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Monster Media 1996 #14
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Monster Media No. 14 (April 1996) (Monster Media, Inc.).ISO
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GALAXY5.DOC
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──══ Galaxy 5 ══──
Version 1.03 Wide Beta
By -Noel Software-
Copyright (C) 1996 Thomas J. Smith
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Freq G5 from 1:2410/903 for latest version, or G5UPDATE for the
latest update patch. Updates may be coming out sooner than later,
since this door game is still fairly new.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
** Galaxy 5 Does NOT Need a Demo Key! **
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For quick installation instructions, refer to INSTALL.TXT
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
All files included with this archive have been stamped with the
exact time and date as shown on the "pre-play menu." If your *.EXE
files and/or GALAXY5.OVR file are dated a time and/or date other
than the one shown on your "pre-play menu," then more than likely,
the game has been tampered with. *NOTE* that a few text files may
not have the same date after installation due to copying the files
over to your Galaxy 5 directory (this gives them a time and date
matching that of your system at the time of installation).
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-=≡■ Thank you for trying Galaxy 5! ■≡=-
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
CONTENTS
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Warning..........................................................1
Disclaimer.......................................................2
License Agreement................................................3
Introduction.....................................................4
Game Requirements................................................5
Files Included...................................................6
Installation.....................................................7
Upgrading........................................................8
Special features.................................................9
Restrictions in the unregistered version........................10
G5 Setup........................................................11
Support.........................................................12
What to do if there are problems................................13
Multi Node Use..................................................14
Credits.........................................................15
Where To Reach Me...............................................16
Registration....................................................17
Bug reports, comments, & suggestions............................18
Fido information................................................19
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WARNING 1
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This is a wide beta release of Galaxy 5. Which means that it is
still being tested for bugs. If you do not wish to use the game
on your system for fear of improper operation, then do not
install this version! Wait for the full release of Version 1.10
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DISCLAIMER 2
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The author has taken every precaution to insure that no harm or
damage will occur on computer systems operating this package.
Nevertheless, the author shall NOT be held liable for whatever
may happen on your computer system or to any computer systems
which connects to your own as a result of operating this package.
The user assumes full responsibility for the correct operation of
this software package, whether harm or damage results from
software error, hardware malfunction, or operator error. NO
warranties are offered, expressly stated or implied, including
without limitation or restriction any warranties of operation for
a particular purpose and/or merchantability. If you do not agree
with these terms, then do NOT use this program.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LICENSE AGREEMENT 3
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The game program, support files, and documentation are copyrighted
products of Thomas J. Smith & -Noel Software-. Thomas J. Smith
reserves all rights to these products. This is protected by the
United States of America (USA) and International Copyright Laws.
In no way shall the components of the game software package be
reproduced or modified in any form or method without prior written
permission from the author. The .ZIP package containing this
program may be copied, distributed to BBS's, friends, internet
sites, posted on BBS's for download, added to CD-ROM shareware
discs, etc. as long as all original files are included, and
unmodified.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Tampering with or altering the contents or integrity of the game
software package is prohibited. No fee may be charged by any
agency beyond the cost of distributing unregistered copies on
floppy and CD-ROM without prior written permission from the author.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This game is distributed under the Shareware concept. You are
allowed to operate this game for as long as you wish, except that
no one will be allowed to win the game, and your G5 Editor will
not save any changes made, until registered. You may register the
game with -Noel Software- after you have determined that it will
meet your needs. There are no "unregistered" delays or nags
anywhere in this game.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
INTRODUCTION 4
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Galaxy 5 is a multi player game where your goal is to be number
one in the galaxy, and defeat the dreaded Raven Morpheous! Galaxy
5 supports multi player "real time" battles, its own mail writing
features with word wrap and quote on reply, uses either fossil or
internal COM routines, maintains itself without intervention from
the SysOp, support for external programs run directly from the
game (Xports), among many other features. There are many things
to discover in Galaxy 5, lots of things to do, and you can even
kill other players! RIP is supported (not yet, but soon), and
there is a help menu where players can read and/or download a help
file, or RIPterm, if you allow downloads from within the door.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Galaxy 5 is shareware. And as such, the unregistered version will
not allow anyone to win (can not pass level 6), the pre play menu
will read "This is an evaluation copy of Galaxy 5" and the G5
Editor will not save any changes. Registration costs only $15.00
U.S funds, and will "unlock" all of these features. Refer to
REGISTER.TXT (unpacked after installation) for info in how to
register.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Here are just a few of Galaxy 5's features
-=≡=-
■ Local Drop To Dos while caller is in door, chat with caller,
hang up caller, and quit door, all from local screen. ANSI
split screen chat.
