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Precision Software Appli…tions Silver Collection 1
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Precision Software Applications Silver Collection Volume One (PSM) (1993).iso
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mazes4.exe
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MAZE30.DOC
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1989-01-19
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Welcome to MAZE 3.0 by Wolfgang Stiller
******** User Supported Software and license terms: *********
Welcome to user supported software (commonly referred to as "SHAREWARE"). User
supported software allows you to try software before you buy, and when you do
buy, to pay much less than for commercially developed software. This is true
because there are no costs for advertising, sales staffs, fancy packaging and
distribution costs bundled into the software. Just good software, not glossy
packaging, and no hassles. Pay only if you like it. Your registration of MAZE
will encourage more development of this type software and ultimately provide
better software at lower prices to everyone. MAZE 3.0 and its follow on
products depend entirely upon your support for their existence.
MAZE 3.0 is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. It is
copyright 1988 by Wolfgang Stiller. All rights are reserved.
***********************************************************************
You are specifically granted the right to use MAZE 3.0 on a trial basis.
If you like it, you must register your copy by sending $12.00 to
Wolfgang Stiller 2625 Ridgeway St., Tallahassee, Florida 32310. Florida
residents must include sales tax. (Currently 6%, so send $12.72).
************************************************************************
You are also encouraged to share MAZE 3.0 with others and to distribute
copies on computerized bulletin board systems, however you may not:
1) Charge for, or otherwise sell, lease or rent this program. This also
prohibits bundling of this program with some other product or service.
2) Modify the program or its documentation in any way.
3) Distribute the program without this .DOC file or the M3READ.ME file.
4) Distribute this program as part of a promotion for any commercial
venture or as an inducement to purchase some product or service.
You MAY, however, charge a fee for the actual distribution of this program.
In this case, it must be made clear to the person receiving MAZE that a
registration fee is still required, if the user intends to keep MAZE.
Warrantee: This program is being provided "AS IS". It is up to the user to
determine the suitability of this program for their purposes. The user
takes all responsibility for any direct or consequential damages.
Support: Please DO report all bugs, difficulties or improvements desired.
We plan to provide new versions of MAZE with many new features. Registered
users will be notified of the availability of the latest version.
**********************************
** MAZE 3.0 program description **
**********************************
Are you ready to explore the unknown?
You are about to be trapped in the center of a randomly
generated MAZE of size which you have specified. You will be
shown a realistic 3D view of the room you are standing in
exactly as you would see it, if you were really in the MAZE.
Each MAZE will be different; a random process is used to generate
an interesting and different MAZE each time.
Although you can print or display a map of the MAZE, the real
challenge comes from exploring the MAZE from the inside. A
MAZE which appears simple on paper can be bewilderingly complex
when you are actually in it! Even small MAZES will challenge
your ability to explore unknown environments...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
S Y S T E M R E Q U I R E M E N T S
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An IBM true compatible with at least 256Kb of memory is required.
This program supports VGA, EGA, CGA and other graphics adapters
but it can execute in text mode on any PC. EGA and VGA devices will
utilize palette switching for very fast displays.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
What can be done with the MAZE simulation?
1) Fuzzy reasoning applied to MAZE exploration
As you move from room to room in the MAZE, the system will
report whether you are further or closer to the exit. This
'closeness' indicates only how close your current
position is to the exit, not if you are closer to the
correct route out of the MAZE. Therefore, the closeness
report gives you correct but fuzzy information. You
know you are closer or further from the exit, but is
this the right way? By combining this information with
use of your compass to indicate direction (or your
memory of direction), you can systematically find your
way out.
--------------------------------------------------------------
2) Race through MAZE
Against others
Using the game clocks, it is possible to have a
contest to see who can most quickly find their way
out of the MAZE. Each player can solve the same MAZE
or a new MAZE of the same size will be generated for
each player. It is also possible to compete against
someone using a slower or faster PC, since the game
clocks do not penalize the players for time required
to generate the display, but add a fixed increment of
time (1 second) for moving from room to room.
Against yourself
What is your best time in solving a 20 by 20 MAZE?
Can you explore without compass or markers?
--------------------------------------------------------------
3) Print or display MAZE map
If you are not interested in experiencing what it is like
to actually be in a MAZE, just typing 'Q' after the MAZE
is generated will Quit and produce the map of the MAZE.
These maps are also fun to visually explore and are
considered artistically appealing by some.
