diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index 3110f6a8c..69602d5f5 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
+2002-06-14  Werner Lemberg  <wl@gnu.org>
+
+	* Makefile, configure, */*.mk, builds/unix/unix-def.in,
+	docs/CHANGES, docs/INSTALL: s/TOP/TOP_DIR/.
+
 2002-06-12  Werner Lemberg  <wl@gnu.org>
 
 	* src/bdf/bdflib.c: s/FT_Short/short/ for consistency.
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 04881c053..e1fbdf2ed 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@ PROJECT_TITLE := FreeType
 
 USE_MODULES := 1
 
-# The variable TOP holds the path to the topmost directory in the project
+# The variable TOP_DIR holds the path to the topmost directory in the project
 # engine source hierarchy.  If it is not defined, default it to `.'.
 #
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/toplevel.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/toplevel.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/ansi/ansi-def.mk b/builds/ansi/ansi-def.mk
index e755e7534..032a7b802 100644
--- a/builds/ansi/ansi-def.mk
+++ b/builds/ansi/ansi-def.mk
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
 
 DELETE   := rm -f
 SEP      := /
 HOSTSEP  := $(SEP)
-BUILD    := $(TOP)/builds/ansi
+BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/ansi
 PLATFORM := ansi
 
 
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ PLATFORM := ansi
 #
 # This lets you build the library in your own directory with something like
 #
-#   set TOP=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
+#   set TOP_DIR=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
 #   set OBJ_DIR=.../path/to/obj/dir
-#   make -f $TOP/Makefile setup [options]
-#   make -f $TOP/Makefile
+#   make -f $TOP_DIR/Makefile setup [options]
+#   make -f $TOP_DIR/Makefile
 #
 ifndef OBJ_DIR
-  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP)$(SEP)objs
+  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)objs
 endif
 
 
diff --git a/builds/ansi/ansi.mk b/builds/ansi/ansi.mk
index 6a4977432..739d48591 100644
--- a/builds/ansi/ansi.mk
+++ b/builds/ansi/ansi.mk
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/ansi/ansi-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/ansi-cc.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_std.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/ansi/ansi-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/ansi-cc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_std.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/beos/beos-def.mk b/builds/beos/beos-def.mk
index 60f9defd8..eb55db94b 100644
--- a/builds/beos/beos-def.mk
+++ b/builds/beos/beos-def.mk
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
 
 DELETE   := rm -f
 SEP      := /
 HOSTSEP  := $(SEP)
-BUILD    := $(TOP)/builds/neos
+BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/neos
 PLATFORM := beos
 
 
@@ -30,13 +30,13 @@ PLATFORM := beos
 #
 # This lets you build the library in your own directory with something like
 #
-#   set TOP=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
+#   set TOP_DIR=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
 #   set OBJ_DIR=.../path/to/obj/dir
-#   make -f $TOP/Makefile setup [options]
-#   make -f $TOP/Makefile
+#   make -f $TOP_DIR/Makefile setup [options]
+#   make -f $TOP_DIR/Makefile
 #
 ifndef OBJ_DIR
-  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP)$(SEP)objs
+  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)objs
 endif
 
 
diff --git a/builds/beos/beos.mk b/builds/beos/beos.mk
index 9c0ff5f07..1ccf8cea0 100644
--- a/builds/beos/beos.mk
+++ b/builds/beos/beos.mk
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@
 # indicate that you have read the license and understand and accept it
 # fully.
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/ansi-cc.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/beos/beos-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_std.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/ansi-cc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/beos/beos-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_std.mk
 
 # EOF
 
diff --git a/builds/beos/detect.mk b/builds/beos/detect.mk
index 30330c79d..89b3f685e 100644
--- a/builds/beos/detect.mk
+++ b/builds/beos/detect.mk
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM),beos)
   DELETE   := rm -f
   SEP      := /
   HOSTSEP  := $(SEP)
-  BUILD    := $(TOP)/builds/beos
+  BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/beos
   CONFIG_FILE := beos.mk
 
   setup: std_setup
diff --git a/builds/detect.mk b/builds/detect.mk
index 99467a9b8..ad825adbc 100644
--- a/builds/detect.mk
+++ b/builds/detect.mk
@@ -34,13 +34,13 @@
 #
 # You need to set the following variable(s) before calling it:
 #
-#   TOP          The top-most directory in the FreeType library source
+#   TOP_DIR      The top-most directory in the FreeType library source
 #                hierarchy.  If not defined, it will default to `.'.
 
