           Z-Kart 3D for Usgard   -   Programmed by Patrick Davidson

                   Version 9.0 (Released September 7, 2000)

----- TABLE OF CONTENTS -----------------------------------------------------

      I. INTRODUCTION                                    15
     II. LEGAL STUFF                                     40
    III. OPERATING THE GAME                              61
     IV. CONTACTING THE PROGRAMMER                       79
      V. VERSION HISTORY                                112
     VI. THE FUTURE OF Z-KART 3D                        158

----- I. INTRODUCTION -------------------------------------------------------

    Z-Kart 3D is a small 3D (sort of) game for the TI-86 calculator in which
you try to steer a small "Kart" so as to keep it inside a track.  In order
to completely take advantage of the calculator's capabilities, it is written
in Z80 assembly language.

    Since this is an assembly program, it is stored in the calculator as an
executable file rather than text.  Because of this, you cannot easily type
in the program.  You must send it to the calculator to load it.  If you have
a graph-link to connect the calculator to your computer, you can load it by
sending the executable file "ZKART3D.86P" to your calculator.  If you cannot
connect your calculator to your computer, you must send it to your
calculator from another calculator that already has it.

    Once the program has been copied to your calculator, you can run it by
entering the command "Asm(zkart3d" on the home screen.  You can also run it
from a "shell" program if you want to.

    If you want more calculator-related information (such as help on sending
files, buildin a graph-link, or program) or other calculator programs, I
recommend visiting the following web sites.

    http://www.ticalc.org/       ticalc.org
    http://www.calc.org/         Dimension-TI

----- II. LEGAL STUFF -------------------------------------------------------

Since you did not pay me anything for the right to use this software, there
is no warranty of any kind.  This software has been tested, and at the time
of release the author was not aware of any serious problems with it.
However, there is still a possibility of unforeseen problems.  If you do
encounter any problems with this program, please inform me as soon as
possible (of course, I cannot guarantee that I will fix such problems).

This software is in the public domain, which means that it is not copyrighted
at all.  Thus you may use, copy, or modify it any way you want.

However, I would appreciate if you at least do the following if you are
making a modified version:

 - Don't restrict distribution of it
 - Supply source code
 - Give me a reasonable amount of credit
 - Make your version also public domain, or copyrighted under a license that
   still allows users to distibute modified versions freely 

----- III. PLAYING THE GAME -------------------------------------------------

   In this wonderful (?) TI-86 game, you try to steer yourself inside a
track (with the arrow keys) for as long as possible.  When you start the
game, a title screen appears.  Press a function key to select a speed and
begin the game.  F1 is the slowest, and F5 is the fastest.  You get extra
points for starting at faster speeds.

   During the game, you can pause at any time by pressing [ENTER].  Press
[ENTER] again to continue playing.

   When the game is over, you can type in your name if you have the high
score.  If not, just press [ENTER] to leave the game.  If you win the game,
you get a 51 point bonus in addition to your regular score.  However, since
you get bonuses for playing at more difficult levels, you may get a higher
score playing on a fast speed on not getting quite to the end than when
finishing on a slower speed.  The highest possible score is 1006.

----- IV. CONTACTING THE PROGRAMMER -----------------------------------------

If you find any bugs in this game or have suggestions or comments about it,
please tell me in E-Mail!  If you are writing to report a bug, please be
sure to tell me exactly what the problem is and describe exactly what you
did before the problem occured.  If you don't do so, it will be very hard
for me to tell what is going wrong!  You should also tell me which version
of Phoenix you have in any mail you send me.  My main E-Mail address is:

        pad@calc.org

I will usually answer my E-Mail within a week.  If I don't, you can try to
write to one of my other addresses below.  I will not be replying from that
address, so if your E-Mail is set up to block all messages except those from
certain addressses, you'll have to send it to one of the other addresses and
un-block that address.  This sort of blocking has caused trouble for me
before since some people didn't even un-block the address they sent to.
The other addresses at which you can E-Mail me are:

        luezma@netscape.net
        ariwsi@rocketmail.com
        eeulplek@webmail.bellsouth.net
        axeeodyx@easley.net

If you still have my HotMail or Juno E-Mail addresses, please do not send
anything them.  Use the new addresses instead.

You can always get the latest version of this game, as well as other
programs of mine, from my web page.  The addresses are:

        http://pad.calc.org/
        http://surf.to/eeulplek/        (redirects to current address)

------ V. VERSION HISTORY ---------------------------------------------------

Release 1.0:      First release
                  Size : 962 bytes

Release 2.0:      Now has filled sides
                  Size : 1044 bytes

Release 2.1:      Fixed small display bug
                  Optimized code a little
                  Size : 1036 bytes

Release 2.2:      Fixed name entry routine
                  Optimized some more
                  Size : 1029 bytes

Release 3.x:      These were only on the TI-86

Release 4.0:      No longer corrupts graph screen
                  Small optimizations
                  Size : 1021 bytes

Release 5.0:      Difference in speeds is now larger
                  Speed no longer changes during the game
                  Size : 977 bytes

Release 6.0:      Converted to Usgard!
                  Size : 952 bytes

Release 7.0:      Track rendering code smaller, faster, more precise
                  Slightly more challenging tracks
                  Size : 945 bytes

Release 8.0:      Collision detection is now 100% correct!
                  Slightly higher scores
                  Size : 983 bytes

Release 9.0:      Pause function at last!
                  Documentation is much longer!
                  Optimized various stuff
                  You can now win the game and get a 51 points bonus
                  Size : 1022 bytes

Release 9.0       Ported to TI-86
  for TI-86:      Size : 1281 bytes

------ VI. THE FUTURE OF Z-KART 3D ------------------------------------------

   This version will probably turn out to be the last version of Z-Kart 3D.
