--- a/doc/interpreter/intro.txi
+++ b/doc/interpreter/intro.txi
@@ -36,11 +36,6 @@
 
 This document corresponds to Octave version @value{VERSION}.
 
-@c FIXME -- add explanation about how and why Octave was written.
-@c
-@c FIXME -- add a sentence or two explaining that we could
-@c                  always use more funding.
-
 @menu
 * Running Octave::              
 * Simple Examples::             
@@ -56,7 +51,7 @@
 commands immediately afterward.
 
 If you get into trouble, you can usually interrupt Octave by typing
-@kbd{Control-C} (usually written @kbd{C-c} for short).  @kbd{C-c} gets
+@kbd{Control-C} (written @kbd{C-c} for short).  @kbd{C-c} gets
 its name from the fact that you type it by holding down @key{CTRL} and
 then pressing @key{c}.  Doing this will normally return you to Octave's
 prompt.
@@ -82,7 +77,7 @@
 
 @subsection Creating a Matrix
 
-To create a new matrix and store it in a variable so that it you can
+To create a new matrix and store it in a variable so that you can
 refer to it later, type the command
 
 @example
@@ -91,8 +86,8 @@
 
 @noindent
 Octave will respond by printing the matrix in neatly aligned columns.
-Ending a command with a semicolon tells Octave to not print the result
-of a command.  For example
+Ending a command with a semicolon tells Octave not to print the result
+of the command.  For example
 
 @example
 octave:2> B = rand (3, 2);
@@ -102,9 +97,9 @@
 will create a 3 row, 2 column matrix with each element set to a random
 value between zero and one.
 
-To display the value of any variable, simply type the name of the
-variable.  For example, to display the value stored in the matrix
-@code{B}, type the command
+To display the value of a variable, simply type the name of the
+variable at the prompt.  For example, to display the value stored in the 
+matrix @code{B}, type the command
 
 @example
 octave:3> B
@@ -209,7 +204,7 @@
 @end ifnottex
 This is straightforward, and may be accomplished by entering the
 function body directly on the command line.  For example, the following
-commands define the right hand side function for an interesting pair of
+commands define the right-hand side function for an interesting pair of
 nonlinear differential equations.  Note that while you are entering a
 function, Octave responds with a different prompt, to indicate that it
 is waiting for you to complete your input.
@@ -297,8 +292,8 @@
 At the Octave prompt, you can recall, edit, and reissue previous
 commands using Emacs- or vi-style editing commands.  The default
 keybindings use Emacs-style commands.  For example, to recall the
-previous command, press @kbd{Control-p} (usually written @kbd{C-p} for
-short). Doing this will normally bring back the previous line of input.
+previous command, press @kbd{Control-p} (written @kbd{C-p} for
+short).  Doing this will normally bring back the previous line of input.
 @kbd{C-n} will bring up the next line of input, @kbd{C-b} will move
 the cursor backward on the line, @kbd{C-f} will move the cursor forward
 on the line, etc.
@@ -317,8 +312,8 @@
 that you want to use.  This name of the function may not always be
 obvious, but a good place to start is to just type @code{help}.
 This will show you all the operators, reserved words, functions,
-built-in variables, and function files. An alternative is to search the
-documentation using the @code{lookfor} function. This function is
+built-in variables, and function files.  An alternative is to search the
+documentation using the @code{lookfor} function.  This function is
 described in @ref{Getting Help}.
 
 Once you know the name of the function you wish to use, you can get more
@@ -519,7 +514,7 @@
 @end deftypefn
 
 Any parameter whose name contains the name of a type (e.g.,
-@var{integer}, @var{integer1} or @var{matrix}) is expected to be of that
+@var{integer} or @var{matrix}) is expected to be of that
 type.  Parameters named @var{object} may be of any type.  Parameters
 with other sorts of names (e.g., @var{new_file}) are discussed
 specifically in the description of the function.  In some sections,
@@ -559,7 +554,7 @@
 @cindex command descriptions
 
 Command descriptions have a format similar to function descriptions,
-except that the word `Function' is replaced by `Command.  Commands are
+except that the word `Function' is replaced by `Command'.  Commands are
 functions that may be called without surrounding their arguments in
 parentheses.  For example, here is the description for Octave's
 @code{cd} command:

--- a/doc/interpreter/preface.txi
+++ b/doc/interpreter/preface.txi
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@
 people to do more ambitious computations just as easily.
 
 Everyone is encouraged to share this software with others under the
-terms of the GNU General Public License (@pxref{Copying}) as described
-at the beginning of this manual.  You are also encouraged to help make
-Octave more useful by writing and contributing additional functions for
-it, and by reporting any problems you may have.
+terms of the GNU General Public License (@pxref{Copying}).  You are 
+also encouraged to help make Octave more useful by writing and 
+contributing additional functions for it, and by reporting any problems
+you may have.
 
 @menu
 * Acknowledgements::            
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
 @cindex acknowledgements
 
 Many people have already contributed to Octave's development.  The
-following people have helped write parts of Octave or helped out in
+following people have helped code parts of Octave or aided in
 various other ways (listed alphabetically).
 
 @include contributors.texi
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
 @end itemize
 
 This project would not have been possible without the GNU software used
-in and used to produce Octave.
+in and to produce Octave.
 
 @node How You Can Contribute to Octave
 @unnumberedsec How You Can Contribute to Octave
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@
 There are a number of ways that you can contribute to help make Octave a
 better system.  Perhaps the most important way to contribute is to write
 high-quality code for solving new problems, and to make your code freely
-available for others to use.
+available for others to use.  @xref{Contributing Guidelines}, for detailed 
+information on contributing new code.
 
 If you find Octave useful, consider providing additional funding to
 continue its development.  Even a modest amount of additional funding
@@ -169,15 +170,16 @@
 @cindex distribution of Octave
 
 Octave is @dfn{free} software.  This means that everyone is free to
-use it and free to redistribute it on certain conditions.  Octave is not
-in the public domain.  It is copyrighted and there are restrictions on
-its distribution, but the restrictions are designed to ensure that
-others will have the same freedom to use and redistribute Octave that
-you have.  The precise conditions can be found in the GNU General Public
-License that comes with Octave and that also appears in @ref{Copying}.
+use it and free to redistribute it on certain conditions.  Octave 
+is not, however, in the public domain.  It is copyrighted and there are
+restrictions on its distribution, but the restrictions are designed to 
+ensure that others will have the same freedom to use and redistribute 
+Octave that you have.  The precise conditions can be found in the 
+GNU General Public License that comes with Octave and that also appears 
+in @ref{Copying}.
 
-Octave is available on CD-ROM with various collections of other free
-software, and from the Free Software Foundation.  Ordering a copy of
+Octave is available on CD-ROM, with various collections of other free
+software, from the Free Software Foundation.  Ordering a copy of
 Octave from the Free Software Foundation helps to fund the development
 of more free software.  For more information, write to
 
@@ -189,4 +191,4 @@
 @end quotation
 
 Octave can also be downloaded from @url{http://www.octave.org}, where
-additional information also is available.
+additional information is available.