diff --git a/Examples/makefile b/Examples/makefile
index 21ea13d..d838ee6 100644
--- a/Examples/makefile
+++ b/Examples/makefile
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ ALL =	jerasure_01 \
         reed_sol_04 \
         reed_sol_test_gf \
         reed_sol_time_gf \
+        reed_sol_hard_time_gf \
         cauchy_01 \
         cauchy_02 \
         cauchy_03 \
@@ -190,9 +191,13 @@ decoder: decoder.o galois.o  jerasure.o liberation.o reed_sol.o cauchy.o
 	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o decoder decoder.o liberation.o jerasure.o galois.o  reed_sol.o cauchy.o -lgf_complete
 
 reed_sol_test_gf.o: galois.h reed_sol.h jerasure.h
-reed_sol_test_gf: reed_sol_test_gf.o galois.o ${LIBDIR}/gf_complete.a jerasure.o reed_sol.o
-	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o reed_sol_test_gf reed_sol_test_gf.o reed_sol.o jerasure.o galois.o ${LIBDIR}/gf_complete.a
+reed_sol_test_gf: reed_sol_test_gf.o galois.o jerasure.o reed_sol.o
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o reed_sol_test_gf reed_sol_test_gf.o reed_sol.o jerasure.o galois.o -lgf_complete
 
