diff --git a/usr/gri/pretty/Makefile b/usr/gri/pretty/Makefile
index 43dea48071..0636289efd 100644
--- a/usr/gri/pretty/Makefile
+++ b/usr/gri/pretty/Makefile
@@ -22,29 +22,27 @@ test: pretty
 smoketest: pretty
 	./test.sh astprinter.go
 
-install: pretty
+install: pretty godoc untab
 	cp pretty $(HOME)/bin/pretty
+	cp godoc $(HOME)/bin/godoc
+	cp untab $(HOME)/bin/untab
 
 clean:
-	rm -f pretty *.6 *.a *~
+	rm -f pretty untab godoc *.6 *.a 6.out *~
 
-godoc.6:	 utils.6 platform.6 compilation.6 docprinter.6
+godoc.6:	docprinter.6 compilation.6
 
-pretty.6:	 platform.6 ast.6 astprinter.6 compilation.6
+pretty.6:	 platform.6 astprinter.6 compilation.6
 
-compilation.6:	 platform.6 ast.6 typechecker.6
-
-typechecker.6:	 ast.6
-
-ast.6:	 symboltable.6
+compilation.6:	 platform.6 typechecker.6
 
 symboltable.6:	
 
 platform.6:	 utils.6
 
-astprinter.6:	 utils.6 ast.6 symboltable.6 template.6
+astprinter.6:	 utils.6 symboltable.6 template.6
 
-docprinter.6:	ast.6 astprinter.6 template.6
+docprinter.6:	astprinter.6
 
 %.6:	%.go
 	$(G) $(F) $<
diff --git a/usr/gri/pretty/dir_template.html b/usr/gri/pretty/dir_template.html
deleted file mode 100644
index 2fbb698bfb..0000000000
--- a/usr/gri/pretty/dir_template.html
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-
-<h1><!--PATH--></h1>
-
-<h2>Directories</h2>
-<!--DIRECTORIES-->
-
-<h2>Go files</h2>
-<!--GO FILES-->
-
-<h2>Other files</h2>
-<font color=grey>
-<!--OTHER FILES-->
-</font>
-
-</div>  <!-- content -->
-</body>
-</html>
diff --git a/usr/gri/pretty/docprinter.go b/usr/gri/pretty/docprinter.go
index f9737a790a..a5f6b4b44b 100644
--- a/usr/gri/pretty/docprinter.go
+++ b/usr/gri/pretty/docprinter.go
@@ -5,16 +5,15 @@
 package docPrinter
 
 import (
-	"vector";
-	"utf8";
-	"unicode";
-	"io";
-	"fmt";
-
 	"ast";
+	"fmt";
+	"io";
 	"token";
+	"unicode";
+	"utf8";
+	"vector";
+
 	"astprinter";
-	"template";
 )
 
 
@@ -76,6 +75,11 @@ type PackageDoc struct {
 }
 
 
+func (doc *PackageDoc) PackageName() string {
+	return doc.name;
+}
+
+
 // PackageDoc initializes a document to collect package documentation.
 // The package name is provided as initial argument. Use AddPackage to
 // add the AST for each source file belonging to the same package.
@@ -418,64 +422,44 @@ func (t *typeDoc) print(p *astPrinter.Printer) {
 }
 
 
-// TODO make this a parameter for Init or Print?
-var templ = template.NewTemplateOrDie("template.html");
-
 func (doc *PackageDoc) Print(writer io.Write) {
 	var p astPrinter.Printer;
 	p.Init(writer, nil, true);
 	
-	// TODO propagate Apply errors
-	templ.Apply(writer, "<!--", template.Substitution {
-		"PACKAGE_NAME-->" :
-			func() {
-				fmt.Fprint(writer, doc.name);
-			},
+	// program header
+	fmt.Fprintf(writer, "<h1>package %s</h1>\n", doc.name);
+	fmt.Fprintf(writer, "<p><code>import \"%s\"</code></p>\n", doc.name);
+	printComments(&p, doc.doc);
 
-		"PROGRAM_HEADER-->":
-			func() {
-				fmt.Fprintf(writer, "<p><code>import \"%s\"</code></p>\n", doc.name);
-				printComments(&p, doc.doc);
-			},
+	// constants
+	if doc.consts.Len() > 0 {
+		fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
+		fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<h2>Constants</h2>");
+		for i := 0; i < doc.consts.Len(); i++ {
+			doc.consts.At(i).(*valueDoc).print(&p);
+		}
+	}
 
