diff --git a/INSTALL.txt b/INSTALL.txt
index a53df2321..4e2bb34c9 100644
--- a/INSTALL.txt
+++ b/INSTALL.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,14 @@
+Stage INSTALL.txt
+=================
+
+These are the Stage installation instructions, both quick and longer
+versions. They are intended for experienced programmers. This is not a
+tutorial.
+
+For release notes see RELEASE.txt
+For introduction and license see README.txt
+
+
 Quick start: Build Stage from RTV's Github 
 ------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/README.txt b/README.txt
index fb1382ab2..15176d6a6 100644
--- a/README.txt
+++ b/README.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,11 @@
+Stage README.txt
+================
+
+This is the Stage README file, containing an introduction, license and
+citation information.
+
+For release notes see RELEASE.txt
+For installation notes see INSTALL.txt
 
 Copyright Richard Vaughan and contributors 1998-2011
 Part of the Player Project (http://playerstage.org)
diff --git a/RELEASE.txt b/RELEASE.txt
index f4fbabb93..5d32ea4ff 100644
--- a/RELEASE.txt
+++ b/RELEASE.txt
@@ -1,28 +1,31 @@
-Version 4.1.0
--------------
-- many bugfixes
+Stage RELEASE.txt
+==================
 
-- support for basic dynamics: position models simulate acceleration
-  and have a new acceleration control mode.
+These are the Stage release notes.
 
-- visualization options can be loaded from and saved to worldfiles
+For introduction and license see README.txt
+For installation notes see INSTALL.txt
 
-- API change: new World::Run() methed provides the same interface to
-  GUI and non-GUI worlds (by chmp@github)
 
-- saved screenshots are numbered with leading zeros for convenience
+Version 4.1.0
+-------------
+* many bugfixes
+* support for basic dynamics: position models simulate acceleration
+  and have a new acceleration control mode.
+* visualization options can be loaded from and saved to worldfiles
+* API change: new World::Run() methed provides the same interface to
+  GUI and non-GUI worlds (by chmp@github)
+* saved screenshots are numbered with leading zeros for convenience
   when using movie-making tools (by mani-monaj@github)
-
-- major performance enhancement: position updates now run in parallel
+* major performance enhancement: position updates now run in parallel
   with sensor updates, using a double-buffer-style alternating pair of
   occupancy grids
-
-- several minor performance enhancements
-
-- much faster debug visualization (occupancy grid and voxel views)
+* several minor performance enhancements
+* much faster debug visualization (occupancy grid and voxel views)
+* build scripts are more portable
 
 
-Richard Vaughan (rtv) vaughan@sfu.ca - XX TODO
+Richard Vaughan (rtv) vaughan@sfu.ca - 2011.12.28
 
 Version 4.0.1
 -------------