I have a number of scripts written in Python 2.6 that can be run arbitrarily. I would like to have a single central script that collects the output and displays it in a single log.

Ideally it would satisfy these requirements:

• Every script sends its messages to the same "receiver" for display.
• If the receiver is not running when the first script tries to send a message, it is started.
• The receiver can also be launched and ended manually. (Though if ended, it will restart if another script tries to send a message.)
• The scripts can be run in any order, even simultaneously.
• Runs on Windows. Multiplatform is better, but at least it needs to work on Windows.

I've come across some hints:

• os.pipe()
• multiprocess
• Occupying a port
• mutex

From those pieces, I think I could cobble something together. Just wondering if there is an obviously 'right' way of doing this, or if I could learn from anyone's mistakes.