Copyright: Shih Dao ® 1993-1995 Digital Empires Inc.


Help
Help Contents

Order Form

Glossary

Introduction

 What is new in 3.7

 System Requirements

Using Shih Dao

 Menus

 Game components

 Rules

 Scoring

 Strategies

 Index

Technical Questions

 Questions and Answers

 Release notes

Ordering and Contact Information

 How to register ONLINE

 Upgrades

 About Digital Empires

 Coming Soon

 Credits

 Shareware and Legal stuff

Please fill out the Registration Form and mail it in!!


Order Form

Send To:

Arcanum Computing
585 Edmands Rd
Framingham
MA   01701-3088

Fax: (508) 788-1363  -  24 hours

 Click mouse button here to print an Order Form


Glossary

B

Board

D

Digital Empires Inc

P

Play Tile

S

Score Board

Shareware

Shih Dao

Software Creations BBS

T

Tiles


What is new
What's new is 3.7?

1 	Now Supports transparent and multishape tile for cool effect.

2 	Free tiles and boards in sperate file available at your friendly web site or BBS

3 	New Midi File for really cool background mood. Made especially for wave table sound board (supports standard FM Boards such as sound blaster)

4 	New board and tiles for those who register.

5 	New and improved Help file

6 	Cleaner code

7 	Faster because of #2

8 	Alot of little changes that would bore you to death.

9 	Less annoying Shareware screen

10 	Tested and working under the Windows 95 operating System

11 	A number a ways that you can get in touch with Digital Empires and Praise us or complain!


System Requirements

Minimum hardware and software needed to run Shih Dao

•	80386 Central Proceesing Unit (CPU)

•	2 Megabytes (Mb) of Ramdom-Access Memory (RAM)

•	Video Graphics Array (VGA) display (256-color)

•	Hard Disk Drive

•	Mouse or other pointing device

•	Microsoft Windows version 3.1 (or higher)

Hardware recommended for better play

•	80486 DX33 or faster

•	4 Mb of RAM

•	Sound Card and Speakers

•	Accelerator Video Card for Windows


Menus

Game Menu

 New

 Open

 Save

 Demo

 End Game

 Exit

Option Menu

 Tiles

 Board

 Tile Messages

 Show Possible Moves

 Show Tiles

 Setting & Sounds

High Score Menu

 Highscore

End Game Menu

 End Game

Undo Menu

 Undo

Help

 Contents

 How to use Help

 Order Form

 Call BBS

 About


Menu New

Use this command to start a new game. If you are already playing a game Shih Dao will ask you if you want to save the current game and then start a new game.


Menu Open

Use this command to open a game from disk. You will be able to start your previously saved game. The command will show the file open dialog box which is explained below.
File open dialog box
the following oprions allows you to specify which game to open.
file name
type or select the filename you want to open. This box lists files with the extension you select in the list file of type box.
list file of type
select the type of file you want to open.
*.doa is the extension for the files saved by Shih Dao
Drives
Select the drive in which Shih Dao stores the game that you want to open.
Directories
Select the directory in which Shih Dao stores the game that you want to open.


Menu Save

Use this command to save the active game to its current name and directory. When you save a game, Shih dao display the Save dialog box so you can name the file of your save game.


Menu Demo

Step by Step
Use this command to activate the Step by Step demonstration of Shih Dao.
Self Running
Use this command to activate the self running demostration of Shih Dao


Menu End

Use this command to end the current game. It will prompt you to save the game if you have not finish playing.


Menu Exit

Use this command to exit Shih Dao. You can also use the Close command on the application control menu. Shih prompts you to save all new or altered games.


Options Menu Tile

Use this command to select the playing tiles of your choice. A multitude of tilesets are available so that you may customize your game to your liking.


Options Menu Board

Use this command to select the playing board of your choice. A multitude of boards are available so that you may customize your game to your liking.


Options Menu Tile Messages

Use this command to enable or disable (notice the check mark when activated) the messages dialog box that will appear when you place a tile on the board NOT according to the rules


Options Menu Show Possible Moves

Use this command to activate the stars that will show you where all the possible moves are for the next tile to be played.


Options Menu Show Tiles

Use this command to show all the tiles that will come next. This like peeking into the bag, once you have confirmed to viewing the whole set of tiles you will not be able to place your name on the High Score list for that particular game.


Options Menu Sound and Settings

You have a wide variety of settings.

The Sound effects check box turns on or off the sounds for the tiles and 4 ways. The buttons associated with them  indicate the actual wave file that will be played. Pressing on the buttons will open a dialog box that will enable you to change the sounds for each event.

The Music check box turns on or off the background music (midi file). The button associated with the background, when pressed, opens a dialog box enabling you to change the background music (this must be a midi file).

The OK button will confirm and save the changes you make.

The Cancel Button will restore the previous setting.
Demo Setting
Depending on which demostration you use the options are clear.

In the Self Running frame you have the option of:

turning on or off the looping demo check box which will play the demonstration once or automatically restart and play it until you have ended the demonstration.

Adjusting the Animation speed with the scroll bar. Moving the scroll bar will indicate what speed the demonstration will play at.

In the Step by Step frame you have the option of:

turning on or off the Information bar. The information bar provides will much needed information concerning the step by step demonstration. Consider it a mini tutorial and the infomation bar illustrates and comments of each move giving an incite on the rules and some of the strategies.


Menu HighScores

Use this command to view the Highscore list. The list display all the currents Masters of  Shih Dao and the 4 ways and scores they have achieved.


Menu Undo

Use this command to undo the last play.


Help Menu Contents

Use this command for further instructions about using Shih Dao. It offers you an index which you can select items for more explanations.


Help Menu How to use Help

Use this command for instructions about using  help.


Online
How to Register Online & Offline

Xevious BBS:
(508) 788-6951

WEB Access:
http://www.ultranet.com/~nels/arcanum.htm

Compuserve:
Orders via email: 71020,2613

US Mail:
Nels Anderson
Arcanum Computing
585 Edmands Rd
Framingham, MA
01701-3088

Fax:
24 hour Fax Line
(508) 788-1363


About
Digital Empires

You can contact Digital Empires through any of the following:

CompuServe email:  73251,1166

Internet email: 73251,1166@compuserve.com

Address: Digital Empires Inc.1837 S.E. Federal Highway #129, Stuart, FL,34994

Arcanum Computing

You can contact Arcanum Computing (Nels Anderson) through any of the following:

Xevious BBS:
(508) 788-6951

WEB Access:
http://www.ultranet.com/~nels/arcanum.htm

Compuserve:
Orders via email: 71020,2613

US Mail:
Nels Anderson
Arcanum Computing
585 Edmands Rd
Framingham, MA
01701-3088

Fax:
24 hour Fax Line
(508) 788-1363


Game Components

Click on component to see a description


Rules

1 	A tile must be placed next to another tile.

2 	A tile can only be placed next to another tile that matches in color or pattern. (One Way match)

3 	 A tile can only be placed next to two tiles if one matches in color and the other matches in pattern. (Two Way match)

4 	A tile can only be placed next to three tiles if one matches in color and the other two match in pattern, or if two match in color and the other matches in pattern.  (Three Way match)

5 	A tile can only be placed next to four tiles if two match in color and two match in pattern. (Four Way match)


Scoring

Placing Tiles - Point Distribution

•	One tile touching another	10 points

•	One tile touching two others	20 points

•	One tile touching three others	30 points

•	One tile touching four others	100 points (4way)

Every time you make a 4way the point distribution for p lacing a tile increases.  For Example suppose you have created two 4way matches.

Your points then accumulate as follows:

•	One tile touching another (with two 4ways)	30 points

•	One tile touching two others (with two 4ways)	60 points

•	One tile touching three others (with two 4ways)	90 points

•	The four way scores increases even more than the one, two or three way scores !

4way Point Distribution

One 	4way	100  points
Two 	4way	1600  points
Three 	4way	3100  points
Four 	4way	4600  points
Five 	4way	6100  points
Six 	4way	7600  points
Seven 	4way	9100  points
Eight 	4way	10600  points
Nine 	4way	12100  points
Ten 	4way	13600  points
Eleven 	4way	15100  points
Twelve 	4way	16600  points

So, now you see that the idea is to create as many four way matches as possible.  How is this done?  Well, now that you've asked, we'll tell you.  It isn't that hard, but it takes practice to get more than just four or five four way matches in one game.  There are different approaches to setting up a four way -- it will depend on where on the board you want to create one...


Strategies

Shih Dao is a game of strategy, planning and trying to get the highest score you can ! The basic idea is to make as many 4ways as possible.  It is possible to get 12 4way matches in a single game but it takes much thought, practice and patience !  The more 4ways you make the more points you get for all additional matches. It is actually possible to have only three 4ways and yet have more points than if you had four 4ways.  It all depends on how long it takes you to get your first four way !

The first box shows the two tiles that are placed in the center at the start of a new game.  Subsequent boxes show the addition of one tile per box.  Notice you are trying to match the colors on the bottom right tiles and the pattern on the top left tiles.

Making a Center 4-Way

Making a Corner 4-Way

In a corner it is a little bit different.  At the start of the game there is a tile in the corner as shown in the first box here.  This strategy involves the color and the symbol of the single tile.  Here the tiles on the left and bottom all have the same color, while the tiles on the top and right match in pattern. Of course the tile placed in the third box here establishes the pattern.

(Question ?  Why couldn't the tile placed in the second box (to the left bottom) be used to establish the pattern instead of the color? -- This IS an advanced question at this point..., Because then the  pattern for the 4way position (center) would be the same as that of the original tile and there are only two of each tile.  There is no third pink stop sign to be placed in the 4way position !


Index

#

4 ways

A

About

About

address

B

Board

C

Coming Soon

Contact

Contents

Credits

D

Digital empires

E

Email

G

Game Components

Game components

Glossary

H

Help Menu Contents

Help Menu How to use Help

Help

I

Index

L

legal Stuff

M

Menu Demo

Menu End

Menu Exit

Menu HighScores

Menu New

Menu Open

Menu Save

Menu Undo

menus

O

Online

Options Menu Board

Options Menu Show Possible Moves

Options Menu Show Tiles

Options Menu Sound and Settings

Options Menu Tile Messages

Options Menu Tile

Order Form

P

Play Tile

Q

QA

R

Release Notes

Rules

S

Score board

Scoring

Scoring

Strategies

System Requirements

T

Tiles

U

Upgrades

W

What is new


QA
Questions & Answers

Shih Dao seems to install OK, but when I try to run it, I get a <filename>.VBX is out of date error.

What is the problem?

This is common for programs written in Visual Basic and Visual C++. VBX files are like DLLs. They are files with common routines used by many programs. Out of Date errors and other problems with VBX files are often caused by two problems

Version Control

Just like end-user software packages, VBXs are always being improved. Setup programs are supposed to check versions before installing a VBX/DLL file over one that is already on your computer. But this is not always the case.

Duplicate Files

VBX files are supposed to be placed in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory by setup programs, but not everyone does this. Many times you will have duplicate copies of the same VBX in both your WINDOWS and your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory.

The installation program used by Shih Dao makes every effort to ensure the correct VBX files are placed in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. However, if you already have an older copy of a VBX file in your WINDOWS directory, the setup program may not be able to detect it. So when Shih Daoloads, it may see the older VBX in your WINDOWS directory instead of the newer one that shipped with PA and was placed in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. (Got all that?) This is when you get the out of date errors.

The situation is easy, but tedious to fix.

