diff --git a/demos/life/Makefile.in b/demos/life/Makefile.in
index 14db842f1f..77da68dce4 100644
--- a/demos/life/Makefile.in
+++ b/demos/life/Makefile.in
@@ -13,11 +13,11 @@ top_srcdir = @top_srcdir@/..
 top_builddir = ../..
 program_dir = demos/life
 
-DATAFILES = samples.inc
+DATAFILES = samples.inc breeder.lif
 
 PROGRAM=life
 
-OBJECTS=$(PROGRAM).o dialogs.o game.o
+OBJECTS=$(PROGRAM).o dialogs.o game.o reader.o
 
 include ../../src/makeprog.env
 
diff --git a/demos/life/bitmaps/info.bmp b/demos/life/bitmaps/info.bmp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3e27204ada
Binary files /dev/null and b/demos/life/bitmaps/info.bmp differ
diff --git a/demos/life/bitmaps/info.xpm b/demos/life/bitmaps/info.xpm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ac05447e24
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demos/life/bitmaps/info.xpm
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/* XPM */
+static char *info_xpm[] = {
+/* columns rows colors chars-per-pixel */
+"16 16 2 1",
+"  c None",
+". c Blue",
+/* pixels */
+"                ",
+"      ....      ",
+"     ......     ",
+"     ......     ",
+"      ....      ",
+"                ",
+"                ",
+"    .......     ",
+"      .....     ",
+"      .....     ",
+"      .....     ",
+"      .....     ",
+"      .....     ",
+"      .....     ",
+"      .....     ",
+"    .........   "
+};
diff --git a/demos/life/bitmaps/open.bmp b/demos/life/bitmaps/open.bmp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bbf93fe033
Binary files /dev/null and b/demos/life/bitmaps/open.bmp differ
diff --git a/demos/life/bitmaps/open.xpm b/demos/life/bitmaps/open.xpm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..54748e910d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demos/life/bitmaps/open.xpm
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/* XPM */
+static char *open_xpm[] = {
+/* columns rows colors chars-per-pixel */
+"16 15 5 1",
+"  c None",
+". c Black",
+"X c Yellow",
+"o c Gray100",
+"O c #bfbf00",
+/* pixels */
+"                ",
+"          ...   ",
+"         .   . .",
+"              ..",
+"  ...        ...",
+" .XoX.......    ",
+" .oXoXoXoXo.    ",
+" .XoXoXoXoX.    ",
+" .oXoX..........",
+" .XoX.OOOOOOOOO.",
+" .oo.OOOOOOOOO. ",
+" .X.OOOOOOOOO.  ",
+" ..OOOOOOOOO.   ",
+" ...........    ",
+"                "
+};
diff --git a/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.bmp b/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.bmp
index 41ea143e80..d66feb2384 100644
Binary files a/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.bmp and b/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.bmp differ
diff --git a/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.xpm b/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.xpm
index b9ebd02762..754d2d20a2 100644
--- a/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.xpm
+++ b/demos/life/bitmaps/reset.xpm
@@ -1,24 +1,24 @@
-/* XPM */
-static char *reset_xpm[] = {
-/* columns rows colors chars-per-pixel */
-"16 16 2 1",
-"  c None",
-". c Black",
-/* pixels */
-"                ",
-"                ",
-"                ",
-"   ..      ..   ",
-"   ...    ...   ",
-"    ...  ...    ",
-"     ......     ",
-"      ....      ",
-"      ....      ",
-"     ......     ",
-"    ...  ...    ",
-"   ...    ...   ",
-"   ..      ..   ",
-"                ",
-"                ",
-"                "
-};
+/* XPM */
+static char *new_xpm[] = {
+/* columns rows colors chars-per-pixel */
+"16 15 3 1",
+"  c None",
+". c Black",
+"X c Gray100",
+/* pixels */
+"                ",
+"   ........     ",
+"   .XXXXXX..    ",
+"   .XXXXXX.X.   ",
+"   .XXXXXX....  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   .XXXXXXXXX.  ",
+"   ...........  ",
+"                "
+};
diff --git a/demos/life/breeder.lif b/demos/life/breeder.lif
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5a6ca8d581
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demos/life/breeder.lif
@@ -0,0 +1,2523 @@
+#Life 1.05
+#D Breeder, the classic original
+#D by Bill Gosper, early 1970's.
+#D 
+#D This is the first pattern to
+#D demonstrate that quadratic
+#D growth was possible in the
+#D Game of Life. Much better 
+#D results have been achieved
+#D since then (see MAX).
+#N
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+.
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+.
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+.
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+.
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+#P -15 139
+...............*
+.............**.*
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+.......*.*...**
+.**....*.*
+**.*..**.**
+.**.***..****
+...*...**.*.**
+.........**.**
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+.
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+...*...**.*.**
+.**.***..****
+**.*..**.**
+.**....*.*
+.......*.*...**
+........****.*.*
+............*...*
+.............**.*
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+..*
+.*.*
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+.
+.
+.
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+**
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+*
diff --git a/demos/life/dialogs.cpp b/demos/life/dialogs.cpp
index 0d8989793e..3eab611574 100644
--- a/demos/life/dialogs.cpp
+++ b/demos/life/dialogs.cpp
@@ -93,16 +93,16 @@ LifeSamplesDialog::LifeSamplesDialog(wxWindow *parent)
         0, NULL,
         wxLB_SINGLE | wxLB_NEEDED_SB | wxLB_HSCROLL );
 
-    for (unsigned i = 0; i < (sizeof(g_shapes) / sizeof(LifeShape)); i++)
-        m_list->Append(g_shapes[i].m_name);
+    for (unsigned i = 0; i < (sizeof(g_patterns) / sizeof(LifePattern)); i++)
+        m_list->Append(g_patterns[i].m_name);
 
     // descriptions
     wxStaticBox *statbox = new wxStaticBox( this, -1, _("Description"));
     m_life   = new Life();
-    m_life->SetShape(g_shapes[0]);
+    m_life->SetPattern(g_patterns[0]);
     m_canvas = new LifeCanvas( this, m_life, FALSE );
     m_text   = new wxTextCtrl( this, -1,
-        g_shapes[0].m_desc,
+        g_patterns[0].m_description,
         wxDefaultPosition,
         wxSize(300, 60),
         wxTE_MULTILINE | wxTE_READONLY);
@@ -136,9 +136,9 @@ LifeSamplesDialog::~LifeSamplesDialog()
     m_canvas->Destroy();
 }
 
-const LifeShape& LifeSamplesDialog::GetShape()
+const LifePattern& LifeSamplesDialog::GetPattern()
 {
-    return g_shapes[m_value];
+    return g_patterns[m_value];
 }
 
 void LifeSamplesDialog::OnListBox(wxCommandEvent& event)
@@ -148,15 +148,14 @@ void LifeSamplesDialog::OnListBox(wxCommandEvent& event)
     if (sel != -1)
     {
         m_value = m_list->GetSelection();
-        m_text->SetValue(g_shapes[ sel ].m_desc);
-        m_life->SetShape(g_shapes[ sel ]);
+        m_text->SetValue(g_patterns[ sel ].m_description);
+        m_life->SetPattern(g_patterns[ sel ]);
 