■ Multi Tasker aware (DESQview, OS/2, Windows, WIN-NT, & Win95).
Will give up timeslices while waiting for user input.
■ No need for a fossil driver to be resident, but can use one.
■ Built in ANSI routines so no need for ANSI driver to be
resident.
■ Full support of speeds up to 115,000 baud and the 16550 FIFO.
■ Assembly language serial input/output routines for speed and
efficiency.
■ Uses file locking routines for smooth multi node operation.
■ Contains a procedure to close all files and save any changes if
caller drops carrier, game crashes, etc.
■ Keeps a log of run-time errors if they occur in ERROR.LOG.
■ Support for the following door drop file formats,
DORINFO.DEF : Remote Access compatible dorinfo.def dropfile
format.
CALLINFO.BBS : Wildcat 2 compatible dropfile format.
DOOR.SYS : Wildcat 3 & 4, and GAP compatible dropfile
format.
SFDOORS.DAT : SpitFire compatible dropfile format.
PCBOARD.SYS : PCBoard 15.x compatible drop file formats.
CommandLine : passing user info to the door through command
line options is also supported.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Note: If using the command line option, you must still create a
config file with the first line being CL for Command Line.
Then on the command line to run the door, pass these 6
parameters,
Parameter(1) should be the name of the Config file the door will
use.
Parameter(2) Will enable or disable ANSI graphics.. Note: If
ANSI, 1, GR, COLOR, or TRUE is passed to this
parameter, ANSI will be set to true Else ANSI will
be disabled.
Parameter(3) Pass the Baud Rate Here.
Note: Legal Values are (If 0 passed then Local set to
True), 0, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200,
38400, 57600, 115200.
Parameter(4) Pass the Users First Name Here.
Parameter(5) Pass the Users Last Name Here.
Parameter(6) Pass ComPort Here.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The command line option is only supported for those BBS systems
that can not use one of the drop files that this game directly
supports. It is not recommended that you run the door this way if
you do not necessarily have to do so.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If your BBS format is not supported, and you would like to run
the game on your system, then please take the time to send me a
copy of one of your drop files, and I will add support for your
particular BBS software if possible. If you have a layout of the
format of your drop files, that would help out alot, but I can
probably figure it out from a normal one actually created by your
BBS software.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
REQUIREMENTS 5
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DOS 3.x or higher is needed in order to use the G5 Editor program.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The actual memory requirements for this game have not been
determined. However, I am guessing that it should run fine under
a 4 meg system. When I have the chance, I will test the game on a
4 meg system, to see how it will go. It may even run fine under a 2
meg system. It has been tested on my system using Wildcat! 4.xx
under Win95 with 8 megs of ram. SHARE must be loaded IF you
intend to use the game in a multi-node environment (except
Windows), OR under DesqView. The game is RIP aware, and will
automatically detect when a caller is using RIP, and display the
appropriate screens (RIP has not yet been added). A FOSSIL driver
is NOT required to run the game, although one will be supported if
you wish. Automatic time slicing support is provided to most
common multi-taskers as well. Supported are DESQview, OS/2,
Windows 3.x, Win-NT, and Windows 95 as well.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
FILES INCLUDED 6
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Below is a listing of all files included with the .ZIP file. If
you are missing ANY of these files (except for the DOC and TXT
files), the game more than likely will NOT function properly.