 reed_sol_time_gf.o: galois.h reed_sol.h jerasure.h
-reed_sol_time_gf: reed_sol_time_gf.o galois.o ${LIBDIR}/gf_complete.a jerasure.o reed_sol.o
-	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o reed_sol_time_gf reed_sol_time_gf.o reed_sol.o jerasure.o galois.o ${LIBDIR}/gf_complete.a
+reed_sol_time_gf: reed_sol_time_gf.o galois.o jerasure.o reed_sol.o
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o reed_sol_time_gf reed_sol_time_gf.o reed_sol.o jerasure.o galois.o -lgf_complete
+
+reed_sol_hard_time_gf.o: galois.h reed_sol.h jerasure.h
+reed_sol_hard_time_gf: reed_sol_hard_time_gf.o galois.o jerasure.o reed_sol.o
+	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o reed_sol_hard_time_gf reed_sol_hard_time_gf.o reed_sol.o jerasure.o galois.o -lgf_complete
diff --git a/Examples/reed_sol_hard_time_gf.c b/Examples/reed_sol_hard_time_gf.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e3cf6a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Examples/reed_sol_hard_time_gf.c
@@ -0,0 +1,361 @@
+/* *
+ * Copyright (c) 2013, James S. Plank and Kevin Greenan
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Jerasure - A C/C++ Library for a Variety of Reed-Solomon and RAID-6 Erasure
+ * Coding Techniques
+ *
+ * Revision 2.0: Galois Field backend now links to GF-Complete
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ *  - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *  - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ *
+ *  - Neither the name of the University of Tennessee nor the names of its
+ *    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
+ *    from this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+ * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
+ * BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS
+ * OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED
+ * AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
+ * LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY
+ * WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+    
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <gf_complete.h>
+#include "jerasure.h"
+#include "reed_sol.h"
+
+#define BUFSIZE 4096
+
+int get_gfp_from_argv(gf_t **gfp, int w, int argc, char **argv, int starting)
+{
+  int mult_type, divide_type, region_type;
+  int arg1, arg2, subrg_size, degree;
+  uint64_t prim_poly;
+  gf_t *base;
+  char *crt, *x, *y;
+
+  mult_type = GF_MULT_DEFAULT;
+  region_type = GF_REGION_DEFAULT;
+  divide_type = GF_DIVIDE_DEFAULT;
+  prim_poly = 0;
+  base = NULL;
+  arg1 = 0;
+  arg2 = 0;
+  degree = 0;
+  while (1) {
+    if (argc > starting) {
+      if (strcmp(argv[starting], "-m") == 0) {
+        starting++;
+        if (mult_type != GF_MULT_DEFAULT) {
+          if (base != NULL) gf_free(base, 1);
+          return 0;
+        }
+        if (strcmp(argv[starting], "SHIFT") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_SHIFT;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "CARRY_FREE") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_CARRY_FREE;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "GROUP") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_GROUP;
+          if (argc < starting + 3) {
+            return 0;
+          }
+          if (sscanf(argv[starting+1], "%d", &arg1) == 0 ||
+              sscanf(argv[starting+2], "%d", &arg2) == 0) {
+            return 0;
+          }
+          starting += 3;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "BYTWO_p") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_BYTWO_p;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "BYTWO_b") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_BYTWO_b;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "TABLE") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_TABLE;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "LOG") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_LOG_TABLE;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "LOG_ZERO") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_LOG_ZERO;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "LOG_ZERO_EXT") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_LOG_ZERO_EXT;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "SPLIT") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_SPLIT_TABLE;
+          if (argc < starting + 3) {
+            return 0;
+          }
+          if (sscanf(argv[starting+1], "%d", &arg1) == 0 ||
+              sscanf(argv[starting+2], "%d", &arg2) == 0) {
+            return 0;
+          }
+          starting += 3;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "COMPOSITE") == 0) {
+          mult_type = GF_MULT_COMPOSITE;
+          if (argc < starting + 2) { return 0; }
+          if (sscanf(argv[starting+1], "%d", &arg1) == 0) {
+            return 0;
+          }
+          starting += 2;
+          degree = arg1;
+          starting = get_gfp_from_argv(&base, w/degree, argc, argv, starting);
+          if (starting == 0) {
+            free(base);
+            return 0;
+          }
+        } else {
+          if (base != NULL) gf_free(base, 1);
+          return 0;
+        }
+      } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "-r") == 0) {
+        starting++;
+        if (strcmp(argv[starting], "DOUBLE") == 0) {
+          region_type |= GF_REGION_DOUBLE_TABLE;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "QUAD") == 0) {
+          region_type |= GF_REGION_QUAD_TABLE;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "LAZY") == 0) {
+          region_type |= GF_REGION_LAZY;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "SSE") == 0) {