-        // quick and dirty :-)
-        if ((g_shapes[ sel ].m_width > 36) ||
-            (g_shapes[ sel ].m_height > 22))
-            m_canvas->SetCellSize(2);
-        else
+        // these values shouldn't be hardcoded...
+        if ((size_t)sel < (sizeof(g_patterns) / sizeof(LifePattern)) - 3)
             m_canvas->SetCellSize(8);
+        else
+            m_canvas->SetCellSize(2);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/demos/life/dialogs.h b/demos/life/dialogs.h
index b2187cb0c3..e41e45953c 100644
--- a/demos/life/dialogs.h
+++ b/demos/life/dialogs.h
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public:
     ~LifeSamplesDialog();
 
     // members
-    const LifeShape& GetShape();
+    const LifePattern& GetPattern();
 
     // event handlers
     void OnListBox(wxCommandEvent &event);
diff --git a/demos/life/game.cpp b/demos/life/game.cpp
index f5c2e09f3b..46264b5238 100644
--- a/demos/life/game.cpp
+++ b/demos/life/game.cpp
@@ -117,17 +117,24 @@ bool CellBox::SetCell(int dx, int dy, bool alive)
 
 Life::Life()
 {
-    m_numcells  = 0;
-    m_boxes     = new CellBox *[HASHSIZE];
-    m_head      = NULL;
-    m_available = NULL;
+    // pattern description
+    m_name        = _("");
+    m_rules       = _("");
+    m_description = _("");
+
+    // pattern data
+    m_numcells    = 0;
+    m_boxes       = new CellBox *[HASHSIZE];
+    m_head        = NULL;
+    m_available   = NULL;
     for (int i = 0; i < HASHSIZE; i++)
         m_boxes[i] = NULL;
 
-    m_cells     = new Cell[ARRAYSIZE];
-    m_ncells    = 0;
-    m_findmore  = FALSE;
-    m_changed   = FALSE;
+    // state vars for BeginFind & FindMore
+    m_cells       = new Cell[ARRAYSIZE];
+    m_ncells      = 0;
+    m_findmore    = FALSE;
+    m_changed     = FALSE;
 }
 
 Life::~Life()
@@ -145,8 +152,6 @@ void Life::Clear()
 {
     CellBox *c, *nc;
 
-    m_numcells = 0;
-
     // clear the hash table pointers
     for (int i = 0; i < HASHSIZE; i++)
         m_boxes[i] = NULL;
@@ -170,6 +175,12 @@ void Life::Clear()
         c = nc;
     }
     m_available = NULL;
+
+    // reset state
+    m_name        = _("");
+    m_rules       = _("");
+    m_description = _("");
+    m_numcells    = 0;
 }
 
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -204,19 +215,38 @@ void Life::SetCell(wxInt32 x, wxInt32 y, bool alive)
     }
 }
 
-void Life::SetShape(const LifeShape& shape)
+void Life::SetPattern(const LifePattern& pattern)
 {
-    char *p = shape.m_data;
-
-    int i0 = -(shape.m_width / 2);
-    int j0 = -(shape.m_height / 2);
-    int i1 = i0 + shape.m_width - 1;
-    int j1 = j0 + shape.m_height - 1;
+    wxArrayString data = pattern.m_shape;
+    wxString line;
+    long x = 0,
+         y = 0;
 
     Clear();
-    for (int j = j0; j <= j1; j++)
-        for (int i = i0; i <= i1; i++)
-            SetCell(i, j, *(p++) == '*');
+    for (size_t n = 0; n < data.GetCount(); n++)
+    {
+        line = data[n];
+
+        if ( (line.GetChar(0) != wxT('*')) &&
+             (line.GetChar(0) != wxT('.')) )
+        {
+            // assume that it is a digit or a minus sign
+            line.BeforeFirst(wxT(' ')).ToLong(&x);
+            line.AfterFirst(wxT(' ')).ToLong(&y);
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // pattern data
+            for (size_t k = 0; k < line.Len(); k++)
+                SetCell(x + k, y, line.GetChar(k) == wxT('*'));
+
+            y++;
+        }
+    }
+
+    m_name = pattern.m_name;
+    m_rules = pattern.m_rules;
+    m_description = pattern.m_description;
 }
 
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -337,110 +367,110 @@ void Life::KillBox(CellBox *c)
 
 Cell Life::FindCenter()
 {
-    double i, j;
+    double sx, sy;
     int n;
-    i = 0.0;
-    j = 0.0;
+    sx = 0.0;
+    sy = 0.0;
     n = 0;
 
     CellBox *c;
     for (c = m_head; c; c = c->m_next)
         if (!c->m_dead)
         {
-            i += c->m_x;
-            j += c->m_y;
+            sx += c->m_x;
+            sy += c->m_y;
             n++;
         }
 
     if (n > 0)
     {
-        i = (i / n) + CELLBOX / 2;
-        j = (j / n) + CELLBOX / 2;
+        sx = (sx / n) + CELLBOX / 2;
+        sy = (sy / n) + CELLBOX / 2;
     }
 
     Cell cell;
-    cell.i = (wxInt32) i;
-    cell.j = (wxInt32) j;
+    cell.i = (wxInt32) sx;
+    cell.j = (wxInt32) sy;
     return cell;
 }
 
 Cell Life::FindNorth()
 {
-    wxInt32 i = 0, j = 0;
+    wxInt32 x = 0, y = 0;
     bool first = TRUE;
 
     CellBox *c;
     for (c = m_head; c; c = c->m_next)
-        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_y < j)))
+        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_y < y)))
         {
-            i = c->m_x;
-            j = c->m_y;
+            x = c->m_x;
+            y = c->m_y;
             first = FALSE;
         }
     
     Cell cell;
-    cell.i = first? 0 : i + CELLBOX / 2;
-    cell.j = first? 0 : j + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.i = first? 0 : x + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.j = first? 0 : y + CELLBOX / 2;
     return cell;
 }
 
 Cell Life::FindSouth()
 {
-    wxInt32 i = 0, j = 0;
+    wxInt32 x = 0, y = 0;
     bool first = TRUE;
 
     CellBox *c;
     for (c = m_head; c; c = c->m_next)
-        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_y > j)))
+        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_y > y)))
         {
-            i = c->m_x;
-            j = c->m_y;
+            x = c->m_x;
+            y = c->m_y;
             first = FALSE;
         }
     
     Cell cell;
-    cell.i = first? 0 : i + CELLBOX / 2;
-    cell.j = first? 0 : j + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.i = first? 0 : x + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.j = first? 0 : y + CELLBOX / 2;
     return cell;
 }
 
 Cell Life::FindWest()
 {
-    wxInt32 i = 0, j = 0;
+    wxInt32 x = 0, y = 0;
     bool first = TRUE;
 
     CellBox *c;
     for (c = m_head; c; c = c->m_next)
-        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_x < i)))
+        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_x < x)))
         {
-            i = c->m_x;
-            j = c->m_y;
+            x = c->m_x;
+            y = c->m_y;
             first = FALSE;
         }
     
     Cell cell;
-    cell.i = first? 0 : i + CELLBOX / 2;
-    cell.j = first? 0 : j + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.i = first? 0 : x + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.j = first? 0 : y + CELLBOX / 2;
     return cell;
 }
 
 Cell Life::FindEast()
 {
-    wxInt32 i = 0, j = 0;
+    wxInt32 x = 0, y = 0;
     bool first = TRUE;
 
