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Wildcat Gold - The Optical BBS (The Golden ROM Series)(Volume 4 Number 1)(The Digital Publishing Company)(1992).ISO
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1990-06-25
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351 lines
<< Buccaneer >>
Version 1.01 <FREEWARE>
Version 2.01 <REGISTERED>
+-------------------------+
| Cross Connect Software |
| P.O. Box 131 |
| Wheelersburg, OH 45694 |
+-------------------------+
| Copyright 1990 by |
| Alan Graff |
+-------------------------+
Versions 1.00 through 1.99 of BUCCANEER are issued as FREEWARE. Author
retains all benefits of copyright. Author grants all persons license to
copy and distribute versions 1.00 through 1.99 subject to the following
restrictions and limitations:
1. All original documentation must accompany the program. The author's
text may not be altered, but permission is granted to others to append
minor comments regarding program operation. Appended comments are not
to exceed 20 lines and must refer to operation of the program rather than
personal comments or advertisements. Appended comments must be signed,
dated and clearly separated from the author's original text.
2. Removal of author's comments and/or credits from the compiled program
or support files is prohibited.
3. No charge is to be made for freeware versions of BUCCANEER software over
and above just and reasonable fees for copying, distribution, postage
and/or handling costs. In no case shall more than a total of $2.50 (US)
be charged for the freeware versions of BUCCANEER software. If you
are offering BUCCANEER as a downloadable file on data system which
requires membership fee or charges for online time, said fees are not
considered to be a part of the aforementioned charges; however in this
case, no further charge may be levied for access to the data.
4. FREEWARE versions of BUCCANEER will be numbered 1.00 through 1.99. Any
version numbered 2.00 or higher is a REGISTERED version and is not to be
copied by anyone other than the originally registered owner for use on
their own system. The registered version of BUCCANEER is only available
from the author. Versions obtained from any other source are considered
to be illegal copies in violation of U.S. copyright law.
What BUCCANEER is
-----------------
BUCCANEER is a game door written for QuickBBS. It permits users to
roam about on a 13x13 grid, attacking each other and treasure ships.
For full details on the rules and how the game is played, read the
file BUCK.HLP.
Running BUCCANEER
-----------------
The setup and operation of BUCCANEER is pretty straight forward,
so this documentation file has been kept pretty sparse. If you run
into problems with the setup of Buccaneer, let me know at one of
the addresses listed later. I will endeavor to help you as much as
is practical, but I think it's fair to warn you that registered owners
of BUCCANEER will get more assistance than non-registered users.
ATTENTION!!!
=====================================================================
Records from version 1.00 are not compatible with later versions.
The files BUCK.CFG and BUCK.USR must be upgraded if you are upgrading
from version 1.00. More details on this later....
=====================================================================
The files needed to run BUCCANEER are:
@ BUCKFREE.EXE (Main program - Freeware version)
* BUCKREG.EXE (Main program - Registered version)
BUCK.HLP (Rules of the game)
BUCK.CFG (Configuration file)
BUCK.ANS (ANSI welcome screen)
* BUCKEDIT.EXE (User editor)
@ BUCKDEMO.EXE (Crippled version of BUCKEDIT.EXE)
BUCKOUT.EXE (Manual user remover)
* BUCKKILL.EXE (Automatic user remover)
BUCKLOC.BAT (Sample batch file for running the game in local mode)
BUCKUP.EXE (Auto upgrade for version 1.00 BUCK.USR file)
Also included in the archive with Buccaneer should be:
BUCK.DOC (Sysop's manual (This file))
@ REGISTER.DOC (Order form for Registered version)
The program will create several support files the first time it is run
and will update them periodically. These files are:
BUCK.DAY (Daily maintenance data)
BUCK.USR (User data)
BUCK.LOG (Ship's log)
BUCK.POT (Current lottery value)
BUCKKING.SCO (Last month's high score)
BUCKHIGH.ASC (Current high score data file)
BUCKSHIP.DAT (Data on ship locations)
(* = Included with registered versions only)
(@ = Included with freeware versions only)
Most of the files are self-explanatory, for those that are not, here
are a few comments on them:
BUCKFREE.EXE
BUCKREG.EXE
These are the main program. Run them from QBBS with a type 7 or 15
command. They may also be run independently. You must first create a
dummy exit information file by exiting from your BBS in local mode
from a type 7 or 15 menu that does not reboot the BBS. Rename the
file DORINFO1.DEF to "BUCKLOC.DEF". Now you may play the game from
the DOS prompt by typing "BUCKLOC". Depending on where your game
program is located, you may have to edit BUCKLOC.BAT to include a
directory change or something of that nature.
