Matchem 1.1 SparTech Software INTRODUCTION Welcome to Matchem 1.1! Matchem is a colorful board game where the object of the game is to match all the pieces on the game playing board (similar to the card game `Concentration'). Some of the features included in Matchem are... - Interchangeable `Picture Packs' for greater variety - User selectable Game Piece graphic types (Letters, Numbers, Shapes, Colors, graphical pictures, or any combination of graphic types) - User selectable number of game pieces - Colorful visual indicators of your games progress (gauges, status bar) - you select the gauges you wish to display - Game Timer feature (try to beat the clock!) - Matching game piece hints - User selectable `click' setting - Password protected Parental Control feature - Full context-sensitive online help - Unique Matchem Distribution Incentive Program which could earn you a FREE registered version of Matchem - Visual game statistics upon completion of game - Colorful animation sequences - Large Button Bar to allow children to easily select common game settings. The game environment is highly customizable allowing the player to specify settings such as the type of game piece graphic, number of game pieces to place on the board, game timer limits, suppression of various messages, gauges, etc. Unique features such as the Parental Control feature, Game Hints, and interchangeable graphics 'Picture Packs' (additional Picture Packs available from SparTech Software) also add to the game playing experience. The game playing surface features a large button bar, colorful graphics, and humorous animation making it especially attractive to small children. And the ability to initiate a 'timed game' with a variable number of game pieces will provide a challenging game playing environment for older players. Complete online help is available via the Help menu option, context sensitive help, or by clicking on the Matchem logo (found on most screens). MINIMUM MACHINE REQUIREMENTS Hardware 386-XX 4-MEG RAM VGA Windows 3.1 Disk Space (Windows Control Files and VBRUN300.DLL will not be installed if they are already present on your system). Matchem Files - 600K Windows Control Files - 300K VBRUN300.DLL - 400K INSTALLATION - PLEASE READ NOTE: Matchem requires the Visual Basic run time module VBRUN300.DLL. If this file is not already installed on your system then you must obtain a copy before attempting to install Matchem. VBRUN300.DLL is obtainable over most BBS and online services. Note that older versions of VBRUN exists (VBRUN100 and VBRUN200) and should not be relied upon with this version of Matchem. Please read over the PACKING.LST to assure that all of the files were included in the distribution copy you received. If there are files missing Matchem will not install properly. Matchem should have been distributed in a 'Zipped' file format. Please be sure to save this original zipped installation file in order to participate in the Matchem Distribution Incentive Program and possible earn a FREE registered version of Matchem (please see the online documentation for further information). To install Matchem, simply run the SETUP program. This utility will prompt you for all the information it needs to install Matchem on your system including the install 'from' directory, install 'to' directory, etc.). Several files will be installed in your Matchem directory including the MATCHEM game itself and the 'Picture Pack' graphics. Some files may be installed in your \WINDOWS or \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories. These are commonly distributed Visual Basic control files. If they already exist on your system prior to installing Matchem, then they will not be overwritten (this can cause a problem in the case of THREED.VBX - see Note below). NOTE: Please assure that the THREED.VBX file included with Matchem is installed properly on your system. If you have an older version of THREED.VBX and it is not replaced by the new `corrected' version then Matchem will not operate correctly. The new version of THREED.VBX (from Microsoft) has fixed many bugs associated with the older version. If the older version is used instead, Matchem will not function properly and the game screens will be grossly distorted. If you notice certain graphics on the game playing board look 'broken' then this is the probably because you are running the older `buggy' version of THREED.VBX. Simply delete or rename this older version and reinstall Matchem so the newer version of THREED.VBX can be installed in its place. To uninstall Matchem simply delete the Matchem directory and delete the MATCHEM.INI file from your \WINDOWS directory. The remaining files (see the Packing list) can remain on your system. They are commonly used Visual Basic controls and will be shared with any Visual Basic program that needs them (in fact, several of the files were probably already on your system before Matchem was installed and may affect operation of other programs if they are removed). If you still decide you would like to remove these files then try renaming them first before deleting them in order to test whether or not other programs on your system require these files. MATCHEM GAME PLAY INSTRUCTIONS (QUICK START) When starting Matchem for the first time you will be prompted to enter the name of the Picture Pack file you wish to use (one Picture Pack is included with Matchem). Select this file and click OK. To start a game, simply select File-New Game and then click on the Play Game Button (the green stoplight located towards the bottom of the button bar). Complete game playing instructions are included in the Matchem online documentation. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/REGISTRATIONS We welcome any questions or comments you have concerning SparTech Software programs. Questions or comments can be directed (via Internet) to Spartan001@AOL.COM or via US Mail at SparTech Software, 1309 Windy Meadows Dr. Burleson, Tx 76028. Please direct all `bug' reports to the address(s) above. We welcome any bug reports (no matter how small the bug) as it only serves to improve the quality of our software. REGISTRATION PRICING STRUCTURE Matchem 1.1 $9.95 Additional Picture Packs $2.95 Postage/Handling of $1.00 is required if user name, serial number, and pass code must be returned to you by US Mail. There is no handling charge if the registration packet is sent to you via EMail (Internet). Registration entitles you to a 50% DISCOUNT on Matchem upgrades and 20% DISCOUNT on other SparTech software. To register Matchem, print the registration form from the Matchem Help-Registration menu. Complete the form and send it along with your check payable to BRIAN F. HADDOCK (complete details are in the Matchem online documentation). Your registration will be promptly processed and you will be sent a registered user name, serial number, and pass code which you then enter in order to 'register' Matchem. To print the Matchem registration form and for further information about registrations (including the many BENEFITS of registering this software), please see the online documentation. DEVELOPMENT NOTES Tools Used -- Matchem was programmed using Visual Basic and 'C' (using Borland C++). -- Graphics created using Resource Workshop, WinCut (SparTech Software shareware utility), PaintShop Pro (shareware), and Graphics Workshop (shareware). -- Help Engine created using Word 6.0, Help Project Editor, and SHED. Music Listened to While Coding -- Depeche Mode -- Yanni -- Cracker (during those all night sessions)