Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- release:classiczoo [2021/07/01 17:41] – asie
+++ release:classiczoo [2021/12/23 17:03] – asie
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 If you'd like to learn more about ZZT, [[https://museumofzzt.com/about-zzt|the Museum of ZZT]] is a good place to start.
+===== System requirements =====
+==== DOS (IBM PC) ====
+  * 386/486-class CPU (8086 minimum, 286 will run old game worlds fine),
+  * 640 KB of RAM (512KB minimum),
+  * EGA/VGA graphics adapter (CGA/Hercules minimum).
+==== DOS (NEC PC-9801) ====
+  * 386/486-class CPU (8086 minimum, 286 will run old game worlds fine),
+  * 640 KB of RAM (512KB minimum).
+==== Windows/Linux ====
+... If you're running (a reasonably recent version of) Windows/Linux, you can run ClassicZoo.
+===== Help =====
+Most help is provided in-game, available by pressing "H".
+==== Command line arguments (DOS) ====
+ClassicZoo supports a few command line arguments on launch:
+  * ''/NOEMS'' - disable EMS extended memory support,
+  * ''/NOXMS'' - disable XMS extended memory support,
+  * (4.16+) ''/NOSNOW'' - force-disable CGA snow avoidance logic; by default, it is disabled if an EGA/VGA-compatible card is detected, however many CGA clone cards also do not suffer from CGA snow. This can improve performance.
 ===== Major features =====
-  * EMS/XMS extended memory support - allows worlds of effectively any size within specification, and makes existing near-limit worlds run more reliably on real hardware.
+  * Increasing the board size limit from 20000 to 65500 bytes.
-  * Increasing the board limit from 20000 to 65500 bytes.
+  * Increasing the board count limit from 101 to 256 boards.
   * Major CPU and memory usage optimizations.
   * Major editor enhancements: syntax highlighting, OOP import/export, STK color and element support, multiple patterns, block and OOP copy/paste, bugfixes
@@ Line 18: / Line 47: @@
 The complete list of features is provided in the changelog, which is bundled with ClassicZoo.
+==== Platform-specific ====
+  * (DOS) EMS/XMS extended memory support - effectively lifts the world size limit, as well as improving stability of large worlds on machines with lower amounts of free conventional memory.
+  * (Windows/Linux) Improved keyboard input logic.
 ===== Screenshots =====
-==== PC port ====
+==== DOS (IBM PC) ====
-{{:release:classiczoo:zzt_dos_syntax_purge.png?direct&200|}}
+{{:release:classiczoo:zzt_dos_editor.png?direct&200|}} {{:release:classiczoo:zzt_dos_editor_advanced_tab.png?direct&200|}} {{:release:classiczoo:zzt_dos_syntax_purge.png?direct&200|}}
-==== NEC PC-98 port ====
+==== DOS (NEC PC-9801) ====
 {{:release:classiczoo:zzt_pc98.png?direct&200|}}
@@ Line 31: / Line 65: @@
 ===== Downloads =====
-The //libre// version of ClassicZoo differs in toolchain only - it's compiled using Free Pascal, rather than Turbo Pascal. However, as FPC's current (as of 3.2.0) 8086 compiler seems to generate slower and bigger code in general, it is primarily provided for users who seek to achieve free software purism. If you're a first-time or casual user, you most likely want the non-libre version at this time.
+In most cases, you want the build in bold for your platform.
+If you're looking for game worlds, try the Museum of ZZT! Here are some recommendations:
+  * [[https://museumofzzt.com/article/295/the-best-of-zzt|The Best of ZZT (list) ]],
+  * [[https://museumofzzt.com/article/563/the-best-of-zzt-part-2-modern-treasures|The Best of ZZT, Part 2 (list)]],
 ==== Current version ====
+=== ClassicZoo 4.20 beta 2 ===
+Released on the 23rd of December, 2021.
+  * **[[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo420b2-dos.zip|Download]]** (DOS - IBM PC)
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo420b2-dos-libre.zip|Download (libre build)]] (DOS - IBM PC)
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo420b2-pc9801.zip|Download]] (DOS - NEC PC-9801)
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo420b2-win64.zip|Download]] (Windows 64-bit)
+=== ClassicZoo 4.17 ===
+Released on the 7th of December, 2021.
+  * **[[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo417.zip|Download]]**
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo417p.zip|Download (NEC PC-98)]]
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo417l.zip|Download (libre build)]]
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo417m.zip|Download (low memory build)]]
+==== Previous versions ====
+=== ClassicZoo 4.16 ===
+Released on the 13th of November, 2021.
+  * **[[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416.zip|Download]]**
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416p.zip|Download (NEC PC-98)]]
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416l.zip|Download (libre build)]]
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo416m.zip|Download (low memory build)]]
+=== ClassicZoo 4.15 ===
+Released on the 9th of August, 2021.
+  * **[[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415.zip|Download]]**
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415p.zip|Download (NEC PC-98)]]
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415l.zip|Download (libre build)]]
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo415m.zip|Download (low memory build)]]
+=== ClassicZoo 4.14 ===
+Released on the 11th of July, 2021.
+  * **[[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo414.zip|Download]]**
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo414p.zip|Download (NEC PC-98)]]
+  * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo414l.zip|Download (libre build)]]
 === ClassicZoo 4.13 ===
@@ Line 42: / Line 127: @@
   * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo413p.zip|Download (NEC PC-98)]]
   * [[https://zeta.asie.pl/czoo413l.zip|Download (libre build)]]
-==== Previous versions ====
 === ClassicZoo 4.12 ===
@@ Line 98: / Line 181: @@
 ===== FAQ =====
+  * **Q:** Which build and executable of ClassicZoo should I use?
+  * **A:** For all builds, "ZZT.EXE" should be preferred for general usage.
+    * The regular build (in bold) is provided for typical PC-compatible use.
+    * The PC-9801 build is provided for users of NEC PC-9801 machines.
+    * The libre build is provided for projects which do not wish to utilize non-libre code included by Turbo Pascal's compiler. However, it comes with a CPU performance, filesize and memory usage penalty.
+    * The low memory build is meant for especially constrained platforms and removes many features. It is only really useful for platforms with <= 512 KB of memory.
   * **Q:** Should I use DOSBox or Zeta with ClassicZoo?
@@ Line 112: / Line 202: @@
 ===== Links =====
+  * [[https://github.com/OpenZoo/ClassicZoo/blob/project/classiczoo/DOC/CHANGES.HLP|Changelog]]
   * [[https://github.com/OpenZoo/ClassicZoo/tree/project/classiczoo|Source code]]