diff --git a/2018/algmyr/.gitignore b/2018/algmyr/.gitignore
index 818b89eca..f4ce4bc96 100644
--- a/2018/algmyr/.gitignore
+++ b/2018/algmyr/.gitignore
@@ -9,3 +9,4 @@ prog
 prog.alt
 prog.orig
 spectrogram.png
+*.wav
diff --git a/2018/algmyr/Makefile b/2018/algmyr/Makefile
index 595e9f9ca..377979c86 100644
--- a/2018/algmyr/Makefile
+++ b/2018/algmyr/Makefile
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ clean:
 
 clobber: clean
 	${RM} -f ${TARGET} ${ALT_TARGET}
-	${RM} -rf *.dSYM
+	${RM} -rf *.dSYM *.wav
 	${RM} -f out.raw
 	@-if [ -e sandwich ]; then \
 	    ${RM} -f sandwich; \
diff --git a/2018/algmyr/README.md b/2018/algmyr/README.md
index b6f28a285..f07a1b6a9 100644
--- a/2018/algmyr/README.md
+++ b/2018/algmyr/README.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ make
 
 To use this entry requires, in some invocations, a sound processing program.
 This can be ALSA or SoX but we recommend the latter. See [FAQ 3.10 - How do I
-compile and use an IOCCC winner that requires sound?](/faq.md#faq3_10).
+compile and use an IOCCC winner that requires sound?](/faq.md#sox).
 
 
 ### Bugs and (Mis)features:
@@ -23,9 +23,9 @@ For more detailed information see [2018 algmyr in bugs.md](/bugs.md#2018-algmyr)
 ## To use:
 
 ```sh
-cat prog.c | ./prog           # Print garbage: might mess up your terminal
+./prog < prog.c			# Print garbage: might mess up your terminal
 ./prog <file1> <file2> > out.raw
-./prog -d 2 0 out.raw         # Decode the first (0th) channel out of two
+./prog -d 2 0 out.raw		# Decode the first (0th) channel out of two
 ```
 
 
diff --git a/2018/algmyr/try.sh b/2018/algmyr/try.sh
index 4c0f8045a..1c22a0125 100755
--- a/2018/algmyr/try.sh
+++ b/2018/algmyr/try.sh
@@ -15,46 +15,60 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-echo "$ ./prog -h | ./prog -d 1 0" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog -h | ./prog -d 1 0: "
+echo 1>&2
 ./prog -h | ./prog -d 1 0
 echo 1>&2
 
 # Who needs cat? Answer: more people than you think.
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog prog.c | ./prog -d 1 0 (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog prog.c | ./prog -d 1 0 | less -EXF
+./prog prog.c | ./prog -d 1 0 | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
 APLAY="$(type -P aplay)"
 SOX="$(type -P sox)"
 
 if [[ -z "$SOX" && -z "$APLAY" ]]; then
-    echo "Missing both sox and aplay, cannot do this step."
+    echo "Missing both sox and aplay, cannot do this step." 1>&2
+    echo "NOTE: see https://github.com/ioccc-src/temp-test-ioccc/blob/master/faq.md#sox." 1>&2
 elif [[ -n "$SOX" ]]; then
-echo "$ echo -n ' MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN ' | ./prog | \
-sox -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 \
+    echo "$ echo -n ' MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN ' | ./prog | \
+$SOX -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 \
 - -n spectrogram -d 10 -X 300" 1>&2
     echo -n ' MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN ' | ./prog |\
-	sox -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 - -n spectrogram -d 10 -X 300
+	$SOX -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 - -n spectrogram -d 10 -X 300
 
     echo "Now open spectrogram.png in an image viewer or editor." 1>&2
+    echo 1>&2
     read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
     echo 1>&2
-    echo "$ echo "IOCCC 2018" | ./prog | sox -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 - ioccc.wav"
-    echo "IOCCC 2018" | ./prog | sox -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 - ioccc.wav
+    echo "$ echo \"IOCCC 2018\" | ./prog | $SOX -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 - ioccc.wav"
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    echo "IOCCC 2018" | ./prog | "$SOX" -t raw -c 1 -r 44100 -L -e floating-point -b 32 - ioccc.wav
     echo "Now listen to ioccc.wav." 1>&2
-
 else
-echo '<<<<<<  /\_/\_/\  _-_-_-_  !!!!!  :.:.:.:  >>>>>> ****** ~~~~~~~' |
-./prog | aplay -c1 -fFLOAT_LE -r44100
-    echo '<<<<<<  /\_/\_/\  _-_-_-_  !!!!!  :.:.:.:  >>>>>> ****** ~~~~~~~' |
-	./prog | aplay -c1 -fFLOAT_LE -r44100
+    echo "$ echo \"<<<<<<  /\_/\_/\  _-_-_-_  !!!!!  :.:.:.:  >>>>>> ****** ~~~~~~~\" |
+./prog | $APLAY -c1 -fFLOAT_LE -r44100" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    echo "<<<<<<  /\_/\_/\  _-_-_-_  !!!!!  :.:.:.:  >>>>>> ****** ~~~~~~~" | ./prog | "$APLAY" -c1 -fFLOAT_LE -r44100
 
-echo "Now open spectrogram.png in an image viewer or editor." 1>&2
+    echo "Now open spectrogram.png in an image viewer or editor." 1>&2
 fi
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ echo "IOCCC 2018!" | ./prog | ./prog -d 1 0" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: echo \"IOCCC 2018!\" | ./prog | ./prog -d 1 0: "
+echo 1>&2
 echo "IOCCC 2018!" | ./prog | ./prog -d 1 0
 
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog README.md prog.c > out.raw: "
+echo 1>&2
+./prog README.md prog.c > out.raw
+echo 1>&2
 
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog -d 2 0 out.raw (space = next page, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+./prog -d 2 0 out.raw | less -rEXFK
+echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2018/anderson/try.alt.sh b/2018/anderson/try.alt.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..fe8ffc32b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2018/anderson/try.alt.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# try.sh - demonstrate IOCCC winner 2018/anderson alt code
+#
+
+# make sure CC is set so that when we do make CC="$CC" it isn't empty. Doing it
+# this way allows us to have the user specify a different compiler in an easy
+# way.
+if [[ -z "$CC" ]]; then
+    CC="cc"
+fi
+
+make CC="$CC" alt >/dev/null || exit 1
+
+# clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
+clear
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt < prog.alt.c: "
+echo 1>&2
+./prog.alt < prog.alt.c
+echo 1>&2
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt < prog.c: "
+echo 1>&2
+./prog.alt < prog.c
+echo 1>&2
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt < README.md (space = next page, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+./prog.alt < README.md | less -rEXFK
+echo 1>&2
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt < Makefile (space = next page, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+./prog.alt < Makefile | less -rEXFK
diff --git a/2018/anderson/try.sh b/2018/anderson/try.sh
index 18cdfae8a..37d9f7446 100755
--- a/2018/anderson/try.sh
+++ b/2018/anderson/try.sh
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@ echo 1>&2
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog < README.md (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog < README.md | less -EXF
+./prog < README.md | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog < Makefile (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog < Makefile | less -EXF
+./prog < Makefile | less -rEXFK
diff --git a/2018/bellard/README.md b/2018/bellard/README.md
index 2aa24d3c9..cf6dccd09 100644
--- a/2018/bellard/README.md
+++ b/2018/bellard/README.md
@@ -17,18 +17,20 @@ code](#alternate-code) below.
 
 ## Try:
 
-```sh
-eog lena.ppm # On Linux
-open -a Preview lena.ppm # On macOS
+First open [Lenna.png](Lenna.png) in your graphics viewer of choice. Next, after
+running the above command (`./prog > lena.ppm`), open `lena.ppm` in your
+graphics viewer of choice.  After that try:
 
