Merge pull request #1520 from shoshber/contributing

DOC: (m) CHANGES policy, easier make check

Author: Shoshana Berleant

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -11,9 +11,8 @@
     - bugfixes should include regression tests
     - new behavior should at least get minimal exercise
 * Use a descriptive prefix for your PR: ENH (enhancement), FIX, TST, DOC, STY, REF (refactor), WIP (Work in progress)
-* After submitting the PR, include an update to the CHANGES file: prefix: description (URL of pull request)
-* `make specs`
-* do: `make check-before-commit` before submitting the PR. This will require you to either install or be in developer mode with: `python setup.py install/develop`.
+* The person who accepts/merges your PR will include an update to the CHANGES file: prefix: description (URL of pull request)
+* Run `make check-before-commit` before submitting the PR.
 * In general, do not catch exceptions without good reason. 
   * catching non-fatal exceptions. 
     Log the exception as a warning.

Makefile

@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ html:
 	make -C doc clean htmlonly
 
 specs:
+	@echo "Setting up developer mode"
+	python setup.py develop
 	@echo "Checking specs and autogenerating spec tests"
 	python tools/checkspecs.py