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1993-09-28
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LADDERS DICE
v4.0
by
Al Lawrence
Sunrise-80 BBS
(404) 256-9525 (Data)
(404) 705-9104 (Data)
(404) 256-9518 (Voice, 9am-9:30pm EST)
OVERVIEW
________
LADDERS DICE is a highly challenging, fast-paced, dice game that
requires some luck and good strategy. The object of the game is to
"capture" three ladders by reaching the top of the ladders, based
upon the roll of the dice.
NOTE: Most errors will be logged to a file called DFRAME.ERR, which is
created in the directory you run the door from.
INSTALLATION
____________
Installation is fairly easy and straight-forward. The following steps and
examples should have you up and running in a very short period of time.
It is assumed that you are familiar with setting up DOORS on your system.
To this end, only examples of the configuration file and Door batch file
are described.
1) Create a directory to hold all LADDERS files
2) Unzip LADDERxx.ZIP into the the above directory
3) Create a configuration file, with a name of your choice, or
modify the supplied LADDERS.CFG file. A description follows:
** Location of system file (See Below)
SUNRISE-80 BBS Your BBS Name
Al Sysop's First name
Lawrence Sysop's Last Name
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| READ! 1 CommPort \ These 2 lines are required |
| READ! 1 Node # / ONLY for GTUSER.BBS |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
00000000 Registration Number
! # 2 Maximum # of Games per day
(Sysop get 99 in Registered verion ONLY!)
# 0 Max # of days a caller can make up, during
calls in one day. 0=Disable Make-up Option
Maximum value = 27, Minimum value = 1
# NONE Drive:\Path\Filename to contain the
Top Score Bulletin or enter NONE
for NO Bulletin creation.
# NONE Drive:\Path\Filename to contain the
Top Score Bulletin (Color) or enter NONE
for NO Bulletin creation.
# NONE Drive:\Path\Filename to contain the
Hall of Fame Bulletin or enter NONE
for NO Bulletin creation.
# NONE Drive:\Path\Filename to contain the
Hall of Fame Bulletin (Color) or enter NONE
for NO Bulletin creation.
2 1 = DO NOT Display ADOPT-A-DOOR Message
2 = Display ADOPT-A-DOOR message
# 2 Keyboard timeout value in Minutes
# 3 # of Ladders to Complete to Accumulate Pts
(Valid range is 1-12. Default = 3)
# 50 Pts to Deduct if HiScore > 100 & < 500
# 100 " > 499 & < 1000
# 300 " > 999 & < 4999
# 1000 " > 4999 & < 10000
# 2000 " > 9999 & < 20000
# 3000 " > 19999 & < 30000
# 5000 " > 29999 & < 40000
# 7000 " > 39999 & < 50000
# 9000 " > 49999 & < 60000
# 10000 " > 59999 & < 70000
# 15000 " > 69999
! # 0 Time Allowed in Door
(Sysop = Time Remaining - REG. VERSION)
# N Automatic game reset at end of month:
Y = Yes enable autoreset
N = Keep accumulating scores
# Y Y = Allow Sysop to have 999 games
N = Do Not Allow Sysop 999 games
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
! # 000=00/00 Security Level/Games Allowed Per Day
@ # XXXX/YYYY Blackout Range From/To
@ # XXXX/YYYY Blackout Range From/To
@ # XXXX/YYYY Blackout Range From/To
@ # XXXX/YYYY Blackout Range From/To
@ # XXXX/YYYY Blackout Range From/To
000 Unique 3-digit number used as a suffix
for the exported score file name, if
you wish to paricipate in an Inter-BBS
game. 000=no Inter-BBS participation.
** = Replace with ONE of the following:
C:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS <- For PCBoard systems using PCBOARD.SYS only
C:\BBS\CALLINFO.BBS <- For Wildcat! systems (prior to v3.0)
C:\BBS\DOOR.SYS <- For ANY systems that support DOOR.SYS
C:\BBS\DORINFOx.DEF <- For ANY systems that support DORINFOx.DEF
C:\BBS\SFDOORS.DAT <- For Spitfire systems.
c:\bbs\TRIBBS>SYS <- For TriBBS systems.