-pngtopam < Lenna.png | pnmscale 0.25 | cjpeg -arithmetic -dct float -quality 14 > small.jpg
+```sh
+./try.sh
 ```
 
-NOTE: `pngtopam(1)` (or `pngtopnm(1)` for older versions) and `pnmscale` come from
-the netpbm project and `cjpeg(1)` comes from `libjpeg-turbo`. If you don't have
-these tools already see [FAQ 3.15 - How do I compile and install netpbm for
-entries that require it?](/faq.md#netpbm) and [FAQ 3.16 - How do I compile and
-install libjpeg-turbo for entries that require it?](/faq.md#libjpeg).
+NOTE: the script uses the tools `pngtopam(1)` (or `pngtopnm(1)` for older
+versions) and `pnmscale` come from the netpbm project and `cjpeg(1)` comes from
+`libjpeg-turbo`. If you don't have these tools already see [FAQ 3.15 - How do I
+compile and install netpbm for entries that require it?](/faq.md#netpbm) and
+[FAQ 3.16 - How do I compile and install libjpeg-turbo for entries that require
+it?](/faq.md#libjpeg).
 
 NOTE: [Lenna.png](Lenna.png) is from
 <https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7d/Lenna_%28test_image%29.png>.
diff --git a/2018/bellard/try.sh b/2018/bellard/try.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..1cf92002f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2018/bellard/try.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# try.sh - demonstrate IOCCC winner 2018/bellard
+#
+
+# make sure CC is set so that when we do make CC="$CC" it isn't empty. Doing it
+# this way allows us to have the user specify a different compiler in an easy
+# way.
+[[ -z "$CC" ]] && CC="cc"
+
+make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
+
+# clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
+clear
+
+# find out if we have necessary tools
+PNGTOPAM="$(type -P pngtopam)"
+PNMSCALE="$(type -P pnmscale)"
+PNGTOPNM="$(type -P pngtopnm)"
+CJPEG="$(type -P cjpeg)"
+
+rm -f small.jpg
+
+if [[ -n "$PNGTOPAM" && -n "$PNMSCALE" && -n "$CJPEG" ]]; then
+    echo "$ $PNGTOPAM < Lenna.png | $PNMSCALE 0.25 | $CJPEG -arithmetic -dct float -quality 14 > small.jpg" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    "$PNGTOPAM" < Lenna.png | "$PNMSCALE" 0.25 | "$CJPEG" -arithmetic -dct float -quality 14 > small.jpg
+    if [[ -f small.jpg ]]; then
+	echo "Now open small.jpg in your graphics viewer of choice." 1>&2
+    fi
+elif [[ -n "$PNGTOPNM" && -n "$PNMSCALE" && -n "$CJPEG" ]]; then
+    echo "$ $PNGTOPNM < Lenna.png | $PNMSCALE 0.25 | $CJPEG -arithmetic -dct float -quality 14 > small.jpg" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    "$PNGTOPNM" < Lenna.png | "$PNMSCALE" 0.25 | "$CJPEG" -arithmetic -dct float -quality 14 > small.jpg
+    if [[ -f small.jpg ]]; then
+	echo "Now open small.jpg in your graphics viewer of choice." 1>&2
+    fi
+else
+    if [[ -z "$PNGTOPAM" || -z "$PNGTOPNM" || "$PNMSCALE" ]]; then
+	echo "Cannot find pngtopam(1) or pnmscale(1). Try installing netpbm first." 1>&2
+	echo "See https://github.com/ioccc-src/temp-test-ioccc/blob/master/faq.md#netpbm" 1>&2
+	echo 1>&2
+    fi
+    if [[ -z "$CJPEG" ]]; then
+	echo "Cannot find cjpeg. Try installing libjpeg-turbo." 1>&2
+	echo "See https://github.com/ioccc-src/temp-test-ioccc/blob/master/faq.md#libjpeg." 1>&2
+	echo 1>&2
+fi
diff --git a/2018/burton1/try.sh b/2018/burton1/try.sh
index 6deb1b5cb..a016dc50e 100755
--- a/2018/burton1/try.sh
+++ b/2018/burton1/try.sh
@@ -13,27 +13,27 @@ fi
 make CC="$CC" everything >/dev/null || exit 1
 
 for i in prog scripthd.sh; do
-    echo "$ ./$i < prog.c" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./$i < prog.c: "
+    echo 1>&2
     ./"$i" < prog.c
     echo 1>&2
 
     read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./$i < prog (space = next page, q = quit): "
     echo 1>&2
-    ./"$i" < prog | less -EXF
+    ./"$i" < prog | less -rEXFK
     echo 1>&2
 
     read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./$i < scripthd.sh (space = next page, q = quit): "
     echo 1>&2
-    ./"$i" < scripthd.sh | less -EXF
+    ./"$i" < scripthd.sh | less -rEXFK
     echo 1>&2
 
-
     read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: head $0 | ./$i: "
     echo 1>&2
     head "$0" | ./"$i"
     echo 1>&2
 
-    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: tail -n 15 Makefile | ./$i: "
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: tail -n 15 Makefile | ./$i (space = next page, q = quit): "
     echo 1>&2
-    tail -n 15 Makefile | ./"$i"
+    tail -n 15 Makefile | ./"$i" | less -rEXFK
 done
diff --git a/2018/burton2/try.sh b/2018/burton2/try.sh
index f69d7001b..9b2f7cea6 100755
--- a/2018/burton2/try.sh
+++ b/2018/burton2/try.sh
@@ -16,15 +16,21 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 clear
 
 
-echo "$ ./prog -i < prog.c" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog -i < prog.c: "
+echo 1>&2
 ./prog -i < prog.c
+echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ ./prog -s < prog.c" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog -s < prog.c: "
+echo 1>&2
 ./prog -s < prog.c
+echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ ./prog -sk < prog.c" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog -sk < prog.c: "
+echo 1>&2
 ./prog -sk < prog.c
+echo 1>&2
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make test (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-make test | less -EXF
+make test | less -rEXFK
diff --git a/2018/endoh1/try.sh b/2018/endoh1/try.sh
index 6e6a8839f..ad654fbf8 100755
--- a/2018/endoh1/try.sh
+++ b/2018/endoh1/try.sh
@@ -17,27 +17,27 @@ clear
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show prog.c (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-less -EXF prog.c
+less -rEXFK prog.c
 echo "$ ./prog < prog.c > prog.gif" 1>&2
 ./prog < prog.c > prog.gif
 echo 1>&2
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show golem.txt (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-less -EXF golem.txt
+less -rEXFK golem.txt
 echo "$ ./prog < golem.txt > golem.gif" 1>&2
 ./prog < golem.txt > golem.gif
 echo 1>&2
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show smily.txt (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-less -EXF smily.txt
+less -rEXFK smily.txt
 echo "$ ./prog < smily.txt > smily.gif" 1>&2
 ./prog < smily.txt > smily.gif
 echo 1>&2
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show invisible.txt (space = next page, q = quit): "
-less -EXF invisible.txt
+less -rEXFK invisible.txt
 echo "$ ./prog < invisible.txt > invisible.gif" 1>&2
 ./prog < invisible.txt > invisible.gif
 echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2018/endoh2/try.sh b/2018/endoh2/try.sh
index cd96419d5..e411196dd 100755
--- a/2018/endoh2/try.sh
+++ b/2018/endoh2/try.sh
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (ctrl-c/intr = skip to next early, runs 20 seconds): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (ctrl-c/intr = skip to next step early, runs 20 seconds): "
 echo 1>&2
 ./run.sh
 echo 1>&2
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run a few times (ctrl-c/intr exits script): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run a few times: "
 echo 1>&2
 ./prog | tee prog_next.c
 make prog_next
@@ -28,12 +28,12 @@ make prog_next
 make prog_next
 ./prog_next | tee prog_next.c
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to sleep 1 sec between runs (intr/ctrl-c to exit): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to sleep 1 sec between runs (intr/ctrl-c to stop): "
 echo 1>&2
 ./python.sh
 echo 1>&2
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key run without sleeping (intr/ctrl-c to exit): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key run without sleeping (intr/ctrl-c to stop): "
 echo 1>&2
 ./python3.sh
 
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/Makefile b/2018/ferguson/Makefile
index bd100fedc..694e87d91 100644
--- a/2018/ferguson/Makefile
+++ b/2018/ferguson/Makefile
@@ -55,9 +55,26 @@ CSTD= -std=gnu17
 #
 ARCH=
 
+# Variables to help simplify configuring the build
+#
+
+# Maximum size of the target string defaults at 38. See README.md for why this
+# is.
+#
+MAX_SIZE= 38
+
+# Number of offspring per generation defaults at 25.
+#
+OFFSPRING= 25
+
+# Max attempts defaults at SIZE_MAX - 1 but one can change it to see what
+# happens when the maximum is reached.
+MAX_ATTEMPTS= SIZE_MAX-1
+
 # Defines that are needed to compile
 #
-CDEFINE= -DQ='typedef' -D'g(o)'='goto o;' -D'w(x)'="x:" -D'H(main)'='r(main)'
+CDEFINE= -DQ='typedef' -D'g(o)'='goto o;' -D'w(x)'="x:" -D'H(main)'='r(main)' -DM=${MAX_ATTEMPTS} \
+	-DS=${MAX_SIZE} -DN=${OFFSPRING}
 
 # Include files that are needed to compile
 #
@@ -135,7 +152,7 @@ weasel: ${PROG}
 	${CP} -f $< $@
 
 test: ${PROG} test.sh
-	./test.sh
+	@./test.sh
 
 # alternative executable
 #
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/README.md b/2018/ferguson/README.md
index f848705e8..aa1f73c44 100644
--- a/2018/ferguson/README.md
+++ b/2018/ferguson/README.md
@@ -19,8 +19,24 @@ monkey Eric. See [Alternate code](#alternate-code) below.
 
 ```sh
 ./try.sh
+
+# For those who believe in '"intelligent" design' or want to see how easy it is
+# to prove evolution is a proven fact:
+./id.sh
+
+# For those who want to see if Eric the monkey can type the word 'words' before
+# falling asleep or giving up:
+./monkey-words.sh
 ```
 
+NOTE: the [try.sh](try.sh) script will run the other two scripts but if the
+first one, [id.sh](id.sh) is terminated early in the try script, the second one,
+[monkey-words.sh](monkey-words.sh) will not be run.
+
+You can reconfigure certain values. These are described by the author in more
+detail in the [S, M and N Constants](#constants) section. The script above will
+make use of some of these.
+
 
 ## Alternate code:
 
@@ -45,8 +61,33 @@ Use `weasel.alt` as you would `weasel` above.
 
