Joystick application suite version 2.04
 Vertical Twist, June 1992      

Changes since the documentation was printed...

- This joystick interface package is backwards
  compatible with those previously sold under the
  'Serial Port' label. This means that you can use
  it to play any games which claim to support the
  'Serial Port' joystick interface, as described in
  the game's documentation.

- The Vertical Twist joystick interface and
  software can be used any type of Risc OS computer
  eg. the A3000, the A5000 and the Archimedes
  series 300, 400 and 400/1.

  There are, however, two restrictions that only
  apply if you wish to use an old joystick inteface
  ( such as one of those sold under the 'Serial Port'
  label ) on an A5000 computer :

  (1) The interface unit must be upgraded with an 
      additional component.Please contact your supplier.

  (2) You must make sure that the joystick interface
      is switched on BEFORE the joystick module is
      loaded otherwise the interface may be ignored.
      For this reason it would be a good idea to make
      use of the module's "Prompt" flag that will
      force it to wait until the interface has been
      switched on.

- Make sure that you do not plug in or unplug the
  joystick interface or joysticks while the
  computer is switched on; you should always switch
  the computer off while connecting or
  disconnecting any peripherals.

- The name of the main joystick control module has
  changed from 'Joystick' to 'VTJoystick'. This
  reduces the chances of a clash with other
  joystick modules.

  The name of the SWI to read the joystick state
  has also changed from 'Joystick_Status' to
  'VTJoystick_Status'.

- Two new modules have been included on this disc
  in the 'Progs' directory. They have both been
  put into the public domain by 'Vertical Twist'.
  One provides an Acorn standard SWI for reading
  the joystick state, the other is compatible
  with the old 'Joystick_Status' SWI.

  See the !ReadMe file in the progs directory for
  more information.

- A new directory named "Start" has been included
  on this disc. This contains a set of small files
  that allow games to be started along with the
  joystick control software. For further
  information see the text file "!ReadMe" inside
  the "Start" directory.

- The joystick control module has been improved
  and can now be used with many more games, even
  on a computer with just 1Mb of memory.

  The simulation of the keyboard has also been
  improved so that (among other things)
  combinations of key presses such as
  control-shift-f12 will work in the desktop.

- The joystick control module's indestructible
  option ("I") is no longer necessary, the module
  now allows itself to be killed thus freeing some
  memory for the game to use.

  A small program is left running after the module
  is killed which allows the joystick to continue
  to simulate the keyboard/mouse. This program
  occupies less than 2 kbytes of precious RMA
  space, so it is less likely to disrupt the
  operation of any game than the previous module
  which used 6 kbytes. (It may actually help to
  use a *RMKill Joystick command to get the
  joystick working with a game !)

- The !Joystick application can now be used to load
  the joystick control module with options.
  Start the !Joystick application and a window
  will appear allowing you to select the different
  options. Clicking on OK will load the module
  with the new set of options.

- A new text file named "Hints+Tips" has been
  included on this disc. It contains a list of
  games that the Vertical Twist joystick interface
  has been tested with and found to work as well
  as a few suggestions as to it's use.

- There have been many small improvements and
  bugfixes throughout the software. All the
  applications have been made smaller and use less
  memory in the desktop. Joystick programs have
  been supplied for many more games which may be
  used without further changes, as examples or as
  as a foundation onto which you can add your own
  personal touches !








To read this file, or any other text files supplied
on this disc, use the !Edit application. This was
supplied with your computer on applications disc
one and is described in the Archimedes user guide.