-# If TOP is not defined, default it to `.'
+# If TOP_DIR is not defined, default it to `.'
 #
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
 
 # Set auto-detection default to `ansi' resp. UNIX-like operating systems.
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ DELETE   := $(RM)
 COPY     := cp
 SEP      := /
 
-BUILD_CONFIG_ = $(TOP)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)
+BUILD_CONFIG_ = $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)
 BUILD         = $(BUILD_CONFIG_)$(PLATFORM)
 CONFIG_RULES  = $(BUILD)$(SEP)$(CONFIG_FILE)
 
diff --git a/builds/dos/dos-def.mk b/builds/dos/dos-def.mk
index a5353053c..d2bcbd437 100644
--- a/builds/dos/dos-def.mk
+++ b/builds/dos/dos-def.mk
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 DELETE   := del
 HOSTSEP  := $(strip \ )
-BUILD    := $(TOP)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)dos
+BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)dos
 PLATFORM := dos
 
 # except for DJGPP/GCC on Dos
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ endif
 #
 # This lets you build the library in your own directory with something like
 #
-#   set TOP=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
+#   set TOP_DIR=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
 #   set OBJ_DIR=.../path/to/obj/dir
-#   make -f %TOP%/Makefile setup [options]
-#   make -f %TOP%/Makefile
+#   make -f %TOP_DIR%/Makefile setup [options]
+#   make -f %TOP_DIR%/Makefile
 #
 ifndef OBJ_DIR
-  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP)$(SEP)objs
+  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)objs
 endif
 
 
diff --git a/builds/dos/dos-gcc.mk b/builds/dos/dos-gcc.mk
index 1fab6f02e..14a9d38dd 100644
--- a/builds/dos/dos-gcc.mk
+++ b/builds/dos/dos-gcc.mk
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 
 SEP := /
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/dos/dos-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/dos/dos-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/freetype.mk b/builds/freetype.mk
index 96473d85f..9b5921cc9 100644
--- a/builds/freetype.mk
+++ b/builds/freetype.mk
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 # environment, or on the command line) are used:
 #
 #   BUILD          The architecture dependent directory,
-#                  e.g. `$(TOP)/builds/unix'.
+#                  e.g. `$(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix'.
 #
 #   OBJ_DIR        The directory in which object files are created.
 #
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 #                  variables which is to be removed for the `clean' resp.
 #                  `distclean' target.
 #
-#   TOP, SEP,
+#   TOP_DIR, SEP,
 #   LIBRARY, CC,
 #   A, I, O, T     Check `config.mk' for details.
 
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ multi: objects library
 
 # The FreeType source directory, usually `./src'.
 #
-SRC := $(TOP)$(SEP)src
+SRC := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)src
 
 
 # The directory where the base layer components are placed, usually
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ BASE_DIR := $(SRC)$(SEP)base
 # as macro.
 #
 ifndef FT_BUILD_H
-  FT_BUILD_H  := $(TOP)$(SEP)include$(SEP)ft2build.h
+  FT_BUILD_H  := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)include$(SEP)ft2build.h
   FTBUILD_CMD :=
 else
   FTBUILD_CMD = $(D)FT_BUILD_H=$(FT_BUILD_H)
@@ -104,14 +104,14 @@ endif
 # A few short-cuts in order to avoid typing $(SEP) all the time for the
 # directory separator.
 #
-# For example: $(SRC_) equals to `./src/' where `.' is $(TOP).
+# For example: $(SRC_) equals to `./src/' where `.' is $(TOP_DIR).
 #
 #
 SRC_      := $(SRC)$(SEP)
 BASE_     := $(BASE_DIR)$(SEP)
 OBJ_      := $(OBJ_DIR)$(SEP)
 LIB_      := $(LIB_DIR)$(SEP)
-PUBLIC_   := $(TOP)$(SEP)include$(SEP)freetype$(SEP)
+PUBLIC_   := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)include$(SEP)freetype$(SEP)
 INTERNAL_ := $(PUBLIC_)internal$(SEP)
 CONFIG_   := $(PUBLIC_)config$(SEP)
 CACHE_    := $(PUBLIC_)cache$(SEP)
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ PROJECT_LIBRARY := $(LIB_)$(LIBRARY).$A
 #                 in the `freetype/builds/<system>' directory, as these
 #                 files will override the default sources.
 #
-INCLUDES := $(OBJ_DIR) $(BUILD) $(TOP)$(SEP)include
+INCLUDES := $(OBJ_DIR) $(BUILD) $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)include
 
