* Register to `theano-buildbot`_ if you want to receive our daily buildbot email.
* Register to `theano-buildbot`_ if you want to receive our daily buildbot email.
* Ask/view questions/answers at `metaoptimize/qa/tags/theano`_ (it's like stack overflow for machine learning)
* Ask/view questions/answers at `StackOverflow`_
* We use `Github tickets <http://github.com/Theano/Theano/issues>`__ to keep track of issues
* We use `Github tickets <http://github.com/Theano/Theano/issues>`__ to keep track of issues
(however, some old tickets can still be found on
(however, some old tickets can still be found on
...
@@ -168,6 +169,64 @@ Community
...
@@ -168,6 +169,64 @@ Community
* Come visit us in Montreal! Most developers are students in the LISA_ group at the `University of Montreal`_.
* Come visit us in Montreal! Most developers are students in the LISA_ group at the `University of Montreal`_.
.. _support:
Help!
=====
How to seek help
---------------
The appropriate venue for seeking help depends on the kind of question you have.
* How do I? -- `theano-users`_ mailing list or `StackOverflow`_
* I got this error, why? -- `theano-users`_ mailing list or `StackOverflow`_ (please include the *full* error message, even if it's long)
* I got this error and I'm sure it's a bug -- `Github ticket <http://github.com/Theano/Theano/issues>`__
* I have an idea/request -- post the suggestion to `theano-dev`_ or, even better, implement the idea and submit a `GitHub <https://github.com/Theano/Theano/pulls>`__ pull request!
* Why do you? -- `theano-users`_ mailing list (not appropriate for StackOverflow)
* When will you? -- `theano-dev`_ mailing list (not appropriate for StackOverflow)
Please do take some time to search for similar questions that were asked and answered in the past. If you find something
similar that doesn't fully answer your question, it can be helpful to say something like "I found X but it doesn't
address facet Y" and link to the previous discussion.
When asking questions on StackOverflow, please use the *theano* tag, so your question can be found, and follow
StackOverflow's guidance on `asking questions <http://stackoverflow.com/help/asking>`__. Consider also using the
*python* and *numpy* tags, especially if you are unsure which library your problem relates to.
It's often helpful to include the following details with your question:
* If you have an error, the *full* error message, even if it's long
* Which versions of Python and Theano you're using
* Whether you're using a CPU or GPU device
* Details of your Theano configuration settings (you can print this in Python via `print theano.config <http://deeplearning.net/software/theano/library/config.html>`__)
Spending the time to create a minimal specific example of a problem is likely to get you to an answer quicker than
posting something quickly that has too much irrelevant detail or is too vague. A minimal example may take you a bit more
time to create but the first response is more likely to be the answer you need than, rather than a frustrated request
for clarification.
How to provide help
-------------------
If you see a question on the `theano-users`_ mailing list, or on `StackOverflow`_, that you
feel reasonably confident you know an answer to, please do support the community by helping others.
We were all newbies to Theano once and, as the community expands, there is a constant stream of new Theano users looking
for help. Perhaps you asked a question when you were first starting out? Now you can pay it forward by helping others.
It's also a good way to reinforce your own Theano knowledge.
Often it's easiest to answer a question directly but sometimes it may be better to refer people to a good answer that
was provided in the past. Pointing people to relevant sections in the documentation, or to a Theano tutorial, can also
be helpful.
When answering questions please `be nice <http://stackoverflow.com/help/be-nice>`__ (as always!) and, on
StackOverflow, follow their guidance for `answering questions <http://stackoverflow.com/help/answering>`__.
