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PC-SIG World of Games (CDRM1080710) (1993).iso
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READ.ME
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1990-09-09
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Creative Chaos
Version 2.1
------------
Purpose
-------
Creative Chaos is a program that enhances creativity. All of us are
creative to some degree, and no computer is going to come up with a better
idea that we can. Creative Chaos is a playground for YOUR ideas, not a
hard-coded program with limitations that prevent you from succeeding. No
matter what your area of interest, you'll be surprised what happens when you
think about it "chaotically" for a while!
Creative Chaos uses random selection in a structured way. The unexpected
twists of chance combine with a meaningful base system to create thought
provoking and unique results. Use Chaos to do any number of things, such as:
a) generate ideas for short stories
b) generate lottery numbers
c) make up an interesting menu for a week's meals
d) tell your fortune
e) generate silly phrases and funny nonsense sentences
f) stimulate YOUR imagination, helping you create new inventions, artwork,
games, or whatever.
Creative Chaos is a small program that interprets scripts which list the
elements to select from, and how to put them together.
Using Creative Chaos
--------------------
To run a Creative Chaos script, type: chaos <file>
Where <file> is a Chaos "script". For example, if you were to try the
"menu" script that comes along with the program, you would type:
chaos menu
Once you start the program, it will first try to read the script file and
will give you error messages if the file contains any syntax errors.
Following this it will construct the first randomly replaced selection
(determined by the script), and will display the key command options on the
bottom of your screen. The options are:
a - Get another (which causes it to generate another selection).
d - Toggle "debug" mode, which is a mode that (when debugging is enabled)
will show you the results of each substitution as it is made). This
is useful when you are constructing your own scripts.
q - Quit.
s - Save the current selection. The first time you select this it will ask
for a file name to save it in. If you select this again it will
automatically append the selection to the end of the save file. If
you'd like to print out some of the combinations that Chaos generates,
use "save" to save them to disk, and then print the file later.
Creative Chaos Scripts
----------------------
Creative Chaos scripts contain "comments" and "replacements". A comment can
be put in between replacements, and is contained between an "/*" and "*/".
For example:
/* this is a comment */
A replacement looks like:
Format Example
<name>: {<text1>} Salad: {tossed}
|{<text2>} |{three bean}
|{<text3>} |{pasta}
... |{fruit}
|{<textN>} |{spinach}
; ;
There is a name (Salad), followed by a colon, followed by one or more
replacement strings enclosed in curly brackets ({tossed}). The semicolon
indicates the end of the selection of replacements. The "|" symbol goes
between the selections. There shouldn't be a "|" between the name and the
first selection. Replacement selections can be more than one word, and can
be more than one line long.
The examples above have each selection on a separate line for ease of
reading, but that's not necessary. Everything between the ":" and the ";"
will be treated as a selection.
The name must be alphanumeric. There are some special characters to avoid
in the replacement strings:
} - curly bracket (signifies the end of the replacement).
$ - dollar sign (signifies a reference to another replacement).
Here is a complete Creative Chaos script:
greeting: {$hi world!} ;
hi: {Hello} | {Hi} | {Howdy} | {Yo!} ;
The "$hi" in "greeting" indicates that "hi" is to be replaced by the
replacements for "hi" defined below. "world!" doesn't have a "$", so it is
left unchanged.
When you run Chaos on this script, the possible results you will see are:
Hello world! Hi world!
Howdy world! Yo! world!
The more layers of replacements you have, and the more strings per
replacement, the more possible outcomes you will get.
If you wish, you can put a "!u" after the <name> of a replacement
but before the ":" -- this tells Creative Chaos to try to find a unique (or
different) replacement each time that name is used. For example, if the
script above had "hi!u: {Hello}" instead of "hi: {Hello}", then Chaos would
select randomly through the remaining choices, never repeating one that it
had already used, until it had used them all up. If you omit the "!u", then
the choice is truly random each time you run Chaos, so the same greeting
might show up repeatedly.