-		"CONSTANTS-->" :
-			func() {
-				if doc.consts.Len() > 0 {
-					fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
-					fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<h2>Constants</h2>");
-					for i := 0; i < doc.consts.Len(); i++ {
-						doc.consts.At(i).(*valueDoc).print(&p);
-					}
-				}
-			},
+	// types
+	for name, t := range doc.types {
+		fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
+		t.print(&p);
+	}
 
-		"TYPES-->" :
-			func() {
-				for name, t := range doc.types {
-					fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
-					t.print(&p);
-				}
-			},
+	// variables
+	if doc.vars.Len() > 0 {
+		fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
+		fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<h2>Variables</h2>");
+		for i := 0; i < doc.vars.Len(); i++ {
+			doc.vars.At(i).(*valueDoc).print(&p);
+		}
+	}
 
-		"VARIABLES-->" :
-			func() {
-				if doc.vars.Len() > 0 {
-					fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
-					fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<h2>Variables</h2>");
-					for i := 0; i < doc.vars.Len(); i++ {
-						doc.vars.At(i).(*valueDoc).print(&p);
-					}
-				}
-			},
-
-		"FUNCTIONS-->" :
-			func() {
-				if len(doc.funcs) > 0 {
-					fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
-					for name, f := range doc.funcs {
-						f.print(&p, 2);
-					}
-				}
-			},
-	});
+	// functions
+	if len(doc.funcs) > 0 {
+		fmt.Fprintln(writer, "<hr />");
+		for name, f := range doc.funcs {
+			f.print(&p, 2);
+		}
+	}
 }
diff --git a/usr/gri/pretty/error_template.html b/usr/gri/pretty/error_template.html
deleted file mode 100644
index cfc1df1616..0000000000
--- a/usr/gri/pretty/error_template.html
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-
-<font color=red>THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION</font>
-
-<h1>Compilation errors in <!--FILE_NAME--></h1>
-
-<pre>
-<!--ERRORS-->
-</pre>
-
-</div>  <!-- content -->
-</body>
-</html>
diff --git a/usr/gri/pretty/godoc.go b/usr/gri/pretty/godoc.go
index 13e58bd6cb..143fd09611 100644
--- a/usr/gri/pretty/godoc.go
+++ b/usr/gri/pretty/godoc.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 package main
 
 import (
+	"ast";
 	"bufio";
 	"flag";
 	"fmt";
@@ -15,44 +16,87 @@ import (
 	"log";
 	"net";
 	"os";
+	"parser";
 	"sort";
 	"tabwriter";
 	"template";
+	"time";
+	"token";
 	"regexp";
-
-	"ast";
 	"vector";
-	"utils";
-	"platform";
-	"compilation";
-	"parser";
+
+	"compilation";  // TODO removing this causes link errors - why?
 	"docprinter";
 )
 
 
+// TODO
+// - uniform use of path, filename, dirname, pakname, etc.
+
+
+func getenv(varname string) string {
+	value, err := os.Getenv(varname);
+	return value;
+}
+
+
 var (
+	GOROOT string;
+
+	// server control
 	verbose = flag.Bool("v", false, "verbose mode");
 	port = flag.String("port", "6060", "server port");
-	root = flag.String("root", Platform.GOROOT, "go root directory");
+	root = flag.String("root", getenv("GOROOT"), "go root directory");
 
 	// layout control
 	tabwidth = flag.Int("tabwidth", 4, "tab width");
 	usetabs = flag.Bool("usetabs", false, "align with tabs instead of blanks");
+
+	// html template
+	godoc_template = template.NewTemplateOrDie("godoc.html");
 )
 
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Support
 
-type dirArray []os.Dir
-func (p dirArray) Len() int            { return len(p); }
-func (p dirArray) Less(i, j int) bool  { return p[i].Name < p[j].Name; }
-func (p dirArray) Swap(i, j int)       { p[i], p[j] = p[j], p[i]; }
+func cleanPath(s string) string {
+	for i := 0; i < len(s); i++ {
+		if s[i] == '/' {
+			i++;
+			j := i;
+			for j < len(s) && s[j] == '/' {
+				j++;
+			}
+			if j > i {  // more then one '/'
+				return s[0 : i] + cleanPath(s[j : len(s)]);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return s;
+}
+
+
+// Reduce sequences of multiple '/'s into a single '/' and
+// strip any trailing '/' (may result in the empty string).
+func sanitizePath(s string) string {
+	s = cleanPath(s);
+	if s[len(s)-1] == '/' {  // strip trailing '/'
+		s = s[0 : len(s)-1];
+	}
+	return s;
+}
+
+
+func contains(s, sub string, pos int) bool {
+	end := pos + len(sub);
+	return pos >= 0 && end <= len(s) && s[pos : end] == sub;
+}
 
 
 func isGoFile(dir *os.Dir) bool {
 	const ext = ".go";
-	return dir.IsRegular() && Utils.Contains(dir.Name, ext, len(dir.Name) - len(ext));
+	return dir.IsRegular() && contains(dir.Name, ext, len(dir.Name) - len(ext));
 }
 
