Quantum P. wrote:
Then I thought, this is what it's like for new people to get ZZT running. It's really easy to download DOSBox, ZZT, and a few ZZT games -- if you know what you're doing. That's why I really like the idea of a DOSBox/ZZT/top games bundle -- it would make the experience not just easier and less time-consuming, but smoother. Download, run, there is no step three.
Dosbox, ZZT, top games. Got it. The top 50 or so should be
plenty.
Now the only thing is making it truly 'portable'. Ideally the process would be no simpler than downloading the .ZIP file, extracting to a directory and double-clicking. No install dialog, no nothing.
I know Dosbox can be told to auto-execute commands, that'll help. Shouldn't be too hard to tell it to auto-mount a subdirectory for zzt (included in the ZIP), CD to that and run it.
First thing is to see if anybody has already made a portable version of Dosbox...
I'll keep you all updated on the progress.
UPDATE:
ZZT_PTBL (DOS-character-limited abbreviation of "ZZT Portable") Beta 1 features:
-Direct starting of ZZT game, no need to type anything at the DOS prompt.
-ALL the Featured Games plus companion files for a few of them.
-The Kevedit external editor/ (an absolute godsend for ZZT editing, speaking from experience)
-Three steps: Unzip to c:\ drive, go to the extracted folder, select the Dosbox executable.
-A very basic readme file.
TO DO:
-Add a file with all the FG reviews so people can have an idea of what they might like to try first.
-See how to make it so that you can extract the folder anywhere (not just to the c:\ drive) and make Dosbox work from wherever it is.
-Make a version for Linux users. I'd also love to make one for Macs, but I haven't used a Mac since middle school.