diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 9e902b2..47aac28 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -5,42 +5,52 @@ i figured, may as well try and learn c#
 
 0uo
 
-## installing
-you need [mono](https://www.mono-project.com/download/stable/) and [gtk sharp 3](https://github.com/GtkSharp/GtkSharp/)
+## installing prerequisites
+you will need either:
+- [mono](https://www.mono-project.com/download/stable/) and [gtk sharp 3](https://github.com/GtkSharp/GtkSharp/)
+- [dotnet core sdk](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/)
 
-### installing on debian
+### debian
+#### mono
 the packages you'll need are `mono-devel` and `gtk-sharp3`, so:
 ```
 sudo apt install mono-devel gtk-sharp3
 ```
+#### dotnet
+follow [these instructions](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/install/linux-debian) to add the dotnet repo and install dotnet-sdk.
 
-### installing on arch
+### arch linux
+#### mono
 ```
 sudo pacman -S mono gtk-sharp-3
 ```
+#### dotnet
+```
+sudo pacman -S dotnet-sdk
+```
 
-### installing on windows
+### windows
 - download and install ".NET Core SDK" from [this page](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download)
 - run `dotnet build` - this *should* pull in gtk3 automatically - if not, you'll need to [install it yourself](https://github.com/tschoonj/GTK-for-Windows-Runtime-Environment-Installer/releases/latest)
 
-this will install and use .NET core instead of mono but as far as i know it should be fine
+this will install and use .NET core instead of mono but as far as i know it should be fine. don't try to use mono or you will die
 
 ## compiling
-### linux
+### mono
 ```
 mcs -pkg:gtk-sharp-3.0 -resource:ui.glade *.cs
 ```
-### windows
+### dotnet
 ```
 dotnet build
 ```
 
 ## running
-### linux
+### mono
 ```
 mono ./BuypeebApp.exe
 ```
-### windows
+### dotnet
 ```
 dotnet run
 ```