Add installation details to documentation

INSTALL.rst

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 Installing the ASpecD package
 =============================
 
-Installing the ASpecD package is as simple as installing any other Python package, as ASpeD is available from the `Python Package Index (PyPI) <https://www.pypi.org/>`_. Simply open a terminal on your computer and type::
+Installing the ASpecD package is as simple as installing any other Python package, as ASpecD is available from the `Python Package Index (PyPI) <https://www.pypi.org/>`_. Simply open a terminal on your computer and type::
 
   pip install aspecd
 

VERSION

@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0.dev497
+0.1.0.dev498

docs/index.rst

@@ -83,6 +83,18 @@ If you are interested in how working with the ASpecD framework looks like, parti
 The :doc:`API documentation <api/index>` is the definite source of information for developers, besides having a look at the source code.
 
 
+Installation
+------------
+
+To install the ASpecD framework on your computer (sensibly within a Python virtual environment), open a terminal (activate your virtual environment), and type in the following:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+    pip install aspecd
+
+Have a look at the more detailed :doc:`installation instructions <installing>` as well.
+
+
 Related projects
 ----------------
 
@@ -112,6 +124,7 @@ Finally, don't forget to check out the website on `reproducible research <https:
    recipes
    usecases
    applications
+   installing
 
 .. toctree::
    :maxdepth: 2

docs/installing.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+Installation
+============
+
+Installing the ASpecD package is as simple as installing any other Python package, as ASpecD is available from the `Python Package Index (PyPI) <https://www.pypi.org/>`_. Simply open a terminal on your computer and type::
+
+  pip install aspecd
+
+This will install the ASpecD package (and all its dependencies) on your computer.
+
+Of course, you need to have Python (and pip) installed before you can use the above command, and it is always advisable to install packages in a **virtual environment** of their own.
+
+Hence, a more thorough sequence of events would be:
+
+#. Install Python (if it is not already installed on your system).
+
+#. Create a Python virtual environment for ASpecD.
+
+#. Activate the newly created virtual environment.
+
+#. Install ASpecD therein, using the above command.
+
+A few details for all these steps are given below.
+
+
+Installing Python
+-----------------
+
+For how to install Python on your system, see the `official documentation <https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide/Download>`_. Linux users: you will most certainly have Python installed already.
+
+
+Create a Python virtual environment
+-----------------------------------
+
+It is good practice to always use virtual environments when working with Python. One reason: On some operating systems, crucial tasks depend on Python, and installing Python packages globally may interfere with the system.
+
+The good news: Creating Python virtual environments is fairly simple:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+    python -m venv aspecd
+
+This will create a Python virtual environment named ``aspecd`` in the current directory. Of course, you can give your virtual environment any name you like. However, be careful with spaces and special characters, depending on your system.
+
+
+Activate the newly created virtual environment
+----------------------------------------------
+
+A Python virtual environment needs to be activated. This is usually done using the following command:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+    source aspecd/bin/activate
+
+Assuming in this case that your virtual environment is called ``aspecd`` and that you are in the same path where you just created your virtual environment.
+
+Deactivating is simple as well, once you are done. Either close the terminal, or issue the command ``deactivate``.
+
+
+Install ASpecD
+--------------
+
+Once you activated your virtual environment where you want to install the ASpecD framework in, proceed as given above:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+    pip install aspecd
+
+This will download the ASpecD framework from the `Python Package Index (PyPI) <https://www.pypi.org/>`_ and install it locally. All dependencies will be installed as well.
+
+
+.. note::
+
+    The above instructions assume a fairly standard Python installation using pip. Of course, there are other Python distributions available as well, such as conda. If you are using such a Python distribution, pip should be available as well. However, in case of problems consult the documentation of your respective Python distribution for details.
+