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diff --git a/Doc/python-docs.txt b/Doc/python-docs.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..22beac6 --- /dev/null +++ b/Doc/python-docs.txt @@ -0,0 +1,171 @@ +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 |