--------------------- WELCOME to WORD BLAST --------------------- Thank you for choosing WORD BLAST. LeMonds Software hopes that you have many hours of enjoyment playing the game and learning new words. ------------------- WHAT is WORD BLAST? ------------------- WORD BLAST is an educational program designed to help children enhance their vocabulary and spelling skills in a fun computer game setting (adults enjoy the game too). In WORD BLAST, the player tries to guess a word letter-by-letter, as in the game of hangman. When a letter is correctly guessed, it is displayed in its position(s) in the word. Otherwise, a segment of the fuse leading to a bundle of dynamite "burns". If the word is completed before 10 incorrect guesses, then the player wins the game and receives an audio complement. If not, then the dynamite "explodes". Children rarely lose a game since the definition of the word may be viewed before the fuse burns completely. The game may be played either in the blast mode (described above), or in the vocabulary-builder mode, in which the definition of the word is displayed from the outset. The latter playing mode makes the game easier for young children, and makes WORD BLAST the ideal medium for helping to teach children the meanings of the words on their weekly vocabulary lists from school. New words and their definitions may be added in WORD BLAST via easy-to-use menus for the creation and editing of word lists. In addition, points are awarded when a word is correctly identified, and the names of the top ten scorers appear on a scoreboard with trophies. With WORD BLAST, learning vocabulary and spelling is a "blast". ------------------------------------------ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for RUNNING WORD BLAST ------------------------------------------ o) WINDOWS 95 Operating System o) 3 MB of free space on your hard drive. ----------------------------- INSTALLING WORD BLAST is EASY ----------------------------- The procedure for installing WORD BLAST on your computer is very straightforward. If you have received WORD BLAST on a 3.5" diskette, then there is a setup program on the diskette which will guide you through the installation. If you obtained WORD BLAST via an Internet download, then the installation is manual, but is still very easy. Complete instructions for installing WORD BLAST are given below for both cases. A setup program is not provided in the ZIP file obtained over the Internet since the size of the setup program is about twice as large as the size of the compressed WORD BLAST files in the ZIP file. Accordingly, the Internet download proceeds much faster without the setup program. ----------------- WORD BLAST FOLDER ----------------- The installation instructions assume that WORD BLAST is to be installed in the following folder: C:\Program Files\Word Blast However, you are free to install the program in any new folder of your choice. ------------------------------------- INSTALLING WORD BLAST from a ZIP FILE OBTAINED from an INTERNET DOWNLOAD ------------------------------------- 1) Unzip (decompress) the ZIP file wdblst10.zip using any standard file unzipping software (available on the Internet). Unzip the WORD BLAST files into the folder C:\Program Files\Word Blast. If the unzipping utility has the option to "Use Folder Names", make sure that option is activated (checked) so that the correct sub-folders will be created within the WORD BLAST folder. 2) Check to see that the WORD BLAST files which are in your new folder C:\Program Files\Word Blast match those shown in the "Packing List" below. In order for the program to work properly, the directory structure shown in the Packing List must be maintained, i.e. the folders "res" and "Word Lists" must be located in the folder in which you installed WORD BLAST, along with the WORD BLAST executable file WordBlast.exe. WORD BLAST is essentially installed at this point, and is ready to run. However, you should probably will want to create a short cut to the WORD BLAST executable on the Start menu or on the Desktop, as explained in the next step. 3) You may create a short-cut to the WORD BLAST executable in the Windows95 Start menu, enabling you to launch WORD BLAST from the Start menu when you wish to play the game. One way to do this is as follows: Open the folder C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs Then, open the folder C:\Program Files\Word Blast Next, left-click on the WORD BLAST executable WordBlast.exe (the file with the "dynamite" icon), then with the cursor on the highlighted file, right-click and while holding the right mouse button, drag the file WordBlast.exe into the other folder (the start menu folder). Next, release the right mouse button, and a small menu will pop up. Left-click on "Create Shortcut Here" in that menu. Now, in order to run WORD BLAST, simply left-click on the Start menu, then left-click on Programs, then left-click on WordBlast (you should also see the dynamite icon in the start menu). ------------------------------------------ INSTALLING WORD BLAST from a 3.5" Diskette ------------------------------------------ The SETUP PROGRAM ----------------- Installation of WORD BLAST from a 3.5" diskette is very easy. A complete SETUP program has been prepared to install the program on your computer. The setup program guides you through the installation process, and performs the following functions via on-screen displays and menus: 1) Shows a WELCOME message. 