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TRADERS.DOC
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1991-07-22
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***************************************
* TRADERS.DOC *
* (C) Copyright 1991 Bill Rathbone *
* All Rights Reserved *
***************************************
Welcome Traders...
This program is a utility for use with "Trade Wars 2002"
which is a "door" game, written by ...
Gary & Mary Ann Martin (C) Copyright 1990,1991
Brought to you by Martech Software, Inc. (tm)
Support BBS's (913) 842-0300 & (913) 832-0248
...and is an excellent piece of software which has captivated me
for hours on end while logged onto my favorite BBS (User to User,
Dallas 214-492-6565 or 214-492-5695).
The TRADERS utility was written from the "Trade Wars 2002" players
point of view and is designed to help in the collection and
organization of information you are bombarded with during the game.
Each time you move from sector to sector, the information that is
presented will vary from simply the sector number and a list of
available warps, to ports, beacons, planets, traders, aliens,
ferrengi, mines, fighters etc. In addition, you have information
such as Trader and Alien rankings and personal information
concerning your ship, holds, optional equipment, credits, shields,
fighters etc. This program will process all of the information
into an organized print-out that you can use when you're online
playing the game.
INSTRUCTIONS (SHORT VERSION):
******************************
This section is for those users who can't stand to read
documentation!
To start from scratch, play Trade Wars 2002 with 'Session
Capture' ON. In Qmodem the command is CTRL-HOME; this will create
a text file in the Qmodem directory called CAPTURE.CAP.
Run INITDATA to create the main file, then run TWUPDATE to read the
CAPTURE.CAP file and extract the useful information. Next run
TRADERS. Select 'A' from the main menu to analyze the information
and create your PLAY SHEET. Then select 'P' (Print/View Play sheet)
from the main menu and it's done! If you have notes you've been
collecting you can enter them using the Edit/Update function.
I recommend you create a separate directory for 'TRADERS'
files since it may occupy approximately 500 KB of your hard drive.
You will need to copy (or move) the CAPTURE.CAP file to this directory.
HINTS:
******
Holographic Scanners and EtherSpace Probes are well worth their
cost now, since all the information they gather will be put to good
use. Density scanners are basically worth what you pay for them!
Take note, when reading the Class A, B, C, and Other port list,
if the combination is not listed twice (example 1 to 2 AND 2 to 1)
then it has NOT been determined that you can warp both ways!!
When using EtherSpace Probes, use your ships 'C' computer's 'F'
command to test the distance between where you are launching the
probes and their destination. Compare the warps, with your Known
Universe on the PLAY SHEET and search for destinations that yield
maximum knowledge!
THE PLAY SHEET
**************
The PLAY SHEET is the final output of the TRADERS System. After
displaying the header with the copyright notice, it begins with the
Star Dock Location, followed by the three (3) Class 0 port
locations, if known.
Next, a listing of 'Fortified' Sectors, which is any sector that
contained fighters and/or mines.
The next three category require some explanation.
They are:
Class A trading port combo's
Class B trading port combo's
Class C trading port combo's
A Class A trading port combo is defined as two adjoining ports,
one of which is buying Organics and selling Equipment, and the
other is selling Organics and buying Equipment. This combination
usually yields the fastest rate of net credits growth, thus the
title Class A.
A Class B trading port combo is defined as two adjoining ports,
one of which is buying fuel ore and selling Equipment, and the
other is selling fuel ore and buying Equipment. This combination
usually yield the second fastest net rate of credits growth, thus
the title Class B.
A Class C trading port combo is defined as two adjoining ports,
one of which is buying fuel ore and selling Organics, and the other
is selling fuel ore and buying Organics. This combination usually
yield the third fastest net rate of credits growth, thus the title
Class C.
These three categories are followed by a 'Listing of other
adjoining ports' which is a listing of all side by side ports that
were not listed in one of the first three lists.
The next listing is of all known ports and their sector numbers
(NOTE: this list is written two across).
All known planets and the sector number where they are located
are listed next. Next is list of any trader (other then
yourself) who's have been spotted in your travels. Depending on the
length of the traders name, this listing usually includes the
amount of fighters the trader had with him when spotted.
A similar listing follows with sightings of Aliens and Ferrengi.
Next a general listing of all known sectors (Your Known
Universe) is written 4 across.
The next 3 listings may or may not be on your play sheet. The
first two are listings of 'Evil' traders and 'Evil' aliens and
their ship types. These will only appear if during your game play
you viewed the 'Ranking Traders' and the 'Ranking Aliens' screens
from your ship's computer. Remember, these must be listed according
to 'V'alue not 'T'itle for this function to work properly! The
third and final listing is a copy of the 'I'nformation display
called from the main command prompt. This includes your alignment,
points, rank, and various ship information.