Feel free to give out copies of the ENTIRE archive package of
this game but please make sure that all of the original files are
included!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-------------------------
Included in G5xxxx.ZIP:
-------------------------
G5.ZIP - .ZIP file containing all of the game files.
INSTALL.EXE - Installation program.
INSTALL.TXT - Installation instructions.
GALAXY5.DOC - This documentation.
GALAXY5.ANS - ANSI screen for your BBS. Feel free to edit if you
wish and display it on your board!
WHATSNEW.TXT - Description of changes, additions, fixes, etc. in
this (and previous) versions.
FILE_ID.DIZ - Description file for BBS use.
-----------------------------------------------
Directories you will have after installation:
-----------------------------------------------
C:\DOORS\G5 <----------- Or whatever your G5 directory will be.
C:\DOORS\G5\DATA <------ Where all data files will be kept.
C:\DOORS\G5\SCREENS <--- Where all display files are kept.
C:\DOORS\G5\MAIL <------ Where all mail files will be kept.
C:\DOORS\G5\TEMP <------ Temporary work directory.
----------------------------------------
Files in your Galaxy 5 home directory:
----------------------------------------
GALAXY5.EXE - Main program file.
GALAXY5.OVR - Overlay file.
G5.BAT - Batch file that is called from your BBS.
G5EDITOR.EXE - Editor program to view and/or change player info,
planet info, mates info, etc. etc. (will not save
changes until registered). A very powerful program
I might add! :)
G5SETUP.EXE - Setup program.
G5_STRUC.ZIP - Structures to data files, drop files, and listings
of codes used by Galaxy 5 for third party
programmers.
LOCAL.BAT - File used to run the game in local mode.
NODE*.CFG - Node config files. One for each node, numbered from
NODE0.CFG to however many nodes you have setup.
These will not exist until you have run "Setup
Nodes" in G5 Setup.
XPORTS.DAT - This file will contain the juice behind all of
your Xports installed (if any). All lines in this
file that begin with a semi-colon (;) are ignored.
Read the XPORTS.TXT file for further information on
Xports.
GALAXY5.DOC - This documentation.
REGISTER.TXT - Registration form.
FUTURE.TXT - Future plans list.
XPORTS.TXT - Full information on Xports. Xports are
external door programs that are run directly from
the game (same as IGM's in LORD).
INSTALL.TXT - The installation instructions text file.
HELP.TXT - Text file to help beginning SysOps with the setup
of doors on a BBS. Covers door setup, fossil
drivers, locked baud rates, etc.
README.TXT - Important information text file.
---------------------------------
Files in the DATA subdirectory:
---------------------------------
ARMOUR.DAT - Text file containing all 10 armour names.
BADWORDS.DAT - Text file containing all "bad words" you want
filtered out anywhere users are allowed to input a
string of text.
ENEMIES.DAT - Data file containing enemy records.
G5CONFIG.DAT - Configuration data file.
G5_HELP1.DAT - Help text file on "Game Play" that callers can
download from the help menu if you allow downloads
(they can also just view the file if they wish).
G5_HELP2.DAT - Help text file on "Getting Around" that callers can
download from the help menu if you allow downloads
(they can also just view the file if they wish).
G5_INFO.DAT - Text file containing info displayed to callers when
they select (I)nfo from the Main Entrance screen.
G5_MATES.DAT - Data file containing records on the people at the
inns that players can flirt with.
G5_SHIPS.DAT - Text file containing all 10 space craft names.
MARRY.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays
news when a player gets married.
NEWS.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays
news when a new TODAY.DAT file is written.
PLANETS.DAT - Data file containing records for each planet.
TODAY.DAT - Text file containing "Todays News."
TOOBAD.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays
news when a player gets killed (if they don't
choose to say something themselves).
VICTORY.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays
news when a player kills another player (if they
don't choose to say something themselves).
