Copyright: Copyright 1997 Cosmi Corporation


Contents

Welcome

System Requirements

Operating System

Disk Space

Hardware

Hardware

INSTALLATION

Welcome

The largest all Windows shareware collection

What is shareware?

A brief review of shareware

Game Warehouse Program

Main menu

Function buttons

Using games

Examples

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ Information

Support

Program support and contact information

Acknowledgments

Team members


System Requirements

Any computer  running Windows 3.x or Windows 95 may use Games Warehouse. However, individual games may require a higher level of standard equipment.

Recommended configuration:

8 megabytes of Ram

486 DX 66


Operating System

• SPECIAL NOTICE: PLEASE BE CERTAIN TO READ "WHAT IS SHAREWARE" SECTION OF THIS MANUAL

Your computer must have Microsoft Windows 3.x or Microsoft Windows 95.

• SPECIAL NOTICE: Game Warehouse 1000 includes games which operate ONLY under Windows 95. The program provides this information. The programs marked as Windows 95 only WILL NOT operate on Windows 3.x machines. Most, but not all Windows 3 and Windows 95 programs will work on Windows NT.


Disk Space

This program requires approximately 8 megabytes of space on your hard drive. Please note that the games are NOT copied onto your hard drive during installation. Additional hard drive space will be required to install games you select from the collection.


Welcome - Hardware
Hardware

• A mouse or pointing device is required. To print out program information, you will need a printer.


Welcome - Hardware
Hardware

A mouse or pointing device is required.


INSTALLATION

1.  Place the CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2.  In Program Manager click on FILE, then click on RUN.

3.  Type in D:\CDSETUP and press Enter. (If your CD-ROM drive is not

     D, then change it to the letter associated with your CD-ROM drive.)

4.  Follow any instructions that appear on the screen.

See

Using Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0


Using Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0

1.  Place the CD into your CD-ROM drive.

2.  In the start-up screen click on START, then click on RUN.

3.  Type in D:\CDSETUP and press Enter. (If your CD-ROM drive is not

     D, then change it to the letter associated with your CD-ROM drive.

4.  Follow any instructions that appear on the screen.


The largest all Windows shareware collection

Games Warehouse has collected over 1,000 games for your entertainment. Many programs provide many, and in some cases, dozens of different games. We have reviewed over 8,000 programs and have selected the 1,000 best for this collection.

All of the programs in this collection are excellent games. Some are superior-- in our judgment. We have awarded fifty programs the Game Warehouse Top 5% award for quality. Look for the top 5% award in the program descriptions. Of course, your mileage may vary, and these awards represent our opinions.


A brief review of shareware

All of the programs in this collection can be described as "shareware."

This means that the program's owners have authorized certain limited distribution of the programs to the public.

Game Warehouse 1000 is not the author of the games. Game Warehouse has collected the games and has organized them and provided this manual.

THE PROGRAMS IN THIS COLLECTION ARE NOT PUBLIC DOMAIN OR COPYRIGHT FREE PROGRAMS. THE RETAIL PRICE YOU PAID FOR THIS CD IS FOR THE COMPILATION AND DUPLICATION, AND THE AUTHORS OF THE PROGRAMS ARE NOT PAID BY GAMES WAREHOUSE 1000.

THE REGISTRATION POLICY OF EACH PROGRAM IS EXPLAINED IN THE GAME WAREHOUSE 1000 PROGRAM AND IN INFORMATION FILES OR SCREENS CONTAINED IN THE PROGRAMS.

SHAREWARE PROGRAMS REQUIRE SEPARATE PAYMENT TO THE AUTHOR IF RETAINED BEYOND THE TRIAL PERIOD.

PLEASE ALLOW PROGRAMMERS TO PRODUCE HIGH QUALITY, LOW PRICED GAMES BY REGISTERING PROGRAMS THAT YOU USE.

SOME SHAREWARE PROGRAMS DO NOT REQUIRE PAYMENT. THESE PROGRAMS ARE SO DESCRIBED.

The story of shareware is fascinating. In the days of the IBM PC Jr and early XT's, many of the best known programs were copy protected. This meant that you were only able to install the program a limited number of times. Because early computers frequently locked up without reason, many persons found that they were unable to install legitimate, legal copies of programs due to copy protection.

A few persons, among them Jim Button and Andrew Flugelman, decided that since every computer can make duplicates of disks rapidly, that copy protecting software wasn't going to work, and decided to profit from developer's paranoia.

They released programs which were as good as, and in some cases, better than commercial programs, and didn't copy protect them. Instead, they encouraged copying. And they tried a crazy idea, marketing on trust alone. The idea was so crazy that it worked. Copy protection is no longer common in commercial software, and an entirely new distribution method, shareware was born.

Programmers asked users to try their programs, and if they didn't like them, to at least pass the disk on to another person. Bulletin boards, on line services and "disk vendors" distributed millions and millions of disks. Several programmers made real businesses out of shareware. Many others didn't earn a great deal, but found that releasing good shareware resulted in job offers, custom work and recognition.

Shareware is alive and doing better than ever.