C:\BBS\GTUSER.BBS <- For GT Power
* if using this option you must put the
ComPort # on line 5 and the Node # on
line 6 of the configuration file
# = Requires registration to change to a different value.
! = See "Plays Per Day" Below
@ = See "Blackout Periods" Below
NOTE: There are NO Blank Lines in the Config File!!
4) Create a batch file or modify the LADDERS file supplied. A
description of this file follows:
ECHO off
cd\BBS\DOORS\LADDERS Location of Ladders files
LADDERS LADDERS.CFG EXE filename and CNF filename (Name
used in creating file in #3 above)
CD\BBS
BOARD
5) When running in more than one node, be sure to supply a
different configuration name for each node (your choice of name).
6) If running with Fossil-based multi-port boards add
/FD to the line containing the CFG name as follows:
LADDERS LADDERS.CFG /FD
POOL Points
------------
When you end up losing points, LADDERS will place them into a "POOL". This
"POOL" will continue to accumulate all points lost by any player. It will
also accumulate the points lost by those playing on any other node(s) at the
same time. The "POOL" points will be updated on the players screen REAL TIME
(at the moment the player on another node loses points). The "POOL" points
can be won by any player, that wins the game by removing 3 Ladders, 2 of
which MUST be the "2" and "12" Ladders. The minimum amount in the "POOL"
will be 100 points.
BLACKOUT PERIODS
________________
Use the Blackout ranges option to define up to 5 time periods during
which you DO NOT want the Door to be played. If a caller tries to access
the Door during the Blackout period, they will be shown a message that
contains ALL the Blackout periods you have defined, and to try the Door
at a later time.
Each of the 5 Blackout ranges takes the form of XXXX/YYYY, where
XXXX=beginning time and YYYY=the ending time. For example, 0930/1230
means to NOT allow the Door to be played between 9:30am and 12:30pm.
IMPORTANT: - All times must be 4 digits & must follow the XXXX/YYYY format
- DO NOT change the XXXX/YYYY entry UNLESS you want to assign
a Blackout range.
- You MUST use the MILITARY time format. Example: 2030=8:30pm
0900=9am, 0030=12:30am, 1700=5pm, etc.
NOTE: The deduction values, above, are the default values. The pgm
will check each value to ensure that it is equal to or greater
than the prior value. If it fails the check default values will
be used. If you do change the default values it will be your
reponsibility to edit the LADDERS.INS file and change the
deduction table contained within.
PLAYS Per DAY/DOOR Time
_______________________
Plays Per Day and Door Time can be controlled several ways:
(1) You can use the Games Per Day, singular option, in the config
file above. This option, will affect ALL callers whose Security
Level is NOT defined in any of the 10 optional Security Level/
Plays Per Day entries in the config file.
(2) You can use the Door Time, singular option, in the config file
above. This option, will affect ALL callers whose Security
Level is NOT defined in any of the 10 optional Security Level/
Plays Per Day/Door Time entries in the config file.
(3) You can restrict the number of games a specific Security Level
will be allowed to play per day or REWARD specific Levels with
more Plays Per Day.
Likewise, you can restrict the Play time for a specific Security
Level or REWARD specific Levels with more Door Time.
These options are handled by the use of the 10 config
entries (000=00/00).
The format of each entry is as follows:
XXX=YY/ZZ where XXX is the Security Level (must be 3 digits)
where = is a constant and MUST be included
where YY is the # of games per day (must be 2 digits)
where / is a constant and MUST be included
where ZZ is num. minutes per Door entry (must be 2 digits)
If the callers Security Level is NOT defined, his/her Plays Per
Day and Door Time will be controlled by the values in items
(1) and (2), above, respectively..