+          region_type |= GF_REGION_SSE;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "NOSSE") == 0) {
+          region_type |= GF_REGION_NOSSE;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "CAUCHY") == 0) {
+          region_type |= GF_REGION_CAUCHY;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "ALTMAP") == 0) {
+          region_type |= GF_REGION_ALTMAP;
+          starting++;
+        } else {
+          if (base != NULL) gf_free(base, 1);
+          return 0;
+        }
+      } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "-p") == 0) {
+        starting++;
+        if (sscanf(argv[starting], "%llx", (long long unsigned int *)(&prim_poly)) == 0) {
+          if (base != NULL) gf_free(base, 1);
+          return 0;
+        }
+        starting++;
+      } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "-d") == 0) {
+        starting++;
+        if (divide_type != GF_DIVIDE_DEFAULT) {
+          if (base != NULL) gf_free(base, 1);
+          return 0;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "EUCLID") == 0) {
+          divide_type = GF_DIVIDE_EUCLID;
+          starting++;
+        } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "MATRIX") == 0) {
+          divide_type = GF_DIVIDE_MATRIX;
+          starting++;
+        } else {
+          return 0;
+        }
+      } else if (strcmp(argv[starting], "-") == 0) {
+        if (mult_type == GF_MULT_COMPOSITE) {
+          *gfp = galois_init_composite_field(w, region_type, divide_type, degree, base); 
+        } else {
+          *gfp = galois_init_field(w, mult_type, region_type, divide_type, prim_poly, arg1, arg2);
+        }
+        starting++;
+        break; 
+      } else {
+        if (base != NULL) gf_free(base, 1);
+        return 0;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return starting;
+}
+
+static void *malloc16(int size) {
+    void *mem = malloc(size+16+sizeof(void*));
+    void **ptr = (void**)((long)(mem+16+sizeof(void*)) & ~(15));
+    ptr[-1] = mem;
+    return ptr;
+}
+
+static void free16(void *ptr) {
+    free(((void**)ptr)[-1]);
+}
+
+#define talloc(type, num) (type *) malloc16(sizeof(type)*(num))
+
+void
+timer_start (double *t)
+{
+    struct timeval  tv;
+
+    gettimeofday (&tv, NULL);
+    *t = (double)tv.tv_sec + (double)tv.tv_usec * 1e-6;
+}
+
+double
+timer_split (const double *t)
+{
+    struct timeval  tv;
+    double  cur_t;
+
+    gettimeofday (&tv, NULL);
+    cur_t = (double)tv.tv_sec + (double)tv.tv_usec * 1e-6;
+    return (cur_t - *t);
+}
+
+usage(char *s)
+{
+  fprintf(stderr, "usage: reed_sol_hard_test_gf k m w [additional GF args]- Test and time Reed-Solomon in a particular GF(2^w).\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "       \n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "       w must be 8, 16 or 32.  k+m must be <= 2^w.\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "       See the README for information on the additional GF args.\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "       Set up a Vandermonde-based distribution matrix and encodes k devices of\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "       %d bytes each with it.  Then it decodes.\n", BUFSIZE);
+  fprintf(stderr, "       \n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "This tests:        jerasure_matrix_encode()\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "                   jerasure_matrix_decode()\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "                   jerasure_print_matrix()\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "                   galois_init_composite_field()\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "                   galois_init_field()\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "                   galois_change_technique()\n");
+  fprintf(stderr, "                   reed_sol_vandermonde_coding_matrix()\n");
+  if (s != NULL) fprintf(stderr, "%s\n", s);
+  exit(1);
+}
+
+static void fill_buffer(unsigned char *buf, int size)
+{
+  int i;
+
+  buf[0] = (char)(lrand48() % 256);
+
+  for (i=1; i < size; i++) {
+    buf[i] = ((buf[i-1] + i) % 256);
+  }
+}
+
+int main(int argc, char **argv)
+{
+  long l;
+  int k, w, i, j, m, iterations, bufsize;
+  int *matrix;
+  char **data, **coding, **old_values;
+  int *erasures, *erased;
+  int *decoding_matrix, *dm_ids;
+  double t = 0, total_time = 0;
+  gf_t *gf = NULL;
+  int ret = 0;
+  
+  if (argc < 6) usage(NULL);  
+  if (sscanf(argv[1], "%d", &k) == 0 || k <= 0) usage("Bad k");
+  if (sscanf(argv[2], "%d", &m) == 0 || m <= 0) usage("Bad m");
+  if (sscanf(argv[3], "%d", &w) == 0 || (w != 8 && w != 16 && w != 32)) usage("Bad w");
+  if (sscanf(argv[4], "%d", &iterations) == 0) usage("Bad iterations");
+  if (sscanf(argv[5], "%d", &bufsize) == 0) usage("Bad bufsize");
+  if (w <= 16 && k + m > (1 << w)) usage("k + m is too big");
+
+  srand48(time(0));
+
+  ret = get_gfp_from_argv(&gf, w, argc, argv, 6);
+
+  if (ret == 0 || gf == NULL) {
+    usage("Invalid arguments given for GF!\n");
+  }
+
+  galois_change_technique(gf, w); 
+
+  matrix = reed_sol_vandermonde_coding_matrix(k, m, w);
+
+  printf("Last m rows of the Distribution Matrix:\n\n");
+  jerasure_print_matrix(matrix, m, k, w);
+  printf("\n");
+
+  data = talloc(char *, k);
+  for (i = 0; i < k; i++) {
+    data[i] = talloc(char, bufsize);
+    fill_buffer(data[i], bufsize);
+  }
+
+  coding = talloc(char *, m);
+  old_values = talloc(char *, m);
+  for (i = 0; i < m; i++) {
+    coding[i] = talloc(char, bufsize);
+    old_values[i] = talloc(char, bufsize);
