ALAN ADVENTURE LANGUAGE
			   Release 2.8(7)


Readme for Linux port of Alan 2.8(7)
------------------------------------
This archive contains Linux (i386) binaries of the Alan compiler and 
interpreter programs ('alan' and 'arun' respectively.) 

The interpreter is a simple terminal mode version useful for people testing 
games they are writing with the Alan compiler. I haven't worked out how 
to configure the commandline editing though. So you have to use Ctrl-H 
to backspace when correcting mistypes. When really playing games, I 
recommend using one of the 2.8.6 'glk' interpreters available from the IF 
Archive (url below). 

If the included binaries don't work on your version of Linux, let me know. I 
can supply the simple makefiles so you can compile your own from the 
sourcecode available at the Alan Home Pages (url below). 

These programs are copyright by Thomas Nilsson. They have been released so 
they can available for personal download from the Alan Home Pages and/or the 
IF Archive. Please do not distribute these files in any other way without 
first obtaining the permission of Thomas Nilsson. 

  Stephen.Griffiths@xtra.co.nz
  March 2004



Alan 2.8(7) Readme
------------------
Date: 2003-07-23 
(with minor sub-editing by SG 3/04)

The Alan System is one of the most easy-to-use tools to create
interactive fiction, aka. adventure games. The Alan System is based on
a special purpose computer language designed to be used by people more
interested in authoring and designing games than for computer
programmers.  The system consists of a compiler which compiles Alan
source to a compact and portable form and an interpreter that
interprets such a form to allow playing of the game.

Version 2.8(7) is an upgrade with some new features and bug fixes (for the 
details see the file Changes and the documentation available at the Alan 
Home Pages website.) 

The format of game files have changed slightly between version 2.7 and
2.8. The v2.8 interpreter should run all v2.7 compiled games. To play 
pre-2.7 games older interpreters are available for various platforms. 

The Alan System is register-ware. To use the Alan compiler all you need to do 
is to register. Registration can be done with a simple email to Thomas Nilsson
(thomas.nilsson@progindus.se). This is not required if you only intend
to play games.

Complete distribution and documentation packages, as well as other
related information, are available from the Alan Home Pages at

	http://welcome.to/alan-if

or from the Interactive Fiction Archive at

	ftp://ftp.if-archive.org/if-archive/programming/alan

and its mirrors.

The documentation is separately available in html or Adobe PDF formats.

If you have any problems don't hesitate to contact the authors at the
following email addresses:

	thomas.nilsson@progindus.se

All communication is welcome! You may also wish to visit the
Alan Home Pages at

	http://welcome.to/alan-if



If you haven't already, join the 1252 people registered. Happy Authoring!


	The ThoNi & GorFo Adventure Factories