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@@ -7,3 +7,120 @@ server that works with Second Life viewers.
 See doc/index.html for details.  INSTALL.md for installation
 instructions.  Differences.txt for the differences between OpenSim and
 opensim-SC.  coderDocs/ for the coder level documentation.
+
+
+Welcome to OpenSimulator (OpenSim for short)!
+
+# Overview
+
+OpenSim is a BSD Licensed Open Source project to develop a functioning
+virtual worlds server platform capable of supporting multiple clients
+and servers in a heterogeneous grid structure. OpenSim is written in
+C#, and can run under Mono or the Microsoft .NET runtimes.
+
+This is considered an alpha release.  Some stuff works, a lot doesn't.
+If it breaks, you get to keep *both* pieces.
+
+# Compiling OpenSim
+
+Please see BUILDING.md if you downloaded a source distribution and 
+need to build OpenSim before running it.
+
+# Running OpenSim on Windows
+
+You will need .NET 4.0 for versions up to 0.9.0.1 and .NET 4.6 for others.
+
+We recommend that you run OpenSim from a command prompt on Windows in order
+to capture any errors.
+
+To run OpenSim from a command prompt
+
+ * cd to the bin/ directory where you unpacked OpenSim
+ * review and change configuration files (.ini) for your needs. see the "Configuring OpenSim" section
+ * run OpenSim.exe or opensim32.exe for small regions
+
+
+# Running OpenSim on Linux
+
+You will need Mono >= 2.10.8.1 up to version 0.9.0.1 and mono > 5.0 on others.  On some Linux distributions you
+may need to install additional packages.  See http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Dependencies
+for more information.
+
+To run OpenSim, from the unpacked distribution type:
+
+ * cd bin
+ * review and change configuration files (.ini) for your needs. see the "Configuring OpenSim" section
+ * run ./opensim.sh
+
+
+# Configuring OpenSim
+
+When OpenSim starts for the first time, you will be prompted with a
+series of questions that look something like:
+
+        [09-17 03:54:40] DEFAULT REGION CONFIG: Simulator Name [OpenSim Test]:
+
+For all the options except simulator name, you can safely hit enter to accept
+the default if you want to connect using a client on the same machine or over
+your local network.
+
+You will then be asked "Do you wish to join an existing estate?".  If you're
+starting OpenSim for the first time then answer no (which is the default) and
+provide an estate name.
+
+Shortly afterwards, you will then be asked to enter an estate owner first name,
+last name, password and e-mail (which can be left blank).  Do not forget these
+details, since initially only this account will be able to manage your region
+in-world.  You can also use these details to perform your first login.
+
+Once you are presented with a prompt that looks like:
+
+        Region (My region name) #
+
+You have successfully started OpenSim.
+
+If you want to create another user account to login rather than the estate
+account, then type "create user" on the OpenSim console and follow the prompts.
+
+Helpful resources:
+ * http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Configuration
+ * http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Configuring_Regions
+
+# Connecting to your OpenSim
+
+By default your sim will be available for login on port 9000.  You can login by
+adding -loginuri http://127.0.0.1:9000 to the command that starts Second Life
+(e.g. in the Target: box of the client icon properties on Windows).  You can
+also login using the network IP address of the machine running OpenSim (e.g.
+http://192.168.1.2:9000)
+
+To login, use the avatar details that you gave for your estate ownership or the
+one you set up using the "create user" command.
+
+# Bug reports
+
+In the very likely event of bugs biting you (err, your OpenSim) we
+encourage you to see whether the problem has already been reported on
+the [OpenSim mantis system](http://opensimulator.org/mantis/main_page.php).
+
+If your bug has already been reported, you might want to add to the
+bug description and supply additional information.
+
+If your bug has not been reported yet, file a bug report ("opening a
+mantis"). Useful information to include:
+ * description of what went wrong
+ * stack trace
+ * OpenSim.log (attach as file)
+ * OpenSim.ini (attach as file)
+ * if running under mono: run OpenSim.exe with the "--debug" flag:
+
+       mono --debug OpenSim.exe
+
+# More Information on OpenSim
+
+More extensive information on building, running, and configuring
+OpenSim, as well as how to report bugs, and participate in the OpenSim
+project can always be found at http://opensimulator.org.
+
+Thanks for trying OpenSim, we hope it is a pleasant experience.
+