+  }
+
+  for (i = 0; i < iterations; i++) {
+    timer_start(&t);
+    jerasure_matrix_encode(k, m, w, matrix, data, coding, bufsize);
+    total_time += timer_split(&t);
+  }
+
+  fprintf(stderr, "Encode thput for %d iterations: %.2f MB/s (%.2f sec)\n", iterations, (double)(k*iterations*bufsize/1024/1024) / total_time, total_time);
+  
+  erasures = talloc(int, (m+1));
+  erased = talloc(int, (k+m));
+  for (i = 0; i < m+k; i++) erased[i] = 0;
+  l = 0;
+  for (i = 0; i < m; ) {
+    erasures[i] = ((unsigned int)lrand48())%(k+m);
+    if (erased[erasures[i]] == 0) {
+      erased[erasures[i]] = 1;
+      memcpy(old_values[i], (erasures[i] < k) ? data[erasures[i]] : coding[erasures[i]-k], bufsize);
+      bzero((erasures[i] < k) ? data[erasures[i]] : coding[erasures[i]-k], bufsize);
+      i++;
+    }
+  }
+  erasures[i] = -1;
+
+  for (i = 0; i < iterations; i++) {
+    timer_start(&t);
+    jerasure_matrix_decode(k, m, w, matrix, 1, erasures, data, coding, bufsize);
+    total_time += timer_split(&t);
+  }
+  
+  fprintf(stderr, "Decode thput for %d iterations: %.2f MB/s (%.2f sec)\n", iterations, (double)(m*iterations*bufsize/1024/1024) / total_time, total_time);
+
+  for (i = 0; i < m; i++) {
+    if (erasures[i] < k) {
+      if (memcmp(data[erasures[i]], old_values[i], bufsize)) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "Decoding failed for %d!\n", erasures[i]);
+        exit(1);
+      }
+    } else {
+      if (memcmp(coding[erasures[i]-k], old_values[i], bufsize)) {
+        fprintf(stderr, "Decoding failed for %d!\n", erasures[i]);
+        exit(1);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/Examples/time_all_gfs.sh b/Examples/time_all_gfs_argv_init.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from Examples/time_all_gfs.sh
rename to Examples/time_all_gfs_argv_init.sh
diff --git a/Examples/time_all_gfs_hard_init.sh b/Examples/time_all_gfs_hard_init.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..586eac3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Examples/time_all_gfs_hard_init.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+#
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2013, James S. Plank and Kevin Greenan
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Jerasure - A C/C++ Library for a Variety of Reed-Solomon and RAID-6 Erasure
+# Coding Techniques
+#
+# Revision 2.0: Galois Field backend now links to GF-Complete
+#
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+# are met:
+#
+#  - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+#    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+#
+#  - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+#    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+#    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+#    distribution.
+#
+#  - Neither the name of the University of Tennessee nor the names of its
+#    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived
+#    from this software without specific prior written permission.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+# "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+# LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+# HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+# INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
+# BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS
+# OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED
+# AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
+# LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY
+# WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+# POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+#
+GF_COMPLETE_DIR=/usr/local/bin
+GF_METHODS=${GF_COMPLETE_DIR}/gf_methods
+ITERATIONS=128
+BUFSIZE=65536
+k=12
+m=3
+
+# Test all w=8
+${GF_METHODS} | awk -F: '{ if ($1 == "w=8") print $2; }' |
+while read method; do
+  echo "Testing ${k} ${m} 8 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}"
+  ./reed_sol_hard_time_gf ${k} ${m} 8 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}
+  if [[ $? != "0" ]]; then
+    echo "Failed test for ${k} ${m} 8 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+done
+
+if [[ $? == "1" ]]; then
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# Test all w=16
+${GF_METHODS} | grep -v 'TABLE' | awk -F: '{ if ($1 == "w=16") print $2; }' |
+while read method; do
+  echo "Testing ${k} ${m} 16 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}"
+  ./reed_sol_hard_time_gf ${k} ${m} 16 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}
+  if [[ $? != "0" ]]; then
+    echo "Failed test for ${k} ${m} 16 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+done
+
+if [[ $? == "1" ]]; then
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# Test all w=32
+${GF_METHODS} | awk -F: '{ if ($1 == "w=32") print $2; }' |
+while read method; do
+  echo "Testing ${k} ${m} 32 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}"
+  ./reed_sol_hard_time_gf ${k} ${m} 32 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}
+  if [[ $? != "0" ]]; then
+    echo "Failed test for ${k} ${m} 32 ${ITERATIONS} ${BUFSIZE} ${method}"
+    exit 1
+  fi
+done
+
+if [[ $? == "1" ]]; then
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Passed all tests!"
diff --git a/README.nd b/README.nd
index 8962d35..e1c7628 100644
--- a/README.nd
+++ b/README.nd
@@ -29,4 +29,112 @@ determine the default field to use, if one is not specified.
 If you would like to explore a using a different Galois Field implementation,
 you can dynamically set the backend GF for a given word-size (w).
 
