diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 1f3e60d..b680c97 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-CFLAGS = -Wall -O3
 all: clean toolchain image repl rre js
 
 rebuild: clean toolchain update image repl rre js glossary
diff --git a/NOTES b/NOTES
deleted file mode 100644
index 6f72a75..0000000
--- a/NOTES
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-Version numbering:
-
-  12.YYYY.MM
-
-Since all current builds are 12, I only specify the YYYY.MM part.
-
-=======================================================================
-
-For 2018.3 I'm focusing on:
-
-- cleaning up the build scripts
-- cleaning up the source tree
-- making it easier to package / install
-- setting the stage for the return of a standalone RETRO system
-- general bug fixes
-- documentation improvements
-
-=======================================================================
-
-I think I may move to a longer (2 month) release cycle. This will give
-more time to refine things and reduce maintenance headaches for
-packaging.
-
-So releases in 2018 should be:
-
-  1 / 3 / 5 / 7 / 9 / 11
-
-I expect to make releases near the end of the month.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 19629e5..f29da00 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ adapt to various uses.
 
 For FreeBSD, NetBSD, macOS, Linux:
 
-    ./build
+    make
 
 Binaries will be found in the `bin` directory. The ones of interest
 are:
@@ -38,9 +38,3 @@ This is a basic `read-evaluate-print-loop` for interactive use. It's
 intended for quick tests and as an easy starting point for new interfaces.
 The `repl` interface looks for the RETRO image (`ngaImage`) in the current
 working. If not found, this will use an embedded copy.
-
-    listener
-
-Wrapping a shell script, some RETRO code, and using the `rre` interface,
-this is a slightly nicer alternative to the basic `repl` for interactive
-use.
diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.md b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
index f3be82d..d91fbaf 100644
--- a/RELEASE_NOTES.md
+++ b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
@@ -2,7 +2,11 @@ RETRO 12 - 2018.4
 
 Bug fixes:
 
-Language Improvements:
+Build:
+
+- now recommended to use "make" instead of "build.sh"
+
+Core Language Improvements:
 
 - rx kernel: faster and smaller `s:eq?`
 - stdlib: smaller implementations of `c:whitespace?` and `c:vowel?`