You may define up to 10 Security Levels. All unused entries must
be defined as 000=00/00
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Example: Suppose you had 3 Security Levels defined on your BBS as
(20=Subscriber, 30=Visiting Sysop, 40=CoSysop, 90=Friend) and you
wanted to set Plays Per Day as : Subscriber=5
Visiting Sysop=2
CoSysop=3
Friend=10
and Door Time as follows: Subscriber=30 minutes
Visiting Sysop=20 minutes
CoSysop=10 minutes
Friend=remaining call time
You would set the Individual "Games per Day" config entry to 1 and
the individual "Door Time" to 5 minutes (these would be the
default number of games and default Time for all Security Levels
other than 20,30 or 40... make them any number you want). Next you
would replace 4 of the Security Level entries as : 020=05/30
030=02/20
040=03/10
090=10/0
INTER-BBS OPTION
----------------
The Inter-BBS option is used when you are looking for a way to expand the
Ladders Dice competition beyond just running it on your BBS alone. With
this option you can join with any number of other BBS' to create some very
'heated' scoring competition.
The Inter-BBS option has its own High Score file and when High Scores are
displayed, on participating BBS', the name of the BBS on which the score was
obtained will also be displayed. At the end of the month, the Inter-BBS
scores will be reset automatically and a winner will be determined and
displayed as part of the High Score display in the next month.
The Inter-BBS option uses the 'HUB' and 'NODE' concept. The 'HUB' is the
central/controlling BBS to whom all the other BBS' ('NODES') upload/transfer
their score files. The 'HUB' then merges all score files and makes a merged
file available for the 'NODES' to download/transfer.
A separate program is supplied, called INTERBBS. This program will perform
the merging of score files for both the 'HUB' and 'NODE' and generate updated
score files. INTERBBS can be run as many times as you wish. We recommend that,
if at all possible, the 'HUB' run INTERBBS several times during a 24 hour
period to process uploaded 'NODE' score files. This will allow the 'NODES' to
generate the maximum competition on their systems as possible. All files used
by INTERBBS MUST be in the Ladders Dice directory.
To run INTERBBS as a 'HUB' use: INTERBBS LADDERS LADDERS.CFG HUB
To run INTERBBS as a 'NODE' use: INTERBBS LADDERS LADDERS.CFG
You must also change the Inter-BBS parameter in the Ladders Dice configuration
file. This parameter is a UNIQUE 3-digit identifier. The BBS functioning as
the 'HUB', should control who gets what number to avoid duplicate numbers
being used. Duplicate numbers will result in some BBS' scores not being
reflected in the merged score file. We recommend that the 'HUB' use 001 and
the 'NODES' use 002-999.
INTERBBS will create a LADDERS0.xxx file (where xxx is the 3-digit identifier
you supplied in the CFG file). When you run as a 'HUB' it will read ALL
LADDERS0.xxx files that it finds in the LADDERS directory. It will delete ALL
LADDERS0.xxx files after processing them and will create a LADDERS0.001 file
(combined score file; assuming 'HUB' is using the 001 identifier) that you
must make available for the 'NODES' to download/transfer. When running as
a 'NODE' INTERBBS will only import one (1) LADDERS0.xxx file so be sure to
delete ALL LADDERS0.xxx files from the LADDERS directory, AFTER sending to
your 'HUB'.
The High Scorer of the month is determined when the 'HUB' runs INTERBBS for
the FIRST time on the 1st of the new month. This is VERY IMPORTANT to
remember!! If you are the 'HUB' you MUST be sure to run INTERBBS on the 1st
of the month, but at the same time giving the 'NODES' ample time to
upload/transfer their score files. Once you have run INTERBBS on the 1st,
INTERBBS will reject ALL prior month entries. We suggest that 'NODES' run
INTERBBS as soon after MIDNIGHT, on the last day of the month, as possible,
and that 'HUBS' run INTERBBS as late as they can on the 1st, thus giving
'NODES' ample time to get the files to the 'HUB'.
