100 Great Kid's Games 1/100_KIDS_GA.ISO/programs/matchem/readme.txt

Text File | 1995-04-01 | 8KB | 204 lines

                         Matchem 1.1
                      SparTech Software

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Matchem 1.1!

Matchem is a colorful board game where the object of the
game is to match all the pieces on the game playing board
(similar to the card game `Concentration').

Some of the features included in Matchem are...
-  Interchangeable `Picture Packs' for greater variety
-  User selectable Game Piece graphic types (Letters,
   Numbers, Shapes, Colors, graphical pictures, or any
   combination of graphic types)
-  User selectable number of game pieces
-  Colorful visual indicators of your games progress
   (gauges, status bar) - you select the gauges you wish to
   display
-  Game Timer feature (try to beat the clock!)
-  Matching game piece hints
-  User selectable `click' setting
-  Password protected Parental Control feature
-  Full context-sensitive online help
-  Unique Matchem Distribution Incentive Program which
   could earn you a FREE registered version of Matchem
-  Visual game statistics upon completion of game
-  Colorful animation sequences
-  Large Button Bar to allow children to easily select
   common game settings.


The game environment is highly customizable allowing the
player to specify settings such as the type of game piece
graphic, number of game pieces to place on the board, game
timer limits, suppression of various messages, gauges, etc.

Unique features such as the Parental Control feature, Game
Hints, and interchangeable graphics 'Picture Packs'
(additional Picture Packs available from SparTech Software)
also add to the game playing experience.

The game playing surface features a large button bar,
colorful graphics, and humorous animation making it
especially attractive to small children.  And the ability to
initiate a 'timed game' with a variable number of game
pieces will provide a challenging game playing environment
for older players.

Complete online help is available via the Help menu option,
context sensitive help, or by clicking on the Matchem logo
(found on most screens).


MINIMUM MACHINE REQUIREMENTS

Hardware
386-XX
4-MEG RAM
VGA
Windows 3.1

Disk Space (Windows Control Files and VBRUN300.DLL will not
be installed if they are already present on your system).
Matchem Files          - 600K
Windows Control Files  - 300K
VBRUN300.DLL           - 400K


INSTALLATION - PLEASE READ

NOTE:  Matchem requires the Visual Basic run time module
VBRUN300.DLL.  If this file is not already installed on your
system then you must obtain a copy before attempting to
install Matchem. VBRUN300.DLL is obtainable over most BBS and
online services.  Note that older versions of VBRUN exists
(VBRUN100 and VBRUN200) and should not be relied upon with
this version of Matchem.

Please read over the PACKING.LST to assure that all of the
files were included in the distribution copy you received.
If there are files missing Matchem will not install
properly.

Matchem should have been distributed in a 'Zipped' file
format.  Please be sure to save this original zipped
installation file in order to participate in the Matchem
Distribution Incentive Program and possible earn a
FREE registered version of Matchem (please see the online
documentation for further information).

To install Matchem, simply run the SETUP program.  This
utility will prompt you for all the information it needs to
install Matchem on your system including the install 'from'
directory, install 'to' directory, etc.).

Several files will be installed in your Matchem directory
including the MATCHEM game itself and the 'Picture Pack'
graphics.  Some files may be installed in your \WINDOWS or
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM directories.  These are commonly distributed
Visual Basic control files. If they already exist on your
system prior to installing Matchem, then they will not be
overwritten (this can cause a problem in the case of
THREED.VBX - see Note below).

NOTE:  Please assure that the THREED.VBX file included with
Matchem is installed properly on your system. If you have an
older version of THREED.VBX and it is not replaced by the
new `corrected' version then Matchem will not operate
correctly.  The new version of THREED.VBX (from Microsoft)
has fixed many bugs associated with the older version.  If
the older version is used instead, Matchem will not function
properly and the game screens will be grossly distorted.  If
you notice certain graphics on the game playing board look
'broken' then this is the probably because you are running
the older `buggy' version of THREED.VBX.  Simply delete or
rename this older version and reinstall Matchem so the newer
version of THREED.VBX can be installed in its place.

To uninstall Matchem simply delete the Matchem directory and
delete the MATCHEM.INI file from your \WINDOWS directory.
The remaining files (see the Packing list) can remain on
your system. They are commonly used Visual Basic controls
and will be shared with any Visual Basic program that needs
them (in fact, several of the files were probably already on
your system before Matchem was installed and may affect
operation of other programs if they are removed).  If you
still decide you would like to remove these files then try
renaming them first before deleting them in
order to test whether or not other programs on your system
require these files.


MATCHEM GAME PLAY INSTRUCTIONS (QUICK START)

When starting Matchem for the first time you will be prompted to enter
the name of the Picture Pack file you wish to use (one Picture Pack is
included with Matchem).  Select this file and click OK.

To start a game, simply select File-New Game and then click on the Play
Game Button (the green stoplight located towards the bottom of the
button bar).  Complete game playing instructions are included in the
Matchem online documentation.


QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/REGISTRATIONS

We welcome any questions or comments you have concerning
SparTech Software programs.  Questions or comments can be
directed (via Internet) to [e-mail] or via US Mail
at SparTech Software, 1309 Windy Meadows Dr. Burleson, Tx
76028.

Please direct all `bug' reports to the address(s) above.  We
welcome any bug reports (no matter how small the bug) as it
only serves to improve the quality of our software.


REGISTRATION PRICING STRUCTURE

Matchem 1.1               $9.95
Additional Picture Packs  $2.95

Postage/Handling of $1.00 is required if user name, serial
number, and pass code must be returned to you by US Mail.
There is no handling charge if the registration packet is
sent to you via EMail (Internet).

Registration entitles you to a 50% DISCOUNT on Matchem
upgrades and 20% DISCOUNT on other SparTech software.

To register Matchem, print the registration form from the
Matchem Help-Registration menu.  Complete the form and send
it along with your check payable to BRIAN F. HADDOCK
(complete details are in the Matchem online documentation).
Your registration will be promptly processed and you will be
sent a registered user name, serial number, and pass code
which you then enter in order to 'register' Matchem.

To print the Matchem registration form and for further
information about registrations (including the many BENEFITS
of registering this software), please see the online
documentation.


DEVELOPMENT NOTES

Tools Used
-- Matchem was programmed using Visual Basic and 'C' (using
   Borland C++).
-- Graphics created using Resource Workshop, WinCut
   (SparTech Software shareware utility), PaintShop
   Pro (shareware), and Graphics Workshop (shareware).
-- Help Engine created using Word 6.0, Help Project Editor,
   and SHED.

Music Listened to While Coding
-- Depeche Mode
-- Yanni
-- Cracker (during those all night sessions)