     CellBox *c;
     for (c = m_head; c; c = c->m_next)
-        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_x > i)))
+        if (!c->m_dead && ((first) || (c->m_x > x)))
         {
-            i = c->m_x;
-            j = c->m_y;
+            x = c->m_x;
+            y = c->m_y;
             first = FALSE;
         }
     
     Cell cell;
-    cell.i = first? 0 : i + CELLBOX / 2;
-    cell.j = first? 0 : j + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.i = first? 0 : x + CELLBOX / 2;
+    cell.j = first? 0 : y + CELLBOX / 2;
     return cell;
 }
 
@@ -453,35 +483,35 @@ Cell Life::FindEast()
 //  argument (or pass 0, the default value) to post alive cells
 //  only, else it will post cells which have changed.
 //
-void Life::DoLine(wxInt32 i, wxInt32 j, wxUint32 live, wxUint32 old)
+void Life::DoLine(wxInt32 x, wxInt32 y, wxUint32 live, wxUint32 old)
 {
     wxUint32 diff = (live ^ old) & 0xff;
 
     if (!diff) return;
 
-    for (wxInt32 k = 8; k; k--, i++)
+    for (wxInt32 k = 8; k; k--, x++)
     {
         if (diff & 0x01)
         {
-            m_cells[m_ncells].i = i;
-            m_cells[m_ncells].j = j;
+            m_cells[m_ncells].i = x;
+            m_cells[m_ncells].j = y;
             m_ncells++;
         }
         diff >>= 1;
     }
 }
 
-void Life::BeginFind(wxInt32 i0, wxInt32 j0, wxInt32 i1, wxInt32 j1, bool changed)
+void Life::BeginFind(wxInt32 x0, wxInt32 y0, wxInt32 x1, wxInt32 y1, bool changed)
 {
     // TODO: optimize for the case where the maximum number of
     // cellboxes that fit in the specified viewport is smaller
     // than the current total of boxes; iterating over the list
     // should then be faster than searching in the hash table.
 
-    m_i0 = m_i = i0 & 0xfffffff8;
-    m_j0 = m_j = j0 & 0xfffffff8;
-    m_i1 = (i1 + 7) & 0xfffffff8;
-    m_j1 = (j1 + 7) & 0xfffffff8;
+    m_x0 = m_x = x0 & 0xfffffff8;
+    m_y0 = m_y = y0 & 0xfffffff8;
+    m_x1 = (x1 + 7) & 0xfffffff8;
+    m_y1 = (y1 + 7) & 0xfffffff8;
 
     m_findmore = TRUE;
     m_changed = changed;
@@ -495,10 +525,10 @@ bool Life::FindMore(Cell *cells[], size_t *ncells)
 
     if (m_changed)
     {
-        for ( ; m_j <= m_j1; m_j += 8, m_i = m_i0)
-            for ( ; m_i <= m_i1; m_i += 8)
+        for ( ; m_y <= m_y1; m_y += 8, m_x = m_x0)
+            for ( ; m_x <= m_x1; m_x += 8)
             {
-                if ((c = LinkBox(m_i, m_j, FALSE)) == NULL)
+                if ((c = LinkBox(m_x, m_y, FALSE)) == NULL)
                     continue;
 
                 // check whether there is enough space left in the array
@@ -508,22 +538,22 @@ bool Life::FindMore(Cell *cells[], size_t *ncells)
                     return FALSE;
                 }
 
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j    , c->m_live1,       c->m_old1      );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 1, c->m_live1 >> 8,  c->m_old1 >> 8 );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 2, c->m_live1 >> 16, c->m_old1 >> 16);
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 3, c->m_live1 >> 24, c->m_old1 >> 24);
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 4, c->m_live2,       c->m_old2      );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 5, c->m_live2 >> 8,  c->m_old2 >> 8 );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 6, c->m_live2 >> 16, c->m_old2 >> 16);
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 7, c->m_live2 >> 24, c->m_old2 >> 24);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y    , c->m_live1,       c->m_old1      );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 1, c->m_live1 >> 8,  c->m_old1 >> 8 );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 2, c->m_live1 >> 16, c->m_old1 >> 16);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 3, c->m_live1 >> 24, c->m_old1 >> 24);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 4, c->m_live2,       c->m_old2      );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 5, c->m_live2 >> 8,  c->m_old2 >> 8 );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 6, c->m_live2 >> 16, c->m_old2 >> 16);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 7, c->m_live2 >> 24, c->m_old2 >> 24);
             }
     }
     else
     {
-        for ( ; m_j <= m_j1; m_j += 8, m_i = m_i0)
-            for ( ; m_i <= m_i1; m_i += 8)
+        for ( ; m_y <= m_y1; m_y += 8, m_x = m_x0)
+            for ( ; m_x <= m_x1; m_x += 8)
             {
-                if ((c = LinkBox(m_i, m_j, FALSE)) == NULL)
+                if ((c = LinkBox(m_x, m_y, FALSE)) == NULL)
                     continue;
 
                 // check whether there is enough space left in the array
@@ -533,14 +563,14 @@ bool Life::FindMore(Cell *cells[], size_t *ncells)
                     return FALSE;
                 }
 
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j    , c->m_live1      );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 1, c->m_live1 >> 8 );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 2, c->m_live1 >> 16);
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 3, c->m_live1 >> 24);
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 4, c->m_live2      );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 5, c->m_live2 >> 8 );
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 6, c->m_live2 >> 16);
-                DoLine(m_i, m_j + 7, c->m_live2 >> 24);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y    , c->m_live1      );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 1, c->m_live1 >> 8 );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 2, c->m_live1 >> 16);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 3, c->m_live1 >> 24);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 4, c->m_live2      );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 5, c->m_live2 >> 8 );
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 6, c->m_live2 >> 16);
+                DoLine(m_x, m_y + 7, c->m_live2 >> 24);
             }
     }
 
diff --git a/demos/life/game.h b/demos/life/game.h
index f88644cb9b..cca12fae4b 100644
--- a/demos/life/game.h
+++ b/demos/life/game.h
@@ -29,45 +29,44 @@
 #endif
 
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// Cell
-// --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-// A Cell is just a struct which contains a pair of (i, j) coords.
-// These structs are not used internally anywhere; they are just
-// used to pass cell coordinates around.
-
-struct Cell
-{
-    wxInt32 i;
-    wxInt32 j;
-};       
-
-// --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-// LifeShape
+// LifePattern
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 // A class which holds a pattern
-class LifeShape
+class LifePattern
 {
 public:
-    LifeShape(wxString name,
-              wxString desc,
-              int width,
-              int height,
-              char *data)
+    // This ctor is used by the LifeReader class
+    LifePattern(wxString      name,
+                wxString      description,
+                wxString      rules,
+                wxArrayString shape)
     {
-        m_name   = name;
-        m_desc   = desc;
-        m_width  = width;
-        m_height = height;
-        m_data   = data;
-    }
+        m_name        = name;
+        m_description = description;
+        m_rules       = rules;
+        m_shape       = shape;
+    };
+    
+    // A more convenient ctor for the built-in samples    
+    LifePattern(wxString      name,
+                wxString      description,
+                int           width,
+                int           height,
+                const char   *shape)
+    {
+        m_name        = name;
+        m_description = description;
+        m_rules       = _("");
+        m_shape.Add( wxString::Format("%i %i", -width/2, -height/2) );
+        for(int j = 0; j < height; j++)
+            m_shape.Add( wxString(shape + (j * width), (size_t) width) );        
+    };
 
