ICESat-2 Data Explorer v0.6.1 — Installation and portability
==============================================================

Recommended QGIS target
-----------------------
QGIS 3.44.1 (Python 3.12), Windows.
The metadata declares QGIS 3.34 as the minimum version, but this build was
prepared around the QGIS 3.44.1 environment used during development.

Install from ZIP
----------------
1. Open QGIS.
2. Plugins > Manage and Install Plugins > Install from ZIP.
3. Select the complete ZIP file.
4. Enable ICESat-2 Data Explorer.

External dependencies
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The plugin folder contains the plugin code, icons and report templates.
It does not bundle the SlideRule Python client or its compiled scientific
Python dependencies.

ATL03, ATL08, ATL13 and ATL24 downloads require the SlideRule Python client
to be installed and importable in the Python environment used by QGIS.

Model tide support is managed separately by the plugin. On a new QGIS
profile or computer, open Model Tide Values and run Install tide support,
then download GOT4.10c.

Important Windows note
----------------------
A separate user-level Python package folder such as:

    C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Python\Python312\site-packages

can override the scientific packages shipped with QGIS. If QGIS imports
NumPy from that folder and reports binary/import errors, reinstalling QGIS
alone may not remove the conflicting user-level packages.


QGIS OFFICIAL REPOSITORY NOTE
-----------------------------
This distribution targets QGIS 3.44-3.99 and is experimental until Linux/macOS validation is completed. External dependencies are installed at runtime; no binary wheels or tide-model files are bundled in the plugin ZIP.
