Once installed, this directory contains a Makefile and a small program that you could use as a template when writing your own analysis software. The Makefile is created during the configuration phase to contain the correct paths and libraries to the most recent installation. It might be a good idea to make a copy if you plan to compile for several architectures. ---------------------------------------------------------- If you are looking in the distribution directory the there will be a Makefile.am which automake uses to create a Makefile.in which in turn is converted to a Makefile by the configure script. Note that this is NOT the template makefile - it is called Template.mak, but is renamed when then You should NOT touch or copy Makefile.in unless you really know what you are doing - it is a template file used by the configure script to create the real Makefile.