1 	Search your hard drive for every copy of the VBX file that is giving you errors.

2 	.If you have only one copy of that VBX file, then a recently installed software package copied its older version of the VBX over the newer version that was shipped with Shih Dao

•	Move the older VBX file to your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory

•	Rerun the Shih Dao installation program.

1 	If you have multiple copies of the same VBX file (for example, one in windows and one in windows\system), then you need to figure out which is the most recent
version and move it to the windows\system directory.

•	Use the Windows 3.11 File Manager to find out which copy has the most recent version number. Select the file and press ALT-ENTER to see the files properties.

•	Move the most recent one to the windows\system directory.

•	Move the older version off your computer to a floppy disk.

if you dont have the Windows 3.11 File Manager

•	Move all the duplicate copies of the VBX file to floppies.

•	Rerun the Shih Dao installation program.

Generally, you should only have one copy of each VBX file needed by your software programs. The VBX files should all be in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory so installation programs dont stumble...

Believe me, this problem does not just happen to Shih Dao!.

Shih Dao used to run fine, but I recently installed a new software package. Now Shih Dao won't run and I get a <filename>.VBX is out of date error.

Whats the problem?

The software package you just installed probably installed an older version. Follow the steps above to fix your software.

How do I remove or uninstall Shih Dao from my computer?

In the directory where Shih Dao is installed is a file called install.log.  This contains a listing of all files copied to your hard. Use this to delete any files added to your system and icons created in your Program Manager.  You may want to be careful when removing the various VBX and DLL files from your system.  Other software installed on your system may use these files.  The VBRUN300.DLL file, found in your system directory, is used by many public domain and shareware programs.

What percentage of system resources does Shih Dao consume?

System resources are a 64k segment of memory used by Windows to keep track of the memory location of bitmaps, fonts, strings, etc. Even though you may have 16Meg of physical memory, what you can do with it is still limited by system resources. When system resources get down below 25%, there is a good chance your computer will crash! Windows will take longer to paint the screen, icons may not show up, and fonts may not be displayed correctly.

Shih Dao makes every effort to use a minimum of system resources. This version consumes less than 18% of system resources. Lets hope Windows95 fixes the resource problem once and for all
BTW, windows95 make a huge improvement when it comes to resources!!


Release Notes

Will Shih Dao run on Windows 95?

Yup! and it runs smoother and faster. One - zero for windows95

Sound

Some midi files don't work properly make sure you use a good midi files

Why buy SHIH DAO for Windows

'Cause!. . . You will receive the lastest version PLUS over 30 tiles and boards set and more music and sound and more, more, more and 'cause Shih Dao is a great game!


Upgrades

Upgrade policy

Minor changes and bug fixes are free; major revisions carry an upgrade fee. If we release a major revision within 60 days of your purchase, and it is identically priced, we will provide the upgrade free of charge.


Coming Soon
Coming Soon!

Kicker!

A tool for those configuration blues. Kicker will guide throught the trials and tribulations  of setting up multi-configuration using the multi-config setup in MS-DOS 6.0 or higher including Windows 95. If you are interested in taking part in the  testing of this tool please drop us a note. Windows 3.1-Windows 95

(see ABOUT for correspondances in this help file)

Zong

In the latter half of the 20th century sprang an era know as the information age. In the beginnning it was " get your hand on all the information you could" then own it then sell it. It took little time for the early stratup companies to become Monoliths.

Information was becoming a high ticket item by the mid 21th century. By then the system created a subculture know as PDL's Post Delivery Links. An endearing term taking from the failed attempt by the postal service to link itself to the mainstream, in doing so, crashed more system then were admitted to.

The subculture was on a Egoquest or an Ecotrip (still don't know) to take back what was once free. PDL's were of all sorts, using there systems to crash and burn the Monoliths in particular. PDL's aka paddles create within the system zones to work there magic. Zones were used to infect other systems depending on how good you were in creating Viral Protograms (Prototype program of a rapidly mutating virus)

Zones were labeled within the system alphanumerically. Zone G3 is where the great battle on the last few PDL's wizards (P-wiz) attempt to take down the Entire system.

