ANSI CONTEST AND ART GALLERY ============================ BBS Door Version Copyright 1996, CR Software. All rights reserved February 15, 1996 _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER The Association of Shareware Professionals, Shareware, ANSI ----------------------------------------------------------- CONTEST and you! ---------------- CR Software is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536." 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, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. 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 ANSI CONTEST must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "ANSI CONTEST is supplied as is. 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 conse- quential, which may result from the use of ANSI CONTEST." ANSI CONTEST 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 ANSI CONTEST and continue to use ANSI CONTEST after a thirty day trial period, you must make a reg- istration payment of $15.00 to CR Software. The $15.00 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 the same time. Commercial users of ANSI CONTEST must register and pay for their copies of ANSI CONTEST within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by con- tacting CR Software. Anyone distributing ANSI CONTEST for any kind of remuneration must first contact CR Software at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering ANSI CONTEST immediately (However CR Software must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of ANSI CONTEST.). You are encouraged to pass a copy of ANSI CONTEST along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the ANSI CONTEST system. TABLE OF CONTENTS ================= I. Introduction II. Warranty Information III. Configuring ANSI CONTEST *** IMPORTANT!! READ THIS! IV. Running ANSI CONTEST V. Registering ANSI CONTEST VI. Registered vs. Unregistered Version VII. Distribution Files VIII. Special Thanks ----------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION ============ Welcome to the ANSI CONTEST! We at CR Software certainly hope you enjoy using this quality program, designed to bring out your user's creative drawing skills for fun, and maybe even profit! The ANSI CONTEST allows your callers to upload ansi pictures they have created using such programs as theDraw, or others. Callers then vote on these pictures, and the current leaders may be displayed. Callers may change their vote on pictures, or remove their vote entirely. The artist may opt to delete his picture from the contest. The top vote-getters are continually updated, so users can see who's ahead at any given time. The top three winners may be added to the Hall Of Fame, for a future grand prize contest. The ANSI CONTEST allows only the original artist to remove his/her picture. However, you, the sysop, are also able to delete any pictures. This ensures that any pictures you deem inappropriate may be deleted. When uploading their picture, the artist may choose not to allow others to download their picture. They simply type 'N' in the field asking if they will allow others to download their picture. This will keep others from modfying an original picture, then re-submitting it as their own. II. WARRANTY ======== See the Disclaimer - Agreement section above. III. CONFIGURING ANSI CONTEST IMPORTANT!! READ THIS CAREFULLY!! ======================== To set up the ANSI CONTEST: 1) Place the ACD.ZIP file (or ACUD.ZIP if you have the unregistered version) in it's own directory. 2) Unzip the file using PKUNZIP. 3) Run the SETUP.EXE program to set sysop options. 4) The command line for the ANSI CONTEST is: ACD (or ACUD) :\\ where Directory = the directory where the door drop file is located NOT where the program is located! ========================= DO NOT SPECIFY THE DOOR DROP FILE ITSELF, *ONLY* THE DIRECTORY WHERE IT IS LOCATED. ANSI CONTEST will automatically look for any of the following door drop files, in the directory specified on the command line. DOOR.SYS ; DORINFOx.DEF ; EXITINFO.BBS; CALLINFO.BBS; CHAIN.TXT; SFDOORS.DAT *NOTE*: The data files ansipics.dat, voterlog.dat, and hallfame.dat, once generated, *MUST* reside in the same directory as the program! DO NOT RELOCATE THESE FILES! The hallfame.dat file will not exist until you generate the hall of fame (see section below). As Sysop, you have a special menu item unseen to others that allows you to configure such areas as: starting and ending dates of contest, which directory ANSI CONTEST should look to to find the pictures, etc. These are detailed below: * BEGIN DATE: Enter the date you wish the voting to begin, as mm/dd/yy. * END DATE: Enter the date you wish the voting to end, as mm/dd/yy * PICTURE DIRECTORY: Enter the directory where ANSI CONTEST should expect to find the pictures, such as c:\bbsdoor\ansicon\pics NOTE: ANSI CONTEST will look for the