Open-source software has an important feature not found in commercial software. No, not that it works correctly (although that's certainly more likely), or that you can get your bugs fixed and not pay for the privilege. I'm referring to the fact that open-source software sometimes spawns variants. that it's easy to extend with modules written in C, C++, or Fortran. Just being able to program in Python is powerful, but the real payoff is in its extension to other compiled assets. This article will introduce several Python variants and examine a powerful new addition to Python itself. However, the products I describe here also have some limitations. Until we standardize windowing systems, compiler controls, languages, and build tools even further, portability problems will exist. These variants aren't always interoperable--they try to remain compatible for the most part, but, inevitably, they can't be.