Guido has announced the first alpha release of Python 3.0. Though it breaks backward compatibility in places to clean things up, it represents evolutioanary rather than revolutionary change.

CorePy is a Python package providing direct hardware access to Python programmers. It extends the power and productivity of Python down to the metal with an API that supports the creation and execution of PowerPC, VMX, and SPU programs in Python. The technique could be applied to Intel/SSE and other architectures.

Python Papers editor Tennessee Leeuwenburg is in Bulder on business for his work with the Australian National Weather Service, but doesn't have a car, so I gave him a lift from his hotel to Bivio where he gave a presentation on Python Advocacy at tonight's Front Range Pythoneers meeting. Without the high tech centers we have in the U.S., Australia's Python users are fewer and more spread out, but are active and growing in numbers.

I could stand to lose some weight and read The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston, M.D. on my family physician's recommendation. It promotes losing excess weight and maintaining desired weight via diet which restricts "bad carbohydrates" and "bad fats". Dr. Agatston is a cardiologist who developed the diet to help his cardiac patients reduce their risk of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. He focuses on the effects of diet on blood chemistry, particularly the glycemic response. The "bad carbohydrates" are those that trigger a strong glycemic response, mostly those that are high in sugar, starchy, or are highly refined like white bread. The "bad fats" are those found in red meats.

This diet plan is organized in three phases. Phase one is strict (no bread, fruit, or alcohol) and lasts for two weeks. Phase two is more liberal and is followed until you reach target weight. Phase three relaxes the restrictions some more and is used to maintain target weight. The plan is flexible, and cheating is allowed, with guidance provided for adjusting for such lapses. It looks like a diet that most people could stick to and there is considerable anecdotal evidence and a couple of research studies supporting it's effectiveness.