+The Zebra system is a fielded free-text indexing and retrieval engine with a
+Z39.50 frontend. You can use any commercial or freeware Z39.50 client
+to access data stored in Zebra.
+
+The Zebra server is our first step towards the development of a fully
+configurable, open information system. Eventually, it will be paired
+off with a powerful Z39.50 client to support complex information
+management tasks within almost any application domain. We're making
+the server available now because it's no fun to be in the open
+information retrieval business all by yourself. We want to allow
+people with interesting data to make their things
+available in interesting ways, without having to start out
+by implementing yet another protocol stack from scratch.
+
+This document is an introduction to the Zebra system. It will tell you
+how to compile the software, and how to prepare your first database.
+It also explains how the server can be configured to give you the
+functionality that you need.
+
+You should read <it/Specifying and Using Application (Database)
+Profiles/, which is bundled with the YAZ documentation, to learn how
+records are formatted, and how you can configure Zebra to handle
+different types of Z39.50 application profiles.