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authorFred Drake <fdrake@acm.org>2002-08-12 22:01:42 (GMT)
committerFred Drake <fdrake@acm.org>2002-08-12 22:01:42 (GMT)
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The auto-reply text for the python-docs address. This is not automatically
updated when checkins are made, but I can get that updated when needed.
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+This message is being sent in response to your message to the Python
+documentation maintainers (python-docs@python.org). Your message will
+be handled by a human, but this message serves to answer the most
+common questions sent to this address.
+
+You will only receive this message if it has not been sent to you for
+at least three months.
+
+If your question is answered below, you may not receive an additional
+message from the documentation maintainers. If you feel the answers
+below are not sufficient and you do not receive an additional response
+within a week, please do send a note letting us know that your
+question has not been properly answered, and be specific regarding
+what additional information you are looking for.
+
+
+ -Fred
+
+
+Frequently Asked Questions about the Python Documentation
+---------------------------------------------------------
+
+ 1. Can I download HTML/PDF/PostScript versions of the docs?
+ 2. Where can I download Python?
+ 3. I can't unpack a downloaded copy on Windows; what should I do?
+ 4. I can't unpack a downloaded copy on MacOS; what should I do?
+ 5. What can I use Python for?
+ 6. How do I use module/function/whatever XXX?
+ 7. What about JPython?
+ 8. I found a bug in the documentation, who should I tell?
+ 9. Can I get an algorithm to do THIS in language THAT?
+ 10. How do I decode an XXX file from my email on a YYY computer?
+ 11. Acrobat Reader won't print the PDF. What's wrong?
+ 12. Where can I find documentation in my native language?
+
+
+Answers to the Questions
+------------------------
+
+ 1. Can I download HTML/PDF/PostScript/<other> versions of the docs?
+
+ Yes. These are available via the Web and traditional FTP. For
+ Web access to the latest version, see:
+
+ http://www.python.org/doc/
+
+ For FTP access to the latest version and archives of previous
+ versions, see:
+
+ ftp.python.org:/pub/python/doc/
+
+ 2. Where can I download Python?
+
+ You can get Python in source form and as a Windows installer
+ from the main Python website. You can also find information
+ about pre-built packages for other platforms there as well.
+
+ Downloading information at the website is at the URL:
+
+ http://www.python.org/download/
+
+ The sources and Windows installer can be downloaded from the FTP
+ site as well:
+
+ ftp://ftp.python.org/pub/python/
+
+ 3. I can't unpack a downloaded archive on Windows; what should I do?
+
+ Make sure the archive was saved with the .tgz extension; you may
+ need to watch carefully when telling the browser where to save
+ the file, as the default may change the extension to .tar or
+ even .exe.
+
+ Once you're sure the file has the right extension, use a recent
+ version of WinZip to upack the file (version 7.0 works). Get
+ WinZip from:
+
+ http://www.winzip.com/
+
+ 4. I can't unpack a downloaded archive on MacOS; what should I do?
+
+ Stuffit Expander 4.5 (and probably other versions) cannot handle
+ the "tar" archive, although it can decompress it from the .tgz
+ file. Expander Enhancer, which you have to pay for, can handle
+ the tar archive.
+
+ 5. What can I use Python for?
+
+ Python is a general purpose programming language. See the
+ Python home page at http://www.python.org/ for more information;
+ introductory material is available at:
+
+ http://www.python.org/doc/Intros.html
+
+ 6. How do I use module/function/whatever XXX?
+
+ Start by reading the documentation for XXX. If the
+ documentation doesn't make sense or seems incomplete, please
+ file a specific bug report to python-docs@python.org (the
+ address you sent your question to). Otherwise, you probably
+ sent your question to the wrong place (which does not preclude
+ an answer, if I know it).
+
+ If you're looking for examples or tutorial information on how to
+ use a particular Python library component, check the Demo/
+ directory of the source distribution or Windows installation;
+ there might be an example. If that doesn't help, point your Web
+ browser to http://www.python.org/doc/ and look around; there may
+ be a link to some interesting examples online. After that, try
+ searching the Python Web site at http://www.python.org/search/.
+
+ If your question still hasn't been answered, you may send your
+ query to the Python newsgroup (comp.lang.python) or the mailing
+ list (see http://www.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list).
+ If you'd rather not send you message to a public forum, you can
+ try sending it to python-help@python.org. (This is typically
+ slower than sending your question to the public list, however.)
+
+ 7. What about Jython and JPython?
+
+ If your question is specific to Jython or JPython, you should
+ consult the Jython website at:
+
+ http://www.jython.org/
+
+ Chances are very good that the person who answers questions
+ posted to python-docs@python.org doesn't use Jython very often,
+ and won't be able to give you a meaningful answer beyond "Look
+ at the Jython website." Sorry, I don't have *all* the answers!
+
+ 8. I found a bug in the documentation, who should I tell?
+
+ If you're reading this, you've found the right address! Send
+ all documentation bug reports to python-docs@python.org. If
+ you prefer to use a Web-based reporting mechanism, you can use
+ the bug database at http://www.python.org/python-bugs/.
+
+ 9. Can I get an algorithm to do THIS in language THAT?
+
+ If THAT is Python, look in the standard library. If THAT isn't
+ Python, use your favorite Internet search engine.
+
+ 10. How do I decode an XXX file from my email on a YYY computer?
+
+ I really, honestly do not know. I don't even know why this
+ question gets asked here. Since I don't have a YYY computer,
+ I couldn't even try a few things out for you.
+
+ 11. Acrobat Reader won't print the PDF. What's wrong?
+
+ Adobe has reportedly admitted that there is a bug Acrobat Reader
+ 5.0 which causes it not to print at least some PDF files
+ generated by pdfTeX. This software is used to produce the PDF
+ version of the Python documentation, and our documents
+ definately trigger this bug in Acrobat Reader. To print the PDF
+ files, use Acrobat Reader 4.x, ghostscript, or xpdf.
+
+ Information on ghostscript can be found at:
+
+ http://www.ghostscript.com/
+
+ Information on xpdf can be found at:
+
+ http://www.foolabs.com/xpdf/
+
+ 12. There is a lot of contributed documentation in languages other
+ than English. Some of the documents are translations of English
+ documents, and others were originally authored in other
+ languages. If we know about it, it will be listed at:
+
+ http://www.python.org/doc/NonEnglish.html