How to survive vim 6.2 and Python:
September 30th, 2003
How to survive vim 6.2 and Python: Starting in version 6.2, the default python.vim syntax file tries to use spaces, which is the current Right Way to indent Python code. It doesn’t try Hard Enough however, because shifting operators still use raw tabs; this devolves into Mixed Space And Tab Madness pretty quickly. Add the following to your .vimrc and be happy:
" python stuff for gvim6.2
let python_highlight_all = 1
autocmd FileType python set tabstop=4|set shiftwidth=4|set expandtab
Further reading: vim.org tip #12; Indent Finder.