diff --git a/doc/htmldoc/index.rst b/doc/htmldoc/index.rst
index 8071789531..1306ea5ba0 100644
--- a/doc/htmldoc/index.rst
+++ b/doc/htmldoc/index.rst
@@ -1,29 +1,35 @@
-Welcome to the NEST Simulator documentation
-===========================================
-
-
+Welcome to the NEST Simulator documentation!
+============================================
.. grid::
+ :gutter: 2
.. grid-item::
- NEST is used in computational neuroscience to model and study behavior of large networks of neurons.
+ .. grid:: 1 1 1 1
+ :gutter: 2
- The models describe single neuron and synapse behavior and their connections.
- Different mechanisms of plasticity can be used to investigate artificial learning
- and help to shed light on the fundamental principles of how the brain works.
+ .. grid-item::
+
+ NEST is used in computational neuroscience to model and study behavior of large networks of neurons.
- NEST offers convenient and efficient commands to define and connect large networks,
- ranging from algorithmically determined connections to data-driven connectivity.
- Create connections between neurons using numerous synapse models from STDP to gap junctions.
+ The models describe single neuron and synapse behavior and their connections.
+ Different mechanisms of plasticity can be used to investigate learning
+ and help to shed light on the fundamental principles of how the brain works.
- .. button-ref:: tutorials_guides
- :ref-type: ref
- :shadow:
- :color: primary
+ NEST offers convenient and efficient commands to define and connect large networks,
+ ranging from algorithmically determined connections to data-driven connectivity.
+ Create connections between neurons using numerous synapse models from STDP to gap junctions.
- Start exploring NEST
+ .. grid-item::
+
+ .. button-ref:: tutorials_guides
+ :ref-type: ref
+ :shadow:
+ :color: primary
+
+ Start exploring NEST
.. grid-item::
@@ -47,7 +53,7 @@ Welcome to the NEST Simulator documentation
.. figure:: static/img/astrocyte_interaction.png
- Investigate neuron and astrocyte interactions
+ Inspect neuron and astrocyte interactions
.. figure:: static/img/hpc_benchmark_connectivity.svg
@@ -58,7 +64,7 @@ Welcome to the NEST Simulator documentation
.. figure:: static/img/pong_sim.gif
- Play PONG with NEST
+ Simulate a game of PONG with NEST
.. figure:: static/img/gapjunctions.png
@@ -76,6 +82,36 @@ Welcome to the NEST Simulator documentation
Discover all our examples!
+How NEST works --- The Big Picture
+----------------------------------
+
+.. grid::
+
+ .. grid-item::
+
+ .. raw:: html
+
+
+
+
+.. grid::
+
+ .. grid-item::
+
+
+ A NEST simulation is created with input from :doc:`stimulation devices `,
+ :doc:`neuron models `, and :doc:`synapse models `,
+ along with :ref:`connection rules `.
+ You can choose what data to record with :doc:`recording devices `.
+ After simulation, the output is ready for analysis with NEST's built in :py:mod:`.raster_plot` and :py:mod:`.voltage_trace`
+ modules or external tools such as :doc:`Elephant `.
+
+
+ You can find these components in NEST or you can implement your own custom
+ models and extend NEST's functionalities using :doc:`NESTML ` and the :doc:`NEST extension module `, respectively.
+ Check out our wide-ranging list of :doc:`network model ` examples.
+
+
.. toctree::
:caption: USAGE
:hidden:
diff --git a/doc/htmldoc/static/css/custom.css b/doc/htmldoc/static/css/custom.css
index 8937a43743..befdde6953 100644
--- a/doc/htmldoc/static/css/custom.css
+++ b/doc/htmldoc/static/css/custom.css
@@ -115,6 +115,20 @@ section#kernel-attributes-nest-nestmodule dd {
padding-bottom: 20px !important;
box-shadow: 3px 3px var(--nest-orange) !important;
}
+
+
+.center {
+
+ text-align: center;
+ font-style: italic;
+}
+/* Provide a specific height to the svg object on index page
+ * Reason: Safari does not interpret percentages or max-content
+ * correctly
+ * there is an additional @media setting for <768px screens*/
+section#welcome-to-the-nest-simulator-documentation object {
+ height: 400px;
+}
/*************************************************************
* Rules for mermaid diagrams
*************************************************************/
@@ -141,12 +155,6 @@ figure.align-default {
outline-style: groove;
}
-.center {
-
- text-align: center;
- font-style: italic;
-}
-
/**************************************************************************************
* Rules for carousel
* ***********************************************************************************/
@@ -212,10 +220,11 @@ div[role="main"] .md-source {
border-radius: 5px;
}
/* Add padding around buttons on index page */
-#welcome-to-the-nest-simulator-documentation [data-md-color-primary="orange"] .md-typeset a {
+#welcome-to-the-nest-simulator-documentation [data-md-color-primary="orange"] .sd-button {
padding: 6px;
}
+
.md-typeset details {
background-color: white;
}
@@ -347,6 +356,11 @@ nav.md-nav.md-nav--secondary label.md-nav__title:after{
font-weight: bold;
display: flex;
align-items: center;
+
+}
+
+#welcome-to-the-nest-simulator-documentation .sd-row-cols-lg-1 > *{
+width: 85%;
}
#pynest-examples img.sd-card-img-top {
@@ -975,7 +989,11 @@ This is for the larger monitors and possibly full screen viewers.
@media only screen and (min-width: 1240px) {
#hero h1{ font-size:2em;}
}
-
+@media only screen and (max-width: 768px) {
+ section#welcome-to-the-nest-simulator-documentation object {
+ height: 200px;
+ }
+}
/*
RETINA (2x RESOLUTION DEVICES)
This applies to the retina iPhone (4s) and iPad (2,3) along with
diff --git a/doc/htmldoc/static/img/excalidraw_nestconcept_horiz.svg b/doc/htmldoc/static/img/excalidraw_nestconcept_horiz.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c188201eec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/htmldoc/static/img/excalidraw_nestconcept_horiz.svg
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+