 INCLUDE_FLAGS = $(INCLUDES:%=$I%)
 
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ FT_COMPILE = $(CC) $(ANSIFLAGS) $(FT_CFLAGS)
 
 # Include the `modules' rules file.
 #
-include $(TOP)/builds/modules.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/modules.mk
 
 
 # Initialize the list of objects.
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ OBJECTS_LIST :=
 
 
 # Define $(PUBLIC_H) as the list of all public header files located in
-# `$(TOP)/include/freetype'.  $(BASE_H), $(CACHE_H), and $(CONFIG_H) are
+# `$(TOP_DIR)/include/freetype'.  $(BASE_H), $(CACHE_H), and $(CONFIG_H) are
 # defined similarly.
 #
 # This is used to simplify the dependency rules -- if one of these files
diff --git a/builds/link_dos.mk b/builds/link_dos.mk
index 044a86b2a..bc36ed0ad 100644
--- a/builds/link_dos.mk
+++ b/builds/link_dos.mk
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ ifdef BUILD_PROJECT
   # Now include the main sub-makefile.  It contains all the rules used to
   # build the library with the previous variables defined.
   #
-  include $(TOP)/builds/$(PROJECT).mk
+  include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/$(PROJECT).mk
 
   # The cleanup targets.
   #
diff --git a/builds/link_std.mk b/builds/link_std.mk
index 193c3429b..d59f2c3a3 100644
--- a/builds/link_std.mk
+++ b/builds/link_std.mk
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ ifdef BUILD_PROJECT
   # Now include the main sub-makefile.  It contains all the rules used to
   # build the library with the previous variables defined.
   #
-  include $(TOP)/builds/$(PROJECT).mk
+  include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/$(PROJECT).mk
 
   # The cleanup targets.
   #
diff --git a/builds/modules.mk b/builds/modules.mk
index 3f911de42..536ca5462 100644
--- a/builds/modules.mk
+++ b/builds/modules.mk
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 # resides.  For now, it is in `include/freetype/config/ftmodule.h'.
 #
 ifndef MODULE_LIST
-  MODULE_LIST := $(TOP)$(SEP)include$(SEP)$(PROJECT)$(SEP)config$(SEP)ftmodule.h
+  MODULE_LIST := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)include$(SEP)$(PROJECT)$(SEP)config$(SEP)ftmodule.h
 endif
 
 # To build the modules list, we invoke the `make_module_list' target.
@@ -71,6 +71,6 @@ ECHO_DRIVER_DONE := )"
 # Each `module.mk' in the `src' sub-dirs is used to add one rule to the
 # target `make_module_list'.
 #
-include $(wildcard $(TOP)/src/*/module.mk)
+include $(wildcard $(TOP_DIR)/src/*/module.mk)
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/os2/os2-def.mk b/builds/os2/os2-def.mk
index 8f20ffb54..ef4b8115d 100644
--- a/builds/os2/os2-def.mk
+++ b/builds/os2/os2-def.mk
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 DELETE   := del
 HOSTSEP  := $(strip \ )
-BUILD    := $(TOP)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)os2
+BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)os2
 PLATFORM := os2
 
 # except for GCC+emx on OS/2
@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ endif
 #
 # This lets you build the library in your own directory with something like
 #
-#   set TOP=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
+#   set TOP_DIR=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
 #   set OBJ_DIR=.../path/to/obj/dir
-#   make -f %TOP%/Makefile setup [options]
-#   make -f %TOP%/Makefile
+#   make -f %TOP_DIR%/Makefile setup [options]
+#   make -f %TOP_DIR%/Makefile
 #
 ifndef OBJ_DIR
-  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP)$(SEP)objs
+  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)objs
 endif
 
 
diff --git a/builds/os2/os2-dev.mk b/builds/os2/os2-dev.mk
index f1e96d2f1..6527b79ee 100644
--- a/builds/os2/os2-dev.mk
+++ b/builds/os2/os2-dev.mk
@@ -15,19 +15,19 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
 
 SEP   := /
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/os2/os2-def.mk
-BUILD := $(TOP)/builds/devel
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/os2/os2-def.mk
+BUILD := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/devel
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/gcc-dev.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/gcc-dev.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/os2/os2-gcc.mk b/builds/os2/os2-gcc.mk
index 275daccfd..5853862f0 100644
--- a/builds/os2/os2-gcc.mk
+++ b/builds/os2/os2-gcc.mk
@@ -16,12 +16,12 @@
 SEP := /
 
