Open a directory in the default file manager

Hello,
is there any function/module that allows me to open a directory in the 
default file manager of a operating system?

Here I a piece of code how to open a URL in the default webbrowser:

http://www.python.org/doc/lib/module-webbrowser.html

import webbrowser
myurl = 'http://www.python.org'
webbrowser.open_new_tab(myurl)

I just wanna do the same with a directory.

The function should open Explorer on Windows, Nautilus on Gnome, Thunar 
onn XFCE4, ...

Thanks for your help in advance.

Regards,
Timmie

_______________________________________________
Tutor maillist  -  Tutor <at> python.org
http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor