  _________
 /\__    __\
 \/_/\   \_/
    \ \   \      _________    ___  _____
     \ \   \    /\   ___  \  /\  \/ __  \
      \ \   \   \ \  \  \  \ \ \   /_/\  \
       \ \   \   \ \  \  \  \ \ \  \ \ \  \
        \_\   \__ \ \  \__\  \ \ \  \ \ \  \
       /\________\ \ \________\ \ \__\ \ \__\
       \/________/  \/________/  \/__/  \/__/  v1.0
----------<by Joe Wingbermuehle 19990824>----------

>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 to work on both calculators.

>Comparison (Ion vs SOS)
Ion uses a totally different relocation engine
than SOS that allows assembly language programs to
take complete advantage of the calculators RAM and
ROM. For more information, see the Description
section. To make the shell even better, I changed
the library/header format to conserve space while
allowing the same functionability. Unfortionately,
this causes some incompatability issues. Hopefully
these issues will soon be resolved by new versions
of programs, which, as an added benefit, will run
on both the TI-83 and the TI-83 Plus.

>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. 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.
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 45
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 45 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).
		-Contains a built in function library.
		-Program write-back.
		-Requires little memory.
	-Interface Features
		-A graphical, easy-to-use interface.
		-Displays program name/description.
		-Displays program size/free memory.
	-Navigational Features
		-Allows for as many programs as your
		 calculator can hold!
		-Eight programs visible at a time.
	-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)]
Exit Ion:	[MODE]
Power Down:	[ON]

>Notes
-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.
-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.
-See faqaa.txt for more frequently asked questions.

>Developer Information
See iondev.txt for developer information and standards.

>History
Non-public releases are not documented.
Project Started: 19990623
Version 1.0 <> 19990824
	TI-83 size: 	1746 (much less once installed)
	TI-83Plus size: 1801 (much less once installed)
	-First release!

>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
