diff --git a/misc/vim/readme.txt b/misc/vim/readme.txt
index eaa839eb7a4..bb36d4bbeaf 100644
--- a/misc/vim/readme.txt
+++ b/misc/vim/readme.txt
@@ -3,10 +3,21 @@ Vim syntax highlighting for Go (http://golang.org)
 
 To install automatic syntax highlighting for GO programs:
 
-  1. Copy ftplugin/gofiletype.vim to the ftplugin directory underneath your vim
-     runtime directory (normally $HOME/.vim/ftplugin)
-  2. Copy syntax/go.vim to the syntax directory underneath your vim runtime
-     directory (normally $HOME/.vim/syntax)
-  3. Add the following line to your .vimrc file (or equivalent):
-    
+  1. Copy or link the filetype detection script to the ftdetect directory
+     underneath your vim runtime directory (normally $HOME/.vim/ftdetect)
+  2. Copy or link syntax/go.vim to the syntax directory underneath your vim
+     runtime directory (normally $HOME/.vim/syntax). Linking this file rather
+     than just copying it will ensure any changes are automatically reflected
+     in your syntax highlighting.
+  3. Add the following line to your .vimrc file (normally $HOME/.vimrc):
+
      syntax on
+
+In a typical unix environment you might accomplish this using the following
+commands:
+
+  mkdir -p $HOME/.vim/ftdetect
+  mkdir -p $HOME/.vim/syntax
+  ln -s $GOROOT/misc/vim/ftdetect/gofiletype.vim $HOME/.vim/ftdetect/
+  ln -s $GOROOT/misc/vim/syntax/go.vim $HOME/.vim/syntax
+  echo "syntax on" >> $HOME/.vimrc