That is my question.

Yesterday, someone suggested me to write a webapp based on the script in Finding large emails in Gmail using Python IMAP with XOAuth,

Would it be possible for you to make a web-based version of the python script, so people who are not as tech savvy with python can also use it?

I was, to be honest, reluctantly to do so. Because my script already can do the job, the only problem is, well, not to me, it’s a commandline program. (Hey, it does have interface, it asks for the size range.) ;p However, I still tried to see if I can make a quick one on Google App Engine. Unfortunately, Google App Engine doesn’t support the standard imaplib. The OP suggested Amazon, but it only offers for new customers for only a year.

I am confident that you don’t need to understand Python and you still can use my script as long as you know how to run a Python script, even on Windows and Mac, I am 99% that it can run on those. (Though it may have problem with encoding or the ANSI escape code.)

“As long as you know how to run a Python script,” this is the key point and I started to ponder this instead of seeking an alternate way. “All Unix-like OS users know how to run a Python script,” I told myself. A second later, “Wait! Do they all?” I shout at myself. (Inside, of course, I ain’t no nuts!)

How about Windows users? Mac users? OSX ships with Python, right?

Alright, even a user doesn’t know how to run a Python script at first. At least, googling can get the answer. (Please, let’s assume this user does know how to google) Assuming this user is using Windows, after I read the first entry, Python on Windows FAQ, I can imagine this: the user is John and he does read the page. (Believe me, many people don’t read these days.) He sees the error message that python can’t be found or executed. He calls his personal computer help, Steve.


Steve: What's up, dude?
John: Hey, I just downloaded a script but I can't run it.
Steve: Oh, what script?
John: I think it's a snake.
Steve: Snake‽‽
John: Yeah, or Monty Python.

OK, I know. That scenario is lame.

Anyway, the user needs to install Python first if he haven’t. Assuming this user can do that, then assuming the user knows how to drag and drop the script onto python program, which implies the user knows where Python is installed.

Wait! I miss the most important part.

Assuming the user knows how to download a file and where the file is stored on this user’s filesystem. No, I don’t think it’s unrealistic that someone doesn’t know about downloading. There must be some people don’t know how to download. (Stone age? I didn’t say that.)

Do you know the famous method for resolving computer problem: “Turning computer off and on again.1”

Oh, Jesus! The whole thing is hopeless.

I had thought of writing a simple GUI program which can be run on Windows (I believe that’s where the major users from), then I pack it using py2exe. But the question still remains, they need to install or to run the program.

I generally don’t think it’s hard to install or to run some program. The problem is it’s hard to get people to learn. Nowadays, people don’t learn, people don’t read, unless it’s fun and/or dumb.