See

Confusing terms


Confusing terms

There are many different terms used to describe software marketed as shareware. Even those in the industry use them in different ways. The accepted definitions are:

Shareware- software which is copyright but permitted to be distributed under certain conditions. Most shareware requires payment to the author if the program is used after a trial period.

Freeware- sometimes used as a substitute for the term shareware.

Public domain- this software is NOT shareware. Public domain means use it, sell it, abuse it, reuse it. This collection has shareware, not public domain programs.

No cost shareware (bannerware)- shareware in which the author does not charge, but, doesn't allow resale.


Main menu

When you begin using Game Warehouse, the following opening screen appears:

Opening screen

To select games, click either the "ALL," or some or all of the categories.

The main screen provides a brief description of each program as well as registration information and a place for you to enter comments about the games in the collection.


Function buttons

The bottom of the main menu screen contains a series of buttons:

Buttons

See

Install

Print

Search

Help

Exit


Install

The install button prepares you to install the program that is presently described. After clicking install, you will see the following display:

First install screen

You will then be prompted to select the folder (sub-directory) and drive where the game will be copied.

Second install screen

In most cases you can change the name of the drive and directory without affecting the programs operation. Please see "Using programs after installation" for information on running the games.


Print

To print out the information (which often includes a ready to use order form) while the author/registration tab is visible, click on print:

Print Button


Search

Game Warehouse provides you with the ability to locate programs based on matching key phrases.

Search button

After activating the search, you will see the following:

Search menu

You may search by:

Keyword

Name of author

Description

and User Comments.

The search is not case sensitive.

If you pick a term which has no matches, the following display will inform you of that fact:

Yes, we have no bananas

If your search term is found, you will be automatically returned to the main menu. The main menu will contain JUST the items which match your search terms.

If you click any of the category buttons, the search will no longer be active.


Help

Help activates this help file.


Exit

Closes the program and returns to Windows.


Using games

After you have installed a game from the collection, there are two possible scenarios. The first is that the game is ready to run. The second is that you will have to run an install program to complete installation.

In either case, take a moment and review the files installed by Game Warehouse. You can do so through the FILE MANAGER or WINDOWS EXPLORER.

If you see a file with any of the following names, before using the game, review the file:

readme

readme.1st

program.inf

program.doc

manual.txt

manual.doc

install.doc

file_id.diz

vendinfo.diz

vendor.doc

vendor.txt

sdn.id

These files can be viewed by using NOTEPAD or WORDPAD, editors which are provided with Windows. NOTEPAD is provided with Windows 3.x and can be found in the Accessories Group. WORDPAD is provided with Windows 95, and can also be found in the Accessories Group. In addition, we provide a simple text viewer with Games Warehouse. GWEDIT can be used to open and review these files. Follow all instructions contained in the program documentation.


Examples

Installed file contains a "setup.exe"

Installed program contains just an executable file

Installed program does not contain an install.exe or setup.exe program


Installed file contains a "setup.exe"

Many games will show a directory listing similar to the following after installed by Game Warehouse (this is the display after installation of UFO 40000, one of the games in this collection):

As you can see, there is a setup.exe file. Either run this from Explorer (by double clicking) or from run. Windows 3.x users can follow the same procedure using the FILE MANAGER. Follow the instructions on screen to install the program.


Installed program contains just an executable file

Many games, after installation, are a single file, such as Color Attack (one of the games in this collection). You will see a display in Explorer or File Manager as follows:

In this case, run the executable program and follow any directions which then appear.


Installed program does not contain an install.exe or setup.exe program

Some of the games do not have an install or setup program. An example is Gold Pusher. After selecting this game from the collection, you will see the following files:

As you will notice there is a "txt" file. You should review this FIRST. After reviewing any information files, you may find that installation is NOT required, and you may simply run the program from the run menu or by double clicking.


FAQ Information

1. What is VBRUN100.DLL (VBRUN200, VBRUN300, VBRUN400)?

Answer: Many popular games are created with Microsoft's Visual Basic development system. Programs written with these systems WILL NOT work unless these files are present on your computer. These files are probably already present on your computer- even though you may not ever have been aware that they are there · . You may notice that the manuals for some games mention needing these files. These files are distributed with this program. Provided that you installed this program using our installation routine you have these files properly located on your system. Copying these files onto your system will not harm it. To repeat, in most cases, these files have been on your hard drive for a long time, even if you didn't notice them.

2. Why can't I just run the games off the CD?
Answer: This is a great question. Most games create files as they played (such as a high score list, player name list, etc.) and since a CD ROM is read only most games will crash without prior notice if you run them off a CD. In other cases, the developer requires supporting dll or other files, or system configuration changes, in which case, unless you install the program, the program will crash without prior notice! Therefore, the only responsible practice is have users install the games to their hard drives and then install or play.

3. I've written shareware. How do I get it in future versions of this program?

Answer: Send a copy to:

Cosmi Game Warehouse

2600 Homestead Place

Rancho Dominguez CA 90220

Please include a very brief letter advising us that we have permission to distribute the program.