In order to ensure some level of fairness, certain Ladders Dice configuration
parameters MUST be the same for ALL participating BBS' The following CFG
parameters are affected:
Line 6: Maximum games per day
Line 14: Number of Ladders to complete to Accumulate points
Line 15: Points deduction .. See Ladders Doc
thru
Line 25: Points deduction .. See Ladders Doc
Line 28: Allow Sysops to play 99 games/day
The 'HUB' should set the values for each of the above and convey the settings
to ALL nodes. If the values on the 'NODE' do not agree with the 'HUB' values,
the uploaded file will be rejected.
INTERBBS.LOG will contain information about each INTERBBS session. You are
advised to check this file regularly to ensure that the Inter-BBS option
is functioning properly.
Sample 'HUB' Batch file:
------------------------
Rem Copy uploaded LADDERS0.xxx files from the Upload area(s) to LADDERS directory
COPY C:\BBS\UPLOAD\LADDERS0.* C:\LADDERS
DEL C:\BBS\UPLOAD\LADDERS0.*
COPY C:\FIDO\FILES\LADDERS0.* C:\LADDERS
DEL C:\FIDO\FILES\LADDERS0.*
Rem Process ALL "NODE' files
CD\LADDERS
INTERBBS LADDERS LADDERS.CFG HUB
Rem Copy LADDERS0.001 to file area(s) that 'NODES' can download from
COPY LADDERS0.001 C:\BBS\DOWNLOAD
COPY LADDERS0.001 C:\FIDO\FILES
Sample 'NODE' Batch file:
------------------------
Rem Copy LADDERS0.001 file from the Upload area to LADDERS directory
COPY C:\BBS\UPLOAD\LADDERS0.001 C:\LADDERS
DEL C:\BBS\UPLOAD\LADDERS0.*
COPY C:\FIDO\FILES\LADDERS0.* C:\LADDERS
DEL C:\FIDO\FILES\LADDERS0.*
Rem Process "HUB' file
CD\LADDERS
INTERBBS LADDERS LADDERS.CFG
Rem Copy LADDERS0.xxx (XXX=NODES ID #) to a file area in preparation for
Rem uploading to the 'HUB'
COPY C:\LADDERS\LADDERS0.xxx C:\BBS\DOWNLOAD
IMPORTANT: If Door is NOT registered, ALL player's names that originate
from the BBS running the unregistered Door, will be displayed
as "** Door Unregistered **". As soon as the Door is
registered the player's name will be displayed.
NON-STANDARD COM SUPPORT
________________________
Support for COM 1-4 on the standard IRQ's - COM1/COM3 = IRQ4 and
COM2/COM4 = IRQ3. If you wish to use a non-standard IRQ, add the IRQ
number after the configuration filename. Let's assume your Door is
called FOOBAR and you want to use COM1 and IRQ5. The command line
passed to your Door would be:
FOOBAR FOOBAR.CFG /5
The /5 tells FOOBAR to use IRQ5 rather than the standard IRQ4 that is
normally used with COM1. No /x parameter is needed for the standard
IRQ's.
As an alternative, you may use an environmental variable on the command
line. To use the variable (following the example above), place a
SET IRQ=5 in the batch file used to bring up your BBS (you would need a
different IRQ number for each node). The command line would now look
like this:
FOOBAR FOOBAR.CFG /%IRQ%
This, in combination with the use of the environmental variables
described in the MULTI-NODE SETUP section will allow you to use one
batch file and one config file to run this door on all nodes.
MULTI-NODE SETUP
________________
All Sunrise Doors are Multi-Node capable. Each node must have the
ability to access a configuration file which will have its own system
file (DORINFOx.DEF, PCBOARD.SYS, DOOR.SYS, etc) defined on the first
line. There are 2 ways to accomplish this:
(1) Create a separate configuration file for each node. The only
difference between each file would be the location of the system
file for that particular node. For example, on my system there are 2
nodes and the first line of the config files would look like this:
NODE1: H:\PCB1\DOOR.SYS
NODE2: H:\PCB2\DOOR.SYS
Thus, if you have a 4 node BBS, you will need 4 configuration files.