-<TBD - Add instructions>
+The new galois.[ch] exports the following functions to be used by applications
+for dynamically setting the backend GF:
+
+1.) galois_change_technique
+
+  Function signature:
+
+    void galois_change_technique(gf_t *gf, int w);
+
+  This function will take a pointer to a Galois field structure and set it as the 
+  current backend for all operations in GF(2^w).  Note that you must specify 'w'
+  here, since the internal GF structure is mostly opaque to Jerasure.  Be sure to
+  change the technique with the correct structure and word-size.
+
+  There are a few ways to get a pointer to a gf_t structure: via GF-Complete or
+  using the helper functions provided by Jerasure: galois_init_field and
+  galois_init_composite_field.
+
+  GF-Complete exposes create_gf_from_argv, gf_init_easy and gf_init_hard.  See
+  the GF-Complete documentation for more detail on how to use those functions.
+  You can definitely create more complicated fields with the GF-Complete
+  initialization functions, but the two helper functions provided by Jerasure
+  (galois_init_field and galois_init_composite_field) can be used to create most
+  of the supported Galois Fields.
+
+2.) galois_init_field
+
+  Function signature:
+
+  gf_t* galois_init_field(int w,
+                          int mult_type,
+                          int region_type,
+                          int divide_type,
+                          uint64_t prim_poly,
+                          int arg1,
+                          int arg2);
+
+  This is a helper function that will initialize a Galois field.  See the GF-Complete
+  documentation for more info on what the arguments mean.  Here is a brief description
+  of the arguments:
+
+  mult_type can be any *one* of the following:
+    
+    GF_MULT_DEFAULT
+    GF_MULT_SHIFT
+    GF_MULT_CARRY_FREE
+    GF_MULT_GROUP
+    GF_MULT_BYTWO_p
+    GF_MULT_BYTWO_b
+    GF_MULT_TABLE
+    GF_MULT_LOG_TABLE
+    GF_MULT_LOG_ZERO
+    GF_MULT_LOG_ZERO_EXT
+    GF_MULT_SPLIT_TABLE
+
+  region_type can be a combination of the following (some combinations will not
+  be valid):
+
+    GF_REGION_DEFAULT
+    GF_REGION_DOUBLE_TABLE
+    GF_REGION_QUAD_TABLE
+    GF_REGION_LAZY
+    GF_REGION_SSE
+    GF_REGION_NOSSE
+    GF_REGION_ALTMAP
+    GF_REGION_CAUCHY
+  
+  divide_type can be one of the following:
+
+    GF_DIVIDE_DEFAULT
+    GF_DIVIDE_MATRIX
+    GF_DIVIDE_EUCLID
+
+  prim_poly is the field-defining primitive polynomial
+
+  arg1 and arg2 are special arguments usually used for defining SPLIT and GROUP
+  operations
+
+3.) galois_init_composite_field
+
+  Function signature:
+
+  gf_t* galois_init_composite_field(int w,
+                                    int region_type,
+                                    int divide_type,
+                                    int degree,
+                                    gf_t* base_gf);
+
+  This is a helper function designed to make creating Composite fields easier.  All you
+  need to do is hand it w, region mult type, divide type, degree and a pointer to a base 
+  field.  Note that the base_gf must have degree w/degree in order for this to work.  
+  For example, if we create a GF using:
+
+  galois_init_composite_field(32, GF_REGION_DEFAULT, GF_DIVIDE_DEFAULT, 2, base_gf);
+
+  Then base_gf must have w=16. 
+
+For more information on how to change the backing fields for Jerasure, please refer to
+
+  1.) Examples/reed_sol_test_gf.c: Runs basic tests for Reed-Solomon given args
+  for a backing GF (uses create_gf_from_argv to get gf_t pointer)
+
+  2.) Examples/reed_sol_time_gf.c: Runs more thorough timing and validation tests
+  for a backing GF (uses create_gf_from_argv to get gf_t pointer)
+
+  3.) Examples/reed_sol_hard_time_gf.c: Runs more thorough timing and validation tests
+  for a backing GF (uses galois_init_field and galois_init_composite_field to get gf_t
+  pointer)
+
diff --git a/README.txt b/README.txt
index 8962d35..e1c7628 100644
--- a/README.txt
+++ b/README.txt
@@ -29,4 +29,112 @@ determine the default field to use, if one is not specified.
 If you would like to explore a using a different Galois Field implementation,
 you can dynamically set the backend GF for a given word-size (w).
 
