update to suggest miniforge instead of miniconda

docs/guides/python_inst.md

@@ -8,44 +8,47 @@ Some operative systems come equipped with a Python installation. Even in this ca
 
 In this page we describe two methods:
 
-   1. [Setup of a miniconda installation](#install-and-configure-miniconda) (easier)
+   1. [Setup of a miniforge installation](#install-and-configure-miniforge) (easier)
    2. [Compile and configure python from source code](#compile-and-configure-python-from-source-code) (necessary when thw installation needs to be compiled with a specific compiler, for example to be used with MPI).
 
 None of the two methods requires admin rights.
 
-## Install and configure miniconda
+## Install and configure miniforge
 
-**Step 1:** Download and install the most recent version of Miniconda (from [here](https://repo.anaconda.com/miniconda/))
+**Step 1:** Download and install the most recent version of Miniforge (from [here](https://github.com/conda-forge/miniforge/))
 Something like:
 ```
+wget https://github.com/conda-forge/miniforge/releases/latest/download/Miniforge3-Linux-x86_64.sh
+bash Miniforge3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh
+```
+(Provide the path for the installation, in my case /home/giadarol/Desktop/PyFRIENDS_python3/miniforge3
+You will be asked whether you want to make this miniforge the default python installation for your computer (this is your choice :-) )
+
+A miniforge installation is strongly recommended against a miniconda installation as miniforge uses by default the "conda-forge" channel
+while miniconda uses the "default" channel (https://repo.anaconda.com/pkgs/). While the "default" channel can require a paid license 
+depending on its usage, the "conda-forge" channel is free for all to use 
+(see https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/concepts/channels.html).
+
+Nevertheless, if you still prefer a Miniconda installation, you can get it from [here](https://repo.anaconda.com/miniconda/) and do something like:
+```
 wget https://repo.anaconda.com/miniconda/Miniconda3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh
 bash Miniconda3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh
 ```
-(Provide the path for the installation, in my case /home/giadarol/Desktop/PyFRIENDS_python3/miniconda3
-You will be asked whether you want to make this miniconda the default python installation for your computer (this is your choice :-) )
 
-**Step 2:** Activate the miniconda installation
+**Step 2:** Activate the miniforge installation
 ```
-source /home/giadarol/Desktop/PyFRIENDS_python3/miniconda3/bin/activate
+source /home/giadarol/Desktop/PyFRIENDS_python3/miniforge3/bin/activate
 ```
 
 **Step 2a (optional):** Install compilers
 
 To install packages that need to compile code (e.g. PyECLOUD, PyHEADTAIL or Xsuite) you need C and/or FORTRAN compilers. If you don't have compilers available on your system you can install them using conda as discussed in [this guide](https://conda.io/projects/conda-build/en/latest/resources/compiler-tools.html).
 
-For example on Linux you can install C, C++ and FORTRAN compilers by:
+For example on Linux or MacOS you can install C, C++ and FORTRAN compilers by:
 ```bash
-conda install gcc_linux-64
-conda install gxx_linux-64
-conda install gfortran_linux-64
+conda install compilers
 ```
 
-while on MAC you can use:
-```bash
-conda install clang_osx-64
-conda install clangxx_osx-64
-conda install gfortran_osx-64
-```
 
 **Step 3:** Install useful packages
 ```
@@ -257,4 +260,4 @@ A couple of references that helped with this task:
 
 [2] [[http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5506110/is-it-possible-to-install-another-version-of-python-to-virtualenv]]
 
-[3] [[https://chrisbebek.com/blog/?p=97]]
\ No newline at end of file
+[3] [[https://chrisbebek.com/blog/?p=97]]