>>> class test():
...  ver=1
... 
>>> a=test()
>>> test.x=8
>>> a.__dict__
{}
>>> a.x
8
>>> a.x=9
>>> a.__dict__
{'x': 9}

class Instant1(object):
 count=0
 def __init__(self):
  Instant1.count=Instant1.count+1
  print "created instant"
 def howmany(self):
  print Instant1.count
  print self.count

class Instant2(object):
 count=0
 def __init__(self):
  print self.count
  #print Instant2.count
  self.count=self.count+1
  #Instant2.count=Instant2.count+1
  print "created instant"
 def howmany(self):
  print self.count
  print Instant2.count