 ```sh
 ./try.alt.sh
+
+# For those who believe in '"intelligent" design' or want to see how easy it is
+# to prove evolution is a proven fact:
+./id.alt.sh
+
+# For those who want to see if Eric the monkey can type the word 'words' before
+# falling asleep or giving up:
+./monkey-words.alt.sh
 ```
 
+NOTE: the [try.alt.sh](try.alt.sh) script will run the other two scripts but if the
+first one, [id.alt.sh](id.alt.sh) is terminated early in the try script, the second one,
+[monkey-words.alt.sh](monkey-words.alt.sh) will not be run.
+
+You can reconfigure certain values. These are described by the author in more
+detail in the [S, M and N Constants](#constants) section. The script above will
+make use of some of these.
+
+
+```sh
+./try.alt.sh
+```
+
+You can reconfigure certain values. These are described by the author in more
+detail in the [S, M and N Constants](#constants) section. The script above will
+make use of some of these.
+
 
 ## Judges' remarks:
 
@@ -131,9 +172,10 @@ don't need this unless there is something specific you're after.
 **[Obfuscation](#obfuscation):** Some of the techniques that might not be used.
 
 **[How to build](#build):** Here I describe briefly
-[the constants that can be redefined](#constants) `S` and `N`: the
+[the constants that can be redefined](#constants) `S`, `M` and `N`: the
 maximum size of the chromosome (target string; the maximum length is `S - 1`
-but it must be >= the default 38) and the number of offspring, respectively. I
+but it must be >= the default 38), the number of maximum attempts before giving
+up and the number of offspring, respectively. I
 also give [example compiler invocations](#compiling), [portability
 notes](#portability), an [more portability notes](#bugs) and a [note on
 rpm.md](#rpm).
@@ -865,21 +907,24 @@ be made clear in the comments! :)*
 
 ## **5. <a name="build">How to build</a>**
 
-### <a name="constants">S and N Constants</a>
+### <a name="constants">S, M and N Constants</a>
 
 Skip to [Compilation](#compiling).
 
-These two `#define`d constants can be redefined at compilation to modify the
+There are three `#define`d constants that can be redefined at compilation to modify the
 behaviour of the program in a number of ways (see the
 **[Compilation](#compiling)** subsection for example invocations). Both are
-capped to be no greater than `SIZE_MAX - 1`. This is handled by the C
-preprocessor.
+capped to be no greater than `SIZE_MAX - 1` or whatever `M` (which can't be
+lower than 100) is set to (maximum attempts before giving up). This is handled
+by the C preprocessor.
 
-`S`
 
-This determines the maximum size of the target string but it **must be at least
-38**; this is because `38 >= 29` and because `strlen("METHINKS IT IS LIKE
-A WEASEL") == 28` (which is the default target string - it would hardly be an
+* `S`
+
+The macro `S` (or `MAX_SIZE` in the Makefile) is the maximum size of the target
+string but it **must be at least 38** (which is protected against in the code);
+this is because `38 >= 29` and because `strlen("METHINKS IT IS LIKE A WEASEL")
+== 28` (which is the default target string - it would hardly be an
 implementation of the Weasel program otherwise).
 
 There is obviously a reason `38` is the chosen size but the only hints I
@@ -888,14 +933,43 @@ referenced there (it's *not the only Easter egg* but it's the only Easter egg I
 won't spoil; yes this ironically and amusingly means I've left a rotten egg
 somewhere!).
 
-`N`
+The Makefile simplifies how to reconfigure this value with the variable
+`MAX_SIZE`:
 
-This is the number of offspring per generation. Anything less than 4 will be set
-to 3 (that's not a typo!) and this is part of an Easter egg.
+```sh
+make clobber MAX_SIZE=55 all
+```
+
+The next macro that can be reconfigured, `M` (or `MAX_ATTEMPTS` in the
+Makefile), is the maximum attempts before giving up. This was added as another
+feature in 2024 but it was not made an alt version because there already is an
+alt version. This macro allows for seeing what happens when reaching the maximum
+number attempts without waiting for a very long time.
+
+The Makefile simplifies how to reconfigure this value with the variable
+`MAX_ATTEMPTS`:
+
+```sh
+make clobber MAX_ATTEMPTS=100 all
+```
+
+The final macro, `N` (or `OFFSPRING` in the Makefile), is the number of offspring
+per generation.
+
+Anything less than 4 will be set to 3 (that's not a typo!) and this is part of
+an Easter egg.
+
+Be aware that depending on the size of `S` (`MAX_SIZE`) and `N` (`OFFSPRING`)
+both individually and together the program will use varying amounts of memory
+and the larger the values the more memory it'll require.
+
+The Makefile simplifies how to reconfigure this value with the variable
+`OFFSPRING`:
+
+```sh
+make clobber OFFSPRING=55 all
+```
 
-Be aware that depending on the size of `S` and `N` (individually and
-together) the program will use varying amounts of memory and the larger the
-values the more memory it'll require.
 
 ### <a name="compiling">Compilation</a>
 
@@ -907,23 +981,33 @@ The following options **must always be passed to the compiler:**
 -DQ='typedef' -D'g(o)'='goto o;' -D'w(x)'="x:" -D'H(main)'='r(main)'
 ```
 
-If you want to increase the number of offspring to `50` and the size of the
-chromosome to `75` you would pass to the compiler:
+which running `make` will always do.
+
+
+If you want to increase the number of offspring to `50` (`N`) and the size of the
+chromosome to `75` (`S`) you would do:
 
 ```sh
--DQ='typedef' -D'g(o)'='goto o;' -D'w(x)'="x:" -D'H(main)'='r(main)' -DN=50 -DS=75
+make clobber OFFSPRING=50 MAX_SIZE=75 everything
 ```
 
 If you wanted to change `N` to `3`:
 
 ```sh
--DQ='typedef' -D'g(o)'='goto o;' -D'w(x)'="x:" -D'H(main)'='r(main)' -DN=3
+make clobber OFFSPRING=3 everything
 ```
 
 Remember that it cannot be less than `3`; *more correctly if it's less than
-4 it's redefined to 3* so you could have passed in `-DN=2` and have the same
-result. Remember too that `S` cannot be less than `38`. Both `S` and
-`N` are capped at `SIZE_MAX - 1`.
+4 it's redefined to 3* so you could have passed in `-DN=2` (or `MAX_SIZE=2`) and have the same
+result. Remember too that `S` (`MAX_SIZE`) cannot be less than `38`. Both `S` and
+`N` are capped at `SIZE_MAX - 1` or whatever `M` (`MAX_ATTEMPTS`) is set to.
+
+If you wanted to change the maximum number attempts to 100 you could do:
+
+```sh
+make clobber MAX_ATTEMPTS=100 everything
+```
+
 
 ### <a name="portability">Portability</a>
 
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/id.alt.sh b/2018/ferguson/id.alt.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..b4d4e25c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2018/ferguson/id.alt.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# id.alt.sh - determine exactly how real '"intelligent" design' is with alt code
+#
+
+# limit to 250000 attempts to save them time if they really wish to try and
+# prove that '"intelligent" design' is real (or more correctly so that they
+# might last long enough in the try scripts to move on to the next step)
+make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=250000 everything >/dev/null || exit 1
+
+read -r -p "Do you wish to try and prove '\"intelligent\" design' (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" = "Y" || "$REPLY" = "y" ]]; then
+    echo "$ ./weasel.alt -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'" 1>&2
+    echo "Limiting to 250000 attempts to save you time." 1>&2
+    echo 1>&2
+    echo "Press any key to continue. Send ctrl-c when convinced that intelligent" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "design is not real or you're tired of waiting: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    ./weasel.alt -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'
+    echo 1>&2
+    exit 1
+else
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: time ./weasel.alt -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT': "
+    echo 1>&2
+    time ./weasel.alt -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT'
+    exit 0
+fi
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/id.sh b/2018/ferguson/id.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..f0eb90e3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2018/ferguson/id.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# id.sh - determine exactly how real '"intelligent" design' is
+#
+
+# limit to 250000 attempts to save them time if they really wish to try and
+# prove that '"intelligent" design' is real (or more correctly so that they
+# might last long enough in the try scripts to move on to the next step)
+make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=250000 everything >/dev/null || exit 1
+
+read -r -p "Do you wish to try and prove '\"intelligent\" design' (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" = "Y" || "$REPLY" = "y" ]]; then
+    echo "$ ./weasel -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'" 1>&2
+    echo "Limiting to 250000 attempts to save you time." 1>&2
+    echo "Press any key to continue. Send ctrl-c when convinced that intelligent" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "design is not real or you're tired of waiting: "
+    ./weasel -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'
+    echo 1>&2
+    exit 1
+else
+    echo "$ ./weasel -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT'" 1>&2
+    time ./weasel -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT'
+    exit 0
+fi
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/monkey-words.alt.sh b/2018/ferguson/monkey-words.alt.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..53bc3222e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2018/ferguson/monkey-words.alt.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# monkey-words.sh - try and get Eric the monkey to type 'words'.
+#
+echo 1>&2
+make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=SIZE_MAX-1 >/dev/null || exit 1
+echo 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Do you want to see how long it might take the monkey Eric to type 'words'? (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" == "Y" || "$REPLY" == "y" ]]; then
+    echo 1>&2
+    echo "Will let Eric try until he succeeds, gives up or he falls asleep." 1>&2
+    echo "Hit ctrl-c/intr to let him nap early." 1>&2
+    echo 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    time ./weasel -m words
+fi
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/monkey-words.sh b/2018/ferguson/monkey-words.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..53bc3222e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2018/ferguson/monkey-words.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# monkey-words.sh - try and get Eric the monkey to type 'words'.
+#
+echo 1>&2
+make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=SIZE_MAX-1 >/dev/null || exit 1
+echo 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Do you want to see how long it might take the monkey Eric to type 'words'? (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" == "Y" || "$REPLY" == "y" ]]; then
+    echo 1>&2
+    echo "Will let Eric try until he succeeds, gives up or he falls asleep." 1>&2
+    echo "Hit ctrl-c/intr to let him nap early." 1>&2
+    echo 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    time ./weasel -m words
+fi
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/prog.alt.c b/2018/ferguson/prog.alt.c
index 6c80797e3..8f99f09ae 100644
--- a/2018/ferguson/prog.alt.c
+++ b/2018/ferguson/prog.alt.c
@@ -7,7 +7,12 @@
     Q unsigned d; Q char E; Q int k;
     Q long u; Q size_t t; Q const char U;
     #define L toupper
+    #ifndef M
     #define M SIZE_MAX-1
+    #elif M < 100
+    #undef M
+    #define M SIZE_MAX-1
+    #endif
     #ifndef S
     #define S 38
     #elif S < 38
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/prog.c b/2018/ferguson/prog.c
index 18de651dd..5e64cf10b 100644
--- a/2018/ferguson/prog.c
+++ b/2018/ferguson/prog.c
@@ -7,7 +7,12 @@
     Q unsigned d; Q char E; Q int k;
     Q long u; Q size_t t; Q const char U;
     #define L toupper
+    #ifndef M
     #define M SIZE_MAX-1
+    #elif M < 100
+    #undef M
+    #define M SIZE_MAX-1
+    #endif
     #ifndef S
     #define S 38
     #elif S < 38
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/test-strings.txt b/2018/ferguson/test-strings.txt
index 6a1c48a5f..181132d3f 100644
--- a/2018/ferguson/test-strings.txt
+++ b/2018/ferguson/test-strings.txt
@@ -13,5 +13,5 @@ STOP MONKEYING ABOUT!
 WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M A MONKEY?!
 PROBLEM BETWEEN KEYBOARD AND CHAIR
 MY PRECIOUS. YES, MY PRECIOUS.
-MY PRECIOUS! O MY PRECIOUS!
+MY PRECIOUS! O MY PRECIOUS! PRECIOUS
 IOCCC BEST USE OF WEASEL WORDS
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/test.sh b/2018/ferguson/test.sh
index 77c62b13f..431332cbe 100755
--- a/2018/ferguson/test.sh
+++ b/2018/ferguson/test.sh
@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# test.sh - make test script for IOCCC winner 2018/ferguson
 