The PLAY SHEET ends with a wish of good luck and a friendly
reminder to register.
****************************************************************
****************************************************************
THE INSTRUCTIONS IN DETAIL
**************************
BASIC PROCESS:
**************
Three (3) EXE files form the TRADERS System:
INITDATA.EXE
TWUPDATE.EXE
TRADERS.EXE
INITDATA.EXE - This file creates the TRADEWAR.DAT Database
file which stores various information on the 1000 sectors in your
Trade war Universe. It is only run once, for each game.
TWUPDATE.EXE - This file reads the session capture text file
of your game play and sorts and organizes the information into
a useful format.
TRADERS.EXE - This is the main program and is used to view,
print, update, edit, etc the information collected by TWUPDATE, but
the biggest function performed is the preparation of the PLAY
SHEET. The Play Sheet is the end result of a multi-level
analysis and collection of all the information available
into a simple to read, ready to use complete report of
your universe.
CONVENTIONS:
************
Any screen that offers a choice of functions can be handled
in any of the following ways:
1. Click on your selection using your mouse.
2. Tab between function boxes to your selection,
when selection is 'current' hit ENTER.
3. Use the assigned 'HOT KEY'. Hot keys are single
letters that when pressed will make the selection.
Hot keys will be highlight in a different color,
example...'O' for ' OK ' or 'P' for ' Print'.
During the course of this document the phrase 'Click' will serve
to mean any of the above methods of selection.
INITDATA.EXE:
**************
This program should only be run once for each game being tracked!
(If more then one game is being tracked at one time it will be
necessary to maintain a second sub-directory and a second copy of
the TRADERS files.) When you run the INITDATA program you will be
presented with an opening screen which will tell you of the
impending file creation and give you an estimate of the size. Click
'OK' , to advance to the main screen which will present you with
additional information and present you with a choice to CONTINUE ?.
This prompt must be answered with either a 'Y' for Yes or 'N' for
No. No, will terminate the program and return you to DOS without
further action. Yes, will begin the creation of the main database
file TRADEWAR.DAT, which will store information of the 1000 sectors
contained in your current TRADE WARS 2002 universe. Once the file
is created, this program will end and will no longer be used for
the duration of your game.
TWUPDATE.EXE:
*************
This program will read your CAPTURE.CAP file and gather various
bits of information as it finds them. (NOTE: It is not necessary to
do any prepping of the CAPTURE.CAP file, since TWUPDATE will simply
ignore any misc lines, like the ansi screens etc...) This
information will be stored in your main database file TRADEWAR.DAT.
( Also if available within your capture file, TWUPDATE will extract
your user Information ( Command from maim prompt: I ) and save to
a separate file, USERINFO.DAT. Evil traders information will be
stored in a file 'BADGUYS.DAT' if you have viewed the 'Ranking
Traders...' screen from your onboard computer during game play.
( From the main command prompt type 'C L V' NOTE: Don't let the
[PAUSE] stay on screen too long...) Also, evil aliens will be
tracked in a file named 'BADALIEN.DAT' if the 'Ranking Aliens...'
screen has been viewed ( Commands from main prompt 'C H V') NOTE:
You must list these screen by V for Values, not T for Titles).
When completed, TWUPDATE will inform you how may files in the main
database were updated and will then terminate.
TRADERS.EXE:
************
This is the main program, from here you can perform a variety of
functions with the main database, the PLAY SHEET and with this
documentation file. When run, the opening screen will present you
with a reminder that this is the third file in the TRADERS
trilogy and offer you two selections, Continue and Exit. Clicking
EXIT will terminate the program and return you to DOS; clicking
CONTINUE will present you with the main menu, shown below, from
which all other functions can be called.
╔═══════════════════════════════════╗
║ Traders v1.0 Main Menu ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Introduction ║
║ Enter/Update Sectors ║
║ Analyze/Prepare Play Sheet ║
║ Print/View Play Sheet ║
║ View Sector(s) by Number ║
║ Printing the Documentation ║
║ Registration Information ║
║ ║
║ Quit ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════╝
NOTE: A brief description of each Menu Item will be displayed at
the bottom of the screen.
Following is a description of each Menu Item in order:
╔═══════════════╗
║ INTRODUCTION: ║
╚═══════════════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing I,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection displays in a scrollable window an introduction
letter for you to view and read. After reading this once (or so)
this menu item will serve no further purpose.
╔═══════════════════════╗
║ ENTER/UPDATE SECTORS: ║
╚═══════════════════════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing E,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection allows you to modify the information stored in
your database sector by sector. A pop-up window will contain a
blank sector form with the cursor at the 'SECTOR NUMBER' field.
