It is now about 3 hours later and I have not yet found any "example code" or instructions that shows how to set up a basic web site or how to write Python code that gets executed, CGI-style, in response to an HTTP transaction.
You wont find one because it isnt there. This is not a CGI-style system. Its different.
I browsed zope.org, the ZDP, and a site called "ZopeNewbies". I looked at the "QuickStart" that came with the zope server, but all I saw was how to edit web pages using DTML. I don't want to have anything to do with DTML (though we use it in my product, Mojo Nation[2], which BTW is probably the second-biggest open source Python app, after Zope), and I don't want to edit any static pages, so I stopped reading the "QuickStart".
Well if you don't read whats there what can we do? If you arent going to do anything in DTML and want to use CGI style development Zope is not for you.
Even though I wasted about half of my scheduled time on trying to set up a basic Zope server, I'll probably still have my prototype up and running 3 hours from now, when I have a meeting with my co-workers.
So be it. It would take about an hour at most for an experienced Zope developer, it would probably be faster and more featureful than an hour of an experience CGI style programmers time. With suitable caveats on ability and tools of course. Good luck. -- Andy McKay.