(2) Use ONE configuration file for ALL nodes. This Door will recognize
the following PCBoard environmental variables:
PCBDIR (Directory containing the System file)
PCBDRIVE (Drive containing the System file)
Thus, the first line of the SINGLE configuration file, for this Door
would look like this:
%PCBDRIVE%%PCBDIR%\DOOR.SYS
NOTE: This option, as described, assumes that you are running PCBoard
14.5a software. The environmental variables are automatically
created by the software for each node.
HOWEVER, if you are running other BBS software you should be able
to set the variables EXACTLY as described below, for EACH node
(more than likely in each batch file you use to bring up EACH node):
PCBDRIVE=C:
^^^^^^^^^
PCBDIR=\NODE2
^^^^^^^^
Info with a carat (^) under it, MUST be typed as is. The rest
depends on your naming conventions.
This, in combination with the use of the optional environmental
variable described in the NON-STANDARD COM SUPPORT section, will
allow you to use one batch file and one config file to run this
door on all nodes.
ADOPT-A-DOOR
____________
Having been a Sysop for a number of years, I have had my share of problems
and frustrations getting financial support for my board's upkeep. A fellow
Sysop left a message on my board, not long ago, about a concept that was
being used by several boards around the country.
The concept, ADOPT-A-DOOR, allows a caller to register (ADOPT) a door. It
would be the same as sending in a donation, only this way it is earmarked
for registering a particular door. In a way, the user feels he/she is
"getting something in return". As a Door author I have decided to build
this concept into each of my Door programs. The concept replaces the
usual message "tell the Sysop to register this Door" we find in most
doors.
If the Door is unregisterd then a message appears on the opening screen
to that effect. After finishing or suspending a game, a message screen
is displayed about the ADOPT-A-DOOR concept. The message also tells the
caller to contact the Sysop to find out if there is any further details
to the ADOPT-A-DOOR concept. Some Sysops give extra D/L time, online
time, etc to callers that ADOPT-A-DOOR.
If the Door has been registered, either by the Sysop or other callers,
the names of those contributors will be displayed in the closing screen.
NOTE: If you want to display the names of the callers that contributed
to registering the Door, you must create an ASCII file called
ADOPT.SYS. You create it with an Editor or Word Processor. Enter
the name(s) of the contributors (one on each line, maximum of 5
entries, each a maximum of 30 characters long). This file must be
saved, in ASCII format, and placed in the Door directory.
LEGALITIES
__________
THIS SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS ARE DISTRIBUTED "AS IS"
WITHOUT WARRANTY, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANYONE INVOLVED WITH
THE CREATION AND PRODUCTION OF THIS PRODUCT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT,
SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF ANY USE THEREOF
OR BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY.
DISTRIBUTION
____________
You may make this file available for downloading from your BBS or you may
upload it to any BBS of your choice, provided that you do not make any
changes to the contents of the archive (ZIP file). The archive and its
individual contents may not be used by any service that charges any money
whatsoever, without the written permission of the author.
REGISTRATION
____________
Registration and the subsequent insertion of the registration number into
your configuation file, allows for the display of your BBS name on the
opening and closing screen as well as the reduction of a delay built into
the opening screen display along with the ability to change certain
values in the configuration file.
To register your copy of LADDERS, please fill out the registration form
(REGISTER.FRM) and mail it along with registration fee to
the name and address on the form.
Once a door is registered, any changes to registration information (Sysop
name or BBS Name) will require the doors to be re-registered at the
registration fee in effect at that time.
Be sure to use the proper upper/lower case when filling in your name and
BBS name, as they MUST match the way you entered them in the configuration
file. ^^^^
Based upon information supplied on the registration form, I will pre-
register you on my BBS. You will then be able to call SUNRISE-80 and pick
up your registration number.
MISC
____
The latest version of LADDERS Dice and other fine SUNRISE DOOR programs
are always available for download from SUNRISE-80 BBS.
Remember, should you have any problems, questions or suggestions, be sure
to drop me a message on Sunrise-80 or you can reach me through the
PCRELAY/RIME network in the BBS Doors, Sysops, PCBHints or through a R/O
to ->SUNRISE