BUCKUP.EXE
Those of you who ran version 1.00 (sorry about all those bugs) will
need to run BUCKUP.EXE once in your main game directory to update the
user records to be compatible with this version. Once this has been
done you may delete BUCKUP.EXE. Your original user records are saved
as a backup file until you are sure the transfer has been successful.
Delete the backup file BUCKUSR.BAK when you are satisfied all is going
as it should.
BUCK.CFG
Sysops who ran version 1.00 should revise their copy of this file to
the new format.
This file tells the main program where things are located and sets some
of the user configurable variables in the registered version. You should
edit BUCK.CFG using an ASCII text editor to reflect your system setup.
A sample file with comments is included to help understand the correct
format of this file. If a BUCK.CFG file does not exist BUCCANEER will
try to create one using default values.
BUCK.LOG
This file is straight ASCII text that contains events of interest to
the players about their opponents recent activity. This is a
self-maintaining file that limits itself to 100 lines. It may be
altered with any ASCII text editor if needed.
BUCKEDIT.EXE
Registered users should put BUCKEDIT.EXE in the same directory as
BUCKREG.EXE so that they may access it from inside the program. More
about this file later....
BUCKOUT.EXE
This is a manual user killer which must be run from the DOS prompt
in the same directory as BUCK.USR. Simply enter the REAL NAME
of the user you wish to remove when prompted and their record will
be purged.
BUCKKILL.EXE
This utility requires an integer parameter between 1 and 365 to
determine how many days a player may be inactive before being
removed. Run BUCKKILL during your daily maintenance activities
in the same directory that BUCK.USR resides.
Example, "BUCKKILL 30" (without the quote marks) will remove all
players from the records who have not played in the last 30 days.
Disclaimer
----------
I have tested BUCCANEER on a Laser Turbo XT with 640 KB RAM running
QuickBBS and have found no serious flaws in the program. If you run
across one, please contact me so that it may be corrected in the next
version. If you have any suggestions on how BUCCANEER could be
improved, they are also welcome. I will try to incorporate any sug-
gestions that seem practical in the next version. Improvements will
first appear in the registered version. Depending on their nature,
they may or may not be filtered down to the freeware versions.
I have done my best to debug this program. To my knowledge it should
not cause undue harm to any system if operated according to these
instructions. Alan Graff and/or Cross Connect Software will not be
held responsible for loss of data or damage to software or hardware
that might be caused by the operation of this program.
About SHAREWARE/FREEWARE/REGISTERED/TRADEWARE designations
----------------------------------------------------------
Shareware:
As a sysop (or prospective sysop) who downloaded this program, I am
certain that you are by now aware of what SHAREWARE is. I won't bore
you with the details. Anyway, this program is not shareware.
Freeware:
Versions 1.00 thru 1.99 of this program are FREEWARE. This means you
are free to use them with no obligation whatsoever of registration with
the author. Enjoy.
Registered:
The REGISTERED version (available for $10 from the author) is labeled
Version 2.00 or higher. The registered version appears almost identical
to the players, but includes extensive sysop utilities to give you
better control of the game. Distribution of the registered version by
anyone other than the author or his representatives is a violation of
U.S.Copyright laws.
Tradeware:
If you are a software author with legitimate shareware or registered
programs in distribution, you may also apply for a waiver of the cost
of the REGISTERED version in exchange for a copy of the REGISTERED
version of one of your programs. Send a 5.25" DSDD floppy with your
REGISTERED program along with the registration form included in this
archive and a registered copy of BUCCANEER will be returned to you
after your program is reviewed. Please, no rip-off programs...if
your program isn't worth registering, don't expect me to send you
a registered version of BUCCANEER...your disk will be returned.
QBBS utilities and doors are prefered, but all types of programs will
be considered.
Options available on the REGISTERED version.
--------------------------------------------
The registered version of this game plays the same as the freeware
version, but includes the program file BUCKEDIT.EXE, a multi-function
user editor/creator which may be accessed while online either during
game play or as a stand-alone door. Although the freeware version
also permits you to shell to DOS, it runs BUCKDEMO.EXE instead, a
demonstration of BUCKEDIT which does NOT save changes to disk.
The registered version also permits you to set the cost of certain
items, the number of turns per day and the security level for the
"cheat" switch. These items are specified in the file BUCK.CFG.
Finally, the registered version includes BUCKKILL.EXE, an automatic
user remover that deletes inactive players after a specified number
of days.
Registration is $10 or tradeware exchange. See above for further info
on the tradeware concept.
