Update README to align with JOSS review criteria

README.md

@@ -1,17 +1,69 @@
 [![test](https://github.com/pi-base/web/actions/workflows/test.yaml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/pi-base/web/actions/workflows/test.yaml)
 [![e2e](https://github.com/pi-base/web/actions/workflows/e2e.yaml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/pi-base/web/actions/workflows/e2e.yaml)
 
-Software monorepo for the [π-base](https://topology.pi-base.org) project.
+Software monorepo for the [π-base](https://github.com/pi-base) project.
 
-🔗s
+# What's this?
 
-- [π-base data](https://github.com/pi-base/data)
-- Error monitoring - [Sentry](https://james-dabbs.sentry.io/projects/pi-base/?project=5251960&statsPeriod=30d)
+**π-base** is software supporting the formalization of mathematical
+results that can be expressed in terms of *objects*, the *properties*
+they satisfy, and the *theorems* that guarantee the presence of which 
+properites imply the others.
+
+Its main implementation lives at
+<https://topology.pi-base.org>, modeling research in
+[general topology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_topology).
+
+A fork is being developed at <https://github.com/pi-base-topos> in support
+of [topos theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topos).
+
+*(Researchers who are interested in contributing to these databases
+likely want to visit <https://github.com/pi-base/data> or
+<https://github.com/pi-base-topos/data> directly, or connect with us
+via the [`code4math` Zulip](https://code4math.zulipchat.com/).)*
+
+Four node packages are maintained as part of this monorepo:
+
+-   `packages/compile`:
+    Compiles, checks, and publishes a data bundle based upon a repository
+    of formalized results expressed in Markdown/YAML.
+-   `packages/viewer`:
+    Web application for browsing/querying formalized results, featuring
+    automated deduction. (i.e. <https://topology.pi-base.org>)
+-   `packages/vscode`:
+    Web extension for VS Code to aid contributors and reviewers to a
+    π-Base compatible repository of formalized results
+-   `packages/core`:
+    Shared data model for all π-Base utilities.
+
+# Getting Started
+
+The easiest way to try the software out is to use a Codespace; either press
+the comma (`,`) key on your keyboard while logged into GitHub on this page,
+or press the below button.
+
+[![Open in GitHub Codespaces](https://github.com/codespaces/badge.svg)](https://github.com/codespaces/new?hide_repo_select=true&ref=main&repo=391656710)
+
+A web version of VS Code with all the necessary dependencies and
+software installed will be made available to you, as well as a
+copy of the general topology repository at
+<https://github.com/pi-base/data>. A new tab will automatically
+open to your development preview of the web viewer application,
+and changes you make to your copy of the data repository will
+be immediately recompiled and available in the viewer upon refresh.
 
 # Documentation
 
 Various guides are available in the [`doc`](./doc/) directory.
 
+# 🔗s
+
+-   [π-base data](https://github.com/pi-base/data):
+    peer-reviewed repository of formalized results in general topology,
+    available online at <https://topology.pi-base.org>
+-   [Sentry](https://james-dabbs.sentry.io/projects/pi-base/?project=5251960&statsPeriod=30d):
+    error monitoring
+
 # Copyright and License
 
-Copyright 2014-2023 James Dabbs, [licensed for free public use](./LICENSE.md).
+Copyright 2014-2024 James Dabbs, [licensed for free public use](./LICENSE.md).