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README.md

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+The samskivert library
+----------------------
+
+The samskivert library (SL) aims to provide useful reusable Java routines that
+do things for which I've been unable to find useful reusable implementations on
+the net.
+
+Given the emphasis on reusability, SL attempts to closely adhere to the
+following principles:
+
+* Each individual module should depend as little as possible on other SL
+  modules. Obvious exceptions include modules that are a logical extension of
+  other modules and modules that clearly require a service that is implemented
+  by another SL module and would have to implement that service themselves in
+  the absence of dependence on the other module.
+
+* Modules should be both simple to use and as general purpose as possible. To
+  meet these two competing requirements, a balance must be struck at that sweet
+  spot where reusability is maximized.
+
+* Code included in SL will freely depend on JDK packages available in the Java
+  2 platform and beyond. SL is initially a repository of software useful for
+  server-side or stand alone applications and therefore need not make
+  compromises to function in the jungle of JVMs in commonly available web
+  browsers.
+
+* We are not here to reinvent the wheel, nor to provide a uniform interface to
+  every software service under the sun. If something is available in a freely
+  redistributable and reusable form from someone else, it won't be found in SL.
+  If SL depends on such software from another source, it will provide clear
+  documentation on how to get that software and make use of it within the scope
+  of SL's particular needs. Again a balance of reusability will be struck here
+  and software that is sufficiently difficult to make usable in an arbitrary
+  environment will not be used by SL and may be "reinvented".
+
+Building
+--------
+
+The library is built using Ant or Maven, pick your poison. If you use ant, you
+will need to obtain the jar files enumerated in etc/libs-incl.xml and place
+them in the lib/ directory. If you use Maven, the dependencies will be
+automatically fetched.
+
+Invoke Ant with any of the following targets:
+
+    all: builds the class files and javadoc documentation
+    compile: builds only the class files (dist/classes)
+    javadoc: builds only the javadoc documentation (dist/docs)
+    tests: builds and runs the unit tests
+    dist: builds the distribution jar file (dist/samskivert.jar)
+
+Invoke Maven with any of the following targets:
+
+    mvn test: builds the code and runs the tests
+    mvn package: builds the code and creates target/samskivert-X.X.jar
+    mvn install: builds and installs samskivert into your local Maven repository
+
+Documentation
+-------------
+
+Javadoc documentation is available at:
+
+http://samskivert.github.com/samskivert/apidocs/
+
+Artifacts
+---------
+
+A jar artifact is published to Maven Central, and can be depended upon via:
+
+    com.samskivert:samskivert:1.3
+
+Distribution
+------------
+
+The samskivert library is released under the LGPL. The most recent version
+of the library is available here:
+
+http://github.com/samskivert/samskivert/
+
+Contribution
+------------
+
+Contributions to SL are welcome. Fork the library and submit pull requests to
+your heart's content. Questions about the library can be directed to the
+OOO-LIBS Google Group:
+
+https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/ooo-libs