Current Shareware 1994 January/SHAR194.ISO/unprotec/uhsdos.zip/UHS.TXT

Text File | 1993-10-11 | 16KB | 299 lines

Universal Hint System
Revision 91a
Reader for MS-DOS, Version 1.51
  (October 10, 1993)


READ THIS FIRST
===============

This reader is shareware.  Under the shareware concept, you must register a
program if you like it and continue to use it.  Using a second UHS hint file
with this program or using this program or a combination of this program and
the TSR for more than 60 days is defined as "continued use."  But you should
also register if you use a single hint file long enough to decide that you
like the UHS, or if you think that you would download a UHS file the next time
that you're stuck on a game.  If you do not like this program, you should stop
downloading or using UHS hint files and find other methods of getting hints
for your games.

The registration is cheap, when you consider the price of the alternatives to
the UHS: multiple calls to 900 numbers, an official hint book, or posting
messages on CompuServe and similar services.  The UHS registration need only
be paid once, but you must pay by the hint or by the game if you use other
methods to get help.  Details on registering, as well as a list of benefits
that you'll get only as a registered user, are found at the bottom of this
documentation.

I feel that features available only to registered users, including a full
working version of the new TSR, are incentive enough to register.  I shouldn't
have to remind people to register, but unfortunately, past experience has
shown me that users won't register without reminders.  If you like the UHS,
you should register.  It really should be that simple.


Copyright Information
=====================

This program and all related documentation are copyright 1992-1993 by Jason
Strautman.  All rights reserved.  Portions written and copyright 1992 by
Robert Norton.  The Graphics Interchange Format, used in some UHS files, is
copyrighted by and a service mark of CompuServe Incorporated.  Thanks to Jim
Griebel for his GIFSLOW program, which helped me with the GIF decoder used in
this reader, and to all of the beta testers of all of the UHS programs.

This program may be used only for evaluation purposes until it has been
registered.  Use of this program after initial use as described in the section
above, or use of the program with a registration code for which you did not
pay, is prohibited.  License information in this file is intended only as a
summary of policies contained in LICENSE.DOC.


About the UHS
=============

I created the Universal Hint System (or UHS) to provide computer gamers with
alternate method for getting hints when they are stuck on a game.  The UHS
offers a large number of hint files that cover many of the current and classic
games, all for the price of a single registration fee.  UHS files were
designed to be exchanged across computer formats, so a file written on any
computer can be uploaded and shared with users of any other computer -- as
long as an up-to-date reader is available.  The files will also provide hints
ranging from subtle clues to outright answers.  You only see what you need to.

This is the second version of the UHS.  The first version, now called 88a, and
its accompanying programs were released in 1988.  This version, 91a, was
created in 1991, although the first batch of programs was delayed until 1992.
This new version offers improved hint options, the ability to include 16-color
pictures, and a new file structure that will make future revisions easier to
implement.


Loading the File
================

This UHS reader won't be enough to give you hints for a game.  If you do not
already have the hint file for the game that you need help with, you should
download it from the proper library.  Hint files aren't available for every
game on the market, so if you cannot find one, it may just be because no one
has written that particular file.  CompuServe users can find UHS files in
various LIBraries on The Gamers' Forum (GO GAMERS).  If you're not certain as
to how the game is classified or in which LIBrary the file would be found,
either ask a SysOp or specify a search in all LIBs, by using the command "LIST
/LIB:ALL /KEY:UHS,[game]" from any LIBrary.  Users of programs such as TAPCIS,
OZCIS, or CIM should check the documentation of those programs for
instructions on performing the search.

America Online subscribers should look in the PC Games Forum, keyword "PC
GAMES" or "PGM".  There is a "Universal Hints" library for all UHS files.  You
can also use the "Software Search" command and specify "UHS" as a keyword to
find related files.

GEnie users should search in library 8 (Universal Hint Library) of the Games
Roundtable (SCORPIA).  You only need to specify the game title as a keyword;
all files in the library relate to the UHS.

Now that you have downloaded the file, make sure that it and this program are
in the same directory of your hard drive (or floppy).  Type "UHS", followed by
the name of the file (you may omit the .UHS extension) and hit ENTER.  For
example, to view KQ6.UHS, simply enter "UHS KQ6" and the file will be loaded.