-    wxString  m_name;
-    wxString  m_desc;
-    int       m_width;
-    int       m_height;
-    char     *m_data;
+    wxString      m_name;
+    wxString      m_description;
+    wxString      m_rules;
+    wxArrayString m_shape;
 };
 
 
@@ -75,8 +74,17 @@ public:
 // Life
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+// A struct used to pass cell coordinates around
+struct Cell
+{
+    wxInt32 i;
+    wxInt32 j;
+};       
+
+// A private class that contains data about a block of cells
 class CellBox;
 
+// A class that models a Life game instance
 class Life
 {
 public:
@@ -85,10 +93,12 @@ public:
     ~Life();
 
     // accessors
-    inline wxUint32 GetNumCells() const { return m_numcells; };
-    bool IsAlive  (wxInt32 x, wxInt32 y);
-    void SetCell  (wxInt32 x, wxInt32 y, bool alive = TRUE);
-    void SetShape (const LifeShape &shape);
+    inline wxUint32 GetNumCells() const    { return m_numcells; };
+    inline wxString GetRules() const       { return m_rules; };
+    inline wxString GetDescription() const { return m_description; };
+    bool IsAlive(wxInt32 x, wxInt32 y);
+    void SetCell(wxInt32 x, wxInt32 y, bool alive = TRUE);
+    void SetPattern(const LifePattern &pattern);
 
     // game control
     void Clear();
@@ -119,8 +129,8 @@ public:
     //  FALSE, then the operation is not complete: just process all cells
     //  and call FillMore() again.
     //
-    void BeginFind(wxInt32 i0, wxInt32 j0,
-                   wxInt32 i1, wxInt32 j1,
+    void BeginFind(wxInt32 x0, wxInt32 y0,
+                   wxInt32 x1, wxInt32 y1,
                    bool changed);
     bool FindMore(Cell *cells[], size_t *ncells);
 
@@ -131,20 +141,28 @@ private:
     void KillBox(CellBox *c);
 
     // helper for BeginFind & FindMore
-    void DoLine(wxInt32 i, wxInt32 j, wxUint32 alive, wxUint32 old = 0);
+    void DoLine(wxInt32 x, wxInt32 y, wxUint32 alive, wxUint32 old = 0);
 
 
-    CellBox  *m_head;           // list of alive boxes
-    CellBox  *m_available;      // list of reusable dead boxes
-    CellBox **m_boxes;          // hash table of alive boxes
-    wxUint32  m_numcells;       // population (number of alive cells)
-    Cell     *m_cells;          // cell array for FindMore()
-    size_t    m_ncells;         // number of valid cells in cell array
-    wxInt32   m_i, m_j,         // state vars for FindMore()
-              m_i0, m_j0,
-              m_i1, m_j1;
-    bool      m_changed;
-    bool      m_findmore;
+    // pattern description
+    wxString   m_name;          // name (currently unused)
+    wxString   m_rules;         // rules (currently unused)
+    wxString   m_description;   // description
+
+    // pattern data
+    CellBox   *m_head;          // list of alive boxes
+    CellBox   *m_available;     // list of reusable dead boxes
+    CellBox  **m_boxes;         // hash table of alive boxes
+    wxUint32   m_numcells;      // population (number of alive cells)
+
+    // state vars for BeginFind & FindMore
+    Cell      *m_cells;         // array of cells
+    size_t     m_ncells;        // number of valid entries in m_cells
+    wxInt32    m_x, m_y,        // counters and search mode
+               m_x0, m_y0,
+               m_x1, m_y1;
+    bool       m_changed;
+    bool       m_findmore;
 };
 
 #endif  // _LIFE_GAME_H_
diff --git a/demos/life/life.cpp b/demos/life/life.cpp
index 8b29dca570..f01e3e0be7 100644
--- a/demos/life/life.cpp
+++ b/demos/life/life.cpp
@@ -29,10 +29,13 @@
 #endif
 
 #include "wx/statline.h"
+#include "wx/wfstream.h"
+#include "wx/filedlg.h"
 
 #include "life.h"
 #include "game.h"
 #include "dialogs.h"
+#include "reader.h"
 
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 // resources
@@ -44,10 +47,12 @@
 
     // bitmap buttons for the toolbar
     #include "bitmaps/reset.xpm"
+    #include "bitmaps/open.xpm"
     #include "bitmaps/play.xpm"
     #include "bitmaps/stop.xpm"
     #include "bitmaps/zoomin.xpm"
     #include "bitmaps/zoomout.xpm"
+    #include "bitmaps/info.xpm"
 
     // navigator
     #include "bitmaps/north.xpm"
@@ -67,22 +72,14 @@ enum
     // timer
     ID_TIMER = 1001,
 
-    // menu items and toolbar buttons
-    ID_RESET,
+    // file menu
+    ID_NEW,
+    ID_OPEN,
     ID_SAMPLES,
     ID_ABOUT,
     ID_EXIT,
-    ID_START,
-    ID_STEP,
-    ID_STOP,
-    ID_ZOOMIN,
-    ID_ZOOMOUT,
-    ID_TOPSPEED,
 
-    // speed selection slider
-    ID_SLIDER,
-
-    // navigation
+    // view menu
     ID_SHOWNAV,
     ID_ORIGIN,
     ID_CENTER,
@@ -90,6 +87,18 @@ enum
     ID_SOUTH,
     ID_EAST,
     ID_WEST,
+    ID_ZOOMIN,
+    ID_ZOOMOUT,
+    ID_INFO,
+
+    // game menu
+    ID_START,
+    ID_STEP,
+    ID_STOP,
+    ID_TOPSPEED,
+
+    // speed selection slider
+    ID_SLIDER,
 };
 
 // --------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -98,14 +107,11 @@ enum
 