4. I've written a shareware program. Why isn't it in this collection?

Answer: First of all, we may not be aware of the program. See question 2 above for information on how to get included in this collection. Second, we could not include many fine programs in this collection because of license agreement questions. Too many authors who want their programs to be widely distributed fail to provide legal consent to do so. We include a short "Shareware author's guide" in the on line manual which you may want to read.

5. Who wrote the descriptions of the programs?

Answer: If the author provided a description of the program, we copied it (or at least the basic points) word for word. On a few occasions we changed typographical (spelling) errors.

6. Can I make copies of the shareware programs in Game Warehouse to give to others?

Answer: Yes. · SPECIAL NOTICE: You may NOT make copies of the entire CD or make copies of the manual. When making further copies of any individual programs, read the documentation and insure that you have the right to do so.

7. Where did you get these games?

Answer: Almost all games were obtained from the author, or, from uploads of the programs made by the authors to Internet or on line sites.

8. The author only has a postal mailing address. Is there a faster way to get support?

Answer: Unfortunately no. Some authors are only available through postal correspondence. Almost every author is available on the Internet. That's almost always the best way to get assistance.

9. I have sent the registration fee, but my mail has been sent back. What should I do?

Answer: Authors sometimes move, and, forwarding orders expire. We have tried to ensure that we have the latest version of each program. Since we get most programs directly from the author, in most cases as of the time that this collection was completed, we do have an accurate address. If mail is returned, you may consider seeing if the author has an Internet e-mail address and contacting them through that address. Please let us know so that we can take appropriate action.

10. Do I have to pay the requested registration fee?

Answer: Yes. These programs are permitted to be distributed without charge, but if you use the program beyond the author's free trial period you must pay the registration fee.

11. Isn't shareware crippled so I can't really try the program?

Answer: Most shareware authors do not cripple their programs. Many withhold some advanced features. On the other hand, many authors DO NOT cripple or limit their games in any material way. Some games limit the number of times that you can play them. In reviewing programs for inclusion in this program we rejected programs which had restrictions that we judged as excessive (such as allowing 15 seconds playing time.) You should be able to give each of these programs a fair and complete review.

12. Isn't shareware worse than software I buy in a store?

Answer: No. Many programs that are best sellers at retail are also shareware. There are good and bad shareware programs and good and bad commercial programs. This is one of the most common misconceptions among users of shareware.

13. Can my computer get a virus from shareware?

Answer: That is possible, but the files on this CD have been checked for viruses. We have used four different methods of verifying that the programs in this collection do not have viruses. In addition, we have a procedure in place which maintains integrity of our masters. Although we obviously don't want to reveal our procedures in detail, we use multiple scanning programs and other regimens to verify the integrity of each file, and repeat these processes on several different occasions before a CD is replicated. In reviewing well over 8,000 programs for this collection we did not find any viruses in shareware. You should adopt a procedure such as using a virus scanning program to insure the integrity of your system. If you choose to use a virus scanning program, be sure to follow the program's directions carefully in regard to obtaining updated virus data.

14. How did you pick the top 5% games?

Answer: This was subjective. Your mileage may vary!

15. What testing did you do on the games in the collection?

Answer: All were installed, strictly in accordance with the author's instructions, and were reviewed for basic operational integrity. Due to the fact that games may be designed to require dozens or even hundreds of hours of play to go through all "levels" we did not complete use of all of the games. In addition, many games require great skill to win (particularly arcade games) and our reviewers may not have been fast enough at blasting aliens to "win" the game. Therefore, it is possible that there may be some "bugs" we didn't catch. Our testing was done by professional programmers using properly set up machines (a 100mhz Pentium) typical of those used by our customers.

16. Why are the screen shots different on my computer?

Answer: The screen shots in this manual were made in Windows 95. A Windows 3.x display will be different. We have also selected small icons and file details. This screen shot shows this menu in explorer:

Although your screen may have a different display this does not affect use of the program.


Program support and contact information

We encourage all our users to provide comments and suggestions about this program.

This program is supported by voice, fax and Internet e-mail.

• Although we will provide support for Games Warehouse, we can not provide information or support concerning the programs themselves. Please contact the program authors for more information.

Voice

is available as follows (all times are in the Pacific time zone):

Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

• Cosmi is very proud to be one of the few remaining software publishers to provide no charge customer support!

Internet

Support questions may be addressed to cos550@aol.com.

Fax

You may fax us at 310-886-3517.


Team members

Team Cosmi, the only fully integrated software developer and publisher in the budget software industry, wishes to give special thanks to team members who made special contributions to this program:

Executive producer and librarian: Herb Kraft

Programming: Ron Paludan

Art: Susan Randle, David Serrano

Quality control\beta: John Passo


Glossary of Terms

executable file

show a directory listing


executable file

A file ending with the extension "exe" (or very rarely, "com"). An application ready to run.


show a directory listing

You select which sub-directory (folder) to which each program on the CD is copied onto your hard drive. To then see the directory listing, activate EXPLORER or FILE MANAGER and scroll to that directory.