Date   : Sun, 12 Aug 2001 22:47:58 +0200
From   : "Mark Usher" <mu.list@...>
Subject: Re: ANNOUNCE : UEF Specification 0.9

Hi,

I must admit I shy away from linking to here and there. As you have no doubt
observed the net is such a fast moving place. Just a change of service
providers would mean a new URL for the Documentation project for example.

I also like being able to have my packages offline, and not have to rely on
an internet connection to play a game.

Like Robert, I like that the games are in a single (.zip) file with other
documents / scans / info also being packaged with it. I mentioned XML more
as an alternative packaging form, as you can start using metadata, which you
can't with zip, and hence enhance the package and not have to  rely on
standardizing file names etc.

Wouter did start to use a text file to contain information regarding the
.ssd/.dsd files, and it is something similar to this that I can imagine
being most helpful. Something like

<BBC PACKAGE>

<FILES>

<FILE>
<NAME>$.!BOOT</NAME>
<LOADADDRESS></LOADADDRESS>
<EXECADDRESS></EXEXADDRESS>
<TYPE>ASCII</TYPE>
</FILE>

<FILE>
<NAME>$.LOADER</NAME>
<LOADADDRESS>FFFF1900</LOADADDRESS>
<EXECADDRESS>FFFF8023</EXEXADDRESS>
<TYPE>BASIC</TYPE>
</FILE>

<FILE>
<NAME>$.GAME</NAME>
<LOADADDRESS>FFFF1900</LOADADDRESS>
<EXECADDRESS>FFFF1900</EXEXADDRESS>
<TYPE>MC</TYPE>
</FILE>
</FILES>

<GAME OVERVIEW>

</GAME OVERVIEW>

<PROGRAM INFO>
       <Title>Another Util</Title>
       <DateIssued>1984</DateIssued>
       <Programmer>Brainy Sod</Programmer>
       <SoftwareHouse>Beeb Proggies Ltd<URL>http://www.beebproggies.com>
       </SoftwareHouse>
       <Genre>Utility</Genre>
</PROGRAM INFO>

<Screenshots></Screenshots>
<Hints></Hints>
<Solution></Solution>
</BBC PACKAGE>

etc, etc, etc.

Just my initial thoughts.


Mark