2) Displays the license agreement and registration information (for users of the shareware version of the program). 3) Allows you to specify the name of the folder (directory) in which to install the WORD BLAST files (the default is C:\Program Files\Word Blast). 4) Installs the WORD BLAST files. 5) Enters a "short-cut" to the WORD BLAST executable in your Start menu, under Start->Programs. HOW to RUN the SETUP PROGRAM from a 3.5" DISKETTE ------------------------------------------------- To install WORD BLAST from a 3.5" diskette, execute the setup program A:\SETUP.EXE (this assumes that your floppy disk drive is labeled "A") and follow the on-screen instructions. For example, one way to invoke the setup program is as follows: 1) Left-click on the Start Button in the taskbar 2) Left-click on Run 3) Enter A:\SETUP.EXE in the "Open" text field in the Run menu 4) Press OK in the Run Menu The WORD BLAST setup program will begin to run. Follow the simple on-screen instructions. The entire installation process takes only a few minutes on most machines. None of the files on the diskette need to be manually copied to your drive. The setup program will copy all the files which are required in order to run WORD BLAST on your computer. --------------------- HOW to RUN WORD BLAST --------------------- You can start WORD BLAST using the short-cut in your Start menu if you created one, or using the one which was created for you if you installed WORD BLAST via the setup program on the 3.5" diskette. To run WORD BLAST, left-click Start, then left-click Programs, then left-click Word Blast. You can also run WORD BLAST by double-left-clicking directly on the icon for the WORD BLAST executable, C:\Program Files\Word Blast\WordBlast.exe ------------ PACKING LIST ------------ Following installation, you should find the following files on your hard drive. Please note that while the name of the WORD BLAST folder is your choice, the following directory structure must be maintained so that WORD BLAST knows where to find the files it needs in order to operate properly. Assuming that you installed WORD BLAST in the folder C:\Program Files\Word Blast, you should have the following files on your hard drive: In C:\Program Files\Word Blast: (or look in which you installed WORD BLAST if you chose a folder name other than the default) C:\Program Files\Word Blast\WordBlast.exe (WORD BLAST executable) \WdBlast.cnt (Help Contents File) \WordBlast.hlp (Help File) \README.txt (this file) C:\Program Files\Word Blast\Word Lists\Words.wds (Default Word List) C:\Program Files\Word Blast\res\Blast.wav (Sound File) Congrats.wav (Sound File) Correct Answer.wav (Sound File) Excellent.wav (Sound File) Fabulous.wav (Sound File) Good Job.wav (Sound File) Great Job.wav (Sound File) Nice Job.wav (Sound File) Outstanding.wav (Sound File) Right.wav (Sound File) Super.wav (Sound File) Teriffic.wav (Sound File) You're Right.wav (Sound File) First.wav (Sound File) Second.wav (Sound File) Third.wav (Sound File) Wonderful.wav (Sound File) WordBlast.ico (Icon File) ---------------------- LOCATION of WORD LISTS ---------------------- The word lists for WORD BLAST are stored in the folder named "Word Lists", which is in the WORD BLAST folder. Assuming that you used the default WORD BLAST folder, the word lists are in: C:\Program Files\Word Blast\Word Lists. WORD BLAST comes with the word list "Words.wds", which contains over 1700 words and their definitions. If you reinstall WORD BLAST from an Internet download, make sure that you make a back-up copy of any word lists which you created, and then restore the word lists in the "Word Lists" folder after the reinstallation. ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- WORD BLAST is protected by copyright law; it is not public domain software. ------------------------------- SHAREWARE VERSION of WORD BLAST ------------------------------- This is the shareware version of WORD BLAST. LeMonds Software is happy to grant you a limited license to use the program for a period of up to 30 days in order to evaluate the program before purchasing it. The shareware version is a fully functional version of the program, in which all features are operational. However, the shareware version of WORD BLAST will run on your computer for only 30 days following installation. ------------------- REGISTER WORD BLAST ------------------- Your shareware copy of WORD BLAST may be registered by obtaining a registration code and entering it via the Registration Information command in the Register menu. Registration of WORD BLAST affords you continued, unlimited use of the program beyond the 30-day evaluation period on the computer(s) on which you register the program. Please submit payment for the appropriate registration fee for WORD BLAST to LeMonds Software (the cost for registering WORD BLAST is listed below). Upon receipt of the registration fee, LeMonds Software will promptly send you a registration code which will enable WORD BLAST to run beyond the 30-day evaluation period on your computer(s). To register WORD BLAST, press the Enter Registration Code button in the Registration Information menu, enter the registration code in the text field in the menu, the press Enter. Your copy of WORD BLAST will then be registered and will work beyond the 30-day evaluation period. ----------------------- SINGLE COMPUTER LICENSE ----------------------- A single computer license grants the licensee the right to install and use the program on a single computer. The license may be transferred to another computer which is owned by the licensee at any time as long as the WORD BLAST program is completely uninstalled from the computer on which it was previously licensed. The cost of a single computer license is: $10.00 for a registration code via U.S. mail or e-mail $12.00 for a 3.5" diskette sent via U.S. mail -------------- SCHOOL LICENSE -------------- A school license grants a single school the right to use WORD BLAST on any of the computers in the school, as long as the school is part of a local school district, as opposed to a statewide or nationwide group of schools. The cost of a school license is $50.00. ----------------------- SCHOOL DISTRICT LICENSE ----------------------- A special license may be obtained for a school district. That license permits WORD BLAST to be used on any computer in any school within the school district. A representative of a school district should contact LeMonds Software at the address shown below to negotiate a fee for such a license. The fee, which will depend on the size of the district, provides a low-cost method for using WORD BLAST in all of the schools throughout the district. -------------------------- HOW to REGISTER WORD BLAST -------------------------- Please send a check or money order for the appropriate amount for the type(s) of license(s) which you request to LeMonds Software at: LeMonds Software 1 Fox Glen Ct. Clifton Park, NY 12065 Upon receipt of your remittance, LeMonds Software will send a registration code for each license type, and any diskettes ordered. -------------------------- DISTRIBUTION of WORD BLAST -------------------------- Please feel free to distribute your shareware copy of WORD BLAST for the purpose of EVALUATION only, as long as you have not modified any of the WORD BLAST files in any way. You may NOT give or sell your WORD BLAST registration code to any other party. ------------ LEGAL NOTICE ------------ LeMonds Software has gone to great lengths to design WORD BLAST so that it will operate in a proper, safe, and robust manner on the computer(s) on which it is intended to operate. However, LeMonds Software is not responsible for any damage which the WORD BLAST program may do to any software or hardware on any computer system. LeMonds Software disclaims all warranties relating to this software whether express or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and all such warranties are expressly and specifically disclaimed. Neither LeMonds Software nor anyone else who has been involved in the creation, production, or delivery of this software shall be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental damages arising out of the use or inability to use such software even if the author has been advised of the possibility of such damages or claims. In no event shall the author's liability for any damages ever exceed the price paid for the license to use the software, regardless of the form of claim, the person using the software bears all risks as to the quality and performance of the software. Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of liability for consequential or incidental damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you. Use of this product for any period of time constitutes your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents. ------------------------------- HOW to CONTACT LeMONDS SOFTWARE ------------------------------- Please feel free to send comments about WORD BLAST, including suggestions for improving the game, to: LeMonds Software 1 Fox Glen Ct. Clifton Park, NY 12065 or send e-mail to: lemonds@worldnet.att.net Thank you for choosing WORD BLAST. Enjoy the game! Sincerely, LeMonds Software