The game that will hook you to your computer. Networkable, 6 players , sounds music, OK it's has great 3D vitual enviroment. Seems like you can't get interest these days without 3D!!! Windows 3.1-Windows 95

Imperial Shih Dao. . . . . .

Zong copyright © 1995 Digital Empires Inc. All rights reserved

Kicker! copyright © 1995 Digital Empires Inc. All rights reserved

Imperial Shih Dao copyright © 1995 Digital Empires Inc. All rights reserved


Credits

Thanks To ME and. . .

Thanks to all those who stayed up long nights and those who complained, critiqued, and showed us the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Big Man: Tres Stewart, never stops to point out the good work and pixel problems (one of the millions of problems)

Beta Testers: Okie, Corey Coolye, Jason Ramos, Micah Brandon, Elliot Werner........

Program Security : Yogi Bear

Thanks to: Tres Stewart, Sysop Computers & Dreams BBS (support site)

Thanks to: Tres Stewart, Sysop Computers & Dreams BBS (Distribution site)

Programming help: Barb and Okie

Special Thanks to my Wife Barbara for the energy and strength to complete Shih Dao .


legal Stuff
Shareware & legal Stuff

SHIH DAO
Requires VGA Card, Mouse, and Microsoft Windows 3.1
Works on Windows 95 !
Copyright 1993, 1994,1995 by Digital Empires Inc.

DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration of SHIH DAO, you get the most recent revision of the program. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it.

DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

Users of SHIH DAO must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "SHIH DAO" is supplied as is.  The authors disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the warranties of merchant ability and of fitness for any purpose. The authors assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential, which may result from the use of SHIH DAO."

SHIH DAO is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products.  If you find this program useful and find that you are using SHIH DAO and continue to use SHIH DAO after a reasonable trial period, one month or 12 games, you must make a registration payment using the order form. The registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just like a book.  An example is that this software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it being used at one location while it's being used at another, just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at exactly the same time in different locations.

Commercial users of SHIH DAO must register and pay for their copies of SHIH DAO within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Digital Empires Inc.

Anyone distributing SHIH DAO for any kind of remuneration must first contact Digital Empires, Inc. for authorization.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of SHIH DAO   along to your friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they like using it.  All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of SHIH DAO, software support via mail, and free upgrades/fixes for 60 days from date of registration.


Board
The Board

The Board  is rectangular and has 96 playing position. Its dimensions are eight (8) vertical and twelve (12) horizontal positions.


Play Tile

The play tile displays the next tile for you to place on the board.


Score board
The Score board

The score board display your current point score (top), your cuurent nembers of four way matches (middle) and the number of tiles left for you to play (bottom).


Tiles

There are seventy two (72) total tiles available for play in each game. Each tile has a color and a pattern. There are only six (6) colors and six (6) pattern in each set. Thus there are thirty six (36) unique tiles. Each tile occurs twice in every tile set.


Board

The Board  is rectangular and has 96 playing position. Its dimensions are eight (8) vertical and twelve (12) horizontal positions.


Digital Empires Inc

The Company that brought you this amazing software game.


Play Tile

The play tile displays the next tile for you to place on the board.


Score Board

The score board display your current point score (top), your cuurent nembers of four way matches (middle) and the number of tiles left for you to play (bottom).


Shareware

The method in which Digital Empires distributes Shih Dao.


Shih Dao

The Greatest Oriental Board game for Windows


Software Creations BBS

Software Creations BBS " Home of the Authors "

1200/2400 V.42 MNP - (508) 365-2359
2400-16.8k HST USR Robotics - (508) 368-4137
2400-14.4k V.32/V.32bis Hayes - (508) 368-7036

Dan Linton - Sysop


Tiles

There are seventy two (72) total tilesd available for play in each game. Each tile has a color and a pattern. There are only six (6) colors and six (6) pattern in each set. Thus there are thirty six (36) unique tiles. Each tile occurs twice in every tile set.