_________
/\__ __\
\/_/\ \_/
\ \ \ _________ ___ _____
\ \ \ /\ ___ \ /\ \/ __ \
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ /_/\ \
\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
\_\ \__ \ \ \__\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
/\________\ \ \________\ \ \__\ \ \__\
\/________/ \/________/ \/__/ \/__/ v1.6
----------<by Joe Wingbermuehle 20000617>----------
See my home page (http://joewing.calc.org) for more
information on Ion and Ion programming.
>Upgrade Note
If you are upgrading from Ion v1.0 or Ion v1.1 please
reset the RAM before installing this version. Do this
by selecting [2nd] [+] [7] [1] [2] (TI-83 Plus) or
[2nd] [+] [5] [1] [2] (TI-83).
You may want to save your programs before doing this.
This does not apply to those using Ion v1.2 or later.
If you do not follow these instructions, your
calculator will leak around 2k of RAM and may become
unstable.
>Background
Ion is a shell for both the TI-83 Plus and the TI-83.
It provides an efficient means for creating and using
programs on both calculators.
>Requirements
A TI-83 or TI-83 Plus.
A TI-Graph Link or equivalent.
If you don't know what this is, you do not have
one. This most likely did NOT come with your
calculator. See www.ti.com or some other calculator
web site for more information.
>Installation
Send ion.8xg to your TI-83 Plus or
Send ion.83g to your TI-83.
To send to your calculator using the Graph-Link
software, select [Link|Send To|RAM] for the
TI-83 Plus or [Link|Send] for the TI-83.
Run prgmION.
Now run prgmA any time you want to run Ion. You
may delete prgmION and prgmIONZ if you like. However,
if you plan on sending Ion to someone else's
calculator, you must send those files to properly
install Ion.
>Description
Ion is an assembly language shell for the TI-83 and
the TI-83 Plus. Unlike other shells, this shell uses
a new relocation method that allows assembly language
programs to take advantage of all ROM calls, while
also allowing any program to run with less than 40
bytes of free memory. It also uses an improved
program format, which makes Ion programs smaller than
either AShell or SOS programs.
Here is a list of additional features:
-Basic Shell Features
-Allows any assembly language program
to be run with less than 40 bytes of
free memory.
-Allows for modules, which allow one to
customize the Ion interface.
-Automatically detects assembly language
programs.
-Automatically moves programs to and
from Flash as needed (TI-83 Plus only).
-Allows external levels to be stored in
Flash (TI-83 Plus only).
-Contains a built in function library.
-Program write-back.
-Requires little memory.
-Navigational Features
-Allows for as many programs as your
calculator can hold!
-Eight programs visible at a time.
-Right/Left arrow keys allow you to easily
scroll through your programs.
-Power Saving Features
-Automatically powers down after a
minute or so of inactivity.
-Uses little power while active.
>Keys
Run program: [Y=] or [ENTER]
Move cursor: [(up)] or [(down)]
Next list: [(right)]
Previous list: [(left)]
Exit Ion: [MODE]
Power Down: [ON]
>Files
The following files are included in ion.8?g
-prgmION The Ion installer
-prgmIONZ Data file for the installer
-prgmZMINFO Status bar module
>Notes/Troobleshooting
-Please read this entire file throughly before asking
for help or submitting a bug!
-TI-83 and TI-83 Plus programs are not compatable at
the binary level. You must send the correct program
to your calculator if it is to work.
TI-83 programs have the *.83p extension and
TI-83 Plus programs have the *.8xp extension.
-Ion should say "Ion Installed!" after being run. If
it does not, you probably do not have enough free
memory.
-Although Ion can run programs from Flash (only on the
TI-83 Plus, of course), it is recommended that you
place the programs you use most often in RAM. There
are two reasons for this: it is slower for Ion to swap
between Flash and RAM every time a program is executed
and it is not good for the Flash to be written to
frequently. This isn't much to be concerned over, but
it is good to keep in mind.
-Modules must be located in RAM to run.
-If a program that is stored in Flash refuses to run
you probably do not have enough free RAM to execute it.
Move some stuff out of RAM to make room for the program.
-If you get a message asking to do a garbage collect
in Ion, always select "yes"
-External level files for most programs can be stored in
Flash ROM (TI-83Plus). However, high scores etc, which
may be stored with the external level, will be lost
each time you exit the program or switch level sets.
