added README and GitHub configuration
diff --git a/.asf.yaml b/.asf.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1b0cb95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.asf.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# 
+#  Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one or more
+#  contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file distributed with
+#  this work for additional information regarding copyright ownership.
+#  The ASF licenses this file to You under the Apache License, Version 2.0
+#  (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
+#  the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+# 
+#       http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+# 
+#  Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+#  distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+#  WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+#  See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+#  limitations under the License.
+#
+# see https://s.apache.org/asfyaml
+github:
+  description: "Apache Maven Shared Utils"
+  homepage: https://maven.apache.org/shared/maven-shared-utils/
+  labels:
+    - java
+    - build-management
+    - maven-shared
+    - maven
diff --git a/readme.md b/README.md
similarity index 63%
rename from readme.md
rename to README.md
index 4050f9d..adf4e28 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,32 +1,31 @@
 <!---
-Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
-or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
-distributed with this work for additional information
-regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
-to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
-"License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
-with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one or more
+ contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file distributed with
+ this work for additional information regarding copyright ownership.
+ The ASF licenses this file to You under the Apache License, Version 2.0
+ (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
+ the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
 
-  http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 
-Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing,
-software distributed under the License is distributed on an
-"AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY
-KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
-specific language governing permissions and limitations
-under the License.
+ Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ limitations under the License.
 -->
-
-Contributing to Apache Maven Shared Utils
+Contributing to [Apache Maven Shared Utils](https://maven.apache.org/shared/maven-shared-utils/)
 ======================
 
+[![ASF Jira](https://img.shields.io/endpoint?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmaven.apache.org%2Fbadges%2Fasf_jira-MSHARED.json)][jira]
 [![Apache License, Version 2.0, January 2004](https://img.shields.io/github/license/apache/maven.svg?label=License)][license]
-[![Jenkins Status](https://img.shields.io/jenkins/s/https/builds.apache.org/job/maven-box/job/maven-shared-utils/job/master.svg?style=flat-square)][build]
-[![Jenkins tests](https://img.shields.io/jenkins/t/https/builds.apache.org/job/maven-box/job/maven-shared-utils/job/master.svg?style=flat-square)][test-results]
+[![Maven Central](https://img.shields.io/maven-central/v/org.apache.maven.shared/maven-shared-utils.svg?label=Maven%20Central)](https://search.maven.org/#search%7Cgav%7C1%7Cg%3A%22org.apache.maven.shared%22%20AND%20a%3A%22maven-shared-utils%22)
+[![Jenkins Status](https://img.shields.io/jenkins/s/https/builds.apache.org/job/maven-box/job/maven-shared-utils/job/master.svg)][build]
+[![Jenkins tests](https://img.shields.io/jenkins/t/https/builds.apache.org/job/maven-box/job/maven-shared-utils/job/master.svg)][test-results]
 
 
 You have found a bug or you have an idea for a cool new feature? Contributing
-code is a great way to give something back to the open source community, learn from experts and widen your network. Before
+code is a great way to give something back to the open source community. Before
 you dig right into the code, there are a few guidelines that we need
 contributors to follow so that we can have a chance of keeping on top of
 things.
@@ -37,10 +36,10 @@
 + Make sure you have a [JIRA account](https://issues.apache.org/jira/).
 + Make sure you have a [GitHub account](https://github.com/signup/free).
 + If you're planning to implement a new feature, it makes sense to discuss your changes 
-  on the [dev list](https://maven.apache.org/mail-lists.html) first. 
+  on the [dev list][ml-list] first. 
   This way you can make sure you're not wasting your time on something that isn't 
   considered to be in Apache Maven's scope.
-+ Submit a ticket for your issue or enhancement, assuming one does not already exist.
++ Submit a ticket for your issue, assuming one does not already exist.
   + Clearly describe the issue, including steps to reproduce when it is a bug.
   + Make sure you fill in the earliest version that you know has the issue.
 + Fork the repository on GitHub.
@@ -48,13 +47,12 @@
 Making and Submitting Changes
 --------------
 
-We accept Pull Requests via GitHub. The [developer mailing list][dev-ml-list] is the
+We accept Pull Requests via GitHub. The [developer mailing list][ml-list] is the
 main channel of communication for contributors.  
 There are some guidelines which will make applying PRs easier for us:
-+ Create a branch from where you want to base your work (this is usually the master branch).
-  Push your changes to a branch in your fork of the repository.
++ Create a topic branch from where you want to base your work (this is usually the master branch).
+  Push your changes to a topic branch in your fork of the repository.
 + Make commits of logical units.
-+ You can compile with JDK 7 or later, but the code targets Java 7. For example, you cannot use lambdas.
 + Respect the original code style: by using the same [codestyle][code-style],
   patches should only highlight the actual difference, not being disturbed by any formatting issues:
   + Only use spaces for indentation.
@@ -67,8 +65,9 @@
  Optional supplemental description.
 ```
 + Make sure you have added the necessary tests (JUnit/IT) for your changes.
-+ Run all the tests with `mvn test` to assure nothing else was accidentally broken.
++ Run all the tests with `mvn -Prun-its verify` to assure nothing else was accidentally broken.
 + Submit a pull request to the repository in the Apache organization.
++ Update your JIRA ticket and include a link to the pull request in the ticket.
 
 If you plan to contribute on a regular basis, please consider filing a [contributor license agreement][cla].
 
@@ -83,20 +82,18 @@
 --------------------
 
 + [Contributing patches](https://maven.apache.org/guides/development/guide-maven-development.html#Creating_and_submitting_a_patch)
-+ [Apache Maven Help JIRA project page](https://issues.apache.org/jira/projects/MSHARED/)
++ [Apache Maven Shared Components project page][jira]
 + [Contributor License Agreement][cla]
 + [General GitHub documentation](https://help.github.com/)
 + [GitHub pull request documentation](https://help.github.com/send-pull-requests/)
 + [Apache Maven Twitter Account](https://twitter.com/ASFMavenProject)
 + #Maven IRC channel on freenode.org
 
+[jira]: https://issues.apache.org/jira/projects/MSHARED/
 [license]: https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-[dev-ml-list]: http://maven.apache.org/mailing-lists.html
+[ml-list]: https://maven.apache.org/mailing-lists.html
 [code-style]: https://maven.apache.org/developers/conventions/code.html
 [cla]: https://www.apache.org/licenses/#clas
 [maven-wiki]: https://cwiki.apache.org/confluence/display/MAVEN/Index
 [test-results]: https://builds.apache.org/job/maven-box/job/maven-shared-utils/job/master/lastCompletedBuild/testReport/
 [build]: https://builds.apache.org/job/maven-box/job/maven-shared-utils/job/master/
-
-
-