I found an error in Card Table 2.0 that didn't effect the original 3 games I released with it. However, as I started work on the newest module, Las Vegas Black Jack, I found I needed to make a change. Since I was changing the application anyway, I decided to do a couple of other things also. The following changes were made:
1) Enabled capture of keystrokes (very necessary for accepting a bet, for example)
2) Upon starting the application for the first time, you now can "Select" a "Game Module" without all the annoying problems that caused in the first version. While that problem did allow me to here from some of my users (as they asked how to get the game to start) it's not my prefered reason for receiving mail!
3) A note in the Folder Selection Dialog, giving directions to those people who didn't read this README file.
4) A progress bar while the game loads. (It looks so much more profesional, don't you think?)
5) I have "avoided" an error that occurs if you try to play the game in more than 256 color mode. The game now pops up an error message and quits if the monitor is set for more than 256 colors.
For those of you who already have version 2.0, I recomend this upgrade, and as was stated earlier, it contains a new game, Black Jack! Also, all your old games work just fine with it, so you won't need to upload those again!
For those who are getting this game for the first time, look for the other file, "Solitaire Games!!!" which contains the three games mentioned below!
If you are familiar with the old Card Table 1.0 game, this one has the same games (for the most part) and plays about the same. Included are: Solitaire (just like the old standard), Double Solitaire (Not many people I've met have played this before, but I've managed to get several people hooked on it. It's very hard to win, but I have won twice!), and a version of Solitaire, called Easy Solitaire easier to win.
THE DIFFERENCES: 2.0 stores its games apart from the main program, in "Game Modules". Put them all togeather in a folder of your choosing (they come in a folder called "Games ƒ" initially). Another new option is the preferences option in the File Menu. From here you can see the name of the folder you have picked for a game folder, the pattern used for the card backs, and the amount of shuffling done by the game.
***** Starting Card Table 2.0 for the first time. ****************************
When 2.0 starts up for the first time, it asks for you to direct it to the FOLDER in which the "Game Modules" are stored. NOTE: HIGHLITE the FOLDER which CONTAINS the "Game Modules", but DO NOT "Open" that folder. Instead, click on the "Select" button. This tells Card Table where all the "Game Modules" can be found, and it will remember that in the future. Card Table then loads the names of all the "Game Modules" into the "Games" menu. You select the game you wish to play, and then select "New" from the "File" Menu.
***** Notes, notices, and other miscelaneous information. *******************
As a side note, the patterns for the card backs are stored in the 'ppat' resource in the main game. If you have a resource editing tool, you may add any number of your own patterns, within reason, so long as they are numbered greater than 127.
The idea behind the new version is that, first, you only have the rules for one game in memory at a time, so the game needs less room to run. Second, if you don't like Double Solitaire, or Easy Solitaire, you don't have to keep them. And third, I can develop new games for it at any time, upload them, and you only have to download the new game, not a new version of the entire program!
Of course the other benefit of this is I can give the Libraries and instructions to other interested people, and let them develop their own "Game Modules" for Card Table 2.0!!! I particularly like this last idea, as it allows me more free time if I don't feel obliged to continuously create new card games. In order to do this, you have to have Think C 6.0 to use the Libraries, Header files and such.
Card Table 2.0 will be free-ware, though I'd like to hear your comments. I'm not sure what to do with the game building kit yet. The documentation is not as complete as it should be at the moment, so I won't go public with it (upload it I mean) yet. I would be willing to give it out free, if anyone is interested, to get some feedback on what it needs to round it out.
Please send any and all comments (good or bad, but especially good!) to me on America Online (my signon ID is "Theisen"), or at my current place of residence:
Anthony Theisen
11106 Seward Plz #1808
Omaha, Ne 68154
Above all, play, relax, have fun!
P.S. Special thanx to Rob Koch, who helped me with the newest features of Card Table 2.0. If you have the oportunity to pick up one of his games, do! They're top notch!
