1 Macintosh-specific help file for NetHack 3.4
3 The following are options, features, or concerns specific to the
4 MacOS Classic port of NetHack. Bug reports, suggestions, comments,
5 and so on, should be addressed to:
7 To: nethack-bugs@nethack.org
8 Subject: Mac NetHack 3.4
10 or you can use our on-line bug reporting form at
12 http://www.nethack.org
14 Please include your machine-type, system software version and other
15 relevant information (i.e. system extensions, monitor, accelerators
19 === Configuration of a playground
20 NetHack is packaged in a Dungeon Folder which includes:
21 NetHack - the application file itself.
22 NetHack Defaults - text file for default option settings.
23 License - licensing terms for nethack.
24 Guidebook - description of the game in long format.
25 Recover - the application to restore save files from crashed games.
26 Previous versions had a large number of data files in the Dungeon
27 Folder. These are now packaged as resources inside the application
28 file and will no longer appear in the Dungeon Folder.
30 During play another file type appears:
31 Player level files (labelled "iName.n", i is a constant number,
32 Name is the player name and n is the dungeon level).
34 Two other types of files will appear in the Dungeon Folder
35 as a result of playing NetHack:
36 Bones files (of previously deceased players).
37 Saved games (labelled "save/iName", i is a number, same as above,
38 and Name is the player name).
40 The following files or file types may be thrown away:
41 logfile - if it becomes too large. A new one will be generated.
42 Player level files _not_ belonging to a game in progress.
43 Alternatively, these files may be processed by Recover,
44 which may be able to restore a save file from the level files.
45 Old bones files and saved games.
48 === Resuming a saved game
49 Double-click (or open) the desired saved game file or open NetHack
50 and answer the "Who are you?" dialog with the player name of
51 the saved game in the Dungeon Folder.
55 The Dungeon Map and Message windows are the essential windows used
56 during window-mode play. During tty-mode play there is only one
57 window which displays the map, messages, lists and other info.
58 For window-mode play, lists (e.g. the list of objects that may
59 be wielded) and special info windows appear as needed. Windows
60 may be closed in the normal ways (i.e. clicking their close box,
61 choosing 'Close' from the File menu or typing the command
62 equivalent for 'Close', cmd-W) and the list windows may also be
63 dismissed by hitting the space bar (or Return or Enter Keys).
64 Hitting the ESCape key will dismiss special windows without
67 The command "Reposition" on the File menu may be used to restore the
68 the startup sizes and locations of the various windows. The
69 window positions are saved in a file labelled "NetHack Windows"
70 in the appropriate preferences folder.
74 The following options are specific to the Macintosh port:
75 background: - black or white
76 MACgraphics - use enhanced dungeon map symbols [TRUE]
77 page_wait - display --MORE-- after messages [TRUE]
79 Default options may be set by editing the NetHack Defaults text
80 file (using SimpleText or your favorite editor). The following
83 OPTIONS=name:Arnold,time,!tombstone
85 It should also be mentioned here that there are two graphic
86 interface modes available: 'mac' and 'tty'. Choosing between
87 these interfaces is accomplished by the option:
88 window:mac - the default multi-window Macintosh(tm) interface.
89 window:tty - traditional Unix(tm)-style TTY window interface.
91 See option help (?f or ?g) for more details.
95 The shape (direction) of the cursor over the Dungeon Map window,
96 typically, indicates the direction that you desire to move in when
97 the mouse is clicked. Modifier keys affect mouse-movement in the
98 same way that they affect keyboard movement. Clicking on yourself
99 means rest one turn and Shift-clicking on yourself means "open door"
100 in the subsequently indicated direction.
104 Real sounds (resources) have been added for various instruments.
105 The option "silent" [FALSE] controls whether or not a sound will
106 be heard when an instrument is applied.
109 === Explore and Debug Modes
110 As of version 3.1.2, you can enter Explore (aka Discover) mode or
111 Debug (aka Wizard) mode by choosing the appropriate entries on the
112 'Mode' popup-menu section of the "Who are you?" startup dialog.
113 This same dialog allows you to specify your role, race, gender,
114 alignment, and name, of course.
116 Starting in Explore mode is essentially the same as playing in
117 Regular mode except that if you are killed then you are given an
118 opportunity to override your death. Because of this advantage,
119 your Explore mode scores are not entered on the scoreboard record.
120 You also get a wand of wishing in your starting inventory and can
121 see your intrinsic abilities using the command ctl-X (also available
122 on the 'Explore' submenu on the File menu).
124 Starting in Debug mode is only intended for developers and others
125 interested in characterizing bugs. Using this mode for other
126 purposes will have confusing results and eliminate your enjoyment
131 As of version 3.1.2, the menus have been reworked to provide access
132 to all the NetHack commands and a special 'Kbd' menu was added to
133 facilitate play using only the mouse. In some cases, a command may
134 appear on more than one menu. In general, the commands have been
135 grouped to appear on an appropriate menu:
136 File - commands related to windows, start mode and play control.
137 Help - info commands generally not related to a specific game (i.e.
138 (key descriptions, version info, internal option editor).
139 Info - commands that are generally game-specific (i.e. inventory
140 related, describe features seen on the map or name things).
141 Equip - commands related to things you might wield or wear.
142 Act - commands for actions that you might do alone (i.e. wait,
143 jump) or do with another dungeon denizen (i.e. pay, chat).
144 Magic - commands for things that you might do with items (drop,
145 eat, read) or spell-related.
146 Bits - commands for things you might do to dungeon pieces (i.e.
147 open door, loot chest, engrave on the floor, climb stairs).
149 The key related to a command generally appears to the left of the
150 menu entry for that command (i.e. w for wield and W for wear). A
151 leftmost # denotes an extended command (without a related key) and
152 a left cloverleaf or command symbol denotes a command that requires
153 either a control or command key modifier (i.e. holding down the
154 control or command key while hitting the related key).
158 The members of the Macintosh NetHack port team hope you enjoy this game.