 // Event tables
 BEGIN_EVENT_TABLE(LifeFrame, wxFrame)
+    EVT_MENU            (ID_NEW,      LifeFrame::OnMenu)
+    EVT_MENU            (ID_OPEN,     LifeFrame::OnOpen)
     EVT_MENU            (ID_SAMPLES,  LifeFrame::OnSamples)
-    EVT_MENU            (ID_RESET,    LifeFrame::OnMenu)
     EVT_MENU            (ID_ABOUT,    LifeFrame::OnMenu)
     EVT_MENU            (ID_EXIT,     LifeFrame::OnMenu)
-    EVT_MENU            (ID_START,    LifeFrame::OnMenu)
-    EVT_MENU            (ID_STEP,     LifeFrame::OnMenu)
-    EVT_MENU            (ID_STOP,     LifeFrame::OnMenu)
-    EVT_MENU            (ID_TOPSPEED, LifeFrame::OnMenu)
     EVT_MENU            (ID_SHOWNAV,  LifeFrame::OnMenu)
     EVT_MENU            (ID_ORIGIN,   LifeFrame::OnNavigate)
     EVT_BUTTON          (ID_CENTER,   LifeFrame::OnNavigate)
@@ -115,6 +121,11 @@ BEGIN_EVENT_TABLE(LifeFrame, wxFrame)
     EVT_BUTTON          (ID_WEST,     LifeFrame::OnNavigate)
     EVT_MENU            (ID_ZOOMIN,   LifeFrame::OnZoom)
     EVT_MENU            (ID_ZOOMOUT,  LifeFrame::OnZoom)
+    EVT_MENU            (ID_INFO,     LifeFrame::OnMenu)
+    EVT_MENU            (ID_START,    LifeFrame::OnMenu)
+    EVT_MENU            (ID_STEP,     LifeFrame::OnMenu)
+    EVT_MENU            (ID_STOP,     LifeFrame::OnMenu)
+    EVT_MENU            (ID_TOPSPEED, LifeFrame::OnMenu)
     EVT_COMMAND_SCROLL  (ID_SLIDER,   LifeFrame::OnSlider)
     EVT_TIMER           (ID_TIMER,    LifeFrame::OnTimer)
     EVT_CLOSE           (             LifeFrame::OnClose)
@@ -128,7 +139,10 @@ BEGIN_EVENT_TABLE(LifeCanvas, wxWindow)
     EVT_PAINT           (             LifeCanvas::OnPaint)
     EVT_SCROLLWIN       (             LifeCanvas::OnScroll)
     EVT_SIZE            (             LifeCanvas::OnSize)
-    EVT_MOUSE_EVENTS    (             LifeCanvas::OnMouse)
+    EVT_MOTION          (             LifeCanvas::OnMouse)
+    EVT_LEFT_DOWN       (             LifeCanvas::OnMouse)
+    EVT_LEFT_UP         (             LifeCanvas::OnMouse)
+    EVT_LEFT_DCLICK     (             LifeCanvas::OnMouse)
     EVT_ERASE_BACKGROUND(             LifeCanvas::OnEraseBackground)
 END_EVENT_TABLE()
 
@@ -142,7 +156,7 @@ IMPLEMENT_APP(LifeApp)
 // ==========================================================================
 
 // some shortcuts
-#define ADD_TOOL(id, bmp, tooltip, help)     \
+#define ADD_TOOL(id, bmp, tooltip, help) \
     toolBar->AddTool(id, bmp, wxNullBitmap, FALSE, -1, -1, (wxObject *)0, tooltip, help)
 
 
@@ -184,32 +198,34 @@ LifeFrame::LifeFrame() : wxFrame((wxFrame *)0, -1, _("Life!"), wxPoint(200, 200)
     wxMenu *menuView = new wxMenu("", wxMENU_TEAROFF);
     wxMenu *menuGame = new wxMenu("", wxMENU_TEAROFF);
 
-    menuFile->Append(ID_RESET, _("Reset"), _("Start a new game"));
-    menuFile->Append(ID_SAMPLES, _("Sample game..."), _("Select a sample configuration"));
+    menuFile->Append(ID_NEW, _("&New"), _("Start a new game"));
+    menuFile->Append(ID_OPEN, _("&Open..."), _("Open an existing Life pattern"));
+    menuFile->Append(ID_SAMPLES, _("&Sample game..."), _("Select a sample configuration"));
     menuFile->AppendSeparator();
     menuFile->Append(ID_ABOUT, _("&About...\tCtrl-A"), _("Show about dialog"));
     menuFile->AppendSeparator();
     menuFile->Append(ID_EXIT, _("E&xit\tAlt-X"), _("Quit this program"));
 
-    menuView->Append(ID_SHOWNAV, _("Navigation toolbox"), _("Show or hide toolbox"), TRUE);
+    menuView->Append(ID_SHOWNAV, _("Navigation &toolbox"), _("Show or hide toolbox"), TRUE);
     menuView->Check (ID_SHOWNAV, TRUE);
     menuView->AppendSeparator();
-    menuView->Append(ID_ORIGIN, _("Absolute origin"), _("Go to (0, 0)"));
-    menuView->Append(ID_CENTER, _("Center of mass"), _("Find center of mass"));
-    menuView->Append(ID_NORTH, _("North"), _("Find northernmost cell"));
-    menuView->Append(ID_SOUTH, _("South"), _("Find southernmost cell"));
-    menuView->Append(ID_EAST, _("East"), _("Find easternmost cell"));
-    menuView->Append(ID_WEST, _("West"), _("Find westernmost cell"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_ORIGIN, _("&Absolute origin"), _("Go to (0, 0)"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_CENTER, _("&Center of mass"), _("Find center of mass"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_NORTH, _("&North"), _("Find northernmost cell"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_SOUTH, _("&South"), _("Find southernmost cell"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_EAST, _("&East"), _("Find easternmost cell"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_WEST, _("&West"), _("Find westernmost cell"));
     menuView->AppendSeparator();
-    menuView->Append(ID_ZOOMIN, _("Zoom &in\tCtrl-I"));
-    menuView->Append(ID_ZOOMOUT, _("Zoom &out\tCtrl-O"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_ZOOMIN, _("Zoom &in\tCtrl-I"), _("Zoom in"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_ZOOMOUT, _("Zoom &out\tCtrl-O"), _("Zoom out"));
+    menuView->Append(ID_INFO, _("&Description...\tCtrl-D"), _("View pattern description"));
 
     menuGame->Append(ID_START, _("&Start\tCtrl-S"), _("Start"));
     menuGame->Append(ID_STEP, _("&Next\tCtrl-N"), _("Single step"));
     menuGame->Append(ID_STOP, _("S&top\tCtrl-T"), _("Stop"));
     menuGame->Enable(ID_STOP, FALSE);
     menuGame->AppendSeparator();
-    menuGame->Append(ID_TOPSPEED, _("Top speed!"), _("Go as fast as possible"));
+    menuGame->Append(ID_TOPSPEED, _("T&op speed!"), _("Go as fast as possible"));
 
     wxMenuBar *menuBar = new wxMenuBar();
     menuBar->Append(menuFile, _("&File"));
@@ -218,23 +234,30 @@ LifeFrame::LifeFrame() : wxFrame((wxFrame *)0, -1, _("Life!"), wxPoint(200, 200)
     SetMenuBar(menuBar);
 
     // tool bar
-    wxBitmap tbBitmaps[5];
+    wxBitmap tbBitmaps[7];
 
     tbBitmaps[0] = wxBITMAP(reset);
-    tbBitmaps[1] = wxBITMAP(play);
-    tbBitmaps[2] = wxBITMAP(stop);
-    tbBitmaps[3] = wxBITMAP(zoomin);
-    tbBitmaps[4] = wxBITMAP(zoomout);
+    tbBitmaps[1] = wxBITMAP(open);
+    tbBitmaps[2] = wxBITMAP(zoomin);
+    tbBitmaps[3] = wxBITMAP(zoomout);
+    tbBitmaps[4] = wxBITMAP(info);
+    tbBitmaps[5] = wxBITMAP(play);
+    tbBitmaps[6] = wxBITMAP(stop);
 