About BUCKEDIT and BUCKDEMO
---------------------------
The comments about BUCKEDIT.EXE below also apply to BUCKDEMO.EXE
except that BUCKDEMO does not save changes to the disk.
BUCKEDIT.EXE should be placed in the same directory as BUCKREG.EXE.
When you answer "Y" to the cheat option at log-in, you will have an
extra line on the main menu labeled "*> BUCKEDIT (Sysop Utilities)"
which will shell out of the game and run BUCKEDIT. While in BUCKEDIT
you may change any of the game variables including player data, the
spanish armada data and treasure ship data. You may also create new
players. BUCKEDIT will currently not permit you to delete players,
that's scheduled for the next version. You'll have to use BUCKOUT
or BUCKKILL for the present time.
Changes made and saved while in BUCKEDIT will become effective as
soon as you return to the game in progress. No changes made with
BUCKEDIT are mentioned in the "Ship's Log".
The menu of BUCKEDIT is pretty straight-forward, I don't think much
explanation is needed. Just play around with it a little bit and I
think you'll get the hang of it.
If you get the message "DOS ERROR" when you try to use BUCKEDIT while
online, it may mean you do not have sufficient memory available. If
you have been using a type 7 menu exit, you may want to try a type 15.
If this does not help, you will need to install additional RAM memory.
This program was tested on an XT compatible with 640K RAM and had
no problems with a type 7 exit in using BUCKEDIT from inside the game.
BUCKEDIT may also be configured as a stand-alone menu item using a type
7 or 15 exit. Remember that BUCKEDIT must be located in the same direc-
tory as BUCK.USR to be able to access player records.
To operate BUCKEDIT from the DOS prompt, type "BUCKEDIT L" (without
the quotes [of course]) and press enter.
Things to come
--------------
Some of the things I hope to be able to add in future versions of
BUCCANEER:
User info display for sysop while user is online.
Hotkey menus.
Online chat.
Twit switch.
Sysop definable flags to lock out certain functions.
On-screen display of user's variables while using BUCKEDIT.
Whether these changes are made or not depends largely on the
continued popularity of BUCCANEER. Thanks to everyone who has
called about it so far!
Parting comments & credits
--------------------------
BUCCANEER was written by Alan Graff, sysop of Cross Connect BBS.
Cross Connect has been online continuously (more or less) since
Sept. 1988. Cross Connect logs over 4000 calls per year.
Thanks to:
Linda Adams, Paul Adams, Jack Freeland, Don Peart and Al Reed
for being my early victims during tests on Cross Connect;
John Parlin for writing JPDOOR, without which the I/O would not
have been possible; and God for giving me the talent to be able
to write this program in the first place.
BUCCANEER was written and compiled in Turbo Pascal 5.5. and uses
JPDoor 2.4 (registered) for fossil and QBBS interface operations.
Buccaneer (c) 1990 by Alan Graff
Turbo Pascal 5.5 (c) 1983, 1989 by Borland International, Inc.
JPDoor 2.4 (c) 1989,1990 by John Parlin.
QuickBBS, QBBS (c) 1990 by QuickBBS Group, Inc. and/or Ultimate
Software Technologies, Inc.
Blatant plug
------------
CROSS CONNECT BBS (614) 776-7136
24 hour operation
Communication parameters: 8-N-1
Support of 300, 1200 and 2400 baud.
Minimum of 1200 baud required for downloads.
Long Distance callers should pre-register by sending a SASE to:
Cross Connect Software
LD Registration
P.O. Box 131
Wheelersburg, OH 45694
I will return a full-access password for you to use.
I may be contacted via GEnie at A.GRAFF1, but don't expect a quick reply,
since it's a long distance call for me.
REGISTERED SYSTEMS
------------------
Reg# BBS PHONE BBS Name & location
---- ------------- -------------------
0001 (614)776-7136 [A] Cross Connect BBS, Wheelersburg, OH
0002 (612)938-4301 [T] City Terminal BBS, Hopkins, MN
0003 (414)796-8408 [T] TopSoft Support BBS, Brookfield, WI
0004 (???)???-???? [?] Your BBS could be here! Register today!
BUCCANEER History
----------------
<<= FREEWARE VERSIONS =>>
Beta version - April ??, 1990 - Not released for distribution.
Version 1.00 - April 27, 1990 - First freeware release.
Version 1.01 - June 25, 1990 - Second freeware release.
1.01a - June 25, 1990 - Buckdemo inability to pick new
user bug fixed.
<<= REGISTERED VERSIONS =>>
Version 2.01 - June 23, 1990 - First registered release.
2.01a - June 25, 1990 - Buckedit inability to run from
subdirectory bug fixed.
End of original documentation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------