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1994-12-23
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============================ Zorkmachine 1.15 =============================
===========================================================================
`Zorkmachine' is a replacement for Infocom's virtual machine code (ZCode-3)
interpreter. The implementation differs from the original implementation
both in the design of the user interface and the number of additional
features supported. This `Zorkmachine' port requires Kickstart 2.04 or
higher to run.
Up to this day, the interpreter will only run the old-style Infocom
games, such as `The witness', `Hollywood Hijinx' and the like. Interactive
Fiction Plus games such as `Trinity' or `A mind forever voyaging' will not
work at all.
================================== Usage ==================================
===========================================================================
`Zorkmachine' can be started both from Workbench and from Shell. The
following options, which are both available as calling parameters and as
icon tooltypes, are supported:
Protocol....... If using the `script' and `unscript' commands, a transcript
of the story will be sent to a protocol device or protocol
file. By default, this device will be `PRT:', sending the
transcript to the printer. This output device can be
overridden by using the `Protocol <Output device or file>'
option or from within the program.
Width.......... In order to correctly layout the transcript text, the
program has to know how many characters will fit into each
single printer line. By default the program assumes a
value of 80 characters per line.
Story.......... The name of the story file to be used for playing. Infocom
usually assigns the name `Story.Data' to it which is also
the default name `Zorkmachine' will use.
Restore........ If you wish to start the game using a previously saved
game, use this option to give the name of the file. Note
that the saved game file has to match the story it was
saved with.
Workbench users: in order to restore a game, either
double-click on a saved game icon or drop the saved game
icon to restore into the `Zorkmachine' window.
Customscreen... By default, `Zorkmachine' will open a window on the
Workbench screen. If the `customscreen' option is in
effect, a custom screen will be used. The screen will use
the same display modes the same colours and the same font
as the Workbench screen.
Colour0........ If using a custom screen, these two options will set the
Colour1........ text (colour 1) and the background (colour 0) colours. The
colour values to be used have to be provided in hexadecimal
notation (e.g. `colour0 000 colour1 ddd' would make
`Zorkmachine' use a black background colour with grey
text).
============================= User interface ==============================
===========================================================================
Unlike the original Infocom interpreter, `Zorkmachine' supports line
editing and command history just like the AmigaShell does. If you are
familiar with the Shell, you will be able to use `Zorkmachine' right away.
Even the cut & paste feature is supported. Not supported are the ^S and ^Q
key codes to stop and restart terminal output.
Cursor up ................... Go back in history
Cursor down ................. Go forward in history
Cursor left ................. Move cursor one character left
Cursor right ................ Move cursor one character right
CTRL-A, Shift cursor left ... Start of line
CTRL-Z, Shift cursor right .. End of line
CTRL-L ...................... Restore line
CTRL-X ...................... Delete whole line
CTRL-I ...................... Toggle insert/overwrite mode
CTRL-H, Backspace ........... Delete character left of cursor
CTRL-D, Del ................. Delete character under cursor
CTRL-P, Help ................ Program function key F1-F10, shift F1-F10
F1-F10, Shift F1-F10 ........ Recall function key
Pull-down menus are supported as well, most will simply invoke an
interpreter function (such as `time', `score', `brief', etc.). Only five
menu entries are special:
Protocol....... A requester will be opened which allows to select the
`script' output device/file. If scripting is already
active it will be turned off. Enter the output file/device
and page width (see options) or click on the `select file'
button which will open a file requester to select the
output file.
Palette........ Just as the name says, a requester will be opened to edit
the current screen palette. Note that this menu entry will
be available only if `Zorkmachine' is running on a custom
screen.
About.......... Guess and try ;-)
Narrate story.. If this switch is active, the text displayed on screen will
be spoken by the Amiga speech synthesizer.
Debug mode..... This switch has been provided for diagnostic purposes only.
Use it with caution since the whole `Zorkmachine'
interpreter run will be displayed on screen.
`Zorkmachine' will create icons with file it saves only if it was run
form Workbench. If started from Shell, no icons will be created.
============================= The source code =============================
===========================================================================
I have tried to remain faithful both to the original code and Infocom's
interpreter program. It may still prove difficult to recompile the program
code for other platforms (Minix, Atari ST, etc.) since the changes I made
may be irreversible.
A Makefile (for Aztec `C') and an LMkFile (for Lattice `C' or SAS/C)
have been provided. Note that Aztec `C' 5.0a or higher and Lattice/SAS `C'
5.04 or higher are required to recompile the program.
============================ Credits & Authors ============================
===========================================================================
`Zorkmachine' was created by Matthias Pfaller (EMail: leo@marco.de) from
the original Z-machine interpreter as running on the Atari ST. I received
the fragments of an Amiga port created by martin@deepth.ulm.sub.org (I have
failed to identify the full name of the author) and built this port on it.
Paul David Doherty beta-tested this port and suggested a couple of useful
features which can now be found in `Zorkmachine'.
The present keeper of the sources to this Amiga port is:
Olaf `Olsen' Barthel
Brabeckstrasse 35
D-3000 Hannover 71
Federal Republic of Germany
Email:
o.barthel@a-link-h.comlink.de
============================ Revision history =============================
===========================================================================
1.15 Script/unscript works again and so does `restore' by dropping icons
on the `Zorkmachine' window.
1.14 AppWindow support works once again, custom screen and palette
support added, speech support reworked, debug mode added, sound
support added (`The lurking horror' finally works!), the input
routine converts all characters entered to lower case in order to
avoid trouble with the parser (which would choke on upper case
characters).
1.11 First public release.