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web2py is described on the web site as a "free and open source full-stack enterprise framework for agile development of fast, scalable, secure and portable database-driven web-based applications. Written and programmable in Python." I've begun reading the web2py book so that I can use it in my classroom.

This describes how I installed and setup web2py in my home directory.

1. Download web2py_src.zip.

2. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

   • $ mkdir lib

   • $ mkdir lib/python

   • $ mkdir bin

3. Add the following to the bottom of your .bashrc file:

         PYTHONPATH=$HOME/lib/python
   
         export PYTHONPATH

4. Log out and log back in to allow the new bin directory and PYTHONPATH to take effect.

5. Unzip the web2py_src.zip file (generating the web2py directory), and move web2py to your lib/python directory.

6. Create a file named web2py in your bin directory with the following contents:

         #!/usr/bin/env sh
   
         cd $HOME/lib/python/web2py
         python web2py.py

   • Run to make this shell script executable.

7. Run the following command from the terminal to install the python-tk package:

   • $ sudo aptitude install python-tk

8. Add a launcher to your top desktop panel:
   • Right mouse click on the panel.

   • Click Add to Panel.

   • Click Custom Application Launcher.

   • Click Add.

   • Set *Name:* to web2py.

   • Set *Command:* to web2py.

   • Optionally, set the icon to lib/python/web2py/applications/examples/static/web2py_logo.png.

   • Click Add.

You should now be able to launch web2py by clicking on the launcher.