Or, you can use a "!i" (in the same spot) to tell Chaos to use the
identical replacement each time that name is used. This would be useful in
something like a short story script. In that case, you might want to use
two characters, and have their names the same throughout a story.
How to create a script
----------------------
You can write a new script from scratch, or modify one of the sample scripts
provided. The script file read by the program must be an ASCII file.
If you can use a word processor, you can write Creative Chaos scripts. Most
word processors will save a file to disk in ASCII format. The word
processor may call this a "DOS Text File". You could also use EDLIN, an
editor that's included in DOS, and which is documented in your DOS manual.
For example, in the WordPerfect program, select Ctrl-F5 (Text In/Out), then
select "1", to save your script to disk as an ASCII file. If you want to
start by reading one of the sample scripts, then select Ctrl-F5, and then
"2" to retrieve a DOS Text file, and type in the name of the script to
modify. This will bring the script file into the WordPerfect page for you
to modify easily.
Sample scripts
--------------
Several sample scripts are shipped with Chaos. To run a script, type Chaos
<file>, for example: Chaos cliche.
CLICHE Try this one! See what happens when a whole lot of cliches get
mixed together -- it's a riot! Sample results:
A penny saved catches the worm.
Life's a duck, then you die.
Beam me up, Scotty, there's no nice love down here.
He's healthy, Jim.
A penny saved is a many splendored dessert.
You're not getting well, you're getting older.
All that glitters is not a gift horse.
The unexamined life is not to say you're sorry.
He ain't wealthy, he's a penny earned.
The only thing we have worth living is dessert itself.
I have not yet begun to fall short.
Early to bed and early to fight makes what goes up wise, better,
and mad.
MENU Meal selection generator -- continue getting other meal plans by
pressing "a" until you find some you like.
TAROT Tarot card reader. Since the randomness depends on when you
press the keys (the PC's system clock provides the seed for the
randomizer), pause until things feel "right" to you and then
press the key.
LOTTO Lotto number generator. Based upon actual lotto numbers so you
might get better numbers than guessing or using the lottery's
"quick pick" option.
HOROS Horoscope generator. Modify this based on your own horoscopes to
get interesting new twists. Surprising results!
RESUME Resume generator, for people who want to take a break from the
job or job search for a little whimsy. CAUTION: I don't
recommend that you send these resumes to prospective employers
without modification ...
STORY If you're a writer, you'll love this. You've got all kinds of
ideas already, but combining them in interesting plots can be
hard to do. Modify this script and look at options until you find
one that really seems promising. You don't need to be a writer
to enjoy this one.
ADVENT Ever play adventure games? (or something like them.) This shows
how you can use Creative Chaos to create interesting games.
JOBJAR I run this one to tell me what I should do for today's "chore".
Registration
------------
You should register this shareware (as you should any) if you use it more
than a few times. If you register, I will send you the most recent copy of
the program, applications, and documentation.
In order to register, please send $12 check or money order to:
Evan Lunde
P.O. Box 6207
Aloha, OR 97007
Even if you decide not to register, I'd still like to hear from you. What
do you like, or not like, about this program? Where did you get it from?
If there were more sample scripts with the program, would you be likely to
use it more? (If you send me an especially good suggestion, or sample
script, I may register you without the $12.)
Copyright/License/Warranty
--------------------------
This document (READ.ME) and the program file CHAOS.EXE ("the software") are
copyrighted by the author. The copyright owner hereby licenses you to use
the software; make as many copies of the program, scripts, and
documentation as you wish; give such copies to anyone; and distribute the
software and documentation via electronic means. There is no charge for any
of the above.
However, you are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting
donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing the
software and/or documentation with commercial products without prior
permission. An exception is granted to not-for-profit user's groups, which
are authorized to charge a small fee (not to exceed $8) for materials,
handling, postage, and general overhead.
No copy of the software may be distributed or given away without this
document; and this notice must not be removed.
There is no warranty of any kind, and the copyright owner is not liable for
damages of any kind. By using this software, you agree to this.
The software and documentation are:
Copyright (C) 1989 by
Evan Lunde
P.O. Box 6207
Aloha, Oregon 97007
09-09-90