reading some stuff that the version in the repos isn’t the “latest”, but after trying to do it manually I’ve hit Synaptic and it does have what seems to be the latest (3.5.1). I did get it sort of running before, but not with overwhelming success (couldn’t get pydev running).

So apt-get install eclipse should get you what you need (I used the GUI)

Installation instructions for the plugin are here.

(edit) - I’ve had a bit of a go through the information here, and while it looks good to use Eclipse, I think it’s a “walk before you run” kinda deal. Going to stick with IDLE for the moment while I’m still learning.