Enter any sector number from 1 to 1000 and press ENTER.
Immediately, the contents of that sector record will be shown in
the sector form. You may now edit this record with your new
information, pressing ENTER at any field you wish to leave
unchanged. After the final field has been edited you will be asked
to CONFIRM SAVE ? before the actual database is updated. Pressing
ENTER, without entering 'Y' or 'N' will be the same as answering no
and the changes will be discarded and you will return to the
main menu. 'Y' (for yes) will save the new sector information to
the database, before returning you to the main menu.
╔═════════════════════════════╗
║ ANALYZE/PREPARE PLAY SHEET: ║
╚═════════════════════════════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing A,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection presents you with a brief message telling you that
this process may take some time and offers two choices,
Continue and Exit. EXIT will return you to the main menu without
preparing your PLAY SHEET. CONTINUE will begin the analytical
process, which includes the reading and sorting of various bits of
information. Each step creates a temporary file to store its
findings. The entire process will create 17 files; as each
step occurs, you will be kept informed with screen messages.
After the data is processed, this function will begin to create
your PLAY SHEET; once completed, you will be prompted to press
ENTER to begin a quick clean up procedure which will delete the 17
temporary files, after which pressing ENTER again will return you
to the main menu.
╔════════════════════════╗
║ PRINT/VIEW PLAY SHEET: ║
╚════════════════════════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing P,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection presents you with a prompt window, giving you
some brief information and offering 3 selections, VIEW, EXIT and
PRINT. VIEW will be active and can be selected by simply pressing
ENTER. This will present you with a scrollable window containing
the PLAY SHEET which you may read by using the arrow keys. This
window can also by moved or resized. Pressing ESCAPE will return
you to the main menu.
Choosing EXIT in the prompt window will return you to the main
menu. Choosing PRINT will immediately send the PLAY SHEET file
to your printer (NOTE: Be sure your printer is ready to go!)
The average PLAY SHEET is 3-4 pages long but will grow as the
game advances! You should have this print out in hand the next
time you play TRADE WARS 2002. The individual items on
the play sheet will be discussed in more detail after the menu
section of this document.
╔═══════════════════════════╗
║ VIEW SECTOR(S) BY NUMBER: ║
╚═══════════════════════════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing V,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection, using a pop-up window, will prompt you for a
sector number; enter a number from 1 to 1000 and the complete
sector record will be displayed (Similar to the Enter/Update
function but without editor functions.) You will also be
prompted ANOTHER ?; pressing ENTER is the same as YES and you
will be prompted for the next sector number. 'N' (for no) will
return you to the main menu. At the ANOTHER ? prompt you may enter
a valid sector number between 1 and 1000 and bypass the next prompt.
╔═════════════════════════════╗
║ PRINTING THE DOCUMENTATION: ║
╚═════════════════════════════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing D,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection will present you with a prompt window with a short
message and 3 selections, VIEW, EXIT and PRINT. These functions are
exactly like the ones in the 'Print/View PLAY SHEET' menu item,
except they deal with this file 'TRADERS.DOC'. Your choices and
options are the same.
╔═══════════════════════════╗
║ REGISTRATION INFORMATION: ║
╚═══════════════════════════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing R,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection presents you with a pop-up window that
contains a short message on registering this program and the
address to send your register form to. ( Please use the
REGISTER.FRM provided.)
╔═══════╗
║ QUIT: ║
╚═══════╝
Can be selected by: Clicking with mouse,
Pressing Q,
Highlight using arrow keys and press ENTER.
This selection will terminate the program and return you to DOS.
You may also simply press ESCAPE to exit the program.
******************************************************************
SHAREWARE NOTICE:
******************
This program is result of many, many hours, days, weeks of
programming time and is distributed as Shareware which means that
this is not a 'crippled' version, but a fully-operational program
that you may use for an evaluation period of 10 days. If you use
it past this evaluation period, you are expected to register your
copy with the author. Registration cost $15.00 U.S. funds.
You are encouraged to share these files with others and to upload
an unmodified copy of the TRADERS.ZIP file to other BBS Systems.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
********************
The TRADERS program was written using TURBO PASCAL 6.0 on
a 286 clone, running DOS 5.0, with 4 megs of ram, and a VGA
monitor. At the time of the initial release of this program, this
is the only system it has been tested on. If you experience
problems on your system please notify me immediately, at the
above BBS!
DISCLAIMER:
***********
Your use of these programs is completely at your own risk, and the
author assumes no responsibility of any kind.
Enjoy the game!
*****************************************************************
*****************************************************************