     wxToolBar *toolBar = CreateToolBar();
     toolBar->SetMargins(5, 5);
     toolBar->SetToolBitmapSize(wxSize(16, 16));
-    ADD_TOOL(ID_RESET, tbBitmaps[0], _("Reset"), _("Start a new game"));
-    ADD_TOOL(ID_START, tbBitmaps[1], _("Start"), _("Start"));
-    ADD_TOOL(ID_STOP, tbBitmaps[2], _("Stop"), _("Stop"));
+
+    ADD_TOOL(ID_NEW, tbBitmaps[0], _("New"), _("Start a new game"));
+    ADD_TOOL(ID_OPEN, tbBitmaps[1], _("Open"), _("Open an existing Life pattern"));
     toolBar->AddSeparator();
-    ADD_TOOL(ID_ZOOMIN, tbBitmaps[3], _("Zoom in"), _("Zoom in"));
-    ADD_TOOL(ID_ZOOMOUT, tbBitmaps[4], _("Zoom out"), _("Zoom out"));
+    ADD_TOOL(ID_ZOOMIN, tbBitmaps[2], _("Zoom in"), _("Zoom in"));
+    ADD_TOOL(ID_ZOOMOUT, tbBitmaps[3], _("Zoom out"), _("Zoom out"));
+    ADD_TOOL(ID_INFO, tbBitmaps[4], _("Description"), _("Show description"));
+    toolBar->AddSeparator();
+    ADD_TOOL(ID_START, tbBitmaps[5], _("Start"), _("Start"));
+    ADD_TOOL(ID_STOP, tbBitmaps[6], _("Stop"), _("Stop"));
+
     toolBar->Realize();
     toolBar->EnableTool(ID_STOP, FALSE);    // must be after Realize() !
 
@@ -344,33 +367,14 @@ void LifeFrame::UpdateUI()
     GetMenuBar()->GetMenu(1)->Enable(ID_ZOOMOUT, cellsize > 1);
 }
 
-// event handlers
+// Event handlers -----------------------------------------------------------
+
+// OnMenu handles all events which don't have their own event handler
 void LifeFrame::OnMenu(wxCommandEvent& event)
 {
     switch (event.GetId())
     {
-        case ID_START   : OnStart(); break;
-        case ID_STEP    : OnStep(); break;
-        case ID_STOP    : OnStop(); break;
-        case ID_SHOWNAV :
-        {
-            bool checked = GetMenuBar()->GetMenu(1)->IsChecked(ID_SHOWNAV);
-            m_navigator->Show(checked);
-            break;
-        }
-        case ID_TOPSPEED:
-        {
-            m_running = TRUE;
-            m_topspeed = TRUE;
-            UpdateUI();
-            while (m_running && m_topspeed)           
-            {
-                OnStep();
-                wxYield();
-            }
-            break;
-        }
-        case ID_RESET:
+        case ID_NEW:
         {
             // stop if it was running
             OnStop();
@@ -386,23 +390,76 @@ void LifeFrame::OnMenu(wxCommandEvent& event)
             dialog.ShowModal();
             break;
         }
-        case ID_EXIT :
+        case ID_EXIT:
         {
             // TRUE is to force the frame to close
             Close(TRUE);
             break;
         }
+        case ID_SHOWNAV :
+        {
+            bool checked = GetMenuBar()->GetMenu(1)->IsChecked(ID_SHOWNAV);
+            m_navigator->Show(checked);
+            break;
+        }
+        case ID_INFO:
+        {
+            wxString desc = m_life->GetDescription();
+            
+            if ( desc.IsEmpty() )
+                desc = _("Not available");
+
+            // should we make the description editable here?
+            wxMessageBox(desc, _("Description"), wxOK | wxICON_INFORMATION);
+
+            break;
+        }
+        case ID_START   : OnStart(); break;
+        case ID_STEP    : OnStep(); break;
+        case ID_STOP    : OnStop(); break;
+        case ID_TOPSPEED:
+        {
+            m_running = TRUE;
+            m_topspeed = TRUE;
+            UpdateUI();
+            while (m_running && m_topspeed)           
+            {
+                OnStep();
+                wxYield();
+            }
+            break;
+        }
     }
 }
 
-void LifeFrame::OnClose(wxCloseEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
+void LifeFrame::OnOpen(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 {
-    // Stop if it was running; this is absolutely needed because
-    // the frame won't be actually destroyed until there are no
-    // more pending events, and this in turn won't ever happen
-    // if the timer is running faster than the window can redraw.
-    OnStop();
-    Destroy();   
+    wxFileDialog filedlg(this,
+                         _("Choose a file to open"),
+                         _(""),
+                         _(""),
+                         _("Life patterns (*.lif)|*.lif|All files (*.*)|*.*"),
+                         wxOPEN | wxFILE_MUST_EXIST);
+
+    if (filedlg.ShowModal() == wxID_OK)
+    {
+        wxFileInputStream stream(filedlg.GetFilename());
+        LifeReader reader(stream);
+
+        // the reader handles errors itself, no need to do anything here
+        if (reader.IsOk())
+        {
+            // stop if running and put the pattern
+            OnStop();
+            m_life->Clear();
+            m_life->SetPattern(reader.GetPattern());
+
+            // recenter canvas
+            m_canvas->Recenter(0, 0);
+            m_tics = 0;
+            UpdateInfoText();
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 void LifeFrame::OnSamples(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
@@ -415,11 +472,11 @@ void LifeFrame::OnSamples(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 
     if (dialog.ShowModal() == wxID_OK)
     {
-        const LifeShape shape = dialog.GetShape();
+        const LifePattern pattern = dialog.GetPattern();
 
-        // put the shape
+        // put the pattern
         m_life->Clear();
-        m_life->SetShape(shape);
+        m_life->SetPattern(pattern);
 
         // recenter canvas
         m_canvas->Recenter(0, 0);
@@ -450,7 +507,7 @@ void LifeFrame::OnNavigate(wxCommandEvent& event)
 
     switch (event.GetId())
     {
-        case ID_NORTH:  c = m_life->FindNorth(); break;
+		case ID_NORTH:  c = m_life->FindNorth(); break;
         case ID_SOUTH:  c = m_life->FindSouth(); break;
         case ID_WEST:   c = m_life->FindWest(); break;
         case ID_EAST:   c = m_life->FindEast(); break;
@@ -479,6 +536,16 @@ void LifeFrame::OnTimer(wxTimerEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
     OnStep();
 }
 
+void LifeFrame::OnClose(wxCloseEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
+{
+    // Stop if it was running; this is absolutely needed because
+    // the frame won't be actually destroyed until there are no
+    // more pending events, and this in turn won't ever happen
+    // if the timer is running faster than the window can redraw.
+    OnStop();
+    Destroy();   
+}
+
 void LifeFrame::OnStart()
 {
     if (!m_running)
@@ -820,17 +887,24 @@ void LifeCanvas::OnMouse(wxMouseEvent& event)
     msg.Printf(_("Cell: (%d, %d)"), i, j);
     ((LifeFrame *) wxGetApp().GetTopWindow())->SetStatusText(msg, 1);
 
-    // button pressed?
+    // NOTE that wxMouseEvent::LeftDown() and wxMouseEvent::LeftIsDown()
+    // have different semantics. The first one is used to signal that the
+    // button was just pressed (i.e., in "button down" events); the second
+    // one just describes the current status of the button, independently
+    // of the mouse event type. LeftIsDown is typically used in "mouse
+    // move" events, to test if the button is _still_ pressed.
+
+    // is the button down?
     if (!event.LeftIsDown())
     {
         m_status = MOUSE_NOACTION;
         return;
     }
 
