added a couple of faqs

jdh2358 · jdh2358 · commit 84afc2f5bb0c · 2008-06-12T22:06:09.000Z
svn path=/trunk/matplotlib/; revision=5499
diff --git a/doc/faq/installing_faq.rst b/doc/faq/installing_faq.rst
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ How do I report a compilation problem?
 
 See :ref:`reporting-problems`.
 
+.. _clean-install:
+
 How do I cleanly rebuild and reinstall everything?
 ==================================================
 
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@ from this point to this point" and hence are scale free, and raster
 backends generate a pixel represenation of the line whose accuracy
 depends on a DPI setting.
 
-Here is a summary of the matplotlib renders (there is an eponymous
+Here is a summary of the matplotlib renderers (there is an eponymous
 backed for each):
 
 ===============================   =====================================================================================
@@ -159,3 +161,30 @@ If you rename ``matplotlib-0.98.0-py2.5-macosx-10.3-fat.egg`` to
 the disk.  Many Mac OS X eggs with cruft at the end of the filename,
 which prevents their installation through easy_install.  Renaming is
 all it takes to install them; still, it's annoying.
+
+Windows questions
+=================
+
+.. _windows-installers:
+
+Where can I get binary installers for windows?
+----------------------------------------------
+
+If you have already installed python, you can use one of the
+matplotlib binary installers for windows -- you can get these from the
+`sourceforge download
+<http://sourceforge.net/project/platformdownload.php?group_id=80706>`_
+site.  Choose the files that match your version of python (eg
+``py2.5`` if you instaslled Python 2.5) and have the ``exe``
+extension.  If you haven't already installed python, you can get the
+official version from the `python web site
+<http://python.org/download/>`_.  There are also two packaged
+distributions of python that come preloaded with matplotlib and many
+other tools like ipython, numpy, scipy, vtk and user interface
+toolkits.  These packages are quite large because they come with so
+much, but you get everything with a single click installer.
+
+* the enthought python distribution `EPD
+  <http://www.enthought.com/products/epd.php>`_
+
+* `python (x, y) <http://www.pythonxy.com/foreword.php>`_
diff --git a/doc/faq/troubleshooting_faq.rst b/doc/faq/troubleshooting_faq.rst
@@ -77,13 +77,21 @@ If not, please provide the following information in your e-mail to the
         python -c `import matplotlib; print matplotlib.__version__`
 
   * where you obtained matplotlib (e.g. your Linux distribution's
-    packages or the matplotlib Sourceforge site)
+    packages or the matplotlib Sourceforge site, or the enthought
+    python distribution `EPD
+    <http://www.enthought.com/products/epd.php>`_.
 
   * any customizations to your ``matplotlibrc`` file (see
     :ref:`customizing-matplotlib`).
 
   * if the problem is reproducible, please try to provide a *minimal*,
-    standalone Python script that demonstrates the problem
+    standalone Python script that demonstrates the problem.  This is
+    *the* critical step.  If you can't post a piece of code that we
+    can run and reproduce your error, the chances of getting help are
+    significantly diminished.  Very often, the mere act of trying to
+    minimize your code to the smallest bit that produces the error
+    will help you find a bug in *your* code that is causing the
+    problem.
 
   * you can get very helpful debugging output from matlotlib by
     running your script with a ``verbose-helpful`` or
@@ -116,3 +124,27 @@ a bug and can not be quickly solved, you may be asked to file a bug in
 the tracker so the issue doesn't get lost.
 
 
+.. _svn-trouble:
+
+I am having trouble with a recent svn update, what should I do?
+===============================================================
+
+First make sure you have a clean build and install (see
+:ref:`clean-install`), get the latest svn update, install it and run a
+simple test script in debug mode::
+
+    rm -rf build
+    rm -rf /path/to/site-packages/matplotlib*
+    svn up
+    python setup.py install > build.out
+    python examples/pylab_examples/simple_plot.py --verbose-debug > run.out
+
+and post :file:`build.out` and :file:`run.out` to the
+`matplotlib-devel
+<http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/matplotlib-devel>`_
+mailing list (please do not post svn problems to the `users list
+<http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/matplotlib-users>`_).
+
+Of course, you will want to clearly describe your problem, what you
+are expecting and what you are getting, but often a clean build and
+install will help.  See also :ref:`reporting-problems`.
