In theory, you should only have to do the following:

1.  ./configure
2.  make
3.  make install

If you find that this does not work, please submit a patch
for your OS to jeff@apex.net.

Also, to run as a non-root user, change the permissions on 
your serial port so you can read/write it.  Example:

# chmod 666 /dev/ttyS0

No, that's not secure.  Doing this securely is left as an
exercise to the reader.  (Hint:  it involves groups)

Next, read README and the files in DOC/.

Good luck!