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+next_url:   install.html
+next_title: Installation
+
+Python-Markdown
+===============
+
+This is a Python implementation of John Gruber's 
+[Markdown](http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/). 
+It is almost completely compliant with the reference implementation,
+though there are a few very minor differences. See John's 
+[Syntax Documentation](http://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax) 
+for the syntax rules.
+
+See the [installation instructions](install.html) to get started.
+
+Features
+--------
+
+In addition to the basic markdown syntax, Python-Markdown supports the following
+features:
+
+* __International Input__
+
+    Python-Markdown will accept [input](reference.html#text) in any language 
+    supported by Unicode including bi-directional text. In fact the test suite 
+    includes documents written in Russian and Arabic.
+
+* __Middle-Word Emphasis__
+
+    Python-Markdown defaults to ignoring middle-word emphasis. In other words,
+    `some_long_filename.txt` will not become `some<em>long</em>filename.txt`.
+    This can be switched off if desired. See the 
+    [Library Reference](reference.html#smart_emphasis) for details.
+
+* __Extensions__
+
+    Various [extensions](extensions/index.html) are provided (including 
+    [extra](extensions/extra.html)) to expand the base syntax. Additionally, 
+    a public [Extension API](extensions/api.html) is available to write 
+    your own extensions.
+
+* __Output Formats__
+
+    Python-Markdown can output documents in HTML4, XHTML and HTML5. See the
+    [Library Reference](reference.html#output_format) for details.
+
+* __"Safe Mode"__
+
+    When using Python-Markdown to parse input from untrusted users on the web,
+    the handling of raw HTML can be controlled in various ways to prevent 
+    harmful code from being injected into your site. See the
+    [Library Reference](reference.html#safe_mode) for details.
+
+* __Command Line Interface__
+
+    In addition to being a Python Library, a 
+    [command line script](cli.html) is available for your convenience.
+
+Support
+-------
+
+You may ask for help and discuss various other issues on the [mailing list][] 
+and report bugs on the [bug tracker][].
+
+[mailing list]: http://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/python-markdown-discuss
+[bug tracker]: http://github.com/waylan/Python-Markdown/issues