diff --git a/Doc/dist/dist.tex b/Doc/dist/dist.tex
index cc59cb2cd46..3f1001d04bd 100644
--- a/Doc/dist/dist.tex
+++ b/Doc/dist/dist.tex
@@ -8,10 +8,20 @@
 \author{Greg Ward}
 \authoraddress{E-mail: \email{gward@python.net}}
 
+\makeindex
 
 \begin{document}
 
 \maketitle
+\begin{abstract}
+  \noindent
+  This document describes the Python Distribution Utilities
+  (``Distutils'') from the module developer's point-of-view, describing
+  how to use the Distutils to make Python modules and extensions easily
+  available to a wider audience with very little overhead for
+  build/release/install mechanics.
+\end{abstract}
+
 \tableofcontents
 
 \section{Introduction}
diff --git a/Doc/inst/inst.tex b/Doc/inst/inst.tex
index e6baac21e11..0107ef5b76c 100644
--- a/Doc/inst/inst.tex
+++ b/Doc/inst/inst.tex
@@ -24,11 +24,20 @@
 \author{Greg Ward}
 \authoraddress{E-mail: \email{gward@python.net}}
 
+\makeindex
 
 \begin{document}
 
 \maketitle
 
+\begin{abstract}
+  \noindent
+  This document describes the Python Distribution Utilities
+  (``Distutils'') from the end-user's point-of-view, describing how to
+  extend the capabilities of a standard Python installation by building
+  and installing third-party Python modules and extensions.
+\end{abstract}
+
 %\begin{abstract}
 %\noindent
 %Abstract this!
@@ -664,8 +673,6 @@ section~\ref{config-files} for details.
 \section{Distutils Configuration Files}
 \label{config-files}
 
-\XXX{not even implemented yet, much less documented!}
-
 
 \section{Pre-Distutils Conventions}
 \label{pre-distutils}