README file

convention An introduction traditionally included in the

top-level directory of a Unix source distribution,

containing a pointer to more detailed documentation, credits,

miscellaneous revision history, notes, etc. The file may be

named README, or READ.ME, or rarely ReadMe or readme.txt or

some other variant.

In the Macintosh and IBM PC worlds, software is not

usually distributed in source form, and the README is more

likely to contain user-oriented material like last-minute

documentation changes, error workarounds, and restrictions.

The README convention probably follows the famous scene in

Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland" in which

Alice confronts magic munchies labelled "Eat Me" and "Drink

Me".

[Jargon File]

(1995-02-28)