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Text File
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1993-01-07
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6KB
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127 lines
TMCODE for Trivia MASTER! v3.3
(C)1991 Marvin Davis
(FOR REGISTERED USERS OF Trivia MASTER! only)
Creating more Trivia data files.
--------------------------------
The following info will be a guide for creating TMCFG_x.DAT (x = 1-9)
files for different Triva games. The following description will assist
you in the necessary correct format to create a different trivia game
from a data file you must create.
Datafile Creation
-----------------
1. Create a ASCII file with the first line being a question and less than
80 characters long, ending with a CR LF (carriage return - line feed).
Nearly all ASCII editors can do this for you.
On the following line will be the ANSWER to the above question in one,
two or three words at the most - again less than 48 characters.
So to start, your data file will have questions on ODD lines and the
correct answers on EVEN lines. Your file must be in this format for
proper encoding for the game to use. The maximum number of questions
and answers are unlimited!
2. On completing your trivia datafile with questions and answers that are
appropriately formatted you can now ENCODE it for the game to use.
Name your datafile something like STARTREK.ASC so that you can keep a
record (copy) of this file for future changes or updates. To create
an encoded file now, call TMCODE.EXE with the correct command line
parameter. In the above example you now can do this;
+-- Encoder program
| +-- create file mode (encode)
| | +--Read file
| | | +--Write file
| | | |
TMCODE /E STARTREK.ASC TMCFG_2.DAT
3. Now you have an encoded datafile for the game to read. You need to
setup the game as ANOTHER DOOR in another directory to keep things
separate (its easier) and add the game as another door game. To CALL
the game to now READ a different game file and add a different Title
to the game you add these commands in your calling batchfile.
TRIVIA /RBBS /G 2 /T StarTrek
| | | |
| | | +-- Game Name with Leading "/T " switch
| | +-- game number for TMCFG_x.DAT file (x = 1-9)
| +-- BBS game/callerfile type
+-- game executable
4. The "/G" switch makes the program read a different "TMCFG" data file
and the "/T" switch is for a 16 character or less game Title in one
or two words maximum.
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5. Note a SPACE after the "/G" switch for game number and "/T" for the
new title as the example above shows!
Datafile Decoding
-----------------
5. To "decode" any file back to an ASCII one, you can reverse the process
with TMCODE to ask it to decode a TMCFG_x.DAT file with a simular
command line parameter call;
TMCODE /D READFILE WRITEFILE
| | | |
| | | +-- the ASCII contents of TMCFG_x.DAT file
| | +-- TMCFG_x.DAT file to read
| +-- decode command switch
+-- Encode/decode program
6. To decode the Rock Trivia release datafile into an ASCII file so you
could read and "peek" the answers to the rock questions, you can use
the following command line to produce an ASCII readable file;
TMCODE /D TMCFG_1.DAT ROCK.ASC
When completed, you will have all the current questions and answers
for the Rock configuration in the file "ROCK.ASC". Do not leave this
file laying round or allow users to download it, as it totally defeats
the purpose of the game in friendly competition. If your users know
answers to all the questions, it then no longer becomes a competitive
and fun game.
7. Some friends and BBS users of mine are aiding in producing canned
"ready made" trivia files for release as game add on's for the near
future. Baseball and Computer trivia are hopefully coming soon.
8. Most importantly, you are not allowed to place the datafiles and your
TMCODE.EXE file for other sysops to download and use. This is for
registered users of Trivia MASTER! only. Only registered games will
allow themselves to be altered for other game formats and are support
utilities only.
9. To recap the program limitations, the maximum number of questions
and answers are unlimited. Be aware of the question and answer line
length limits! You must use the TMCODE.EXE executable to create the
TMCFG.x.DAT file for your game to read in and that is a command line
parameter. It is possible to "decode" a game data file in the event
you loose or erase your ASCII source. You can edit it, make changes
and then re-encode it again!
10. The sole "intent" of datafile encoding is to PREVENT CHEATING! The
encoder makes the file totally unreadable, like a .ZIP file might be.
Do not allow anyone to download your TMCODE.EXE program as they could
possibly figure out how to download the Shareware release game and
then decode the current datafile (Rock Trivia) and then have a cheat-
sheet! So, keep the TMCODE program OFF your harddisk- make the users
"work" for their 'top-dog' spot on the diamond...
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