 # Make sure the program has been compiled
 make everything 1> /dev/null|| exit 1
 
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run tests (space = next page, G = end, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+
 while read -r f; do
-    ./weasel "$@" "${f}" # full line because of quotes
-    # NOTE: ./weasel $* $f would just be the final word
-    sleep 2
+    # NOTE: ./weasel $* $f would just be the final word. We quote it for the
+    # full line:
+    ./weasel "$@" "${f}" | less -rEXFK
 done < test-strings.txt || exit 1
+
 echo "All done. Goodbye, you old monkeying weasel!"
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/try.alt.sh b/2018/ferguson/try.alt.sh
index 83713b706..54dcfa152 100755
--- a/2018/ferguson/try.alt.sh
+++ b/2018/ferguson/try.alt.sh
@@ -10,43 +10,54 @@ if [[ -z "$CC" ]]; then
     CC="cc"
 fi
 
-make CC="$CC" alt >/dev/null || exit 1
+make CC="$CC" everything >/dev/null || exit 1
 
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./weasel.alt words (space = next page, q = quit): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./weasel.alt words (space = next page, q = quit, G = end): "
 echo 1>&2
-time ./weasel.alt words | less -EXF
+time ./weasel.alt words | less -rEXFK
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to see how long it'll take Eric the monkey to type his name: "
 echo 1>&2
 time ./weasel.alt -mq Eric
 echo 1>&2
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make test: "
+read -r -p "Do you want to run make test (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" = "Y" || "$REPLY" = "y" ]]; then
+    make test
+fi
+
+read -r  -p "Do you wish to see the undocumented Easter egg (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" = "Y" || "$REPLY" = "y" ]]; then
+    make -B OFFSPRING=97 everything 1>/dev/null || exit 1
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show Easter egg (./weasel.alt): "
+    echo 1>&2
+    ./weasel.alt
+    echo 1>&2
+fi
+
 echo 1>&2
-make test
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to change max attempts to 100: "
+echo 1>&2
+echo "$ make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=100 everything >/dev/null || exit 1" 1>&2
+echo 1>&2
+make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=100 everything >/dev/null || exit 1
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to see what happens when the maximum attempts are reached: "
+echo 1>&2
+./weasel.alt -m 'Eric the Monkey'
 
-read -r -p "Do you wish to try and prove 'intelligent design' (Y/N)? "
-if [[ "$REPLY" == "Y" || "$REPLY" == "y" ]]; then
-    echo "$ ./weasel.alt -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'" 1>&2
-    echo "Press any key to continue. Send ctrl-c when convinced that intelligent" 1>&2
-    read -r -n 1 -p "design is not real or you're tired of waiting: "
-    echo 1>&2
-    time ./weasel.alt -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'
-    echo 1>&2
-else
-    echo "$ ./weasel.alt -q -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT'" 1>&2
-    time ./weasel.alt -q -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT'
-fi
+# recompile with default max attempts for the next steps
+make -B everything >/dev/null || exit 1
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Do you want to see how long it might take the monkey Eric to type 'words'? (Y/N)? "
-if [[ "$REPLY" == "Y" || "$REPLY" == "y" ]]; then
-    echo 1>&2
-    echo "Will not display until Eric succeeds or too many generations. Hit ctrl-c" 1>&2
-    echo "to stop him early." 1>&2
-    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
-    echo 1>&2
-    time ./weasel.alt -mq words
-fi
+# obviously '"intelligent" design' is false but who wants to try and prove
+# otherwise? Or if they know better how long will it take to show that evolution
+# is a proven fact?
+./id.alt.sh
+
+# If the user did not try and prove '"intelligent" design' or they waited a
+# long time (though saving them some time by limiting it to 900000 attempts) I
+# ask: can Eric the monkey type the word 'words' before falling asleep or
+# getting too hungry to continue?
+./monkey-words.alt.sh
diff --git a/2018/ferguson/try.sh b/2018/ferguson/try.sh
index 9552e1e21..831b9fb8c 100755
--- a/2018/ferguson/try.sh
+++ b/2018/ferguson/try.sh
@@ -15,38 +15,49 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./weasel words (space = next page, q = quit): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./weasel words (space = next page, q = quit, G = end): "
 echo 1>&2
-time ./weasel words | less -EXF
+time ./weasel words | less -rEXFK
 
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to see how long it'll take Eric the monkey to type his name: "
 echo 1>&2
 time ./weasel -mq Eric
 echo 1>&2
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make test: "
+read -r -p "Do you want to run make test (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" = "Y" || "$REPLY" = "y" ]]; then
+    make test
+fi
+
+read -r  -p "Do you wish to see the undocumented Easter egg (Y/N)? "
+if [[ "$REPLY" = "Y" || "$REPLY" = "y" ]]; then
+    make -B OFFSPRING=97 everything 1>/dev/null || exit 1
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show Easter egg (./weasel): "
+    echo 1>&2
+    ./weasel
+    echo 1>&2
+fi
+
 echo 1>&2
-make test
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to change max attempts to 100: "
+echo 1>&2
+echo "$ make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=100 everything >/dev/null || exit 1" 1>&2
+echo 1>&2
+make -B MAX_ATTEMPTS=100 everything >/dev/null || exit 1
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to see what happens when the maximum attempts are reached: "
+echo 1>&2
+./weasel -m 'Eric the Monkey'
 
-read -r -p "Do you wish to try and prove 'intelligent design' (Y/N)? "
-if [[ "$REPLY" == "Y" || "$REPLY" == "y" ]]; then
-    echo "$ ./weasel -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'" 1>&2
-    echo "Press any key to continue. Send ctrl-c when convinced that intelligent" 1>&2
-    read -r -n 1 -p "design is not real or you're tired of waiting: "
-    echo 1>&2
-    time ./weasel -m 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN'
-    echo 1>&2
-else
-    echo "$ ./weasel -q -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT'" 1>&2
-    time ./weasel -q -r8 'EVOLUTION IS A PROVEN FACT'
-fi
+# recompile with default max attempts for the next steps
+make -B everything >/dev/null || exit 1
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Do you want to see how long it might take the monkey Eric to type 'words'? (Y/N)? "
-if [[ "$REPLY" == "Y" || "$REPLY" == "y" ]]; then
-    echo 1>&2
-    echo "Will not display until Eric succeeds or too many generations. Hit ctrl-c" 1>&2
-    echo "to stop him early." 1>&2
-    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
-    echo 1>&2
-    time ./weasel -mq words
-fi
+# obviously '"intelligent" design' is false but who wants to try and prove
+# otherwise? Or if they know better how long will it take to show that evolution
+# is a proven fact?
+./id.sh
+
+# If the user did not try and prove '"intelligent" design' or they waited a
+# long time (though saving them some time by limiting it to 900000 attempts) I
+# ask: can Eric the monkey type the word 'words' before falling asleep or
+# getting too hungry to continue?
+./monkey-words.sh
diff --git a/2018/yang/.gitignore b/2018/yang/.gitignore
index c6778fac1..036a96ef2 100644
--- a/2018/yang/.gitignore
+++ b/2018/yang/.gitignore
@@ -1,16 +1,12 @@
 #
 # sort with: sort -d -u
 *.dSYM
-generated1.c
-generated2.c
-generated3.c
-generated4.c
-generated5.c
+generated*
 indent
 indent.c
 indent.o
 left
-msg[0-9]
+msg*
 no_leading_space.txt
 prog
 prog.orig
diff --git a/2018/yang/Makefile b/2018/yang/Makefile
index 69358ef13..796b3104a 100644
--- a/2018/yang/Makefile
+++ b/2018/yang/Makefile
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ clean:
 clobber: clean
 	${RM} -f ${TARGET} ${ALT_TARGET}
 	${RM} -rf *.dSYM
-	${RM} -f generated*.c msg*
+	${RM} -f generated* msg*
 	@-if [ -e sandwich ]; then \
 	    ${RM} -f sandwich; \
 	    echo 'ate sandwich'; \
diff --git a/2018/yang/try.sh b/2018/yang/try.sh
index e0af83658..0c506a83f 100755
--- a/2018/yang/try.sh
+++ b/2018/yang/try.sh
@@ -80,4 +80,9 @@ if [[ "$REPLY" == "Y" || "$REPLY" == "y" ]]; then
     read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./msg9 < prog.c: "
     echo 1>&2
     ./msg9 < prog.c
+
+    make generated1 1>/dev/null || exit 1
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: echo IOCCC | ./generated1: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    echo IOCCC | ./generated1
 fi
diff --git a/2019/adamovsky/try.sh b/2019/adamovsky/try.sh
index 463ec7a25..e4bd66cde 100755
--- a/2019/adamovsky/try.sh
+++ b/2019/adamovsky/try.sh
@@ -15,19 +15,17 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog spam.unl | head -n 100 (space = next page, q =quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-echo "$ ./prog spam.unl | head -n 100 | less -EXF" 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
-echo 1>&2
-./prog spam.unl | head -n 100 | less -EXF
+./prog spam.unl | head -n 100 | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ ./prog sierpinski.unl | head -n 200 | less -EXF" 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog sierpinski.unl | head -n 200 (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog sierpinski.unl | head -n 200 | less -EXF
+./prog sierpinski.unl | head -n 200 | less -rEXFK
 