 
@@ -70,10 +114,77 @@ func makeTabwriter(writer io.Write) *tabwriter.Writer {
 }
 
 
+// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// Compilation
+
+type parseError struct {
+	pos token.Position;
+	msg string;
+}
+
+
+type errorList []parseError
+func (list errorList) Len() int { return len(list); }
+func (list errorList) Less(i, j int) bool { return list[i].pos.Offset < list[j].pos.Offset; }
+func (list errorList) Swap(i, j int) { list[i], list[j] = list[j], list[i]; }
+
+
+type errorHandler struct {
+	lastLine int;
+	errors *vector.Vector;
+}
+
+
+func (h *errorHandler) Error(pos token.Position, msg string) {
+	// only collect errors that are on a new line 
+	// in the hope to avoid most follow-up errors
+	if pos.Line != h.lastLine {
+		h.lastLine = pos.Line;
+		if h.errors == nil {
+			// lazy initialize - most of the time there are no errors
+			h.errors = vector.New(0);
+		}
+		h.errors.Push(parseError{pos, msg});
+	}
+}
+
+
+// Compiles a file (path) and returns the corresponding AST and
+// a sorted list (by file position) of errors, if any.
+//
+func compile(path string, mode uint) (*ast.Program, errorList) {
+	src, err := os.Open(path, os.O_RDONLY, 0);
+	defer src.Close();
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Stdoutf("%s: %v", path, err);
+		var noPos token.Position;
+		return nil, errorList{parseError{noPos, err.String()}};
+	}
+
+	var handler errorHandler;
+	prog, ok := parser.Parse(src, &handler, mode);
+	if !ok {
+		// convert error list and sort it
+		errors := make(errorList, handler.errors.Len());
+		for i := 0; i < handler.errors.Len(); i++ {
+			errors[i] = handler.errors.At(i).(parseError);
+		}
+		sort.Sort(errors);
+		return nil, errors;
+	}
+
+	return prog, nil;
+}
+
+
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Directories
 
-var dir_template = template.NewTemplateOrDie("dir_template.html");
+type dirArray []os.Dir
+func (p dirArray) Len() int            { return len(p); }
+func (p dirArray) Less(i, j int) bool  { return p[i].Name < p[j].Name; }
+func (p dirArray) Swap(i, j int)       { p[i], p[j] = p[j], p[i]; }
+
 
 func serveDir(c *http.Conn, dirname string) {
 	fd, err1 := os.Open(*root + dirname, os.O_RDONLY, 0);
@@ -98,28 +209,35 @@ func serveDir(c *http.Conn, dirname string) {
 	// Print contents in 3 sections: directories, go files, everything else
 
 	// TODO handle Apply errors
-	dir_template.Apply(c, "<!--", template.Substitution {
-		"PATH-->" : func() {
-			fmt.Fprintf(c, "%s", path);
+	godoc_template.Apply(c, "<!--", template.Substitution {
+		"TITLE-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, dirname);
 		},
 
-		"DIRECTORIES-->" : func() {
+		"HEADER-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, dirname);
+		},
+
+		"TIMESTAMP-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, time.UTC().String());
+		},
+
+		"CONTENTS-->" : func () {
+			fmt.Fprintln(c, "<h2>Directories</h2>");
 			for i, entry := range list {
 				if entry.IsDirectory() {
 					printLink(c, path, entry.Name);
 				}
 			}
-		},
 
-		"GO FILES-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprintln(c, "<h2>Go files</h2>");
 			for i, entry := range list {
 				if isGoFile(&entry) {
 					printLink(c, path, entry.Name);
 				}
 			}
-		},
 
-		"OTHER FILES-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprintln(c, "<h2>Other files</h2>");
 			for i, entry := range list {
 				if !entry.IsDirectory() && !isGoFile(&entry) {
 					fmt.Fprintf(c, "%s<br />\n", entry.Name);
@@ -133,37 +251,66 @@ func serveDir(c *http.Conn, dirname string) {
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // Files
 
