Hi, this is my first attempt at building an RPP for Red Hat Linux. Took a
bit to get used to all the stuff needed ;-)
Anyways, this package contains two Z-machine interpreters (ZIP, by Mark
Howell, see source for full details, and XZIP, which is derived from the
ZIP source code). ZIP runs on the console (or in an xterm or rxvt or other
terminal), XZIP runs under X. Both have been patched slightly to take
advantage of the INFOCOM_PATH variable to locate game files. The uninstall
script does a decent job of wiping out the statement from /etc/profile which
is added by the install, but I'm not perfect :-/ so save your /etc/profile
before trying the uninstall :-) It does just fine for me, but it might not
for you.
The binary package also includes a number of Z-machine games:
minizork.z3 -- A 'Mini-Zork' demo from Infocom, originally released for C64
advent.z5 -- The original ADVENTURE, ported to Inform
adventureland.z5 -- Scott Adams classic, ported to Inform
balances.z3 -- An Enchanter-like demonstration game for Inform
busted.z5 -- A game in which the player tries to out-wit narcs
christminster.z5 -- A really good, large Inform game (intrigue/conspiracy)
curses.z5 -- A really good, large Inform game (mystery?)
freefall.z5 -- An abuse of the Z-machine
odieus.z5 -- A demonstration game, Inform port of an old game
paperchase.z5 -- A short game in which the player tries to get a diploma
theatre.z5 -- A really good, large Inform game (horror)
Source to Christminster, Curses, Minizork, and Theatre is not available.
The source for the others is *not* included with the -src package, simply
because doing so would require that the inform compiler be included in the
src package to allow them to be made.
Inform is a free compiler which generates Z-machine output. Note that
Z-machine code (since the Z-machine is a theoretical computer) can be
played on practically any platform. Interpreters exist for Crays,
just about all Unix boxen, Windows, DOS, Mac, Amigas, Acorns, C64's,
VIC-20's, TRS-80's, HP programmable calculators (reportedly), etc.
All of the source/games/etc and more information is available from
ftp://ftp.gmd.de/if-archive
ftp://wuarchive.wustl.edu/docs/misc/if-archive (MIRROR)
Hope someone gets some use out of this :-)
Mike Phillips,
[email protected]