-echo "$ make identify" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make identify: "
+echo 1>&2
 make identify
 echo 1>&2
 
diff --git a/2019/burton/check.sh b/2019/burton/check.sh
index 5be27498e..732ac6372 100755
--- a/2019/burton/check.sh
+++ b/2019/burton/check.sh
@@ -16,8 +16,11 @@ echo | $x
 /bin/echo -n a | $x
 echo a | $x
 $x < newlines
-# ^---^ SC2210 (warning): This is a file redirection. Was it supposed to be a comparison or fd operation?
-# Answer: 256 is a file so it is supposed to be file redirection.
+# 256 is a file so it is supposed to be file redirection. Thus we have to
+# disable this warning:
+#
+# SC2210 (warning): This is a file redirection. Was it supposed to be a comparison or fd operation?
+# https://www.shellcheck.net/wiki/SC2210
 # shellcheck disable=SC2210
 $x < 256
 $x < remarks
diff --git a/2019/burton/cow.sh b/2019/burton/cow.sh
index 0c6ef792d..31a4f3013 100755
--- a/2019/burton/cow.sh
+++ b/2019/burton/cow.sh
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ do if test -r "$name"; then
 	# (or, to use Bart Simpson's advice, make it 'not have a cow.sh'), as we
 	# actually need this to happen:
 	#
-	#   ^-- SC2086 (info): Double quote to prevent globbing and word splitting.
-	#
+	# SC2086 (info): Double quote to prevent globbing and word splitting.
+	# https://www.shellcheck.net/wiki/SC2086
 	# shellcheck disable=SC2086
 	set -- $s
 	((a += $1))
diff --git a/2019/burton/try.sh b/2019/burton/try.sh
index 51e164fee..a0e9e1267 100755
--- a/2019/burton/try.sh
+++ b/2019/burton/try.sh
@@ -15,15 +15,19 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-echo "$ cat prog.c" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show prog.c: "
+echo 1>&2
 cat prog.c
 echo 1>&2
 
 for i in prog.c Makefile README.md; do
-    echo "$ ./prog < $i && wc < $i" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog < $i && wc < $i: "
+    echo 1>&2
     printf "prog: %s\n%4s: %s\n\n" "$(./prog < "$i"|tr -s ' ')" "wc" "$(wc "$i" | tr -s ' ')"
 done
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ make test" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make test: "
+echo 1>&2
 make test
+echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2019/ciura/fr.alt.sh b/2019/ciura/fr.alt.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..ffd72789e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2019/ciura/fr.alt.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -x
+./getwords.sh fr | ./prog.alt aàâbcdeéèêfghiîjklmnoôpqrstuùûvwxyz\'
diff --git a/2019/ciura/try.alt.sh b/2019/ciura/try.alt.sh
index 3d0d58bdc..d7d914a7e 100755
--- a/2019/ciura/try.alt.sh
+++ b/2019/ciura/try.alt.sh
@@ -15,22 +15,24 @@ make CC="$CC" everything >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt aeiouvwxyz: "
-./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt aeiouvwxyz | less -EXF
+echo "$ ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt aeiouvwxyz"
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt aeiouvwxyz | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt aeiouhjklmnvwxyz" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt aeiouhjklmnvwxyz | less -EXF
+./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt aeiouhjklmnvwxyz | less -rEXFK
 
 echo "$ ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt mrjocktvquizphdbagsfewlynx | head -n 256" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt mrjocktvquizphdbagsfewlynx | head -n 256 | less -EXF
-
+./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog.alt mrjocktvquizphdbagsfewlynx | head -n 256 | less -rEXFK
 
 echo "$ ./en.alt.sh" 1>&2
 echo "There will likely be a lot of output. Quit when bored. No logophiles will be hurt." 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
-./en.alt.sh | less -EXF
+echo 1>&2
+./en.alt.sh | less -rEXFK
diff --git a/2019/ciura/try.sh b/2019/ciura/try.sh
index d714d19e9..4aa183b2a 100755
--- a/2019/ciura/try.sh
+++ b/2019/ciura/try.sh
@@ -15,22 +15,24 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog aeiouvwxyz: "
-./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog aeiouvwxyz | less -EXF
+echo "$ ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog aeiouvwxyz"
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog aeiouvwxyz | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog aeiouhjklmnvwxyz" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog aeiouhjklmnvwxyz | less -EXF
+./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog aeiouhjklmnvwxyz | less -rEXFK
 
 echo "$ ./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog mrjocktvquizphdbagsfewlynx | head -n 256" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog mrjocktvquizphdbagsfewlynx | head -n 256 | less -EXF
+./getwords.sh en | grep .. | ./prog mrjocktvquizphdbagsfewlynx | head -n 256 | less -rEXFK
 
 
 echo "$ ./en.sh" 1>&2
 echo "There will likely be a lot of output. Quit when bored. No logophiles will be hurt." 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
-./en.sh | less -EXF
+./en.sh | less -rEXFK
diff --git a/2019/diels-grabsch1/try.sh b/2019/diels-grabsch1/try.sh
index 7ae705288..f2d046e16 100755
--- a/2019/diels-grabsch1/try.sh
+++ b/2019/diels-grabsch1/try.sh
@@ -15,34 +15,43 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-echo "$ dd bs=1024 count=2048 < /dev/zero | compress > ref.Z" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: dd bs=1024 count=2048 < /dev/zero | compress > ref.Z: "
+echo 1>&2
 dd bs=1024 count=2048 < /dev/zero | compress > ref.Z
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ dd bs=1024 count=2048 < /dev/zero | ./prog > dg1.Z" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: dd bs=1024 count=2048 < /dev/zero | ./prog > dg1.Z: "
+echo 1>&2
 dd bs=1024 count=2048 < /dev/zero | ./prog > dg1.Z
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ cmp ref.Z dg1.Z" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cmp ref.Z dg1.Z: "
+echo 1>&2
 cmp ref.Z dg1.Z
 echo "Exit code of: cmp ref.Z dg1.Z: $?" 1>&2
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ compress < Shakespeare.txt > ref.Z" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: compress < Shakespeare.txt > ref.Z: "
+echo 1>&2
 compress < Shakespeare.txt > ref.Z
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ ./prog < Shakespeare.txt > dg1.Z" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog < Shakespeare.txt > dg1.Z: "
+echo 1>&2
 ./prog < Shakespeare.txt > dg1.Z
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "Notice how the files differ:" 1>&2
-echo "$ cmp ref.Z dg1.Z" 1>&2
+echo "Notice how the two files differ:" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cmp ref.Z dg1.Z: "
+echo 1>&2
 cmp ref.Z dg1.Z # Oops, the files differ
 echo "Exit code of: cmp ref.Z dg1.Z: $?" 1>&2
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "... and notice how this works fine:" 1>&2
-echo "$ zcat < dg1.Z | cmp - Shakespeare.txt" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: zcat < dg1.Z | cmp - Shakespeare.txt: "
+echo 1>&2
 zcat < dg1.Z | cmp - Shakespeare.txt
+echo "Exit code of zcat < dg1.Z | cmp - Shakespeare.txt: ${PIPESTATUS[1]}"
+echo 1>&2
 echo "What happened?"
diff --git a/2019/diels-grabsch2/try.sh b/2019/diels-grabsch2/try.sh
index bfdc91131..690248387 100755
--- a/2019/diels-grabsch2/try.sh
+++ b/2019/diels-grabsch2/try.sh
@@ -19,54 +19,68 @@ SHA512SUM="$(type -P sha512sum)"
 SHASUM="$(type -P shasum)"
 
 if [[ -z "$SHA512SUM" && -z "$SHASUM" ]]; then
-    echo "$ ./prog" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog: "
+    echo 1>&2
     ./prog
+    echo 1>&2
 elif [[ -n "$SHA512SUM" ]]; then
-    echo "$ $SHA512SUM prog.c" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: $SHA512SUM prog.c: "
+    echo 1>&2
     "$SHA512SUM" prog.c
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ ./prog" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog: "
+    echo 1>&2
     ./prog
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ $SHA512SUM prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' > sha512sum.txt" 1>&2
-    "$SHA512SUM" prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' > sha512sum.txt
-    echo "$ ./prog > prog.txt" 1>&2
-    ./prog > prog.txt
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: $SHA512SUM prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' | tee sha512sum.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    "$SHA512SUM" prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' | tee sha512sum.txt
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog | tee prog.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    ./prog | tee prog.txt
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ cat sha512sum.txt prog.txt" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cat sha512sum.txt prog.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
     cat sha512sum.txt prog.txt
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ diff -s sha512sum.txt prog.txt" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: diff -s sha512sum.txt prog.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
     diff -s sha512sum.txt prog.txt
     rm -f sha512sum prog.txt
 
