README - ESP Package Manager (EPM) 4.3
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WHAT IS EPM?

    EPM is a simple tool that generates software and patch distributions in
    various formats, including:

	- AIX software packages ("installp")
	- AT&T software packages ("pkgadd"), used by Solaris and others
	- BSD packages ("pkg_create")
	- Compaq Tru64 UNIX ("setld")
	- Debian Package Manager ("dpkg")
	- HP-UX software packages ("swinstall")
	- IRIX software manager ("inst", "swmgr", or "tardist")
	- OS X software packages ("name.pkg")
	- Portable (installation and removal scripts with tar files)
        - Red Hat Package Manager ("rpm")
	- Slackware software packages ("name.tgz")

    EPM also includes graphical "setup" and "uninstall" programs that can be
    provided with your distributions to make installation and removal of more
    than one package a snap.


HOW DO I COMPILE EPM?

    See the file "INSTALL" for more info on that.


HOW DO I USE EPM?

    Please look at the EPM manual; preformatted copies are included in the
    "doc/epm-manual.html" and "doc/epm-manual.pdf" files.

    An example EPM software list file is provided with this distribution in the
    file "epm.list".


DO I HAVE TO PAY TO DISTRIBUTE SOFTWARE USING EPM?

    No!  EPM is free software and any installations you create are unencumbered
    by licensing of any kind, not even the GPL.


WHAT'S NEW IN EPM?

    See the file "CHANGES" for change information.


REPORTING PROBLEMS

    Report all problems and submit all patches using the bug reporting form at:

        https://www.msweet.org/bugs.php/epm


OTHER RESOURCES

    The official home page for EPM is here:

        https://www.msweet.org/projects.php/epm


COPYRIGHT AND LICENSE INFO

    EPM is copyright 1999-2015 by Michael R Sweet. All rights reserved.

    This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
    under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
    Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option) any later
    version.

    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
    ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for
    more details.