-<TBD - Add instructions>
+The new galois.[ch] exports the following functions to be used by applications
+for dynamically setting the backend GF:
+
+1.) galois_change_technique
+
+  Function signature:
+
+    void galois_change_technique(gf_t *gf, int w);
+
+  This function will take a pointer to a Galois field structure and set it as the 
+  current backend for all operations in GF(2^w).  Note that you must specify 'w'
+  here, since the internal GF structure is mostly opaque to Jerasure.  Be sure to
+  change the technique with the correct structure and word-size.
+
+  There are a few ways to get a pointer to a gf_t structure: via GF-Complete or
+  using the helper functions provided by Jerasure: galois_init_field and
+  galois_init_composite_field.
+
+  GF-Complete exposes create_gf_from_argv, gf_init_easy and gf_init_hard.  See
+  the GF-Complete documentation for more detail on how to use those functions.
+  You can definitely create more complicated fields with the GF-Complete
+  initialization functions, but the two helper functions provided by Jerasure
+  (galois_init_field and galois_init_composite_field) can be used to create most
+  of the supported Galois Fields.
+
+2.) galois_init_field
+
+  Function signature:
+
+  gf_t* galois_init_field(int w,
+                          int mult_type,
+                          int region_type,
+                          int divide_type,
+                          uint64_t prim_poly,
+                          int arg1,
+                          int arg2);
+
+  This is a helper function that will initialize a Galois field.  See the GF-Complete
+  documentation for more info on what the arguments mean.  Here is a brief description
+  of the arguments:
+
+  mult_type can be any *one* of the following:
+    
+    GF_MULT_DEFAULT
+    GF_MULT_SHIFT
+    GF_MULT_CARRY_FREE
+    GF_MULT_GROUP
+    GF_MULT_BYTWO_p
+    GF_MULT_BYTWO_b
+    GF_MULT_TABLE
+    GF_MULT_LOG_TABLE
+    GF_MULT_LOG_ZERO
+    GF_MULT_LOG_ZERO_EXT
+    GF_MULT_SPLIT_TABLE
+
+  region_type can be a combination of the following (some combinations will not
+  be valid):
+
+    GF_REGION_DEFAULT
+    GF_REGION_DOUBLE_TABLE
+    GF_REGION_QUAD_TABLE
+    GF_REGION_LAZY
+    GF_REGION_SSE
+    GF_REGION_NOSSE
+    GF_REGION_ALTMAP
+    GF_REGION_CAUCHY
+  
+  divide_type can be one of the following:
+
+    GF_DIVIDE_DEFAULT
+    GF_DIVIDE_MATRIX
+    GF_DIVIDE_EUCLID
+
+  prim_poly is the field-defining primitive polynomial
+
+  arg1 and arg2 are special arguments usually used for defining SPLIT and GROUP
+  operations
+
+3.) galois_init_composite_field
+
+  Function signature:
+
+  gf_t* galois_init_composite_field(int w,
+                                    int region_type,
+                                    int divide_type,
+                                    int degree,
+                                    gf_t* base_gf);
+
+  This is a helper function designed to make creating Composite fields easier.  All you
+  need to do is hand it w, region mult type, divide type, degree and a pointer to a base 
+  field.  Note that the base_gf must have degree w/degree in order for this to work.  
+  For example, if we create a GF using:
+
+  galois_init_composite_field(32, GF_REGION_DEFAULT, GF_DIVIDE_DEFAULT, 2, base_gf);
+
+  Then base_gf must have w=16. 
+
+For more information on how to change the backing fields for Jerasure, please refer to
+
+  1.) Examples/reed_sol_test_gf.c: Runs basic tests for Reed-Solomon given args
+  for a backing GF (uses create_gf_from_argv to get gf_t pointer)
+
+  2.) Examples/reed_sol_time_gf.c: Runs more thorough timing and validation tests
+  for a backing GF (uses create_gf_from_argv to get gf_t pointer)
+
+  3.) Examples/reed_sol_hard_time_gf.c: Runs more thorough timing and validation tests
+  for a backing GF (uses galois_init_field and galois_init_composite_field to get gf_t
+  pointer)
+
diff --git a/galois.c b/galois.c
index f2ef8da..b05de8e 100644
--- a/galois.c
+++ b/galois.c
@@ -44,8 +44,9 @@
 