 # include OS/2-specific definitions
-include $(TOP)/builds/os2/os2-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/os2/os2-def.mk
 
 # include gcc-specific definitions
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/toplevel.mk b/builds/toplevel.mk
index 27a7af707..2e9fbd082 100644
--- a/builds/toplevel.mk
+++ b/builds/toplevel.mk
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ endif
 # configuration rules file to use.
 #
 # Note that the configuration file is put in the current directory, which is
-# not necessarily $(TOP).
+# not necessarily $(TOP_DIR).
 
 # If `config.mk' is not present, set `check_platform'.
 #
@@ -81,10 +81,10 @@ ifdef check_platform
     #modules: make_module_list setup
   endif
 
-  include $(TOP)/builds/detect.mk
+  include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/detect.mk
 
   ifdef USE_MODULES
-    include $(TOP)/builds/modules.mk
+    include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/modules.mk
 
     ifeq ($(wildcard $(MODULE_LIST)),)
       setup: make_module_list
diff --git a/builds/unix/detect.mk b/builds/unix/detect.mk
index a6eb658d0..516f8ffd8 100644
--- a/builds/unix/detect.mk
+++ b/builds/unix/detect.mk
@@ -75,10 +75,10 @@ ifeq ($(PLATFORM),unix)
   have_mk := $(strip $(wildcard $(OBJ_DIR)/Makefile))
   ifneq ($(have_mk),)
     # we are building FT2 not in the src tree
-    unix-def.mk: $(TOP)/builds/unix/unix-def.in
-	    $(TOP)/builds/unix/configure $(CFG)
+    unix-def.mk: $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/unix-def.in
+	    $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/configure $(CFG)
   else
-    unix-def.mk: $(TOP)/builds/unix/unix-def.in
+    unix-def.mk: $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/unix-def.in
 	    cd builds/unix; ./configure $(CFG)
   endif
 
diff --git a/builds/unix/unix-def.in b/builds/unix/unix-def.in
index 6fcf06ea0..7a3558811 100644
--- a/builds/unix/unix-def.in
+++ b/builds/unix/unix-def.in
@@ -13,16 +13,16 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
-TOP := $(shell cd $(TOP); pwd)
+TOP_DIR := $(shell cd $(TOP_DIR); pwd)
 
 DELETE   := @RMF@
 DELDIR   := @RMDIR@
 SEP      := /
 HOSTSEP  := $(SEP)
-BUILD    := $(TOP)/builds/unix
+BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix
 PLATFORM := unix
 
 # this is used for `make distclean' and `make install'
@@ -66,13 +66,13 @@ version_info := @version_info@
 #
 # This lets you build the library in your own directory with something like
 #
-#   set TOP=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
+#   set TOP_DIR=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
 #   set OBJ_DIR=.../path/to/obj/dir
-#   make -f $TOP/Makefile setup [options]
-#   make -f $TOP/Makefile
+#   make -f $TOP_DIR/Makefile setup [options]
+#   make -f $TOP_DIR/Makefile
 #
 ifndef OBJ_DIR
-  OBJ_DIR := $(shell cd $(TOP)/objs; pwd)
+  OBJ_DIR := $(shell cd $(TOP_DIR)/objs; pwd)
 endif
 
 
diff --git a/builds/unix/unix-dev.mk b/builds/unix/unix-dev.mk
index 7d5d45963..2f10734f1 100644
--- a/builds/unix/unix-dev.mk
+++ b/builds/unix/unix-dev.mk
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/unix/unixddef.mk
-BUILD := $(TOP)/builds/devel
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/unixddef.mk
+BUILD := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/devel
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/gcc-dev.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_std.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/gcc-dev.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_std.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/unix/unix-lcc.mk b/builds/unix/unix-lcc.mk
index dab175ce1..4ade02c3a 100644
--- a/builds/unix/unix-lcc.mk
+++ b/builds/unix/unix-lcc.mk
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/unix/unixddef.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/unix-lcc.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_std.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/unixddef.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/unix-lcc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_std.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/unix/unix.mk b/builds/unix/unix.mk
index 57d951a6a..fae08b396 100644
--- a/builds/unix/unix.mk
+++ b/builds/unix/unix.mk
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@
 # indicate that you have read the license and understand and accept it
 # fully.
 