pictures in this directory. If you relocate the pictures, be sure to update this field. * DSZ Path: ANSI CONTEST REQUIRES DSZ! DSZ is NOT supplied with ANSI CONTEST. It is up to you to obtain and register DSZ if your BBS software does not supply it! Enter the path where the external transfer protocol program, DSZ.COM (or DSZ.EXE) is located. THIS FIELD MUST BE FILLED IN FOR ANSI CONTEST TO PROPERLY WORK! * BBS NAME: (Registered version only): Enter the name of your Board to have ANSI CONTEST display at the opening splash screen. The default is "This BBS - Untitled". * USER SECURITY LEVEL TO VOTE: (Registered version only): Enter the minimum security level callers must have in order to vote on pictures. NOTE: ANY caller may upload pictures, but only those with a security level at or above your set limit may vote. * SYSOP NAME: Your name. Note: Only one name may be specified here. * SYSOP SECURITY LEVEL: Your security level. Some drop files do not specify the sysop's name, so ANSI CONTEST will then use this value to determine if current user is Sysop. ANSI CONTEST *DOES NOT* assume that local logons are auto- matically Sysops! Also, sysops may log on remotely and still have access to the Sysop Menu. * CHANGE COLORS: (Registered version only): Mark this field 'Y' or 'N'. If you choose 'Y', you will be presented with the change color screen (after you complete the following field, if applicable). * GENERATE HALL OF FAME: (Registered version only): Enter 'Y' to have ANSI CONTEST generate a Hall of Fame for the past contest. The top 3 entries will be entered. ---> ---> ---> ---> NOTE!!! - This option is only visible AFTER the date entered under "End Contest Date" above. There is no point generating a Hall of Fame during the contest. IV. RUNNING ANSI CONTEST ==================== The ANSI CONTEST is fairly straight-forward. The actions are highlighted on the Main Menu screen. The user simply presses the associated 'hot-key', and the requested action is performed. The following 'conditions' are built into the ANSI CONTEST: * UPLOADING of contest pictures must take place BEFORE the date set by you, the Sysop, for the contest to begin. That way, all entries are en- sured of equal voting and viewing opportunities. Uploading may also take place after the contest ends, and before the next one begins. * VOTING on picture entries is only allowed BETWEEN the contest begin and end dates. V. REGISTERING ANSI CONTEST ======================== The ANSI CONTEST may be registered by a check or money order for $15.00 (U.S. currency only, please) to: CR Software 591 Cypress Ave. San Jacinto,Ca. 92583 Simply print the REGISTER.TXT file, fill in the information, and mail it along with your payment. You may choose to have CR Software send you the ANSI CONTEST on disk, or, for an extra $4, CR SOFTWARE will upload it to your BBS. To use this option, you must supply your user handle if different form your name (or Sysop), and, of course, your BBS phone number. *NOTE*!!! If new users are not allowed to attach files with the Comment to Sysop option (or whatever your particular software uses for this option) CR Software CANNOT upload ANSI CONTEST to your BBS! VI. REGISTERED VS. UNREGISTERED VERSION =================================== The registered version of ANSI CONTEST has the following additional features: 1). Allows the SYSOP to configure colors for windows and text used in the ANSI CONTEST to match his/her personal color scheme or tastes. 2). Allows the sysop to set the user privilege level needed to vote on pictures. 3). Allows the user to change his/her vote, or to remove his/her vote from any picture. 4). Allows unlimited number of pictures to be entered. Currently, the Unregistered version allows a maximum of 3 pictures. 5). Allows a Hall Of Fame to be kept for each contest, to be able to hold a grand prize voting contest, if desired. VII. DISTRIBUTION FILES ================== The following files should be in the ACUD.ZIP package: 1). ACUD.EXE The unregistered door version of ANSI CONTEST 2). SCRN.ANS The main menu screen (general) 3). SCRNSYS.ANS The SYSOP's main menu screen with configuration option. 4). SPLASH.ANS The opening screen. 5). SYSCOLOR.DAT Deafult Window / text color file. DO NOT ERASE THIS FILE! 6). SYSOP.TXT This file 7). REGISTER.TXT Order / registration form for ANSI CONTEST 8). FILE_ID.DIZ Description of program 9). SETUP.EXE The Sysop initial setup program If you have any questions, you may email me at: ibbeson@telis.org, or leave a message for CR Software at Hemet Nights BBS (see below). Thank you for trying ANSI CONTEST! VIII. Special Thanks ============== CR Software extends a special thanks to the following BBS systems for their help, suggestions, and testing of ANSI CONTEST! Act One BBS (909)-487-1567 San Jacinto, Ca. WildCat! 4.2 Single node Hemet Nights (909)-927-8146 Hemet, Ca. WildCat! 5 Multi-Node