Erlang makefile is frustrating

[Payne530]

.SUFFIXES: .erl .beam .yrl

.erl.beam:
erlc -W $<

.yrl.erl:
erlc -W $<

ERL = erl -boot start_clean

MODS = chat_client chat_group chat_server io_widget lib_chan lib_chan_auth lib_chan_cs lib_chan_mm mod_chat_controller mod_math

all: compile

compile: ${MODS:%=%.beam} subdirs

subdirs:
cd ./home/steven/erlangPrograms/programming_erlang/socket_dist; make

clean:
rm -rf *.beam erl_crash.dump
cd ./home/steven/erlangPrograms/programming_erlant/socket_dist; make

Also I have no idea if this is even right. Can anyone explain to me the syntax or know of any place that gives a clear explanation of it? Or maybe even if there is a manual built in? Honestly have no idea.

[Payne530]

and the dir that i want to make is shown:

./home/steven/erlangPrograms/programming_erlang/socket_dist; make