Easy steps for setting up a Python development environment:

Install Python

• Download the ActivePython 2.6 installer which includes everything to run most Python scripts and more. ActivePython is also available for other OS and Python versions. They also have a community site. 

Optional external Python libraries

• Download the appropriate Libxml and Libxslt Python Bindings for Windows installer which adds, among other, XSLT parsing and transformation capability to Python. These bindings allow Python to interact with the Gnome libxml XML C parser and toolkit which is included with the bindings installer. Most Linux distributions already include the libraries.

Install a Python integrated development environment (IDE)

• You could write Python with a text editor (Notepad, NotePad++, TextPad, etc.) but a beefier  IDE can make your life easier.
• Komodo Edit offers a medium weight IDE for Python and other programing languages and has a relative low learning curve.
• The heavy weight Eclipse IDE also offers Python modules such as PyDev. Configuring Eclipse can become a challenge.