-var error_template = template.NewTemplateOrDie("error_template.html");
+func printErrors(c *http.Conn, filename string, errors errorList) {
+	// open file
+	path := *root + filename;
+	fd, err1 := os.Open(path, os.O_RDONLY, 0);
+	defer fd.Close();
+	if err1 != nil {
+		// TODO better error handling
+		log.Stdoutf("%s: %v", path, err1);
+	}
 
-func printErrors(c *http.Conn, filename string, errors Compilation.ErrorList) {
-	// TODO factor code - shouldn't do this here and in Compilation
-	src, ok := Platform.ReadSourceFile(*root + filename);
+	// read source
+	var buf io.ByteBuffer;
+	n, err2 := io.Copy(fd, &buf);
+	if err2 != nil {
+		// TODO better error handling
+		log.Stdoutf("%s: %v", path, err2);
+	}
+	src := buf.Data();
 
 	// TODO handle Apply errors
-	error_template.Apply(c, "<!--", template.Substitution {
-		"FILE_NAME-->" : func() {
-			fmt.Fprintf(c, "%s", filename);
+	godoc_template.Apply(c, "<!--", template.Substitution {
+		"TITLE-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, filename);
 		},
 
-		"ERRORS-->" : func () {
-			if ok == false /* 6g bug139 */ {
-				fmt.Fprintf(c, "could not read file %s\n", *root + filename);
+		"HEADER-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, filename);
+		},
+
+		"TIMESTAMP-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, time.UTC().String());
+		},
+
+		"CONTENTS-->" : func () {
+			// section title
+			fmt.Fprintf(c, "<h1>Compilation errors in %s</h1>\n", filename);
+			
+			// handle read errors
+			if err1 != nil || err2 != nil /* 6g bug139 */ {
+				fmt.Fprintf(c, "could not read file %s\n", filename);
 				return;
 			}
+			
+			// write source with error messages interspersed
+			fmt.Fprintln(c, "<pre>");
 			offs := 0;
 			for i, e := range errors {
-				if 0 <= e.Pos.Offset && e.Pos.Offset <= len(src) {
+				if 0 <= e.pos.Offset && e.pos.Offset <= len(src) {
 					// TODO handle Write errors
-					c.Write(src[offs : e.Pos.Offset]);
+					c.Write(src[offs : e.pos.Offset]);
 					// TODO this should be done using a .css file
-					fmt.Fprintf(c, "<b><font color=red>%s >>></font></b>", e.Msg);
-					offs = e.Pos.Offset;
+					fmt.Fprintf(c, "<b><font color=red>%s >>></font></b>", e.msg);
+					offs = e.pos.Offset;
 				} else {
-					log.Stdoutf("error position %d out of bounds (len = %d)", e.Pos.Offset, len(src));
+					log.Stdoutf("error position %d out of bounds (len = %d)", e.pos.Offset, len(src));
 				}
 			}
 			// TODO handle Write errors
 			c.Write(src[offs : len(src)]);
+			fmt.Fprintln(c, "</pre>");
 		}
 	});
 }
@@ -173,14 +320,8 @@ func serveGoFile(c *http.Conn, dirname string, filenames []string) {
 	// compute documentation
 	var doc docPrinter.PackageDoc;
 	for i, filename := range filenames {
-		var flags Compilation.Flags;
-		prog, errors := Compilation.Compile(*root + "/" + dirname + "/" + filename, &flags);
-		if errors == nil {
-			c.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotFound);
-			fmt.Fprintf(c, "Error: could not read file (%s)\n", filename);
-			return;
-		}
-
+		path := *root + "/" + dirname + "/" + filename;
+		prog, errors := compile(path, parser.ParseComments);
 		if len(errors) > 0 {
 			c.SetHeader("content-type", "text/html; charset=utf-8");
 			printErrors(c, filename, errors);
@@ -196,10 +337,26 @@ func serveGoFile(c *http.Conn, dirname string, filenames []string) {
 
 	c.SetHeader("content-type", "text/html; charset=utf-8");
 	