-have_mk := $(strip $(wildcard $(TOP)/builds/unix/unix-def.mk))
+have_mk := $(strip $(wildcard $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/unix-def.mk))
 ifneq ($(have_mk),)
-  include $(TOP)/builds/unix/unix-def.mk
-  include $(TOP)/builds/unix/unix-cc.mk
+  include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/unix-def.mk
+  include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/unix-cc.mk
 else
   # we are building FT2 not in the src tree
   include $(OBJ_DIR)/unix-def.mk
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ ifdef BUILD_PROJECT
   # Now include the main sub-makefile.  It contains all the rules used to
   # build the library with the previous variables defined.
   #
-  include $(TOP)/builds/$(PROJECT).mk
+  include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/$(PROJECT).mk
 
 
   # The cleanup targets.
@@ -52,6 +52,6 @@ endif
 
 endif
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/unix/install.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/unix/install.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/unix/unixddef.mk b/builds/unix/unixddef.mk
index b593db5d2..1ea1543ac 100644
--- a/builds/unix/unixddef.mk
+++ b/builds/unix/unixddef.mk
@@ -14,17 +14,17 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
-TOP := $(shell cd $(TOP); pwd)
+TOP_DIR := $(shell cd $(TOP_DIR); pwd)
 
 DELETE   := rm -f
 SEP      := /
 HOSTSEP  := $(SEP)
 
 # we use a special devel ftoption.h
-BUILD    := $(TOP)/builds/devel
+BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/devel
 
 # do not set the platform to `unix', or libtool will trick you
 PLATFORM := unixdev
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ PLATFORM := unixdev
 # The directory where all object files are placed.
 #
 ifndef OBJ_DIR
-  OBJ_DIR := $(shell cd $(TOP)/objs; pwd)
+  OBJ_DIR := $(shell cd $(TOP_DIR)/objs; pwd)
 endif
 
 
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-bcc.mk b/builds/win32/w32-bcc.mk
index 824ddadb3..5c2472479 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-bcc.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-bcc.mk
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
 
 
 SEP := /
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/bcc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/bcc.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-bccd.mk b/builds/win32/w32-bccd.mk
index 3c56d5dcd..80e44ffa8 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-bccd.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-bccd.mk
@@ -15,12 +15,12 @@
 
 SEP   := /
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-BUILD := $(TOP)/builds/devel
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+BUILD := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/devel
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/bcc-dev.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/bcc-dev.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-dev.mk b/builds/win32/w32-dev.mk
index 42932d07a..17aa0aa4b 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-dev.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-dev.mk
@@ -19,19 +19,19 @@
 #       Shell (_not_ Cygwin BASH)!
 #
 
-ifndef TOP
-  TOP := .
+ifndef TOP_DIR
+  TOP_DIR := .
 endif
 
 SEP   := /
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-BUILD := $(TOP)/builds/devel
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+BUILD := $(TOP_DIR)/builds/devel
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/gcc-dev.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/gcc-dev.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 
 
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-gcc.mk b/builds/win32/w32-gcc.mk
index 0aed55445..86f6dddaa 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-gcc.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-gcc.mk
@@ -18,12 +18,12 @@
 SEP := /
 
 # include Win32-specific definitions
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
 
 # include gcc-specific definitions
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-icc.mk b/builds/win32/w32-icc.mk
index 49812ed3d..8b63ce0ef 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-icc.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-icc.mk
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@
 # fully.
 
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/visualage.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/visualage.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-intl.mk b/builds/win32/w32-intl.mk
index 6ae022fc6..4f6a0342d 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-intl.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-intl.mk
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
 
 
 SEP := /
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/intelc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/intelc.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-lcc.mk b/builds/win32/w32-lcc.mk
index 29473bce3..a147c4cb6 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-lcc.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-lcc.mk
@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@
 
 
 SEP := /
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/win-lcc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/win-lcc.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
 
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-mingw32.mk b/builds/win32/w32-mingw32.mk
index 87f98872e..236e81001 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-mingw32.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-mingw32.mk
@@ -18,14 +18,14 @@
 SEP := /
 
 # include Win32-specific definitions
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
 
 LIBRARY := lib$(PROJECT)
 
 # include gcc-specific definitions
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/gcc.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-vcc.mk b/builds/win32/w32-vcc.mk
index 516b028bb..459e187d1 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-vcc.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-vcc.mk
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@
 
