Feature/code demo

[joelachance]

Resolves #66

[stefanv]

@joelachance This is great! Should we consider a more minimalistic environment with only NumPy installed, and perhaps initialize the terminal with numpy already imported as np?

[rgommers]

I like this as well! It's quite responsive, much faster than I'm used to with Binder. I guess it's a function of the set of requirements.

Should we consider a more minimalistic environment with only NumPy installed, and perhaps initialize the terminal with numpy already imported as np?

Is this for loading speed, or for saving Binder resources, or ... ?

[stefanv]

Is this for loading speed, or for saving Binder resources, or ... ?

It probably won't affect the loading speed too much; more so we have control over the environment we operate in (numpy version, etc.).

If we want to increase response time, we do have the option of hosting (or sponsoring) a MyBinder instance that serves the NumPy image exclusively (most of the start-up time on the MyBinder time is spent moving images to execution nodes, if I understand correctly).

There are further optimizations on the table, such as holding a cache of ready kernels and dishing them out as needed, but that is clearly out of scope for this project.

[rgommers]

It probably won't affect the loading speed too much; more so we have control over the environment we operate in (numpy version, etc.).

Adding just matplotlib seems nice, that way we can use nicer demo code. That should not affect the numpy version that gets installed.

And perhaps we can put the %matplotlib inline into a config file to always enable it?

[rgommers]

@scopatz this is the PR with ThebeLab that we talked about. @joelachance, @scopatz is working on something similar, more general / not Jupyter based (he can explain better). He may be interested to chat/collaborate.

[scopatz]

Thanks @rgommers!

@joelachance - can we maybe jump on a call next week sometime? Feel free to email me at scopatz(AT)quansight.com

[joelachance]

This is great! Should we consider a more minimalistic environment with only NumPy installed, and perhaps initialize the terminal with numpy already imported as np?

What we currently have in this PR is the default ThebeLab/Binder image. We can create our own if we'd like, but we will have to host it somewhere. The default image is already very minimal, but as it does take a brief moment to initialize, a smaller image might improve loading time (probably not a huge priority).

A couple of enhancements I think would be nice are as follows:

• A spinner/loader inside of the 'Run' button (in place of the 'Run' text) when the kernel is initializing
• A default numpy import at the top, maybe even a static one above the cursor. I considered removing imports from the default example (but including them when the code is run), but I'm not sure this is best. I think it's good for beginners to know you have to import the library. @rgommers, I agree about including %matplotlib inline with the code that is run, but not in the terminal window.

There's one or two more, but I can't remember right now :) I'm on the fence about including matplotlib, mostly because of css/styling reasons (the default plot works, but the 'terminal window' isn't going to resize for a larger plot, for example). I think seaborn might be included too, but I haven't checked.

[joelachance]

@scopatz, I will email you!

[Shekharrajak]

If you are using Lato font now then can we remove Rubik font link ?

[joelachance]

Yes, we can.

I've been playing around with fonts for the main hero title. I'm not sure Ubuntu is the best choice here, although I do think it looks quite nice for body text.

I'll write more soon in #48.

[rgommers]

This is in good shape so I'm merging it to not have to migrate it to master later. The left over review comments can be discussed/addressed here of course (and fixed with a PR to master :) )

[rgommers]

Thanks @joelachance and all reviewers, this is really nice!

[InessaPawson]

@joelachance @rgommers To follow up on our last meeting discussion I'm submitting the screenshots of the homepage shell. Runing on MacOS. It’s the same scenario with Safari and Firefox. I'm unable to get past the third screenshot. It was not an issue while I was in the US.

Let me know if I should open a separate issue for this.

[joelachance]

@InessaPawson The third screenshot is the shell itself-- I had restyled it, but you're the second person to note some confusion about the new styles, so I'm planning on updating this to look more like it did before. If you click at the end of the import numpy as np line, you should be able to type more and run your code.

[InessaPawson]

A-ha! I guess, my confusion is exacerbated by the fact that I remember the previous version.:) Perhaps, we could offer a prompt in a darker shade of grey, e.g. “Enter your code here…”
Or something similar to repl.it : “Not sure what to do? Run some examples/an example. Start typing to dismiss.”
P.S. You have to appreciate the randomly generated name of this repo.;)