README.txt for version 7.4 of Vim: Vi IMproved.
WHAT IS VIM
Vim is an almost compatible version of the UNIX editor Vi. Many new features have been added: multi-level undo, syntax highlighting, command line history, on-line help, spell checking, filename completion, block operations, etc. There is also a Graphical User Interface (GUI) available. See "runtime/doc/vi_diff.txt" for differences with Vi.
This editor is very useful for editing programs and other plain text files. All commands are given with normal keyboard characters, so those who can type with ten fingers can work very fast. Additionally, function keys can be defined by the user, and the mouse can be used.
Vim runs under Amiga DOS, MS-DOS, MS-Windows (95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7), Atari MiNT, Macintosh, BeOS, VMS, RISC OS, OS/2 and almost all flavours of UNIX. Porting to other systems should not be very difficult.
DISTRIBUTION
There are separate distributions for Unix, PC, Amiga and some other systems. This README.txt file comes with the runtime archive. It includes the documentation, syntax files and other files that are used at runtime. To run Vim you must get either one of the binary archives or a source archive. Which one you need depends on the system you want to run it on and whether you want or must compile it yourself. Check "http://www.vim.org/download.php" for an overview of currently available distributions.
DOCUMENTATION
The vim tutor is a one hour training course for beginners. Mostly it can be started as "vimtutor". See ":help tutor" for more information.
The best is to use ":help" in Vim. If you don't have an executable yet, read "runtime/doc/help.txt". It contains pointers to the other documentation files. The User Manual reads like a book and is recommended to learn to use Vim. See ":help user-manual".
COPYING
Vim is Charityware. You can use and copy it as much as you like, but you are encouraged to make a donation to help orphans in Uganda. Please read the file "runtime/doc/uganda.txt" for details (do ":help uganda" inside Vim).
Summary of the license: There are no restrictions on using or distributing an unmodified copy of Vim. Parts of Vim may also be distributed, but the license text must always be included. For modified versions a few restrictions apply. The license is GPL compatible, you may compile Vim with GPL libraries and distribute it.
SPONSORING
Fixing bugs and adding new features takes a lot of time and effort. To show your appreciation for the work and motivate Bram and others to continue working on Vim please send a donation.
Since Bram is back to a paid job the money will now be used to help children in Uganda. See runtime/doc/uganda.txt. But at the same time donations increase Bram's motivation to keep working on Vim!
For the most recent information about sponsoring look on the Vim web site:
http://www.vim.org/sponsor/COMPILING
If you obtained a binary distribution you don't need to compile Vim. If you obtained a source distribution, all the stuff for compiling Vim is in the "src" directory. See src/INSTALL for instructions.
INSTALLATION
See one of these files for system-specific instructions: README_ami.txt Amiga README_unix.txt Unix README_dos.txt MS-DOS and MS-Windows README_os2.txt OS/2 README_mac.txt Macintosh README_vms.txt VMS
There are more README_*.txt files, depending on the distribution you used.
INFORMATION
The latest news about Vim can be found on the Vim home page: http://www.vim.org/
If you have problems, have a look at the Vim FAQ: http://vimdoc.sf.net/vimfaq.html
If you still have problems or any other questions, use one of the mailing lists to discuss them with Vim users and developers: http://www.vim.org/maillist.php
If nothing else works, report bugs directly: Bram Moolenaar Bram@vim.org
MAIN AUTHOR
Send any other comments, patches, flowers and suggestions to:
Bram Moolenaar E-mail: Bram@vim.org