title: How do I force Python to be 32-bit on Snow Leopard and other 32-bit/64-bit questions
body: <p>When I run the following from a bash shell on my Mac:</p>
  
  <pre><code>$ file /usr/bin/python
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I get the following three lines:</p>
  
  <pre><code>/usr/bin/python (for architecture x86_64):  Mach-O 64-bit executable x86_64
  /usr/bin/python (for architecture i386):    Mach-O executable i386
  /usr/bin/python (for architecture ppc7400): Mach-O executable ppc
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>this would seem to indicate that Python has been compiled for all three architectures or something like that?  I believe, based on some errors I had while trying to setup MySQL, that the version I'm using is the 64-bit version.  So two questions:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>How would I have known that?</p></li>
  <li><p>How could I change Python to be 32-bit instead?  Something less drastic than re-compile with different compile settings?</p></li>
  <li><p>Why does <code>arch</code> from a bash shell return <code>i386</code> which would seem to indicate I'm not in "64-bit mode" when I know based on my processor I'm running a 64-bit Mac?</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>Sorry these are probably all newbie questions, the whole 32/64-bit thing is frustrating the crap out of me and I'm sure there are some commands/tools that would make this easier.</p>