This is the hdf5-1.0.0a alpha release of the HDF5 library. This release is almost fully functional for the entire API defined in the documentation, see the RELEASE file in this directory for information specific to this release of the library. The INSTALL file contains instructions on compiling and installing the library. The INSTALL_parallel file contains instructions on installing the parallel version of the library. Documentation for this release is in the html directory. Start with the "index.html" in that dictectory. Three mailing lists are currently set up for use with the HDF5 library. hdf5 - For general discussion of the HDF5 library with other users. hdf5dev - For discussion of the HDF5 library development with developers and other interested parties. hdf5announce - For announcements of HDF5 related developments, not a discussion list. To subscribe to a list, send mail to "-request@ncsa.uiuc.edu", (e.g., hdf5-request@ncsa.uiuc.ed) with "subscribe in the _body_ of the message. Messages to be sent to the list should be sent to "@ncsa.uiuc.edu". Bugs should be reported to hdf5dev@ncsa.uiuc.edu.