 
 SEP := /
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/visualc.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/visualc.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
diff --git a/builds/win32/w32-wat.mk b/builds/win32/w32-wat.mk
index b5fed58dd..ab250dc9b 100644
--- a/builds/win32/w32-wat.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/w32-wat.mk
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@
 SEP  := /
 ISEP := $(strip \ )
 
-include $(TOP)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
-include $(TOP)/builds/compiler/watcom.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/compiler/watcom.mk
 
 # include linking instructions
-include $(TOP)/builds/link_dos.mk
+include $(TOP_DIR)/builds/link_dos.mk
 
 # EOF
 
diff --git a/builds/win32/win32-def.mk b/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
index c71d85681..9b43a039b 100644
--- a/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
+++ b/builds/win32/win32-def.mk
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 
 DELETE   := del
 HOSTSEP  := $(strip \ )
-BUILD    := $(TOP)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)win32
+BUILD    := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)builds$(SEP)win32
 PLATFORM := win32
 
 # by default, we use "\" as a separator on Win32
@@ -30,13 +30,13 @@ endif
 #
 # This lets you build the library in your own directory with something like
 #
-#   set TOP=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
+#   set TOP_DIR=.../path/to/freetype2/top/dir...
 #   set OBJ_DIR=.../path/to/obj/dir
-#   make -f %TOP%/Makefile setup [options]
-#   make -f %TOP%/Makefile
+#   make -f %TOP_DIR%/Makefile setup [options]
+#   make -f %TOP_DIR%/Makefile
 #
 ifndef OBJ_DIR
-  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP)$(SEP)objs
+  OBJ_DIR := $(TOP_DIR)$(SEP)objs
 endif
 
 
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 982a1df06..1198380df 100644
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ abs_ft2_dir=`cd "$ft2_dir" && pwd`
 
 if test "$abs_curr_dir" != "$abs_ft2_dir"; then
   echo "OBJ_DIR=$abs_curr_dir"          > Makefile
-  echo "TOP=$abs_ft2_dir"              >> Makefile
+  echo "TOP_DIR=$abs_ft2_dir"          >> Makefile
   echo "OBJ_BUILD=$abs_curr_dir"       >> Makefile
   echo "LIBTOOL=$abs_curr_dir/libtool" >> Makefile
   echo "include $abs_ft2_dir/Makefile" >> Makefile
diff --git a/docs/CHANGES b/docs/CHANGES
index d084179a3..3af33e8c9 100644
--- a/docs/CHANGES
+++ b/docs/CHANGES
@@ -1270,7 +1270,7 @@ OLD CHANGES 16 May 2000
 
     Here's a layout of the new directory hierarchy:
 
-    TOP
+    TOP_DIR
       include/
          freetype/
             freetype.h
@@ -1298,7 +1298,7 @@ OLD CHANGES 16 May 2000
 
 
     Compiling a module is now  much easier, for example, the following
-    should work when in the TOP directory on an ANSI build:
+    should work when in the TOP_DIR directory on an ANSI build:
 
        gcc -c -I./include -I./src/base src/base/ftbase.c
        gcc -c -I./include -I./src/sfnt src/sfnt/sfnt.c
diff --git a/docs/INSTALL b/docs/INSTALL
index e959ed8d6..22207e383 100644
--- a/docs/INSTALL
+++ b/docs/INSTALL
@@ -118,15 +118,15 @@ II. From the command line
 
 
   If you want  to build FreeType 2 in another  directory, you must set
-  two environment  variables, `OJB_DIR'  and `TOP'.  The  former gives
-  the  directory where  the object  files  and the  library should  be
+  two  environment  variables,  `OJB_DIR'  and  `TOP_DIR'.  The former
+  gives the directory where the object files and the library should  be
   created (this directory must exist), the latter the top directory of
   the FreeType 2 source tree.  Example:
 
-    OBJ_DIR=~/freetype2.compiled TOP=~/freetype2 \
-      make -f$TOP/Makefile setup ansi
-    OBJ_DIR=~/freetype2.compiled TOP=~/freetype2 \
-      make -f$TOP/Makefile
+    OBJ_DIR=~/freetype2.compiled TOP_DIR=~/freetype2 \
+      make -f$TOP_DIR/Makefile setup ansi
+    OBJ_DIR=~/freetype2.compiled TOP_DIR=~/freetype2 \
+      make -f$TOP_DIR/Makefile
 
   On  Unix boxes,  calling  `configure' from  the  build directory  is
   sufficient;  it  will  build  a  small   Makefile  which  calls  the