--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/README.txt	Tue Sep 09 16:26:24 2008 -0400
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+SDL_sound. An abstract soundfile decoder.
+
+SDL_sound is a library that handles the decoding of several popular sound file
+ formats, such as .WAV and .MP3. It is meant to make the programmer's sound
+ playback tasks simpler. The programmer gives SDL_sound a filename, or feeds
+ it data directly from one of many sources, and then reads the decoded
+ waveform data back at her leisure. If resource constraints are a concern,
+ SDL_sound can process sound data in programmer-specified blocks. Alternately,
+ SDL_sound can decode a whole sound file and hand back a single pointer to the
+ whole waveform. SDL_sound can also handle sample rate, audio format, and
+ channel conversion on-the-fly and behind-the-scenes, if the programmer
+ desires.
+
+Please check the website for the most up-to-date information about SDL_sound:
+   http://icculus.org/SDL_sound/
+
+SDL_sound _REQUIRES_ Simple Directmedia Layer (SDL) to function, and cannot
+ be built without it. You can get SDL from http://www.libsdl.org/. SDL_sound
+ has only been tried with the SDL 1.2 series, but may work on older versions.
+ Reports of success or failure are welcome.
+
+Some optional external libraries that SDL_sound can use and where to find them:
+ SMPEG (used to decode MP3s): http://icculus.org/smpeg/
+ libvorbisfile (used to decode OGGs): http://www.xiph.org/ogg/vorbis/
+ libSpeex (used to decode SPXs): http://speex.org/
+ libFLAC (used to decode FLACs): http://flac.sourceforge.net/
+ libModPlug (used to decode MODs, etc): http://modplug-xmms.sourceforge.net/
+ libMikMod (used to decode MODs, etc, too): http://www.mikmod.org/
+
+ Experimental QuickTime support for the Mac is included, but has not been 
+ integrated with the build system, and probably doesn't work with 
+ QuickTime for Windows.
+
+These external libraries are OPTIONAL. SDL_sound will build and function
+ without them, but various sound file formats are not supported unless these
+ libraries are available. Unless explicitly disabled during initial build
+ configuration, SDL_sound always supports these file formats internally:
+
+ - Microsoft .WAV files (uncompressed and MS-ADPCM encoded).
+ - Creative Labs .VOC files
+ - Shorten (.SHN) files
+ - Audio Interchange format (AIFF) files
+ - Sun Audio (.AU) files
+ - MIDI files
+ - MP3 files (internal decoder, different than the one SMPEG uses)
+ - Raw waveform data
+
+Building/Installing:
+  Please read the INSTALL document.
+
+Reporting bugs/commenting:
+ There is a mailing list available. To subscribe, send a blank email to
+ sdlsound-subscribe@icculus.org. This is the best way to get in touch with
+ SDL_sound developers.
+
+--ryan. (icculus@icculus.org)
+
+