You can also specify a filename within the program.  Either hit the F3 key or
click on the "F3 Open" option at the bottom of the screen.  (You'll need to
have your mouse driver installed in order to use the mouse.)  Only one hint
file can be opened at the same time with this reader.  A separate version of
the UHS is also available for Windows 3.x; check CompuServe, AOL, or GEnie
for a copy.


Basic Interface Options
=======================

Experienced computer users will find the interface fairly basic and may want
to skip this section of the documentation.  But for those who need the help,
there are a few basic things you might need to know.  To use the menus at the
top of the screen, click (press and release the mouse button when the cursor
is over the item) on one of the headings, and then click on the item that you
want to choose.  Or you can click and hold the mouse button, releasing it over
the item.  Keyboard users should hold ALT while pressing the key for the
highlighted letter of the menu name.  Then press the key of the highlighted
letter on the menu item, or use the arrow keys and ENTER to select.  You can
also use the shortcut keys, listed either at the bottom of the screen or on
the right side of the menus.  For example, the shortcut key to close a window
is ESC.

When the file is loaded, double-click on the item in a window that you want to
select, or use the arrow keys to move through the choices and press the space
bar or ENTER to select.  Some windows have more choices than will fit inside
the available space.  If you're using a mouse, click on the arrows on the
scroll bar at the right of the window to display more choices.

Any window can be closed by hitting the ESC key.  You can also click on the
box in the upper-left corner of the window.  To zoom the window so that it
fills the entire screen, click on the button in the upper-right corner or hit
F5.  And to change to another window, either click in any portion of that
window or hit the F6 key to scroll through the available windows.  You can
also use SHIFT-F6 to move through the windows in reverse order.  All four of
these options are also available from the "Windows" menu.

If you want to move a window, you can either click on the title bar and drag,
or hit CTRL-F5 and use the arrow keys to move the window around.  Hit ENTER
when finished.  To resize a window, either use the size "box" in the bottom
right corner or press CTRL-F5 and hold the CTRL key while pressing the arrow
keys, followed by ENTER to accept.

The "Tile" and "Cascade" options, also on the "Windows" menu, will re-arrange
the desktop so that all windows are displayed.  However, if too many windows
are on the screen, you'll probably find that these commands make the windows
too small to be practical.  In that case, close unneeded windows first and
then use tile or cascade.


Advanced Interface Options
==========================

Windows with hints in them will automatically zoom to the maximum space
available.  To display additional hints, either click on the "Another Hint" or
"Hint xx of yy" button at the bottom of the window or press the ENTER key.

If the display becomes cluttered with too many windows, you can use either the
"Show Top Window" or "Clean Up" option from the "Windows" menu.  The first
option will simply bring the highest-level window (i.e., the first one that is
displayed upon loading a file) to the top of screen.  "Clean Up" will first
close all of the windows for a file, and then will re-open the file,
re-displaying the top window.

The "Help" menu provides information about the currently-loaded file and the
reader.  For files written in version 91a or higher, the "File Version"
information brings up a window containing the format used to write the file
and information about the compiler used.  You should bring up this window any
time you are having problems with a file, to determine the cause of your
problem.  If the version reported is higher than 91a (such 93a, 93b, 94a,
etc.), first attempt to replace your reader with the most current version
before reporting a bug.

88a files don't include version information.  However, many files include a
few words from the author of the file or compiler that can be displayed by
going to the top window and selecting "A note from the author."  If there is
no such option, then you will have to check with the person who uploaded the
file for more details.


Hint Counting
=============

The reader will count the total number of hints in each question.  Both the
number of the current hint and the total number of hints are displayed inside
the button at the bottom of the screen, as in "Hint 1 of 5".  Clicking on this
button will reveal the next hint just as the "Another Hint" button does.

If you want to disable the hint counting for any reason, click on the "Options
| Counting" menu item, and the counting will be turned off.  Click on this
menu item again to turn it back on.  Buttons currently on-screen will not be
affected by your selection.  Your preference will be saved for the next
session in a file called UHS.INI.


