UZI - Ultimate ZSNES Interface - Readme file
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Table of Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Usage
  3. Changes
  4. Features
  5. Trouble Shooting
  6. Feedback
  7. Contact
  8. Greetings
  9. Disclaimer

1. Introduction
---------------

UZI is a Windows95/98 based frontend for ZSNES the best SNES emulator.

(Some people misunderstand what a frontend is. This not a modification,
a windows version or a part of ZSNES. It doesn't modify anything
in ZSNES.EXE . UZI cannot provide options that are not present in
ZSNES and I am not the author of ZSNES.
ZSNES.EXE is the emulator. Get it from http://www.csoft.net/~zsnes
or http://www.zophar.net)

If you have problems/questions please read this and the ZSNES readme.txt .
Often your questions will be answered.

2. Usage
--------

At first you should move unzip32.dll from the zip to windows/system.

When you run UZI the first time you have to set at least 
the path to ZSNES.EXE in the Setup tab. I recommend
that you specify all paths. Let ZSNES run at least 
once without UZI so it can create zsnes.cfg .

To run a ROM doubleclick it or select it and press Enter.

To define controls use the ZSNES GUI.

3. History
----------

v0.991 4/10/1999

* Fixed "Range Check Error" when no savegame path was specified

4/9/1999

* Bugfixes
+ Added ROMInfo and stuff

X4 beta 1/8/1999

* Converted the video options
+ Archiving screenshots enabled

X3 beta 12/27/98

+ Gif support
+ ZSNES 0.800 options
+ stuff

(Actually this program has a long history and started out as
"Dynamic ZSNES" for ZSNES 0.150 back in the days.)

4. Features
-----------

UZI provides you a comfortable way to launch ZSNES
and easily change parameters.

UZI does not support all options of the ZSNES GUI and
should be understood as an enhancement not a replacement
of the ZSNES GUI:

- Individual ROM configurations
UZI supports multiple configs. Right Click a file and select
"Toggle Configuration". Files with special configs will be marked
with an exclamation sign.

- ROM Information Display
Various Information read from the ROM's Header and stuff.

- QuickROM bar
*under construction*

- Zipped ROM support
You may zip your ROMs (preferably with WinZip or compatible).
UZI will unzip them before running ZSNES.
ROM names don't have match the zip's name.
UZI will store and remember the last ROMs you launched.
This will reduce the tear and wear on your HD. You can
set the number of ROMs kept in the cache.

Legal Note:
UZI uses the Unzip95 compression utility.
Info-ZIP's software (Zip, UnZip and related utilities)
is free and can be obtained
as source code or executables from various bulletin board
services and anonymous-ftp sites, including CompuServe's
IBMPRO forum and ftp.uu.net:/pub/archiving/zip/*.
and http://www.cdrom.com/pub/infozip

- Image preview
UZI has a preview display for screenshots in bmp or gif format.
Images may be in a directory you can specify on the Options tab.
Images must have the same name as the ROM or zip.
(ROM name "actraiser.zip" -> image name either "actraiser.bmp" or
"actraiser.gif")

(The GIF support, namely TGifImage, is the work of Anders Melander.)

- Screenshot archiving
After taking a screenshot in ZSNES you can add the screenshot
to your collection by just pressing Ctrl-A or choosing from
the menu. Uzi will move and rename "image.bmp".

- Checksum Verification
ROMs can be corrupt and cause trouble for the emulator.
You can verify the checksum with UZI. If the checksum is bad
you should look for a good copy of the ROM. Generally it's a good
idea to keep a collection of validated ROMs. Checksum
calculation does currently not work with split
ROMs (.1 .2 .. files), so don't delete these.
To verify a checksum righclick a ROM or choose from
the file menu. Works also with zip files.

NOTE: Often ROMs are "corrupted" because they were hacked
with intros or protection nukes or even translated.
That doesn't matter to emulation. If you experience no problems
in a game from a to z but the checksum is corrupt such
hacks are most likely the cause.

- Performance boost
UZI can launch ZSNES in a higher priority. This option is
available in the Preferences menu. Strangely enough this
can REDUCE the framerate on some systems. Try for yourself.

5. Trouble shooting
-------------------

UZI requires unzip32.dll v5.40 which came in the zip
and should be put into the UZI or windows\system folder.

If a ROM has been stored as write protected in the zipfile (for whatever
reason) it will not be deleted from the zipcache directory.

If anything else messes up try deleting uzi.ini in the UZI folder and
everything in the zipcache folder and maybe zsnes.cfg .

Otherwise you probably have found a bug you can report.

6. Feedback
-----------

If you have bug reports or suggestions mail me.
Support for other emulators is not planned.

7. Contact
----------

UZI Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/9314/uzi.htm

Email: ak_mail@gmx.net
IRC: on Efnet as junk-e in #ZSNES
ICQ: 3348522

8. Greetings
------------

Bkg "lightning fast" '97) , Starfox/Dave, zsKnight, _Demo_, Itchy and X-Sykodad
Thanks to Mike Le Voi for the unzip code.
Everybody else that supported me with reports, suggestions and stuff.

9. Disclaimer
-------------

DISTRIBUTION ALONG WITH COMMERCIAL ROM FILES AND COMMERCIAL USE
OR SALE IS NOT ALLOWED!
UZI is freeware for private use only. I'm not responsible
for any damage or loss that may result from the download,
installation or usage of this program.
Nothing is warranted to work on your machine. Proceed on your own risk.
This program may be distributed only on a non-profit basis.
Distribution on CD requires my authorization, request via e-mail.

1998 A. Koslowski
