added conda notification for recommended usage

Also provided some more context of the different
conda providers.

Signed-off-by: Nick Papior <nicpa@dtu.dk>

docs/install/python.rst

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 
 .. _install-python:
 
-Install Python 
-=================
+Install Python
+==============
 
 
 .. dropdown:: License and terms of use of Anaconda
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Install Python
       vs.
 
       .. code:: shell
-         
+
          numpy              pkgs/linux-64::numpy-2.1.0-py311hed257a2_0 
 
    We are pursuing strategies to completely remove the Anaconda repositories
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@ Install Python
    For full details of the license, please read them on
    `here <https://legal.anaconda.com/policies/en/?name=terms-of-service#anaconda-terms-of-service>`__.
 
+   See :ref:`here <rec-conda>` for more details.
+
 
 In this section, you will find different installation guides that cover the 
 same components:

docs/internal/exercises.rst

@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ Exercise 1
    Likely there will be some students with a prior ``conda`` installation.
    It is thus important that you know how to have a ``conda`` installation
    *and* navigate a regular Python installation.
-   
+
    Create a `new environment <https://conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/tasks/manage-environments.html#activating-an-environment>`_ in a local folder.
 
    Understand that:
@@ -121,9 +121,9 @@ Exercise 1
       a. Packages can be installed from an *external* command, such as ``conda install -n <path to environment> <packages>``,
       b. Packages will be installed directly if the environment is already the activated one: ``conda activate <path to environment>``
 
-  
+
    4. How can you see if you are in a ``conda`` environment? 
-   
+
    5. Ensure you can navigate between both the ``conda`` and the official Python installation.
 
 

docs/internal/index.rst

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ something they do not really care for.
 If it seems that the student *just* want a working installation, then opt in to
 aid with few, if any, side steps.
 
-   
+
 .. danger::
    Engaging through online channels may, sometimes, spur comments that are
    inappropriate.

docs/learn-more/packages-and-environments/packages.rst

@@ -46,19 +46,19 @@ Packages can be installed to your specific environment by using ``conda install`
 
       .. code:: powershell
 
-         conda install "numpy==1.24.*" "scipy<1.10" "matplotlib"
+         conda install "package-a==1.24.*" "package-b<1.10" "package-c"
 
    .. tab-item:: {{ macos }}
       :sync: mac
 
       .. code:: bash
 
-         conda install "numpy==1.24.*" "scipy<1.10" "matplotlib"
+         conda install "package-a==1.24.*" "package-b<1.10" "package-c"
 
 
 The above command will install specific versions of the listed packages, which can be important for 
 maintaining compatibility and stability in your environment. The above will install version 1.24 of 
-Numpy, a Scipy version lower than 1.10, and the latest version of matplotlib.
+`package-a`, a `package-b` version lower than 1.10, and the latest compatible version of `package-c`.
 
 
 Navigating packages

docs/rec/conda.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+.. _rec-conda:
+
+Conda
+=====
+
+Conda will in this context be used to describe a ``conda`` command provider.
+The programs listed here, all provide this ``conda`` command, which it-self enables
+the installation and environment management commands required for a seamless
+usage of open-source software.
+
+When people refer to ``Conda``, some mean ``Miniconda``, others ``Anaconda``, and some
+even ``Miniforge``.
+However, generally users do not care if the ``conda`` provider is one or the other.
+
+Similarly, when software recommends one or the other, it will likely still be installable
+by using any of the other providers. So please select the provider once, and adapt
+installation procedures as noted in the below sections.
+
+
+.. _rec-conda-anaconda:
+
+Anaconda
+========
+
+.. danger::
+
+   Anaconda installations default to download content from
+   a *channel* that is licensed, i.e. *not free*!
+
+   The `terms of service <https://legal.anaconda.com/policies/en/>`__
+   has this small snippet (as of January 2025):
+
+   | Your registration, download, use, installation, access, or enjoyment
+   | of all Anaconda Offerings on behalf of an organization that has two
+   | hundred (200) or more employees or contractors (“Organizational Use”)
+   | requires a paid license of Anaconda Business or Anaconda Enterprise.
+   | For sake of clarity, use by government entities and nonprofit entities
+   | with over 200 employees or contractors is considered Organizational Use.
+
+   This means that in order to install and use software provided through the
+   Anaconda channels (which is the default!) is requiring one to pay for the
+   software.
+
+DTU does *not* recommend the installation of **Anaconda** since any non-teaching
+use will violate their terms of service.
+
+Instead please follow the installation instructions :ref:`here <install-python>`
+which will ensure that you are only installing things from the ``conda-forge`` channel,
+which is free.
+
+
+
+.. _rec-conda-miniconda:
+
+Miniconda
+=========
+
+While Miniconda is hosted, and maintained by the Anaconda company, it can be used
+in a *free* form by changing the default channel to ``conda-forge``.
+
+.. danger::
+
+   One will *have* to change the default channel *just after installation*
+   to ensure no terms of service violation.
+
+
+Miniconda will be installed if you follow the
+:ref:`installation instructions <install-python>`.
+
+The change is a one-time change that defaults the installation sources to the
+correct tree.
+
+.. code:: shell
+
+   conda config --add channels conda-forge
+   conda config --remove channels defaults
+
+.. attention::
+
+   Please be aware of installation instructions that install packages
+   from the Anaconda channels. If in doubt, feel free to
+   :mail:`contact us <pythonsupport@dtu.dk>`.
+
+
+
+.. _rec-conda-miniforge:
+
+Miniforge
+===============================================
+
+This ``conda`` provider defaults to not use any Anaconda channels, and will
+thus be the easiest one to ensure no license violations.
+