Print/Save Window
=================

If you want to print or save a copy of the contents of the current window,
select the appropriate item from the "Window" menu.  F4 is the hot key for
"Print", and CTRL-F4 is the hot key for "Save".  If you select the save
option, a file will be created with the same name as the hint file, except the
".UHS" at the end is replaced with ".EXC".  For example, the contents of any
saved window from GOBLINS.UHS are placed in a file called GOBLINS.EXC. If the
save file already exists, the contents of the window are appended to the
current file.

In a hint window, only the hints that are currently displayed will be saved or
printed.  If you want to save (or print) all of the hints in a question, you
must first click on the "Another Hint" button until all the hints have been
displayed and then save (or print) the contents of the window.


Verbose File Open
=================

If you don't remember a particular hint file's name, you can use the "File |
Verbose" option from the menu to locate it.  This option will bring up a list
box with all of the files in the current directory, their version numbers (88a
or 91a) and titles.  Double-click on any selection (or use the arrow keys and
spacebar/ENTER) as with all other list boxes to open that particular file.
Only one verbose file window can be open at the same time.

The "File | Change Dir" will change the directory that is used with the
Verbose file opening routine and the normal "File | Open" option.  Use the
arrow keys and ENTER to change directories -- the space bar does *not* work
here -- or double-click on the directory you wish to change to.  The "Revert"
button will return you to the directory that you were in before opening the
dialog box.


Displaying Pictures
===================

Some files will contain pictures that the reader can display.  In order to
view any picture, you must have a EGA card in your system.  When a picture is
available, a button in the window will remind you; click on this button or hit
the ENTER key, and the picture will be displayed.  You may stop the drawing
routine with the ESC key.  Hit any key or click on either mouse button to
return to the main display once the picture is completely drawn.  (You should
hear a beep from the internal speaker.)

If you either don't have a EGA display or want to use another program to print
the picture, click on the "Export" button in the window.  A file named
UHSGIFxx.GIF will be placed in the same directory as the UHS file.  The "xx"
will be replaced by a number from 1 to 99.  You can then load the file into a
GIF viewing or printing program.


Shareware Notice
================

This program is shareware.  If you continue to use it, you should send a
contribution of $10 ($20 if you want the TSR reader).  In return, I will send
you a code to disable the registration reminders.  The codes from the DOS and
Windows versions are not interchangeable; you should register each program
separately if you keep both.  Please use the REGISTER.FRM text file included
in this archive when sending in your registration.  Make sure that you request
the right registration; the form includes options for both DOS and TSR
registrations.

Anyone who sends me an extra $5 (or more) will receive a high-density 3.5"
disk with all of the latest files and an unregistered copy of the Windows
reader to try out.  As of this writing, there are more than 65 different UHS
hint files.  The disk also includes a program that will print out the complete
contents of any UHS file; the decoder program is available only with the disk.

If you want a list of available files and the place where you found the UHS
does not frequently update its UHS files, you can send me a self-addressed
stamped envelope to me at the address below.  CIS, AOL, and GEnie subscribers
don't need to request a file list, as these services should have the complete
collection of available UHS files.  Registered users may purchase disks with
the latest versions of UHSDOS, UHSTSR, and all of the files at any time for
$5.  Please give me your registration code with a request for an extra disk,
since the code is the easiest way to verify that you are registered.

Foreign users may register this program through CompuServe's shareware
registration service (GO SWREG).  The registration ID is #352.  I have added a
$2 service charge to pay for CompuServe's commission.  Disks will not be
mailed to anyone who registers through SWREG.  If you live outside of the US
and Canada and want a copy of the files disk, please mail the registration and
add $3 to cover extra shipping and handling cost.  Payment will be accepted
ONLY IN US DOLLARS.

Anyone who writes a complete UHS file that follows the guidelines included
with the compilers will be registered automatically for the DOS, TSR, and
Windows readers and will receive the files disk.  But you must check with me
before beginning the file to prevent duplication and to get the authorization
code that the compiler requires.


Jason Strautman
P.O. Box 391481
Cambridge, MA  02139-0015
CompuServe: [72337,2611]
America On-Line: JStrautman
GEnie: J.STRAUTMAN