diff --git a/docs/docs/algorithms.xml b/docs/docs/algorithms.xml
index fcbfde116..7c24960e0 100644
--- a/docs/docs/algorithms.xml
+++ b/docs/docs/algorithms.xml
@@ -752,8 +752,8 @@
          <file>dlib/svm.h</file>
          <spec_file link="true">dlib/svm/function_abstract.h</spec_file>
          <description>
-                This object represents a binary decision function for use with
-                support vector machines.
+                This object represents a decision or regression function that was 
+                learned by a kernel based learning algorithm.  
          </description>
          <examples>
             <example>svm_ex.cpp.html</example>
diff --git a/docs/docs/index.xml b/docs/docs/index.xml
index 3cc7a92ac..2306a20b4 100644
--- a/docs/docs/index.xml
+++ b/docs/docs/index.xml
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
             <li><b>Machine Learning Algorithms</b>
                <ul>
                   <li><a href="algorithms.html#mlp">multi layer perceptrons</a> </li>  
-                  <li><a href="algorithms.html#svm_nu_train">nu support vector machines</a></li>
+                  <li><a href="algorithms.html#svm_nu_train">nu support vector machines</a> for classification</li>
                   <li><a href="algorithms.html#krls">kernel RLS regression</a></li>
                   <li>Bayesian Network inference algorithms such as the 
                      <a href="algorithms.html#bayesian_network_join_tree">join tree</a> algorithm and