Logged In: YES 
user_id=1330769

First of all, there is (theoretically) no reason to un IDLE
-without- a subprocess. The subprocess is an awesome feature
and I feel that it should be the (good, usable, reliable)
default.

IDLE's "Run Module" option is very handy but its behavior
depends on whether or not there is a subprocess. If there is
a subprocess it restarts the interpreter every time, which
is good! If there is no subprocess it runs the module the
first time, and later does nothing (because of Python's
import-once mechanism).

On windows the Python installer adds "Edit with IDLE" to
Explorer's right-click context menu, which is VERY
convenient. But this shortcut start IDLE with the -n
precisely because of this subprocess issue. So if I want to
be able to use Run Module and have the interpreter restart,
I have to manually open the file for editting. Yes, it's
something I can live with, but it's a serious turn-off for
new users.

I often teach Python using IDLE.  Having IDLE sometimes run
with a subprocess and sometimes without confuses new users,
so I end up having to explain the subprocess issue very
early, and they still get bitten by it a few times. And they
also have to manually open files instead of using the "Edit
with IDLE" shortcut.


Allowing multiple instances, each with a subprocess
listening on a different port, seems like the cleanest
solution. Whatever socket issues there are, let's get them
cleared up!

P.S. I've been using this patch for some time, it works
pretty well but not 100%.