Read the rest of the article if you'd like to download and install Tux Racer, and configure it to run well on your OS X box.
[Editor's note: One of my personal fave OS X games; there are also two other Tux games (Kart and Quest for Herring) that have been ported to OS X. You can find them on the Tux Games site.]
First, download Tux Racer. The package will decompress. Run Tux Racer by double-clicking on the icon. The manual is available online if you need instructions. When you have played one track, quit Tux Racer.
You probably noticed that tuxRacer runs in a window with 640 x 480 graphics. It can do better. Open the Terminal (/Applications -> Utilties -> Terminal). You will be in your home directory with a prompt. Enter the command cd .tuxracer and press return. Then enter the command emacs options and press return.
You will see the emacs text editor. The first thing to change is fullscreen mode. Use the arrow keys to get to the end of the line that says set fullscreen false. Backspace and change this to set fullscreen true. Next, arrow to the end of the line that says set x_resolution 640. Backspace and change this to set x_resolution 800. Next, arrow to the end of the line that says set y_resolution 480. Backspace and change this to set y_resolution 580.
The next few changes are optional. I suggest that you do them if you're using at least a 500 MHz G3 or a G4. They will improve tuxRacer's graphics and framerate. Arrow to the end of the line that says set course_detail_level. Change this to set course_detail_level 90. Next, arrow to the line that says set forward_clip_distance. Change this to set forward_clip_distance 105.
Now, you're finished editing the configuration file. While holding down the control key, press "x" and then "c". You will be asked if you want to save. Press "y" and emacs will quit. Exit the Terminal.
When you want to run Tux Racer, set the screen resolution to 800 x 600 in millions of colors. Then double-click the Tux Racer icon. It will run full-screen with excellent graphics.
The tracks included with tuxRacer get boring after a while. More free tracks are downloadable online. Simply download the tracks to the Desktop. They will automatically decompress. Next, find the Tux Racer package (whevever you installed the application), hold down the Control key, and click the package. Select "Show Package Contents".
Double click "Contents", then "Resources", then "Data", then "courses". Drop the folder of the course you downloaded into the "contrib" folder in "courses". Close all of your windows, switch to 800 x 600, and then start Tux Racer. Your new tracks will come up under "Practice".

