Windows Port for ZZT

Ando · Post by **Ando** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 4:53 pm

Yeah, I know...Ando's at it again, making a new topic.

But this time it's a topic with a good point. As anyone thought of making a windows port for ZZT? If something like that was ever fabricated, ZZT would become far more compatable with present day computers than it is now. Plus it would save me the trouble of not having to go into safe mode to boot up ZZT. So, has anyone worked on any projects like this yet? Or what?

Post by **Dr. Dos** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 4:57 pm

ZZT++ I think

I don't know it took Exo several months to port MZX and he HAD the source code. We don't.

FSFunky · Post by **FSFunky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 7:09 pm

What would we benefit from a Windows port?

Please note that is not a personal attack on Ando in anyway, I just fail to see the usefulness of a Windows port if ZZT runs fine as it is.

Sure, some might have problems running it, but those problems are usually solved by running DosBox or something similar.

What I'm trying to say is, Ando (or anyone else for that matter), what is there to gain by making a Windows port?

However, if by some magic we were able to get the source code (which is 99.9999% impossible, I know) I doubt a Windows port is the first thing to do on the agenda.

Post by **Quantum P.** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 11:16 pm

I once thought about porting ZZT to the Mac. Of course, as pointed out above, it would be quite difficult, and I've pretty much lost all interest in the project.

Wasn't there something called ZZT Experience or something, or am I just imagining things?

Post by **Dr. Dos** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 11:22 pm

ZZT experience was like 90% done and for the most part it worked great.

But of course, anything that almost works gets cancelled.

Ando · Post by **Ando** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 11:57 pm

There will probably be a time where MS-DOS is no longer on the next-generation computers. And I feel that this time is soon. That's why I was concerned about a windows port for ZZT.

I'm pretty ignorant about computer technology, so please understand.

Post by **Dr. Dos** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 12:39 am

i believe winxp emulates dos for dos programs.

Stop treating this like Y2k.

It's called Dosbox. Or like $30 on e-bay for a 486.

FSFunky · Post by **FSFunky** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 2:31 pm

Dr. Dos wrote:i believe winxp emulates dos for dos programs.

Stop treating this like Y2k.

It's called Dosbox. Or like $30 on e-bay for a 486.

Actually, Windows Longhorn will break any compatibility with dos programs, since it will no longer emulate Dos.

However, I guess a port of Dosbox isn't long behind then

Also, as it is looking now, there is no good reason to upgrade to Longhorn as an average user, and now that the WinFS is removed, the supposed extra security is also gone

I'm not sure if the whole XML-meta-related data still is in, but it doesn't seem that useful to me.

wep · Post by **wep** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 7:05 am

it's good to hear zzt++ mentioned after such a long time. i haven't worked on it for...oh...a year or something.

zzt++ wasn't meant to be a windows port. i tried a x-win port (for linux) once, but i lacked the skills. the problem with making a good windows port was the lack of a good library. all you have under windows is the console app library. which doens't give you what's needed. i have seen windows attempts, though. i'm not enough of a win programmer to know how to do that.

Post by **MadTom** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 1:12 pm

Whoa, WeP. Where did you spring from?

superbowl shuffle · Post by **superbowl shuffle** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 3:14 pm

WeP you must be like 200 years old by now. Welcome back you wonderful chunk of man, you.

Post by **Quantum P.** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 12:00 am

If this scenario is an apocalypse, it'll probably end up something like the coming Ice Age. Microsoft will eventually manage to push DOS off every computer, but seeing the number of classic DOS games and the number of fans who adore them, it will take years and years to do this. And even then, we'll still have emulators.

Commodore · Post by **Commodore** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 2:57 am

I mean seriously, there are emulators for some of the most obscure computers ever made. So considering the wealth of programs made for dos I don't think microsoft's anti-backwards compatability notions will snuff out dos. We'll see in 50 years or so, but by then I hope to have moved on from zzt :P

Post by **MadTom** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 4:12 am

Well, we all have our little dreams.

Jenny: GRAMPA COMMO TIMMY SHIT HIMSELF AND IMPALED HIS ARM ON THAT RUSTY NAIL YOU GAVE HIM FOR HIS BIRTHDAY
Commodore: SHUT UP I STILL CAN'T GET PAST THE BLOODFLIES IN FROST

Commodore · Post by **Commodore** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:17 am

I killed dickety-two germans to get that nail for timmy. He's sleeping with gram tonight that's for sure.

z2

Windows Port for ZZT

Windows Port for ZZT

that's good