This is a port of ZIP 2.0 by Mark Howell to the Apple IIGS. The port was done by Matt Ackeret (unknown@guest.apple.com or unknown@apple.com). Please contact me, Matt Ackeret, with any problems you encounter in using the program. This program is an interpreter for the Zcode virtual instruction set used by Infocom for their interactive fiction text adventure games and for games produced with the Inform freeware compiler. This interpreter works with version 1 through 5 games. Also included with this archive is an older version of one of the freeware Zcode games, "curses". (The file is named "oldcurses.z3", the extention ".z3" signifying that it is a game using version 3 of the Zcode format. There is a file on ftp.gmd.de in the if-archive/ area describing the Zcode format at a technical level.) I am including an "older version" because the newer version is showing some cosmetic bugs (as described further below).. You can download the newer version and use it with this program, it just won't look perfectly. I hope to fix some of the problems soon. This interpreter can be used with the game files from the two "Lost Treasures of Infocom" sets available. Big Red Computer Club (their address is given at the end of this file) sells a version of Lost Treasures of Infocom I for the GS, though you can use the data files from any version (since they are identical). The HFS and MSDOS FSTs will allow you to get the data files from the Mac and IBM versions of LTOI. That is, you can buy another computer's "version" and use the datafiles on your GS. For example, I own the CDROM version of Lost Treasures of Infocom II (marketed for Macs and IBMs) and use the data files with my port of ZIP on my GS. As well as the "Lost Treasures of Infocom" games, there is a freeware compiler called Inform which allows one to write NEW interactive fiction games that are output in the same Zcode format, thus usable with any interpreter that works with the Infocom games. There are several games available on ftp.gmd.de, the official ftp site for Interactive Fiction stuff. Also check out the rec.arts.int-fiction and rec.games.int-fiction newsgroups. There may also be a GS port of Inform so you can write new games on that ftp site. If not, porting it with Orca/C is a painless process (I ported a much earlier version). What my port of ZIP supports --- o) Versions 1 through 5 games. (Most of the Infocom games are version 3, a few are version 5.) There are a few version 6 games, such as Zork Zero, and a few "extra" games included on the LTOI (Lost Treasures of Infocom) II CD. These games are combination graphical/text and are far less computer-independent than the fully text games are. However, it looks as if ZIP may be upgraded to support version 6 games too, and I will likely upgrade my GS port to support version 6 games at that point. o) Extended keyboards -- In the games that allow the use of function keys (ewww), I support function keys. Command-1 through Command-0 (aka openapple-1 through openapple-0) also work. Function keys are used in Beyond Zork, for example, for frequently used commands. Check out your documentation to see how to redefine the function keys. Limitations in the current version of my port -- o) The timeout mechanism, used in Border Zone, is not supported. You can still play the game, but it never "times out" the entering of commands, like it should. Since this timeout feature was only used in one game as far as I know, it's not been too high on my list. o) Some of the games that do more extensive cursor repositioning don't seem to always work. That is, there are some cosmetic problems in playing Beyond Zork with this version of ZIP. It is still playable, but it does not look perfect. Hopefully this will be fixed. Please report bugs of this type to me (unknown@guest.apple.com or unknown@apple.com). o) I was hoping to make this interpreter launchable from EITHER the Finder (or another graphical-launcher) or a shell. I haven't finished my customizations for the former, so it's only a shell utility currently. In future version(s), if you launch it from the Finder, then Standard File will be used for all requests to get/put files... Simply changing the filetype will allow running it from either environment. As I said, this is NOT here yet. If anyone is interested in getting the source code and making improvements and/or fixes, please contact me. Eventually the code will be integrated into the main ZIP distribution set, but that integration hasn't happened yet. Version history: 1.0a1 November 27, 1994 I have had the interpreter at its current level of functionality for many months, intending to "get around" to implementing more features. I intended to add the Finder/shell dual launchability this weekend and added some code for this feature. Then I didn't feel well for a few days of this long Thanksgiving weekend.. I thought that releasing it at its current state would be better than keeping it hidden longer. It is definitely very usable at this point. I've been using it to play Moonmist and other LTOI games for a while. Why am I calling this version "1.0a1"? Simply because it's my first public release and is not 100% finished. "Beta" is used to signify all features implemented, but bugs still existing. When the dual-launching functionality and timeout capability is added, I'll bump it to beta, then increment the minor version number on subsequent releases. Again, please contact me, Matt Ackeret (unknown@guest.apple.com unknown@apple.com) with any suggestions or descriptions of problems you have with this program. ---- end of main document ---- Here is the contact information for the Big Red Computer Club. I have no affiliation with them except as a customer. They have tons of good Apple II software that used to be sold by other companies, as well as some programs they've published themselves. One note for fans of older games is that they have all of the AtariSoft games available for $5 each. Great deal! Big Red Computer Club 423 Norfolk Ave, Norfolk, NE 68701 (402) 379 4680