CivHackFAT 1.0.2 What is CivHackFAT? CivHackFAT is a ÒfatÓ system extension (or INIT) that fixes a problem many people have running the MicroProseÕs Civilizationª on PCI-based PowerMacs under System 7.5.2 and on all PowerMacs under 7.5.3. Running this extension should solve at least one class of problems with Civ on PowerMacs. Why CivHackFAT? Why indeed, since thereÕs a CivHackPCI out there that basically does the same thing. The reason is technical: CivHackPCI patches a PowerPC-native trap with 680x0 code. This is fine when running old 680x0 applications, but generates unnecessary (and very slow) mode-switching when running PowerPC-native applications that like to twiddle the color cursor (e.g. NewsWatcher). CivHackFAT solves this problem by applying a ÒfatÓ patch of both 680x0 and PowerPC code. CivHackFAT also provides information about whether it loaded correctly at startup time, which CivHackPCI does not. Installing CivHackFAT All you should have to do to install CivHackFAT is to drag the file onto your System Folder icon, click ÒOKÓ in response to the dialogs that appear, and reboot. If you were running CivHackPCI, you should remove it.Ê Distribution CivHackFAT may be distributed freely as long as it is not modified in any way and accompanied by this ÒReadMeÓ document and associated script files. There are some exceptions: (1) services which charge on a per-download basis may not distribute CivHackFAT; (2) the MicroSoft Network is prohibited from distributing CivHackFAT. A license to distribute CivHackFAT is available to the MicroSoft Network for $50,000 and distribution via MSN constitutes acceptance of this license; (3) Jumbo (you know who you are) may not distribute CivHackFAT. Hint: learn not to spam; and (4) folks who distribute collections of freeware/shareware on CD-ROM must contact me first (donÕt worry, I usually say yes but ask for a copy of the CD-ROM). The latest version of CivHackFAT will always be sent to MacGifts and will always be available at the Solar Systems Ltd. FTP site, which is: . You will also be able to download CivHackFAT by visiting the Solar Systems Ltd. web page: Registration CivHackFAT is free. However, IÕm a postdoc and I really should be spending my time on research, not stuff like this. Thus, if you do use CivHackFAT, IÕd love to at least hear from you, preferably a postcard but email would be great, too. And if you wanted to send a small donation (say, $5) that would greatly help me justify the time spent. (I promise to spend the money on development tools so things like this can keep happening.) Send postcards (or donations!) to: Mike Byrne Solar Systems Ltd. 6823 Thomas Blvd., Apt. #2 Pittsburgh, PAÊ15208-2343 U.S.A. If you do send something, please include your email address as IÕll send out email if/when updates are available. Technical Notes CivHackFAT was developed with MetroWerks CodeWarrior environment and is based on Gavriel StateÕs description of what the problem is. What is the problem, you ask? ItÕs technical, but it goes like this: it seems that with System 7.5.2 and 7.5.3, the _SetCCursor trap would trash the low-memory global that tells the machine what the current GDevice is. Civ reasonably assumed that the GDevice pointed to by this global would be valid after a call to _SetCCursor, but it wasnÕt. Contacting the Author The best way to get a hold of me is via electronic mail, . Please include the string ÒSSLÓ in the subject header so my filter will direct your mail correctly. If you donÕt have electronic mail, get with the program. No, seriously, contact me via snail mail at the address listed in the ÒRegistrationÓ section. I really do want to hear about feature requests and undocumented features (err, bugs), so please contact me if you have either. For more information about Solar Systems Ltd., check out the Web page: . Mike also has his own Web page, which is: . Acknowledgements The biggest thanks go to Gavriel State for figuring out what the problem is and publicly releasing CivHackPCI. Thanks to Casady & Greene for Conflict Catcherª, which is what alerted me to the fact that CivHackPCI was patching a native trap with emulated code. Thanks to Tom ThompsonÕs book Power Macintosh Programming Starter Kit for explaining how to build fat patches. Thanks to MetroWerks for the way-cool CodeWarrior. Thanks to James Walker for the ShowIcon code. Thanks to Spectrum-Holobyte (parent company of MicroProse) for finally deciding not to give up on the MacÑcan we please have CivII and CivNET now? Thanks to William Orbit, Billy Idol, Peter Gabriel, OMD, David Bowie, The Fixx, Nine Inch Nails and others for the cool hacking tunes. Legal Schlock ÒFirst thing we do is kill all the lawyers.Ó Ñ William Shakespeare I think itÕs a tragedy that a section like this should be necessary, but we live in a society where someone can successfully sue a fast food chain when they spill hot coffee on themselves and a convicted rapist can be out in a mere handful of years earning millions for hitting people in the head. If that isnÕt a mess, I donÕt know what is. Thus: CivHackFAT is Copyright ©1996 Solar Systems Ltd. & Mike Byrne, all rights reserved. All other copyrights and trademarks are property of their respective holders. Solar Systems Ltd. and Mike Byrne hereby disclaim all warranties relating to this software, whether express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Solar Systems Ltd. and Mike Byrne will not be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, indirect or similar damages due to loss of data or any other reason, even if Solar Systems Ltd. and Mike Byrne or an agent of his has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event shall Solar Systems Ltd. or Mike Byrne be liable for any damages, regardless of the form of the claim. The person using the software bears all risk as to the quality and performance of the software.