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README.1ST
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1994-08-11
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This archive is a maintenance (bug-fix) version of Iron Ox for OS/2.
For details on the changes since the last version, please see
HISTORY.TXT. See UPGRADE.TXT for instructions on upgrading from an
earlier version.
Iron Ox is a multiplayer strategy/science fiction doorgame designed for
play through BBS systems. It was first released to the DOS BBS
community in February of 1994. I began my plans for an OS/2 port of
Iron Ox before Ox for DOS was even released, and did most of the coding
for Ox/2 while 1.10 for DOS was in beta testing.
OS/2 sysops have told me that they want door authors to provide real
support for OS/2 BBS systems -- they don't want to have to run DOS
doors, and they don't want clumsy ports that are barely faster or
better-behaved than their DOS counterparts. Ox/2 is a 32-bit,
multithreaded program that runs faster than Ox for DOS can in the DOS
box, and imposes much less CPU load. It includes several features and
performance enhancements that are not available in the DOS version of
the game.
OS/2 is a joy to program for -- I wish I could take advantage of
threads, semaphores, and named pipes in all my programming -- but this
port took hundreds of hours and has been a considerable risk for me.
Other door authors have told me that I'm wasting my time: OS/2 sysops
*can* run DOS doors, after all, so I'd be better off spending time
enhancing my DOS version. (You know this song and dance... you've
probably heard the same argument if you've asked a major software
company why they're ignoring OS/2 and spending all their resources on
Windows development. <sigh>)
I believe that OS/2 sysops know the difference between "MAGIC.ZIP" and a
real OS/2 door, and that they'll respond to a door that takes real
advantage of the power of OS/2. If Iron Ox for OS/2 is a useful
addition to your system, please read REGISTER.FRM and consider
registering the game. If other door authors see that OS/2 sysops *do*
care about the difference and will support native OS/2 doors, other
quality doors for OS/2 will surely result.
Thanks for evaluating my game and for supporting the shareware concept!
P.S. As of 6/28/94, the IRONOX echo was added to the Zone 1 FidoNet
backbone. If you run a FidoNet system, please request IRONOX from your
echomail hub to provide your users with a great source of game tips and
strategy discussion!