 #include "galois.h"
 
-#define MAX_GF_INSTANCES 128
+#define MAX_GF_INSTANCES 64
 gf_t *gfp_array[MAX_GF_INSTANCES] = { 0 };
+int  gfp_is_composite[MAX_GF_INSTANCES] = { 0 };
 
 gf_t *galois_get_field_ptr(int w)
 {
@@ -56,23 +57,29 @@ gf_t *galois_get_field_ptr(int w)
   return NULL;
 }
 
-int galois_init_base_field(int w,
-                           int mult_type,
-                           int region_type,
-                           int divide_type,
-                           uint64_t prim_poly,
-                           int arg1,
-                           int arg2)
+gf_t* galois_init_field(int w,
+                        int mult_type,
+                        int region_type,
+                        int divide_type,
+                        uint64_t prim_poly,
+                        int arg1,
+                        int arg2)
 {
   int scratch_size;
   void *scratch_memory;
-  int ret;
+  gf_t *gfp;
 
   if (w <= 0 || w > 32) {
     fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot init default Galois field for w=%d\n", w);
     exit(1);
   }
 
+  gfp = (gf_t *) malloc(sizeof(gf_t));
+  if (!gfp) {
+    fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot allocate memory for Galois field w=%d\n", w);
+    exit(1);
+  }
+
   scratch_size = gf_scratch_size(w, mult_type, region_type, divide_type, arg1, arg2);
   if (!scratch_size) {
     fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot get scratch size for base field w=%d\n", w);
@@ -85,20 +92,7 @@ int galois_init_base_field(int w,
     exit(1);
   }
 
-  /*
-   * Properly free up the old field
-   */
-  if (gfp_array[w] != NULL) {
-    gf_free(gfp_array[w], 0); 
-  }
-
-  gfp_array[w] = (gf_t*)malloc(sizeof(gf_t));
-  if (gfp_array[w] == NULL) {
-    fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot allocate memory for Galois field w=%d\n", w);
-    exit(1);
-  }
-
-  if(!gf_init_hard(gfp_array[w], 
+  if(!gf_init_hard(gfp,
                    w, 
                    mult_type, 
                    region_type, 
@@ -112,27 +106,33 @@ int galois_init_base_field(int w,
     fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot init default Galois field for w=%d\n", w);
     exit(1);
   }
-  return 0;
+
+  gfp_is_composite[w] = 0;
+  return gfp;
 }
 