-	// write documentation
-	writer := makeTabwriter(c);  // for nicely formatted output
-	doc.Print(writer);
-	writer.Flush();  // ignore errors
+	godoc_template.Apply(c, "<!--", template.Substitution {
+		"TITLE-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprintf(c, "%s - Go package documentation", doc.PackageName());
+		},
+
+		"HEADER-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprintf(c, "%s - Go package documentation", doc.PackageName());
+		},
+
+		"TIMESTAMP-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, time.UTC().String());
+		},
+
+		"CONTENTS-->" : func () {
+			// write documentation
+			writer := makeTabwriter(c);  // for nicely formatted output
+			doc.Print(writer);
+			writer.Flush();  // ignore errors
+		}
+	});
 }
 
 
@@ -245,30 +402,10 @@ var (
 )
 
 
-func getAST(dirname string, filename string, mode uint) *ast.Program {
-	// open file
-	fullname := *root + "/" + dirname + "/" + filename;
-	src, err := os.Open(fullname, os.O_RDONLY, 0);
-	defer src.Close();
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Stdoutf("%s: %v", fullname, err);
-		return nil;
-	}
-
-	// determine package name
-	prog, ok := parser.Parse(src, nil, mode);
-	if !ok {
-		log.Stdoutf("%s: compilation errors", fullname);
-		return nil;
-	}
-	
-	return prog;
-}
-
-
 func addFile(dirname string, filename string) {
 	// determine package name
-	prog := getAST(dirname, filename, parser.PackageClauseOnly);
+	path := *root + "/" + dirname + "/" + filename;
+	prog, errors := compile(path, parser.PackageClauseOnly);
 	if prog == nil {
 		return;
 	}
@@ -341,11 +478,13 @@ func makePackageMap() {
 		i++;
 	}
 	sort.Sort(pakList);
+
+	if *verbose {
+		log.Stdoutf("%d packages found under %s", i, *root);
+	}
 }
 
 
-var packages_template = template.NewTemplateOrDie("packages_template.html");
-
 func serveGoPackage(c *http.Conn, p *pakDesc) {
 	// make a filename list
 	list := make([]string, len(p.filenames));
@@ -360,8 +499,20 @@ func serveGoPackage(c *http.Conn, p *pakDesc) {
 
 
 func servePackageList(c *http.Conn, list *vector.Vector) {
-	packages_template.Apply(c, "<!--", template.Substitution {
-		"PACKAGE_LIST-->" : func() {
+	godoc_template.Apply(c, "<!--", template.Substitution {
+		"TITLE-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, "Packages");
+		},
+
+		"HEADER-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, "Packages");
+		},
+
+		"TIMESTAMP-->" : func() {
+			fmt.Fprint(c, time.UTC().String());
+		},
+
+		"CONTENTS-->" : func () {
 			// TODO should do this under a lock, eventually
 			for i := 0; i < list.Len(); i++ {
 				p := list.At(i).(*pakDesc);
@@ -405,7 +556,7 @@ func serve(c *http.Conn, req *http.Request) {
 		log.Stdoutf("%s\t%s", req.Host, req.RawUrl);
 	}
 
-	path := Utils.SanitizePath(req.Url.Path);
+	path := sanitizePath(req.Url.Path);
 
 	if len(req.Url.Query) > 0 {  // for now any query will do
 		servePackage(c, path);
@@ -418,7 +569,7 @@ func serve(c *http.Conn, req *http.Request) {
 func main() {
 	flag.Parse();
 
-	*root = Utils.SanitizePath(*root);
+	*root = sanitizePath(*root);
 	{	dir, err := os.Stat(*root);
 		if err != nil || !dir.IsDirectory() {
 			log.Exitf("root not found or not a directory: %s", *root);
diff --git a/usr/gri/pretty/packages_template.html b/usr/gri/pretty/packages_template.html
deleted file mode 100644
index 552ce6220e..0000000000
--- a/usr/gri/pretty/packages_template.html
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-
-<font color=red>THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION</font>
-
-<h1>Packages</h1>
-
-<!--PACKAGE_LIST-->
-
-</div>  <!-- content -->
-</body>
-</html>
diff --git a/usr/gri/pretty/template.html b/usr/gri/pretty/template.html
deleted file mode 100644
index ab415c9272..0000000000
--- a/usr/gri/pretty/template.html
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,18 +0,0 @@
-
-<font color=red>THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION</font>
-
-<h1>package <!--PACKAGE_NAME--></h1>
-
-<!--PROGRAM_HEADER-->
-
-<!--CONSTANTS-->
-
-<!--TYPES-->
-
-<!--VARIABLES-->
-
-<!--FUNCTIONS-->
-
-</div>  <!-- content -->
-</body>
-</html>