By hitting F10 on the initial option page, you may select to
print a map of the MAZE in addition to displaying it or write
a copy to a file on disk.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
4) Spatial orientation practice (caving practice)
This program allows the user to experience some of the
intellectual challenge of caving. When I first explored a
cave, I was amazed how in a very simple cave, I would
loose my sense of direction and could wander in a circle and
not even realize it. This program was created to simulate
that. Try a even a very small MAZE (say 5 by 5) and see if you
can find your way out, keeping your sense of direction without
using your compass or markers. It is remarkably difficult, but
this skill can be learned.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
General description of the MAZE
From your current position in the MAZE you will be able to
see into adjacent rooms and see some of the doors in those
rooms. You will see any markers left in the current or
adjacent rooms. The system will let you know if you are
closer or further from the exit after each move in the
MAZE. You may consult your compass at any time to see which
way you are facing. North will be to your front when you
first begin. A message will appear on the screen, if the
door to your rear is open, saving you from having to turn
around to determine this fact. The destination portal
(exit) of the MAZE will appear as a blue wall or door if
you have an EGA display. Otherwise it will appear bright
white.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
How to move around the MAZE
It is easy to move around in the MAZE. You may use the
cursor (arrow) keys to move to the room in that direction.
The keys r,l,f,b also can be used to move Right, Left,
Forward or Back. If you hold down the shift key and hit
one of the movement keys, then rather than move in that
direction, you will simply turn to face that direction. This
can be used if you wish to get a better view of one of the
adjacent rooms. Note, that when you move to go into the
room in any direction you will be facing in that direction,
after you arrive in that room (just like real life, but
unlike many computer simulations).
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Extra capabilities:
Hitting the 'm' key followed by any other key, will leave a marker
corresponding to that key in the room. This will positively
identify that room, to keep you from walking in circles. 'c'
will check your compass and tell you which way you are facing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended size of MAZE
Begin small when you first explore a MAZE, since the amount of
disorientation is amazing. Try a 6 by 6 MAZE just to get the
hang of things.
For printing on an 80 column printer you may have up to 39 columns
(rooms) across with out wrap around. If you can print compressed
lines (132 character lines), you may have up to 65 rooms across. Note
that your display can only show 11 rows without scrolling.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Display modes for MAZE program
MAZE will generate several different display types depending
upon the hardware you have installed. It will automatically
recognize video adapters compatible with the IBM standard
adapters and select the display type which will provide the
best and fastest view of the MAZE. Hitting the F10 key during
the initialization menu will allow you to select your own
display mode. This may be necessary if you have a non-standard
video adapter. If your PC does not have graphics capability,
you can still enjoy the MAZE simulation but the view in each
room is described with a textual description. If your PC has an
EGA or VGA adapter, you will get the best display of all, since
MAZE will use palette switching to provide almost instantaneous
update of your display. If you have a VGA or an EGA with 256K
memory, a 640 by 350 display resolution will be used providing a
very nice display.There is a character graphics mode available for
users without a standard IBM graphics adapter. This mode is also very
high speed and may be preferable for those with slow adapters or
PCs.
The Toshiba 1100 laptop PC has its own somewhat strange attribute
assignment for display. If you have a similar non-standard display
invoke MAZE with: "MAZE30 x". This should be tried if the display
is not readable on your PC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY OF MAZE 3.0 COMMANDS:
b - Backup - Reverse course - Enter room on your Back side
- down arrow or cursor key also backs up.
c - Compass - Read your Compass. Indicates where north is
f - Forward - Enter room to your Front
- up arrow or cursor key also goes to Front.
l - Left - Enter room on your Left side
- left arrow or cursor key also goes to Left.
h - HELP - produce a multi-page help display (F1 works also) .
q - Quit - Exit the MAZE. A map will be shown on termination
m - Mark - Place Marker in this room (any displayable character)
- IF YOU RE-ENTER THIS ROOM, YOU WILL SEE THE MARKER
r - Right - Enter door to your Right side
- right arrow or cursor key also goes to right.
s - Sound - Toggle sound effects on and off
u - UnMARK - Remove a previously placed marker from this room
? - summary - Generate a 1 page summary of MAZE commands.
The SHIFTed versions B,F,L or R, will turn in those directions
rather than move. The cursor (arrow) keys can also be used in place
of b,f,l or r.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Known problem:
There is one case of an IBM PC/XT clone with 10mhz V20 processor,
running in EGA/VGA mode which will hang when keys are pressed rapidly
going from room to room in the maze. The solution is to toggle
turbo mode off or to disable sound by hitting the "S" key.
This seems to be due to some peculiarity of the sound generator in
combination with the video hardware. Strange...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Please send donations, registration fee, bug reports, or suggestions to:
Wolfgang Stiller
2625 Ridgeway St.
Tallahassee, Florida 32310