-int galois_init_composite_field(int w,
+gf_t* galois_init_composite_field(int w,
                                 int region_type,
                                 int divide_type,
-                                uint64_t prim_poly,
-                                int arg1,
-                                int arg2,
+                                int degree,
                                 gf_t* base_gf)
 {
   int scratch_size;
   void *scratch_memory;
-  int ret;
+  gf_t *gfp;
   
   if (w <= 0 || w > 32) {
     fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot init composite field for w=%d\n", w);
     exit(1);
   }
+  
+  gfp = (gf_t *) malloc(sizeof(gf_t));
+  if (!gfp) {
+    fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot allocate memory for Galois field w=%d\n", w);
+    exit(1);
+  }
 
-  scratch_size = gf_scratch_size(w, GF_MULT_COMPOSITE, region_type, divide_type, arg1, arg2);
+  scratch_size = gf_scratch_size(w, GF_MULT_COMPOSITE, region_type, divide_type, degree, 0);
   if (!scratch_size) {
     fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot get scratch size for composite field w=%d\n", w);
     exit(1);
@@ -144,34 +144,22 @@ int galois_init_composite_field(int w,
     exit(1);
   }
 
-  /*
-   * Properly free up the old field
-   */
-  if (gfp_array[w] != NULL) {
-    gf_free(gfp_array[w], 1);
-  }
-
-  gfp_array[w] = (gf_t*)malloc(sizeof(gf_t));
-  if (gfp_array[w] == NULL) {
-    fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot allocate memory for composite field w=%d\n", w);
-    exit(1);
-  }
-
-  if(!gf_init_hard(gfp_array[w],
+  if(!gf_init_hard(gfp,
                    w,
                    GF_MULT_COMPOSITE,
                    region_type,
                    divide_type,
-                   prim_poly,
-                   arg1,
-                   arg2,
+                   0, 
+                   degree, 
+                   0, 
                    base_gf,
                    scratch_memory))
   {
     fprintf(stderr, "ERROR -- cannot init default composite field for w=%d\n", w);
     exit(1);
   }
-  return 0;
+  gfp_is_composite[w] = 1;
+  return gfp;
 }
 
 static void galois_init_default_field(int w)
@@ -237,6 +225,10 @@ void galois_change_technique(gf_t *gf, int w)
     exit(1);
   }
 
+  if (gfp_array[w] != NULL) {
+    gf_free(gfp_array[w], gfp_is_composite[w]);
+  }
+
   gfp_array[w] = gf;
 }
 
diff --git a/galois.h b/galois.h
index 3479d9f..9e0dc25 100644
--- a/galois.h
+++ b/galois.h
@@ -80,20 +80,18 @@ void galois_w32_region_multiply(char *region,       /* Region to multiply */
                                                        Otherwise region is overwritten */
                                   int add);         /* If (r2 != NULL && add) the produce is XOR'd with r2 */
 
-int galois_init_base_field(int w,
-                           int mult_type,
-                           int region_type,
-                           int divide_type,
-                           uint64_t prim_poly,
-                           int arg1,
-                           int arg2);
+gf_t* galois_init_field(int w,
+                             int mult_type,
+                             int region_type,
+                             int divide_type,
+                             uint64_t prim_poly,
+                             int arg1,
+                             int arg2);
 
-int galois_init_composite_field(int w,
+gf_t* galois_init_composite_field(int w,
                                 int region_type,
                                 int divide_type,
-                                uint64_t prim_poly,
-                                int arg1,
-                                int arg2,
+                                int degree,
                                 gf_t* base_gf);
 
 gf_t * galois_get_field_ptr(int w);