Trade Wars Helper Release 5.0 Copyright 1992,1993 Just FUN Software All Rights Reserved Trade Wars Helper is a terminal program used ONLINE with the BBS door game "Trade Wars 2002" v1.03 published by Mertech Software. This program continuously maintains a database of the explored sectors with their port and adjacent sector information. Several commands are available to utilize this information while moving around in the Trade Wars universe. In addition, TWH can negotiate trades on your behalf and automatically cross trade between two sectors. Using this program will significantly enhance both your effectiveness and your enjoyment of Trade Wars. Don't leave FedSpace without it! INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Make a directory, \twhelp, on your hard disk using the DOS mkdir command. Unzip the ZIP file to the \twhelp directory. Erase the TWHELP.CFG file if it is present. The program will create a new configuration file for use with data related to your installation. Create a batch file (TWH.BAT) in the directory of your communications program like below. It changes to the \twhelp directory, executes the twhelp program, then changes back to your communication program's directory. cd \twhelp twhelp cd \(comm-prog-dir) RUNNING INSTRUCTIONS Run your communications program, login to a BBS and start the Trade Wars door. When Trade Wars begins building its title screen, shell to DOS from your communications program and enter TWH to start the batch program. The program will begin with a few configuration questions and then ask for the file name(s) to use. There is one database file for each BBS game you play. Once the configuration portion is completed, you begin with the main program. The configuration portion is not repeated on subsequent runs although you are given a means to change the options. Command and instructions are displayed online by the program from this point on and will not be repeated here except to say you can display them by entering /? or print them by entering />. All TWH command begin with the / character. COMMANDS ARE CASE SENSITIVE, that is, /b is different from /B. Also be sure to read the text highlighted in white. You can use Trade Wars Helper with an existing game or a new game. For an existing game use the /k command to initialize the database for sectors you have previously explored. You generally only use this command once per BBS game. The /K command can be used later to ensure the database is up to date. It will not reissue TW commands to acquire warp to and port information for those sectors already in the database. You can run the program directly without being connected to a BBS and the Trade Wars door. This might be useful the first time to enter the configuration options and read or print the online commands and instructions. In addition, the file EXAMPLE.TWH contains a database that can be used to experiment with the program without being online. You will need to include the sector number after the / for most commands since the current sector remains at 0 when not online. Also do not use the /f, /k, /r, /s, /t, /B and /C commands when not online since they issue commands to Trade Wars itself. For commands like /f, /k, /r, /s, /t, /B and /C Trade Wars Helper wait for specific text sequences from Trade Wars before proceeding. It is inevitable that from time to time something will get Trade Wars and Trade Wars Helper out of synchronization. This will become apparent when TW Helper goes into an indefinite wait (i.e nothing is happening and you can not enter a command). Simply press the ESC and Enter keys until something, such as Trade Wars main command prompt, is displayed to get the two programs back in synch. You can specify the database number (1-30) on the command line. For example a batch file line might be TWHELP 21 which would start Trade Wars Helper using BBS data file 21. The title screen is not displayed in this case. UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS If you are upgrading from an older release you can just unzip (or copy) all the files from the new release directly into the /twhelp directory. You may wish to eliminate the EXAMPLE.TWH file afterward. You will not need to do anything else. It is not necessary to do the /k command again since any changes to the data files will be automatically handled by the program. You may wish to review the Configuration Options as new options may have been added. SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTED PRODUCT Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. A product distributed via shareware is not "free software". If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register it with the author for a modest fee within 30 days of your initial usage. You may register this product by mailing cash, check or a money order for $12.00 to: Just FUN Software 4790 Naniloa Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84117-5547 Upon receipt of the registration fee, you will be mailed instructions to include your name in the program as the registered user. Please use the REGISTER.TXT file when registering. This file may be printed using the DOS print command. For example: print \twhelp\register.txt DISCLAIMER Trade Wars Helper is supplied on an "as is" basis. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result for the use of Trade Wars Helper. COPYRIGHT Copyright laws apply to both shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with the following exception. The program, complete with the files discussed below, may be freely copied and distributed. It is in fact encouraged. If you like this program, please tell your fellow players, even those evil traders, about it and upload it to several BBSes. FILES This product is made up of the following files: README.TXT - This file contains the text information you are now reading. README2.TXT - This file contains additional information. Please read. REGISTER.TXT -This file contains a printable registration form. Please use this form when registering. FILE_ID.DIZ - A description of this product. TWHELP.EXE - The program file. EXAMPLE.TWH - This file contains an example database that can be used to experiment with the program. This product may be distributed only when all the above files are included in the distribution. RELEASE ACTIVITY Release 1.0: September 7, 1992 - Initial release. Release 1.1: September 11, 1992 - Made the COM port and baud rate user options. Changed some of the edit keys for the /b and /c commands. Release 1.2: September 30, 1992 - Eliminated the need to specify the baud rate. Added configuration option to optionally reissue the universal announcement. Release 2.0: October 12, 1992 - Added the /t, Negotiate Trade, command along with the automatic cross trading capability. Also added the /s, Search for notation characters, command. Release 2.1: October 20, 1992 - Added the option to specify the baud rate for those instances where automatic determination does not work. Release 3.0: January 5, 1993 - Added the /X, /I, and /U commands to expand the search for the next six sectors. Fixed the problem that occurred when entering more than seven data file names at one time. Fixed problem associated with using the /k command at high transfer rates. Allowed for ESC to exit program at title screen. Release 3.1: February 8, 1993 - Changed the /k command to use the Crai computer's interrogation mode to collect the warp to sector information. Changed the search for matching notation characters command to /m (was /s). Added the configuration option to enter the IRQ line number. Fixed bug that may have caused the auto trading feature to randomly fail. Release 3.2: February 12, 1993 - Fixed communications software to work with modems and I/O cards using the 16550A UART. Release 4.0: March 1, 1993 - Added /r command which interrogates the Crai computer to record the product percentage for display with the /x command information. Added the /s command which initiates an automatic sell/steal cycle. Added the /> command which prints the command and information screens on the standard print device. Added the /e command which explores the closest unexplored sector. Added the /Z (formerly /E) command which clears the explored status for each sector without clearing it's port and warp to information. Added the /o command which allows entry of the run time options (RTO). Added the bugle calls used to alert the completion of lengthy processes. Release 5.0: April 5, 1993 - Added the capture file feature and the scroll back buffer feature. Added the /D command which shells to DOS. Added the /F command which creates data files for the offline analysis program TWVIEW and TWASSIST. Ugraded the communications software to the newest version. Incorporated the results of the psychic probe during trading to optimize the experience points realized for the auto /t and /s commands. Added the /l command which is used (after the /r command) to locate enemy forces. Fixed the problem with printing to a laser printer. Added the /d command to display the destination path from the current sector. Added the ability to cross trade between non adjacent sectors using ships equipped with a TransWarp Drive. Expanded the Deployed Fighter Scan produced by Trade Wars to include the port type, notation characters, product percentages and optionally, the number of hops from the current sector. Added the /f command to deploy a single fighter in the toll mode. Added the /C command which initiates automatic colonization of a planet with ability to utilize a TransWarp drive when available. Added the /B command which initiates the automatic buying and conveying of product to a planet. Allowed for cross trading between class 4 (SSB) and class 6 (BSS) ports. Added a Run Time Option to specify whether a ship equipped with a Holographic Scanner stops at the sector preceding the unexplored sector when using the /e command. Added the /P command which displays the next six sectors with a specified port capability. Added the /E command which launches an E-probe to a randomly chosen unexplored sector. Allowed for specifying the database number on the command line. Changed the /k command to use the CIM for both sector and port information. Please continue by reading the README2.TXT file.