Numerous changes, but still a lot of XXX thingies.
diff --git a/README b/README
index 0fefe57..01f01be 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
This is Python release 1.4 beta 2
=================================
-It's a beta release. Only use this if you want to help me iron the
+It's a beta release. Use this only if you want to help me iron the
last wrinkles out of the distribution before I release the real 1.4
release. In particular, I'm interested in porting experiences to Unix
boxes. It should build out of the box using "./configure; make".
@@ -9,24 +9,12 @@
options (described below).
-What's new since 1.4 beta 1?
-----------------------------
+What's new in this release?
+---------------------------
-- New modules: errno, operator
-
-- Changes for Numerical Python: slice and ellipses objects, and
-corresponding syntax:
-
- - x[lo:hi:stride]
- - x[a, ..., z]
-
-XXX
-
-
-What's new since Python release 1.3?
-------------------------------------
-
-See the Misc/NEWS file.
+A list of things that changed since 1.4 beta 1 can be found in
+Misc/NEWS. This file will eventually be updated to also list what's
+new since to 1.3.
What is Python anyway?
@@ -66,14 +54,11 @@
*************************************************************************
* *
-* Python exists, and is free, thanks to the contributed efforts *
-* of many people. The PSA was created to maximize the results *
-* of those efforts, by helping to coordinate them. The PSA *
-* operates web, ftp and email servers, organizes Python *
-* workshops, and engages in other activities that benefit the *
-* Python user community. The PSA is seeking support for these *
-* activities. See this URL for information on how to join: *
-* http://www.python.org/psa/Joining.html *
+* If you use Python, please consider joining the Python Software *
+* Activity (PSA). See http://www.python.org/psa/. *
+* *
+* Organizations making heavy use of Python are especially invited *
+* to become corporate members! *
* *
*************************************************************************
@@ -198,15 +183,18 @@
Installing
----------
+XXX TO be rewritten for new install procedure.
+
To install the interpreter as /usr/local/bin/python, type "make
-install". To install the library as /usr/local/lib/python, type "make
-libinstall". To install the manual page as
+bininstall". To install the library as /usr/local/lib/python, type
+"make libinstall". To install the manual page as
/usr/local/man/man1/python.1, type "make maninstall". To install the
Emacs editing mode for Python, manually copy the file
Misc/python-mode.el to your local Emacs lisp directory. The directory
/usr/local can be overridden at configuration time by passing
--prefix=DIRECTORY to the configure script, or at make time by passing
-"prefix=DIRECTORY" to make. See below for more information on --prefix.
+"prefix=DIRECTORY" to make. See below for more information on
+--prefix.
If you plan to do development of extension modules or to embed Python
in another application and don't want to reference the original source
@@ -324,16 +312,6 @@
directory.
-Extensions
-----------
-
-You can also build an "extended" interpreter, using modules that are
-not contained in the Modules directory. See the manual titled
-"Extending and Embedding the Python Interpreter" (Doc/ext.tex) for
-more details on writing an extension or building an existing
-extension.
-
-
Building for multiple architectures (using the VPATH feature)
-------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -375,6 +353,8 @@
Building on non-UNIX systems
----------------------------
+XXX Rewrite -- nothing in this chapter is true any more.
+
On non-UNIX systems, you will have to fake the effect of running the
configure script manually. A good start is to copy the file
config.h.in to config.h and edit the latter to reflect the actual
@@ -455,20 +435,27 @@
problem has already been answered!
+Web site
+--------
+
+Python's own web site has URL http://www.python.org/. Come visit us!
+
+
Ftp access
----------
-Python's "home ftp site" is ftp.python.org, directory /pub/python.
-See the FAQ (file Misc/FAQ) for a list of other ftp sites carrying the
+Python's own ftp site is ftp.python.org, directory /pub/python. See
+the FAQ (file Misc/FAQ) for a list of other ftp sites carrying the
Python distribution.
Newsgroup and mailing list
--------------------------
-There are a newsgroup and a mailing list devoted to Python
-programming, design and bugs. The newsgroup, comp.lang.python,
-contains exactly the same messages as the mailing list. To subscribe
+There are a newsgroup and a mailing list devoted to Python. The
+newsgroup, comp.lang.python, contains exactly the same messages as the
+mailing list (though not always in the same order, due to the
+mysterious nature of Usenet news' flooding algorithms). To subscribe
to the mailing list, send mail containing your real name and e-mail
address to "python-list-request@cwi.nl" (a real person reads these
messages, so no LISTPROC or Majordomo commands, please).
@@ -477,6 +464,8 @@
The Tk interface
----------------
+XXX To be rewritten in the light of _tkinter and Tk 4.1.
+
Tk (the user interface component of John Ousterhout's Tcl language) is
also usable from Python. Since this requires that you first build and
install Tcl/Tk, the Tk interface is not enabled by default. It
@@ -518,10 +507,11 @@
Distribution structure
----------------------
+XXX To be redone!
+
Most subdirectories have their own README file. Most files have
comments.
-Contrib/ Interesting or useful Python code contributed by others
Demo/ Demonstration scripts, modules and programs
Doc/ Documentation (LaTeX sources)
Grammar/ Input for the parser generator
@@ -558,10 +548,10 @@
Guido van Rossum
CNRI
1895 Preston White Drive
-Reston, VA 22094
+Reston, VA 20191
USA
-E-mail: guido@python.org
+E-mail: guido@cnri.reston.va.or or guido@python.org