Update README with quick start

Adds a quick install and run a softIoc documentation to the README

Also adds some up to date links at the top of the page.

README

@@ -13,15 +13,7 @@ this distribution.
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 
-Installation and release information can be found in the
-various files in the documentation subdirectory.
-
-Additional information about EPICS including mailing list
-archives and subscription instructions, documentation and
-training materials, additional components, links to other
-websites etc. is available on the EPICS home page at
-	https://epics.anl.gov/
+For more information, see the README.md file.
 
 $Format:%cD$
 $Format:%H$
-https://code.launchpad.net/epics-base

README.md

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+
+# EPICS Base
+
+EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) is a set of software
+tools and applications which provide a software infrastructure for use in
+building distributed control systems to operate devices such as Particle
+Accelerators, Large Experiments and major Telescopes. EPICS Base is the central
+core of the control system toolkit. More details can be found at the
+[About page of the official website](https://epics-controls.org/about-epics/)
+
+## Links
+
+- [Official Website](https://epics-controls.org/)
+- [Original Website](https://epics.anl.gov/)
+- [Repository](https://github.com/epics-base/epics-base)
+
+### Documentation
+
+- [Documentation](https://docs.epics-controls.org/en/latest/)
+- [Documentation Repository](https://github.com/epics-docs/epics-docs)
+
+### Community Communication
+
+- [Tech-Talk Mailing List](https://epics.anl.gov/tech-talk/)
+- [Matrix Rooms](https://matrix.to/#/#epics:epics-controls.org)
+- [News](https://epics-controls.org/news-and-events/)
+
+## Quick Install
+
+Download a release from the
+[Downloads page](https://epics-controls.org/resources-and-support/base/downloads)
+and unpack it. Inside the unpacked folder run:
+
+```bash
+make
+```
+
+For more information on how to install on your system see the
+[Installation page](https://docs.epics-controls.org/en/latest/getting-started/installation.html)
+of the documentation.
+
+### Quick run a softIOC
+
+After building, you can run an example soft-IOC (Input/Output Controller)
+which uses the pvAccess network protocol.
+
+```bash
+./bin/*/softIoc -x first
+```
+
+You can then run `dbl` to get:
+
+```bash
+epics> dbl
+first:BaseVersion
+first:exit
+epics> 
+```
+
+## License
+
+EPICS Base is distributed subject to a Software License
+Agreement found in the file [LICENSE](./LICENSE) that is included with
+this distribution.