Help file accompanying the multitasking !WimpZarch application :
**************************************************************

***************************  Copyright Notice  ****************************
*                                                                         *
*   The object code and documentation for the Zarch front-end, called     *
*   !WimpZarch, are the exclusive copyright of John A.M. TYTGAT and are   *
*   freely distributable, provided this notice is left intact and all     *
*   of the files listed below are included, UNALTERED.                    *
*                                                                         *
*   Note that this application needs the *original* Zarch disc.  Zarch    *
*   is copyrighted by David Braben and you can buy the game from          *
*   Superior Software/AcornSoft.                                          *
*                                                                         *
*   This Zarch front-end is based on a 'patch' which was distributed      *
*   by Nick Smith.  The author of this 'patch' is in fact unknown.        *
*   An AAsm source list delivered with this 'patch' was used as a base    *
*   for this application.                                                 *
*                                                                         *
*   The date of this source list, 05 Sep 1988, may indicate that the      *
*   unknown author worked for Acorn but this is only a vague argument.    *
*   Because I couldn't find any copyright messages on this source list I  *
*   presumed that this is released in public domain in its strict sense.  *
*                                                                         *
***************************************************************************

Included :
========

     (1) !Run file
     (2) !RunImage  (main program)
     (3) !Sprites
     (4) !Help application (directory containing a !Run and !RunImage file)
     (5) Templates

Aim :
===

Ever want to show your RISC OS machine as a fast, multitasking machine ? Well, maybe you can use this application... !WimpZarch is a front-end which allows you to play Zarch in the multitasking Desktop.  You can also swap between the multitasking and single tasking version without interrupting your game too much.

At any time you can save the actual Zarch screen to disc or to an application like Paint or Impression.  A 'Freeze'/'Continue' option is also provided.

An ARM3 processor is recommended but the multitasking version is perfectly playable with an ARM2 in MODE 13 with the Zarch window completely opened.

Pitfall :
=======

This version is *not* StrongARM compliant.  The reason for this is that I don't have a StrongARM equipped RiscPC to find out what the problem is... :-(

Use :
===

When !WimpZarch starts up, it will ask you for the *original* Zarch disc.  After you put this disc in your drive, click on <OK> and a few seconds later a window should pop up featuring the spinning Zarch shuttle.  You can resize this window by dragging the 'Adjust size' icon.

The intro asks you to press a key to start playing the game.  Keypresses will only be accepted by !WimpZarch when its window is selected (a single click inside the window will do this).

Every time you start with a new shuttle on the pad the pointer is being set in the middle of the window (when your window is selected).  This pointer position allows to launch the shuttle off the pad vertically.  If you want to return to this pointer position you can press the <Right Shift> key while the Zarch window is being selected.  Note that the pointer positions are rescaled by !WimpZarch so that while playing, your pointer never has to leave the Zarch window.

Pressing the <Right Alt> key with a selected Zarch window, will temporary freeze the game.  If the game is freezed or the Zarch window is not selected, you can pop up the !WimpZarch menu by pressing... yes, the menu button.  The same menu is available all the time by pressing the menu button on the !WimpZarch iconbar icon.

You can 'unfreeze' the game selecting the 'Continue' option in the menu.  After this selection the 'Continue' option will change into 'Freeze'.  This new option will of course also freeze the game.

Selecting 'Full screen' will select mode 13 and make Zarch singletask taking over the whole screen even when the game was 'freezed'.  To return to desktop you have to press the <Left Alt> key.  If you have an ARM3 fitted and the 'Cache Control' option is switch on, the cache will temporary being switched off because the game would become to fast and you would see at lot of flickering...

All original Zarch keys will retain their meaning in the 'Full screen' mode and in the 'Desktop' mode when the Zarch window is selected.  The Zarch cheat mode can only be switched on in single task mode.

At any time you can save a Zarch screenshot sprite by dragging the Sprite icon to a Filer window or an application.

Clicking on the 'Close' icon of the Zarch window will remove the window from the screen and temporary freeze the game.  To re-open the window and 'unfreeze' the game, click with the Select button on the !WimpZarch iconbar icon.  Clicking with the Adjust button on the !WimpZarch iconbar icon will also close the Zarch window and temporary freeze the game.

To summerize :

In 'Desktop' mode and the Zarch window is selected
  <Right Alt>   : will freeze the game
  <Right Shift> : will return the pointer to the middle of the Zarch window so you can launch off vertically
  All the original Zarch keys will retain their meaning

In 'Full screen' mode
  <Left Alt>    : will return to desktop

Versions :
========

This program is made in 100 % hand-written ARM code.

v1.00 : First public domain version, the original 'patch' (from someone at Acorn ?)
v1.04 : - User can now *play* Zarch in the Desktop, the demo is no longer default
        - Converted OS_ReadLine & FX 129 in a multitasking version
        - Keypresses are only accepted when the Zarch window is selected
        - Mouse scaling
        - Swap between 'Desktop' and 'Full screen'
        - Screenshot sprite save facility
        - More intelligent voices handling : no longer 'RmKill StringLib' needed
        - Loads Zarch from an original Superior Software/AcornSoft disc
v1.05 : - ARM3 support
        - RAM transfer
        - couple of small bugs fixed
v1.06 : - 'Cache control' option added
        - Problem fixed when you go from a mode with more than 160 KByte of
          memory into single task mode.
        - Mmmh, closing a window which has the caret seems not to generate a
          LoseCaret event.  RISC OS Wimp bug ? Acorn, are you listening ?!?
v1.07 : - DragASprite implemented

Manual version v1.5

Conditions of use :
=================

This software is supplied "as is"; no warranty, express or implied, of the merchantability of this software or its fitness for any particular purpose is given.  In no circumstances shall the providers of this software be liable for any damage, loss of profits, or any indirect or consequential loss arising out of the use of this software or inability to use this software.

You are free to give this application to anyone you please via any medium, provided it is delivered with ALL the supplied files, UNALTERED.  You may NOT sell this software, or use it otherwise for personal gain.  If you wish to upload it to a Bulletin Board or include it in your Public Domain library then that, too, is OK, but if possible, please let me know if you do either of these and please send me a catalogue or whatever is appropriate.  A modest charge for media and postage is acceptable, but should not be excessive (around 1 pound).  I reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time.

Please report any bugs you find to me, so that other users may benefit from improved versions.  I cannot guarantee to fix any bugs, but I will do my best.


My address is :

John Tytgat      Brusselbaan 445        B-1600 St.-Pieters-Leeuw   BELGIUM

E-mail address : John.Tytgat@barco.com

 BASS 1992-1993