 elif [[ -n "$SHASUM" ]]; then
     # Be extra careful and don't use 'else'
-    echo "$ $SHASUM -a 512 prog.c" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: $SHASUM -a 512 prog.c: "
+    echo 1>&2
     "$SHASUM" -a 512 prog.c
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ ./prog" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog: "
+    echo 1>&2
     ./prog
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ $SHASUM -a 512 prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' > sha512sum.txt" 1>&2
-    "$SHASUM" -a 512 prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' > sha512sum.txt
-    echo "$ ./prog > prog.txt" 1>&2
-    ./prog > prog.txt
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: $SHASUM -a 512 prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' | tee sha512sum.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    "$SHASUM" -a 512 prog.c | cut -f 1 -d' ' | tee sha512sum.txt
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ cat sha512sum.txt prog.txt" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog | tee prog.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    ./prog | tee prog.txt
+    echo 1>&2
+
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cat sha512sum.txt prog.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
     cat sha512sum.txt prog.txt
     echo 1>&2
 
-    echo "$ diff -s sha512sum.txt prog.txt" 1>&2
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: diff -s sha512sum.txt prog.txt: "
+    echo 1>&2
     diff -s sha512sum.txt prog.txt
     rm -f sha512sum prog.txt
-
-
 fi
diff --git a/2019/dogon/try.sh b/2019/dogon/try.sh
index 5585dfd3b..ac61430f6 100755
--- a/2019/dogon/try.sh
+++ b/2019/dogon/try.sh
@@ -43,5 +43,7 @@ for i in glider.mc infinite_5x5.mc mosquito5.mc message.mc; do
     if [[ "$REPLY" == "q" || "$REPLY" == "Q" ]]; then
 	exit 0
     fi
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog < $i: "
+    echo 1>&2
     ./prog < "$i" 2>/dev/null
 done
diff --git a/2019/endoh/try.sh b/2019/endoh/try.sh
index 764447e0e..5f83da324 100755
--- a/2019/endoh/try.sh
+++ b/2019/endoh/try.sh
@@ -35,9 +35,12 @@ echo 1>&2
 "$GDB" -q -x prog.c ./prog | cat | grep : | cut -f 2 -d: | xargs ./ascii | less -rEXF
 echo 1>&2
 
+echo "$ $GDB -q -x prog.c ./prog | cat | grep : | cut -f 2 -d: | xargs ./ascii > prog2.c" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to compare reconstructed code with original: "
 echo 1>&2
-echo "$ "$GDB" -q -x prog.c ./prog | cat | grep : | cut -f 2 -d: | xargs ./ascii > prog2.c" 1>&2
 "$GDB" -q -x prog.c ./prog | cat | grep : | cut -f 2 -d: | xargs ./ascii > prog2.c
-echo "$ diff -s prog.c prog2.c" 1>&2
+echo 1>&2
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: diff -s prog.c prog2.c: "
+echo 1>&2
 diff -s prog.c prog2.c
diff --git a/2019/giles/README.md b/2019/giles/README.md
index 9acd8a397..ac74a8e21 100644
--- a/2019/giles/README.md
+++ b/2019/giles/README.md
@@ -15,15 +15,13 @@ make
 ## Try:
 
 ```sh
-play MonodyVocals.wav
-./prog MonodyVocals.wav
-play out.wav
+./try.sh
 ```
 
 
-NOTE: `play` comes from SoX, the Swiss Army Knife of sound processing programs.
-If you don't have this installed, see [FAQ 3.10: How do I compile and use an
-IOCCC winner that requires sound](/faq.md#faq3_10).
+NOTE: `play`, which [try.sh](try.sh) uses, comes from SoX, the Swiss Army Knife
+of sound processing programs.  If you don't have this installed, see [FAQ 3.10:
+How do I compile and use an IOCCC winner that requires sound](/faq.md#faq3_10).
 
 
 ## Judges' remarks:
diff --git a/2019/giles/try.sh b/2019/giles/try.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..ac7c7138e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2019/giles/try.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+#
+# try.sh - demonstrate IOCCC winner 2019/giles
+#
+
+# make sure CC is set so that when we do make CC="$CC" it isn't empty. Doing it
+# this way allows us to have the user specify a different compiler in an easy
+# way.
+if [[ -z "$CC" ]]; then
+    CC="cc"
+fi
+
+make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
+
+# clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
+clear
+
+# find out if SoX is installed
+PLAY="$(type -P play)"
+
+if [[ -n "$PLAY" ]]; then
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: $PLAY MonodyVocals.wav: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    "$PLAY" MonodyVocals.wav
+    echo 1>&2
+
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog MonodyVocals.wav: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    ./prog MonodyVocals.wav
+    echo 1>&2
+
+    read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: $PLAY MonodyVocals.wav: "
+    echo 1>&2
+    "$PLAY" MonodyVocals.wav
+    echo 1>&2
+else
+    echo "play(1) from SoX not installed." 1>&2
+    echo "NOTE: see https://github.com/ioccc-src/temp-test-ioccc/blob/master/faq.md#sox." 1>&2
+fi
+
diff --git a/2019/karns/try.sh b/2019/karns/try.sh
index 33cf2aa63..75e4c6089 100755
--- a/2019/karns/try.sh
+++ b/2019/karns/try.sh
@@ -16,8 +16,9 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 clear
 
 # display prog.c to the user
-echo "$ cat prog.c"
-cat prog.c
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to show prog.c (space = next page, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+less -rEXFK prog.c
 
 # run the program on its own source code
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog < prog.c: "
@@ -28,7 +29,9 @@ echo 1>&2
 reset
 
 # display maze
-echo "$ cat maze"
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cat maze: "
+echo 1>&2
+# Role swap: cat in maze instead of mice
 cat maze
 
 # run the program on maze
diff --git a/2019/lynn/Makefile b/2019/lynn/Makefile
index c90d62c2c..226492879 100644
--- a/2019/lynn/Makefile
+++ b/2019/lynn/Makefile
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ include ../../var.mk
 
 # Common C compiler warnings to silence
 #
-CSILENCE= -Wno-strict-prototypes
+CSILENCE= -Wno-strict-prototypes -Wno-comment
 
 # Common C compiler warning flags
 #
diff --git a/2019/lynn/try.sh b/2019/lynn/try.sh
index fce906ce4..3f5b5a5fc 100755
--- a/2019/lynn/try.sh
+++ b/2019/lynn/try.sh
@@ -15,31 +15,42 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-echo "$ (./prog < fib.hs; cat prog.c) > fib.c" 1>&2
-(./prog < fib.hs; cat prog.c) > fib.c
-echo "$ cc -Wno-everything fib.c -o fib" 1>&2
-cc -Wno-everything fib.c -o fib
-echo "$ ./fib" 1>&2
-./fib
+echo "$ (./prog < fib.hs; cat prog.c) | tee fib.c" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
+(./prog < fib.hs; cat prog.c) | tee fib.c | less -rEXFK
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make fib: "
 echo 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+make CC="$CC" fib
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ (./prog < lol.hs ; cat prog.c) > lol.c" 1>&2
-(./prog < lol.hs ; cat prog.c) > lol.c
-echo "$ make lol" 1>&2
-make lol
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./fib: "
+echo 1>&2
+./fib
+
+echo "$ (./prog < lol.hs ; cat prog.c) | tee lol.c" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
+(./prog < lol.hs ; cat prog.c) | tee lol.c | less -rEXFK
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make lol: " 1>&2
+echo 1>&2
+make CC="$CC" lol
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./lol: "
 echo 1>&2
 ./lol
 echo 1>&2
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
 echo 1>&2
-echo "$ (./prog < scc.hs ; cat prog.c) > scc.c" 1>&2
-(./prog < scc.hs ; cat prog.c) > scc.c
-echo "$ make scc" 1>&2
-make scc
+echo "$ (./prog < scc.hs ; cat prog.c) | tee scc.c" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
+echo 1>&2
+(./prog < scc.hs ; cat prog.c) | tee scc.c | less -rEXFK
+echo 1>&2
+
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make scc: "
+echo 1>&2
+make CC="$CC" scc
+
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./scc < example-1.txt: "
 echo 1>&2
 ./scc < example-1.txt
@@ -47,6 +58,5 @@ read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./scc < example-2.txt: "
 echo 1>&2
 ./scc < example-2.txt
 
-
 exit 0
 
diff --git a/2019/mills/try.sh b/2019/mills/try.sh
index 531abf0a9..78cd9f72b 100755
--- a/2019/mills/try.sh
+++ b/2019/mills/try.sh
@@ -18,17 +18,16 @@ echo 1>&2
 echo "This may take a while:"
 make test-64bit
 
