title: What is the most compatible way to install python modules on a Mac?
body: <p>I'm starting to learn python and loving it. I work on a Mac mainly as well as Linux. I'm finding that on Linux (Ubuntu 9.04 mostly) when I install a python module using apt-get it works fine. I can import it with no trouble.</p>
  
  <p>On the Mac, I'm used to using Macports to install all the Unixy stuff. However, I'm finding that most of the python modules I install with it are not being seen by python. I've spent some time playing around with PATH settings and using python_select . Nothing has really worked and at this point I'm not really understanding, instead I'm just poking around.</p>
  
  <p>I get the impression that Macports isn't universally loved for managing python modules. I'd like to start fresh using a more "accepted" (if that's the right word) approach. </p>
  
  <p><strong>So, I was wondering, what is the method that Mac python developers use to manage their modules?</strong></p>
  
  <p>Bonus questions: </p>
  
  <p>Do you use Apple's python, or some other version?
  Do you compile everything from source or is there a package manger that works well (Fink?).</p>