-    // button just pressed?
-    if (m_status == MOUSE_NOACTION)
+    // was it pressed just now?
+    if (event.LeftDown())
     {
-        // yes, update status and toggle this cell
+        // yes: start a new action and toggle this cell
         m_status = (m_life->IsAlive(i, j)? MOUSE_ERASING : MOUSE_DRAWING);
             
         m_mi = i;
@@ -840,6 +914,7 @@ void LifeCanvas::OnMouse(wxMouseEvent& event)
     }
     else if ((m_mi != i) || (m_mj != j))
     {
+        // no: continue ongoing action
         bool alive = (m_status == MOUSE_DRAWING);
 
         // prepare DC and pen + brush to optimize drawing
diff --git a/demos/life/life.h b/demos/life/life.h
index 0fa61a695c..75cd4d23a1 100644
--- a/demos/life/life.h
+++ b/demos/life/life.h
@@ -137,8 +137,9 @@ private:
     DECLARE_EVENT_TABLE()
 
     // event handlers
-    void OnSamples(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnMenu(wxCommandEvent& event);
+    void OnOpen(wxCommandEvent& event);
+    void OnSamples(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnNavigate(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnZoom(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnSlider(wxScrollEvent& event);
diff --git a/demos/life/life.rc b/demos/life/life.rc
index ae701642ed..269df77d17 100644
--- a/demos/life/life.rc
+++ b/demos/life/life.rc
@@ -2,13 +2,16 @@ mondrian ICON "mondrian.ico"
 #include "wx/msw/wx.rc"
 
 reset   BITMAP "bitmaps/reset.bmp"
+open    BITMAP "bitmaps/open.bmp"
 play    BITMAP "bitmaps/play.bmp"
 stop    BITMAP "bitmaps/stop.bmp"
 zoomin  BITMAP "bitmaps/zoomin.bmp"
 zoomout BITMAP "bitmaps/zoomout.bmp"
+info    BITMAP "bitmaps/info.bmp"
 north   BITMAP "bitmaps/north.bmp"
 east    BITMAP "bitmaps/east.bmp"
 south   BITMAP "bitmaps/south.bmp"
 west    BITMAP "bitmaps/west.bmp"
 center  BITMAP "bitmaps/center.bmp"
 life    BITMAP "bitmaps/life.bmp"
+              
diff --git a/demos/life/makefile.b32 b/demos/life/makefile.b32
index 051d35b22f..a56b222798 100644
--- a/demos/life/makefile.b32
+++ b/demos/life/makefile.b32
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 WXDIR = $(WXWIN)
 
 TARGET=life
-OBJECTS = $(TARGET).obj dialogs.obj game.obj
+OBJECTS = $(TARGET).obj dialogs.obj game.obj reader.obj
 
 !include $(WXDIR)\src\makeprog.b32
 
diff --git a/demos/life/makefile.bcc b/demos/life/makefile.bcc
index e7ac35af26..52b5acfd36 100644
--- a/demos/life/makefile.bcc
+++ b/demos/life/makefile.bcc
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 WXDIR = $(WXWIN)
 
 TARGET=life
-OBJECTS=$(TARGET).obj dialogs.obj game.obj
+OBJECTS=$(TARGET).obj dialogs.obj game.obj reader.obj
 
 !include $(WXDIR)\src\makeprog.bcc
 
diff --git a/demos/life/makefile.dos b/demos/life/makefile.dos
index c042c700cf..50e2bb53d4 100644
--- a/demos/life/makefile.dos
+++ b/demos/life/makefile.dos
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 WXDIR = $(WXWIN)
 
 TARGET=life
-OBJECTS = $(TARGET).obj dialogs.obj game.obj
+OBJECTS = $(TARGET).obj dialogs.obj game.obj reader.obj
 
 !include $(WXDIR)\src\makeprog.msc
 
diff --git a/demos/life/makefile.g95 b/demos/life/makefile.g95
index 16127c981a..8f988b4a89 100644
--- a/demos/life/makefile.g95
+++ b/demos/life/makefile.g95
@@ -10,7 +10,8 @@
 WXDIR = ../..
 
 TARGET=life
-OBJECTS = $(TARGET).o dialogs.o game.o
+EXTRALDFLAGS=-Wl,--subsystem,console
+OBJECTS = $(TARGET).o dialogs.o game.o reader.o
 
 include $(WXDIR)/src/makeprog.g95
 
diff --git a/demos/life/makefile.unx b/demos/life/makefile.unx
index 8b8c3669d4..4fe657b60e 100644
--- a/demos/life/makefile.unx
+++ b/demos/life/makefile.unx
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ CC = gcc
 
 PROGRAM = life
 
-OBJECTS = $(PROGRAM).o dialogs.o game.o
+OBJECTS = $(PROGRAM).o dialogs.o game.o reader.o
 
 # implementation
 
diff --git a/demos/life/makefile.vc b/demos/life/makefile.vc
index 1f8314a8dd..c73905457d 100644
--- a/demos/life/makefile.vc
+++ b/demos/life/makefile.vc
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 WXDIR = $(WXWIN)
 
 PROGRAM=life
-OBJECTS = $(PROGRAM).obj dialogs.obj game.obj
+OBJECTS = $(PROGRAM).obj dialogs.obj game.obj reader.obj
 
 !include $(WXDIR)\src\makeprog.vc
 
diff --git a/demos/life/makefile.wat b/demos/life/makefile.wat
index 4ee7d9205c..4fd507ae4b 100644
--- a/demos/life/makefile.wat
+++ b/demos/life/makefile.wat
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 WXDIR = $(%WXWIN)
 
 PROGRAM = life
-OBJECTS = $(PROGRAM).obj dialogs.obj game.obj
+OBJECTS = $(PROGRAM).obj dialogs.obj game.obj reader.obj
 