-See http://joewing.calc.org for more information.
>Bugs
This version of Ion should be bug-free. Nevertheless,
there is always something I overlook!
Before reporting bugs please read this document fully!
Most "bug" reports I get are easily solved if only the
user would read this document! If you do not give me
enough information to find the problem your bug report
will be ignored. The more information the better.
Please email bug reports to joewing@calc.org with a
subject of "Ion Bug Report". Thank you!
>Misc Issues
It is unlikely that Ion will cause your calculator any
harm. However, I cannot be held responsible for any
damage to your calculator. Afterall, Ion is freeware!
>History
Non-public releases are not documented.
Project Started: 19990623
Version 1.0 <> 19990824
TI-83 size: 1746 bytes (less once installed)
TI-83Plus size: 1801 bytes (less once installed)
-First release!
Version 1.1 <> 19991009
TI-83 size: 1741 bytes (1392 once installed)
TI-83Plus size: 1804 bytes (1546 once installed)
-Fixed the bug that caused the TI-83 version to eat
memory if installed more than once.
-Fixed the bug that caused the symbol table to
become corrupt.
-Fixed the problem with ionFastCopy that caused the
screen to become garbled.
-Now clears the graph screen on exit.
-Fixed a bug in the TI-83 Plus version that caused
some crashes.
-Fixed a bug in the TI-83 Plus version that caused
some programs to detect external levels incorrectly.
Version 1.2 <> 19991121
TI-83 size: 1742 bytes (1420 once installed)
TI-83Plus size: 1795 bytes (1571 once installed)
NOTE: This version is not compatible with previous
versions! Reset the RAM before installing by
selecting [2nd] [+] [7] [1] [2] installing.
You may want to save your programs first.
-Fixed a bug that caused some crashes.
-Added the ability to go to the previous list.
Version 1.3 <> 20000101 - Ring in the new year with Ion!
TI-83 size: 1764 bytes (1431 once installed)
TI-83Plus size: 1783 bytes (1549 once installed)
-Y2K OK
-Major improvements to the module code. Forced
restart now works properly and reruns all
modules with keycode 1. Modules now run at the
proper location on the TI-83 (fixes some
crashes). Module detection number changed to
a two (all modules must be reassembled)!
-Improved program detection code; fixes the
reinstall problems that occurred periodically.
Version 1.4 <> 20000103
TI-83 size: 1592 bytes (1375 once installed)
TI-83Plus size: 1725 bytes (1491 once installed)
-Fixed a bug in the TI-83 Plus module code.
-Added another module event: program selection.
Program selection is code 2.
-Now the bottom line of the Ion screen is blank
unless a module is installed. zmInfo, included
in ion.8xg and ion.83g, displays the
standard bottom line.
-Compensated for a bug in the TI-83 Plus ROM
that caused running prgmA to have no effect
sometimes.
-Optimized a little more.
Version 1.5 <> 20000519
TI-83 size: 1535 bytes (1318 once installed)
TI-83Plus size: 1626 bytes (1392 once installed)
-Improved the program loader. Now Ion is much
smaller and more stable.
-Fixed a bug that sometimes caused problems
when running TI-83Plus archived programs.
-Now external levels (for most programs) can
be used from Flash ROM (TI-83Plus). Note that
saving level data does not work when the
level is in Flash ROM.
Version 1.6 <> 20000617
TI-83 size: 1529 bytes (1312 once installed)
TI-83Plus size: 1630 bytes (1396 once installed)
-Fixed the bug in the ionDetect library routine
which caused some programs to crash on the
TI-83 Plus. Unfortunately, this added to the
program size for the TI-83 Plus.
-Shaved off a few bytes here and there.
-The source code is now included.
>Credits
Thank you to the following people:
-Dan Englender (aka Dulce) - Helped me immensely
with figuring out TI-83 Plus oddities. He also
tested Ion trillions of times.
-Brandon Whaley (aka Red Picasso) - Gave me the
information I needed to create Ion.
-You, for using Ion!
-All the people that encouraged me to finish
this project.
I'm sorry if I missed anyone!
Joe Wingbermuehle
http://joewing.calc.org