-
 echo "$ less IOCCC-Rules-Guidelines.output.txt" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-less -rEXF IOCCC-Rules-Guidelines.output.txt
+less -rEXFK IOCCC-Rules-Guidelines.output.txt
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ less IOCCC-hints.output.txt" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-less -rEXF IOCCC-hints.output.txt
+less -rEXFK IOCCC-hints.output.txt
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ less Eugene_Onegin.output.txt" 1>&2
@@ -36,17 +35,17 @@ echo "You should be able to safely ignore the warnings about this file" 1>&2
 echo "being a binary file." 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-less -rEXF Eugene_Onegin.output.txt
+less -rEXFK Eugene_Onegin.output.txt
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ ./prog < IOCCC-Rules-Guidelines.cp98_0.175 |head -n 100"
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog < IOCCC-Rules-Guidelines.cp98_0.175 |head -n 100
+./prog < IOCCC-Rules-Guidelines.cp98_0.175 |head -n 100 | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ ./prog < Shakespeare.cp04_1.633 | head -n 100" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog < Shakespeare.cp04_1.633 | head -n 100
+./prog < Shakespeare.cp04_1.633 | head -n 100 | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2019/poikola/try.alt.sh b/2019/poikola/try.alt.sh
index a359be1a2..9084bdb20 100755
--- a/2019/poikola/try.alt.sh
+++ b/2019/poikola/try.alt.sh
@@ -19,22 +19,21 @@ make clobber CC="$CC" alt >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-echo "$ ./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt" 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue (space = next page, q = quit): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt | less -rEXF
+./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ TZ=UTC24 make CC="$CC" clobber prog.alt" 1>&2
 TZ=UTC24 make CC="$CC" clobber prog.alt || exit 1
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt (space = next page, q = quit): "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt | less -rEXF
+./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt | less -rEXFK
 echo 1>&2
 
 echo "$ TZ=UTC48 make CC="$CC" clobber prog.alt" 1>&2
 TZ=UTC48 make CC="$CC" clobber prog.alt || exit 1
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt (space = next page, q = quit): "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt: "
 echo 1>&2
-./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt | less -rEXF
+./prog.alt 512 ./prog.alt
 echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2019/poikola/try.sh b/2019/poikola/try.sh
index 27299f0cf..9776f8cd3 100755
--- a/2019/poikola/try.sh
+++ b/2019/poikola/try.sh
@@ -20,13 +20,12 @@ make clobber CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-echo "$ ./prog 512 ./prog" 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog 512 ./prog: "
 echo 1>&2
 ./prog 512 ./prog
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ TZ=UTC24 make CC="$CC" clobber prog" 1>&2
+echo "$ TZ=UTC24 make CC=$CC clobber prog" 1>&2
 TZ=UTC24 make CC="$CC" clobber prog || exit 1
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog 512 ./prog: "
 echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2019/yang/try.sh b/2019/yang/try.sh
index 40efb17bd..2d65b3a15 100755
--- a/2019/yang/try.sh
+++ b/2019/yang/try.sh
@@ -15,28 +15,28 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
+echo "$ ./prog ioccc.txt a b c d e" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to scramble ioccc.txt into five files: "
 echo 1>&2
-echo "$ ./prog ioccc.txt a b c d e" 1>&2
 ./prog ioccc.txt a b c d e
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part a with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part a with: cat a: "
 clear
 cat a
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part b with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part b with: cat b: "
 clear
 cat b
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part c with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part c with: cat c: "
 clear
 cat c
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part d with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part d with: cat d: "
 clear
 cat d
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part e with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part e with: cat e: "
 clear
 cat e
 
@@ -46,8 +46,7 @@ echo 1>&2
 cat a b c d e | ./prog
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff - ioccc.txt" 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff -s - ioccc.txt: "
 echo 1>&2
 cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff -s - ioccc.txt
 
@@ -58,28 +57,29 @@ if [[ "$COLS" -lt 75 || "$LINES" -lt 13 ]]; then
     exit 0
 fi
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to scramble sample_input.txt into five files: "
 echo 1>&2
 echo "$ ./prog sample_input.txt a b c d e" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to scramble sample_input.txt into five files: "
+echo 1>&2
 ./prog sample_input.txt a b c d e
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part a with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part a with: cat a: "
 clear
 cat a
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part b with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part b with: cat b: "
 clear
 cat b
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part c with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part c with: cat c: "
 clear
 cat c
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part d with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part d with: cat d: "
 clear
 cat d
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part e with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part e with: cat e: "
 clear
 cat e
 
@@ -89,11 +89,10 @@ echo 1>&2
 cat a b c d e | ./prog
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff - sample_input.txt" 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff -s - sample_input.txt: "
 echo 1>&2
 cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff -s - sample_input.txt
-
+echo 1>&2
 
 if [[ "$COLS" -lt 80 || "$LINES" -lt 25 ]]; then
     # if screen size < 80 x 25 then exit
@@ -105,28 +104,28 @@ echo 1>&2
 cat prog.c
 
 echo 1>&2
+echo "$ ./prog prog.c a b c d e" 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to scramble prog.c into five files: "
 echo 1>&2
-echo "$ ./prog prog.c a b c d e" 1>&2
 ./prog prog.c a b c d e
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part a with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part a with: cat a: "
 clear
 cat a
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part b with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part b with: cat b: "
 clear
 cat b
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part c with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part c with: cat c: "
 clear
 cat c
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part d with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part d with: cat d: "
 clear
 cat d
 
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part e with cat: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to unscramble part e with: cat e: "
 clear
 cat e
 
@@ -136,16 +135,17 @@ echo 1>&2
 cat a b c d e | ./prog
 echo 1>&2
 
-echo "$ cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff - prog.c" 1>&2
-read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to continue: "
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff -s - prog.c: "
 echo 1>&2
 cat a b c d e | ./prog | diff -s - prog.c
+echo 1>&2
 
 # For the next three we have to see if ruby is installed
 RUBY="$(type -P ruby)"
 
 if [[ -n "$RUBY" ]]; then
     read -r -p "Do you want to see the slow scrambling: ./prog prog.c | ruby prog.c (Y/N)? "
+    echo 1>&2
     if [[ "$REPLY" == "y" || "$REPLY" == "Y" ]]; then
 	echo "This may take a while, hit ctrl-c to exit script." 1>&2
 	echo 1>&2
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ if [[ -n "$RUBY" ]]; then
     fi
 
     read -r -p "Do you want to see the slow scrambling: ./prog violet.c | ruby prog.c (Y/N)? "
+    echo 1>&2
     if [[ "$REPLY" == "y" || "$REPLY" == "Y" ]]; then
 	echo "This may take a while, hit ctrl-c to exit script." 1>&2
 	echo 1>&2
@@ -160,6 +161,7 @@ if [[ -n "$RUBY" ]]; then
     fi
 
     read -r -p "Do you want to see the slow scrambling: ./prog violet.c | ruby violet.c (Y/N)? "
+    echo 1>&2
     if [[ "$REPLY" == "y" || "$REPLY" == "Y" ]]; then
 	echo "This may take a while, hit ctrl-c to exit script." 1>&2
 	echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2020/burton/try.sh b/2020/burton/try.sh
index 71fe6f3ec..6941e7b40 100755
--- a/2020/burton/try.sh
+++ b/2020/burton/try.sh
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ make CC="$CC" all >/dev/null || exit 1
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
 
-echo "$ make test" 1>&2
+read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: make test: "
+echo 1>&2
 make test
 echo 1>&2
 
@@ -75,3 +76,4 @@ echo 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to run: ./prog 1; ./prog_be 1: "
 echo 1>&2
 ./prog 1; ./prog_be 1
+echo 1>&2
diff --git a/2020/endoh3/.gitignore b/2020/endoh3/.gitignore
index 022c5af38..1914fcb60 100644
--- a/2020/endoh3/.gitignore
+++ b/2020/endoh3/.gitignore
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 #
 # sort with: sort -d -u
 clock
+clock.alt
+clock.alt.c
 clock.c
 *.dSYM
 indent
diff --git a/2020/endoh3/Makefile b/2020/endoh3/Makefile
index fc213a1c5..8c6841dfa 100644
--- a/2020/endoh3/Makefile
+++ b/2020/endoh3/Makefile
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@ OBJ= ${PROG}.o
 DATA=
 TARGET= ${PROG} clock
 #
-ALT_OBJ= ${PROG}.alt.o
-ALT_TARGET= ${PROG}.alt
+ALT_OBJ= ${PROG}.alt.o clock.alt.o
+ALT_TARGET= ${PROG}.alt clock.alt
 
 
 #################
@@ -146,6 +146,14 @@ alt: data ${ALT_TARGET}
 ${PROG}.alt: ${PROG}.alt.c
 	${CC} ${CFLAGS} $< -o $@ ${LDFLAGS}
 
+clock.alt: clock.alt.c
+
+clock.alt.c: ${PROG}.alt.c
+	@${RM} -f $@
+	${CP} -f $< $@
+
+
+
 # data files
 #
 data: ${DATA}
diff --git a/2020/endoh3/README.md b/2020/endoh3/README.md
index e54527e4a..38b255e8b 100644
--- a/2020/endoh3/README.md
+++ b/2020/endoh3/README.md
@@ -41,6 +41,14 @@ make alt
 Use `prog.alt` as you would `prog` above.
 