 !include $(WXDIR)\src\makeprog.wat
 
diff --git a/demos/life/reader.cpp b/demos/life/reader.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8bb48ed375
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demos/life/reader.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+// Name:        reader.cpp
+// Purpose:     Life! pattern reader (writer coming soon)
+// Author:      Guillermo Rodriguez Garcia, <guille@iies.es>
+// Modified by:
+// Created:     Jan/2000
+// RCS-ID:      $Id$
+// Copyright:   (c) 2000, Guillermo Rodriguez Garcia
+// Licence:     wxWindows licence
+/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+// ==========================================================================
+// headers, declarations, constants
+// ==========================================================================
+
+#ifdef __GNUG__
+    #pragma implementation "reader.h"
+#endif
+
+// For compilers that support precompilation, includes "wx/wx.h".
+#include "wx/wxprec.h"
+
+#ifdef __BORLANDC__
+    #pragma hdrstop
+#endif
+
+#ifndef WX_PRECOMP
+    #include "wx/wx.h"
+#endif
+
+#include "wx/txtstrm.h"
+#include "reader.h"
+
+
+// ==========================================================================
+// LifeReader
+// ==========================================================================
+
+#define LIFE_CHECKVAL( msg )                                        \
+    if (!m_ok)                                                      \
+    {                                                               \
+        wxMessageBox( msg, _("Error"), wxICON_EXCLAMATION | wxOK ); \
+        return;                                                     \
+    }
+
+LifeReader::LifeReader(wxInputStream& is)
+{
+    wxBufferedInputStream buff_is = wxBufferedInputStream(is);
+    wxTextInputStream     text_is = wxTextInputStream(buff_is);
+    wxString              line, rest; 
+
+    // check stream
+    m_ok = is.IsOk();
+    LIFE_CHECKVAL(_("Couldn't read any data"));
+
+    // read signature
+    m_ok = text_is.ReadLine().Contains(wxT("#Life 1.05"));
+    LIFE_CHECKVAL(_("Error reading signature. Not a Life pattern?"));
+
+    // read description
+    m_description = wxT("");
+    line = text_is.ReadLine();
+    while (buff_is.IsOk() && line.StartsWith(wxT("#D"), &rest))
+    {
+        m_description += rest.Trim(FALSE);
+        m_description += wxT("\n");
+        line = text_is.ReadLine();
+    }
+
+    m_ok = buff_is.IsOk();
+    LIFE_CHECKVAL(_("Unexpected EOF while reading description"));
+
+    // read rules
+    m_ok = line.StartsWith(wxT("#N"));
+    LIFE_CHECKVAL(_("Sorry, non-conway rules not supported yet"));
+
+    // read shape
+    while (buff_is.IsOk())
+    {
+        line = ( text_is.ReadLine() ).Trim();
+
+        if (!line.IsEmpty())
+        {
+            if (line.StartsWith(wxT("#P "), &rest))
+                m_shape.Add(rest);
+            else
+                m_shape.Add(line);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
diff --git a/demos/life/reader.h b/demos/life/reader.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..27a10af30e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demos/life/reader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+// Name:        reader.h
+// Purpose:     Life! pattern reader (writer coming soon)
+// Author:      Guillermo Rodriguez Garcia, <guille@iies.es>
+// Modified by:
+// Created:     Jan/2000
+// RCS-ID:      $Id$
+// Copyright:   (c) 2000, Guillermo Rodriguez Garcia
+// Licence:     wxWindows licence
+/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
+#ifndef _LIFE_READER_H_
+#define _LIFE_READER_H_
+
+#ifdef __GNUG__
+    #pragma interface "reader.h"
+#endif
+
+// for compilers that support precompilation, includes "wx/wx.h"
+#include "wx/wxprec.h"
+
+#ifdef __BORLANDC__
+    #pragma hdrstop
+#endif
+
+// for all others, include the necessary headers
+#ifndef WX_PRECOMP
+    #include "wx/wx.h"
+#endif
+
+#include "game.h"
+
+// --------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// LifeReader
+// --------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+class LifeReader
+{
+public:
+    LifeReader(wxInputStream& is);
+
+    inline bool          IsOk() const           { return m_ok; };
+    inline wxString      GetDescription() const { return m_description; };
+    inline wxString      GetRules() const       { return m_rules; };
+    inline wxArrayString GetShape() const       { return m_shape; };
+    inline LifePattern   GetPattern() const
+    {
+        return LifePattern(_(""), m_description, m_rules, m_shape);
+    };
+
+private:
+    bool             m_ok;
+    wxString         m_description;
+    wxString         m_rules;
+    wxArrayString    m_shape;
+};
+
+#endif // _LIFE_READER_H_
diff --git a/demos/life/samples.inc b/demos/life/samples.inc
index b8e7f59761..63b6d820c2 100644
--- a/demos/life/samples.inc
+++ b/demos/life/samples.inc
@@ -23,9 +23,10 @@
  * 
  */
 
-const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
+const LifePattern g_patterns[] =
 {
-    LifeShape( _("Glider"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Glider"),
                _("The glider is the first of a series of life forms, known "
                  "as spaceships or fishes, which can travel along the game "
                  "field retaining their original shape."),
@@ -33,7 +34,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                ".*."
                "..*"
                "***"),
-    LifeShape( _("Heavyweight spaceship"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Heavyweight spaceship"),
                _("The glider is just the smaller of the spaceships; this "
                  "one, known as the heavyweight spaceship or 'big fish', "
                  "is the largest spaceship which can travel alone without "
@@ -44,7 +46,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                "......*"
                "*.....*"
                ".******"),
-    LifeShape( _("Eater"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Eater"),
                _("An eater is any still life that can repair itself from "
                  "some attacks. This one (bottom right), also known as "
                  "'fishhook', eats gliders and fishes (spaceships) provided "
@@ -60,7 +63,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                "......*.*."
                "........*."
                "........**" ),
-    LifeShape( _("Dice shaker"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Dice shaker"),
                _("Oscillators have been extensively explored in Life!. "
                  "The dice shaker turns around each seven tics; thus, it "
                  "is an oscillator with a period of fourteen."),
@@ -71,7 +75,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                "*.*.*.*"
                "*.*.*.*"
                "**...**" ),
-    LifeShape( _("Hertz oscillator"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Hertz oscillator"),
                _("The Hertz oscillator is a good example of a set of life "
                  "patterns known as 'billiard tables'. A billiard table is "
                  "an oscillator which is built inside a stable border. In "
@@ -88,7 +93,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                ".............."
                ".......**....."
                ".......**....." ),
-    LifeShape( _("Phoenix"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Phoenix"),
                _("A phoenix is a pattern whose cells all die in every "
                  "generation, and yet lives forever. For example, this is "
                  "a phoenix with period two."),
@@ -101,7 +107,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                ".*......"
                "...*.*.."
                "...*...." ),
-    LifeShape( _("R-pentomino"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("R-pentomino"),
                _("The R-pentomino is a methuselah - a life form which "
                  "lives for hundreds of generations without stabilizing "
                  "or dying. In particular, the R-Pentomino requires more "
@@ -111,7 +118,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                ".**"
                "**."
                ".*." ),
-    LifeShape( _("Thunderbird"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Thunderbird"),
                _("The thunderbird is another popular methuselah, which "
                  "doesn't stabilize until the 243th generation. Note that "
                  "because the initial configuration is symmetrical with "
@@ -123,14 +131,16 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                ".*."
                ".*."
                ".*." ),
-    LifeShape( _("Accorn"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Accorn"),
                _("Probably the most popular methuselah, the accorn lives "
                  "for 5206 (!) generations."),
                7, 3,
                ".*....."
                "...*..."
                "**..***" ),
-    LifeShape( _("Galaxy"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Galaxy"),
                _("One from my personal collection. It is really beautiful "
                  "to see this configuration expand and shrink periodically "
                  "for hundreds of tics before reaching a stable state."),
@@ -148,7 +158,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                "......*......"
                "......*......"
                ".......***..." ),
-    LifeShape( _("Glider gun"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Glider gun"),
                _("A gun is a stationary pattern that emits spaceships "
                  "forever. The glider gun shown here was the first known "
                  "gun, and indeed the first known finite pattern with "
@@ -164,7 +175,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                "**.........*...**........*.........."
                "............*.*....................."
                ".............*......................" ),
-    LifeShape( _("Puffer train"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Puffer train"),
                _("A puffer is an object that moves like a spaceship, except "
                  "that it leaves a trail of debris behind. The puffer train "
                  "is one of the best-known puffers. Originally found by "
@@ -191,7 +203,8 @@ const LifeShape g_shapes[] =
                "....*"
                "*...*"
                ".****" ),
-    LifeShape( _("Max"),
+    LifePattern(
+               _("Max"),
                _("Max is the fastest-growing known pattern in Conway's Game "
                  "of Life (possibly the fastest possible). It fills space to "
                  "a density of 1/2, conjectured to be the maximum density, "