 
+### Alternate try:
+
+```sh
+./run_clock.alt
+# And watch closely for 15-20 seconds
+```
+
+
 ## Judges' remarks:
 
 You may be tempted to use a mirror. Resist the temptation! Try figuring out how
diff --git a/2020/endoh3/run_clock.alt.sh b/2020/endoh3/run_clock.alt.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..f4bbeaf50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/2020/endoh3/run_clock.alt.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+make -B clock.alt || exit 1
+while true; do
+    cc -std=c11 -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -O3 clock.alt.c -o clock.alt
+    clear
+    ./clock.alt | tee clock.alt.c
+    sleep 5
+done
diff --git a/2020/endoh3/run_clock.sh b/2020/endoh3/run_clock.sh
index 702da8b07..f83f6d8ca 100755
--- a/2020/endoh3/run_clock.sh
+++ b/2020/endoh3/run_clock.sh
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env bash
 
+make -B clock || exit 1
 while true; do
     cc -std=c11 -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -O3 clock.c -o clock
     clear
diff --git a/2020/ferguson2/try.alt.sh b/2020/ferguson2/try.alt.sh
index 31050677e..9a3bc0210 100755
--- a/2020/ferguson2/try.alt.sh
+++ b/2020/ferguson2/try.alt.sh
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ if [[ -z "$CC" ]]; then
     CC="cc"
 fi
 
-make CC="$CC" alt >/dev/null || exit 1
+make CC="$CC" everything >/dev/null || exit 1
 
 # clear screen after compilation so that only the entry is shown
 clear
@@ -138,6 +138,5 @@ echo 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to compare input and output2: "
 echo 1>&2
 diff -s input output2
-diff -s input output2
 # final clean up
 rm -f conf input output output2
diff --git a/2020/ferguson2/try.sh b/2020/ferguson2/try.sh
index 22a2f3a96..9f67a416d 100755
--- a/2020/ferguson2/try.sh
+++ b/2020/ferguson2/try.sh
@@ -138,6 +138,5 @@ echo 1>&2
 read -r -n 1 -p "Press any key to compare input and output2: "
 echo 1>&2
 diff -s input output2
-diff -s input output2
 # final clean up
 rm -f conf input output output2
diff --git a/faq.md b/faq.md
index 164bbeb2b..39ee39604 100644
--- a/faq.md
+++ b/faq.md
@@ -1249,7 +1249,7 @@ for downloading, installing and using ncurses.
 We recommend trying a method suitable for your environment first, if possible.
 
 
-### <a name="faq3_10"></a>FAQ 3.10: How do I compile and use an IOCCC winner that requires sound?
+### <a name="faq3_10"></a><a name="sox"></a>FAQ 3.10: How do I compile and use an IOCCC winner that requires sound?
 
 This might depend on the entry but most likely the Swiss Army Knife of sound
 processing programs, [SoX](https://sox.sourceforge.net), will work. How to
diff --git a/thanks-for-help.md b/thanks-for-help.md
index 73ff69c70..2c96a47fd 100644
--- a/thanks-for-help.md
+++ b/thanks-for-help.md
@@ -4352,7 +4352,8 @@ He also added the [try.sh](/2015/yang/try.sh) script.
 
 ## <a name="2018_anderson"></a>[2018/anderson](/2018/anderson/prog.c) ([README.md](/2018/anderson/README.md))
 
-[Cody](#cody) added the [try.sh](/2018/anderson/try.sh) script.
+[Cody](#cody) added the [try.sh](/2018/anderson/try.sh) and
+[try.alt.sh](/2018/anderson/try.alt.sh) scripts.
 
 
 ## <a name="2018_algmyr"></a>[2018/algmyr](/2018/algmyr/prog.c) ([README.md](/2018/algmyr/README.md))
@@ -4363,11 +4364,13 @@ He also added the [try.sh](/2015/yang/try.sh) script.
 
 ## <a name="2018_bellard"></a>[2018/bellard](/2018/bellard/prog.c) ([README.md](/2018/bellard/README.md))
 
-[Cody](#cody), out of abundance of caution, added a second arg to `main()`
-because some versions of clang object to the number of args of `main()`, saying
-that it must be 0, 2 or 3. The version this has been observed in does not
-actually object to 1 arg but it is entirely possible that this changes so a
-second arg (that's not needed and is unused) has been added just in case.
+[Cody](#cody) added the [try.sh](/2018/bellard/try.sh) script.
+
+Cody also, out of abundance of caution, added a second arg to `main()` because
+some versions of clang object to the number of args of `main()`, saying that it
+must be 0, 2 or 3. The version this has been observed in does not actually
+object to 1 arg but it is entirely possible that this changes so a second arg
+(that's not needed and is unused) has been added just in case.
 
 Cody also added explicit linking of libm (`-lm`) for systems that do not do this
 (Linux doesn't seem to but macOS does).
@@ -4620,6 +4623,11 @@ to easily reconstruct the source code through GDB by the fact it's a backtrace
 quine.
 
 
+## <a name="2019_giles"></a>[2019/giles](/2019/giles/prog.c) ([README.md](/2019/giles/README.md]))
+
+[Cody](#cody) added the [try.sh](/2019/giles/try.sh) script.
+
+
 ## <a name="2019_karns"></a>[2019/karns](/2019/karns/prog.c) ([README.md](/2019/karns/README.md]))
 
 [Cody](#cody) reported that with `-O` level > 0 this program segfaults (sometimes?). He's
@@ -4729,6 +4737,10 @@ What was wrong? A typo in the shebang which had `/usr/bin/end` instead of
 `/usr/bin/env`. Anyone who knows Cody would know that he'd zoom in on that quite
 quick.
 
+Also if `clock` did not exist and one tried to run the script it would make an
+invalid `clock.c` which meant it could not compile so it now runs `make clock`
+first.
+
 Cody also reported (during the preview period of 2020) for some systems (at some
 point?) like macOS the use of `make clock` would not work due possibly to a
 timing issue so [Yusuke](#yusuke) changed it to compile the
@@ -4740,6 +4752,10 @@ that if someone moves something of his even a millimetre from where it was he
 knows it so he might be called unusual (and he argues, with pride, eccentric :-)
 ) :-)
 
+Cody also added the [run_clock.alt.sh](/2020/endoh3/run_clock.alt.sh) script
+which is analogous to the [run_clock.sh](/2020/endoh3/run_clock.sh) but for the
+alt code provided by the author, Yusuke.
+
 
 ## <a name="2020_ferguson1"></a>[2020/ferguson1](/2020/ferguson1/prog.c) ([README.md](/2020/ferguson1/README.md))
 
diff --git a/tmp/things-todo.md b/tmp/things-todo.md
index 011fcbeb9..9cbf0bc2c 100644
--- a/tmp/things-todo.md
+++ b/tmp/things-todo.md
@@ -1,30 +1,28 @@
 # A todo list of known things to check and/or do
-*Last updated: Thu 11 Jan 2024 16:42:28 UTC*
+*Last updated: Wed 31 Jan 2024 12:22:09 UTC*
 
-This document is primarily for [Cody Boone
-Ferguson](/winners.html#Cody_Boone_Ferguson) as he (that is I :-) ) wanted a way
-to keep track of things in a way that did not require the information getting
-lost in the thousands of changes in the repo and because it might be too much to
-add to the todo list in the issues themselves.
+This document is for [Cody Boone Ferguson](/winners.html#Cody_Boone_Ferguson) as
+he (that is I :-) ) wanted a way to keep track of things in a way that did not
+require the information getting lost in the thousands of changes in the repo and
+because it might be too much to add to the todo list in the issues themselves.
 
 More things will likely be added over time and as items are done they _should
 be_ removed from the list IF AND ONLY IF (!!) we are _absolutely certain_ it is
 done (many times it's thought that a task was done only to find out it wasn't).
-It is hoped that this will be referenced and updated as this is an easy way to
-keep track of things that have been done already and what hasn't been done (in
-this file the case is mostly _NOT_ been done).
+
+Every so often this file is checked and updated to remove items and when
+something needs to be done is thought of it is also updated unless it can be
+done right then and there or it seems more appropriate to add to the issue (#3)
+todo list.
 
 - Typo fix ALL markdown files. For the README.md files the entries have all been
 done (along with format fixes) but the YYYY/README.md files have not been
-completed. See below item for details on that (several items in this file refer
-to those).
-
-- Go through all year README.md files: that is 1984/README.md, 1985/README.md and
-so on. As of **Mon 16 Oct 11:22:52 UTC 2023** the following years have had a
-first pass: 1984 through 2001. However there are changes that are required
-namely to do with email addresses that no longer exist. At this point it is not
-determined if this will be done with the typo pass (what should be the final
-pass) or not but it's very possible that it can be just to speed things along.
+completed.
+    * Go through all year README.md files: that is 1984/README.md,
+    1985/README.md and so on. As of **Mon 16 Oct 11:22:52 UTC 2023** the
+    following years have had a first pass: 1984 through 2001. However there are
+    changes that might be required in those years too so a pass over all of them
+    will have to be done at the time the files are to be reviewed.
 
 - Check the [GitHub issue #3 comment
 1615962832](https://github.com/ioccc-src/temp-test-ioccc/issues/3#issuecomment-1615962832)
@@ -38,13 +36,13 @@ embedded into the README.md files themselves. An entry that the video file is
 downloaded already is 2006/sykes1. There are others that I need to look at once
 the rest of the entries are done, assuming that it's possible.
 
-- Although I will have to do this when another issue is opened up I am aware of
-some issues in 2020/ferguson1/.winner.json. I do not want to forget this,
-however, so I am noting it here. A reference to a file in 2020/ferguson2 is in
-1992/buzzard.2. This type of thing will have to be checked for all entries in
-the new issue.
-
 - Verify that all entries that should have (or could be benefited by) a try
 script do in fact have one. Also verify (mostly in earlier years) consistency in
 the way it is displayed and interactivity. The later years are probably done
-better.
+better. As of *Wed 31 Jan 2024 12:22:09 UTC* almost all of this is done: just
+some of 2018 and then all of 2019 and 2020 have to be checked. It is very likely
+that before the day is over 2018 will be done and possibly part of 2019 will be
+done but this is currently unknown. The shellcheck updates is another issue
+entirely.
+
+- Test and fix as and if necessary 2018/ferguson/weasel.spec.