WEAPONS.DAT - Text file containing names of the 10 weapons.
W_DROIDS.DAT - Text file containing the names of the 14 warrior
droids players will encounter to progess to the
next player rank.
YESTRDAY.DAT - Text file containing "Yesterdays News."
A_COST.DAT - Cost of Armours 1 through 10.
W_COST.DAT - Cost of Weapons 1 through 10.
S_COST.DAT - Cost of Space Crafts 1 through 10.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Note: More files will be created in the DATA subdirectory as the
game is played.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-----------------------------------
Files in the SCREENS subdirectory
-----------------------------------
All *.ANS, *.ASC, & *.RIP (RIP files will not be included until
RIP support has been added).
There are too many files in this directory to list. However, if
you wish to create your own screens for the game, you can figure
out which screens are which by looking at them in an editor. The
*.ANS files can be ANSI files, or you can use G5 Codes, or both.
The *.ASC files should contain no ANSI codes, or G5 Color codes.
However, all G5 codes besides color codes will be supported in the
*.ASC files. For example, ~P1~ to display the name of the first
planet in the Galaxy will work among others.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Note: If you will be making your own ANSI and/or ASCII screens for
Galaxy 5, keep in mind that by default, the screen will be shown
from beginning to end, meaning it will not pause. If you need a
screen to pause, simply insert a ~<>~ code at the position in the
display file you wish the <PAUSE> prompt to be called.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Any ANSI screens that you create for the game yourself, MUST be
saved in 100 lines or less.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
---------------------------------
Files in the MAIL subdirectory:
---------------------------------
NONE - Until a player writes a message to another player, or a
player receives a message from the galaxy informer. This
directory will contain all messages to every player,
numbered from MAIL0.DAT to MAIL999.DAT, or however many
players you will have playing the game. Mail files are
erased after the players receive their mail.
---------------------------------
Files in the TEMP subdirectory:
---------------------------------
NONE - The only time you will see files in this directory, is if
someone is playing the door, and you are in another
"window" in a multi tasking environment looking in this
directory. It is where Galaxy 5 creates, and deletes
temporary files that it uses during game play. If you
should find any files in this directory while no one is
playing the game, you may safely delete them all, and
probably should. :)
--------------------------------------------
Files created by Galaxy 5 as play goes on:
--------------------------------------------
DATA\DATE.DAT - Text file containing the current date. Used to
determine when the game should run maintenance
mode.
DATA\WALL.DAT - Text file containing "graffiti" players have
posted on "The Black Wall."
DATA\PLAYERS.DAT - Data file containing player info.
DATA\RIPTERM.DAT - This one is created by G5 Setup. Text file
containing full path and file name to your
copy of RIPterm for callers to download from
the help menu (if you allow it).
DATA\DONE.DAT - Text file containing info on certain features
each player has already done today, so they
will not be allowed to do them again until
the next day. :)
DATA\GRAFFITI.DAT - The graffiti wall at the biker bar.
DATA\INNTALK*.DAT - Numbered INNTALK1.DAT through INNTALK5.DAT.
Contains the conversations held at the inns.
DATA\INTRO.DAT - Contains only one number between 1 and 5. G5
rotates 5 intro screens to display to callers.
This file holds the number of the next intro
screen to display. G5 updates it after every
player enters the game.
DATA\HIT_INFO.DAT - Contains record information between callers
who have hired a player to kill another
player (if any).
DATA\HEROES.DAT - Contains the names of all players who have won
the game for displaying from the (L)ist heroes
options at the inns.
DATA\FLIRTED.DAT - Names of players who have flirted with other
players today. Erased at the beginning of each
new day.
GALAXY5.LOG - Created by main program if errors occur, and
if you have log errors set to TRUE under node
setup in G5SETUP.
ERROR.LOG - Generated in the case of a run-time error.
If you have problems with the game, and you
see this file, it helps if you can send it to
me to review, along with a simple explanation
of where at in the game the error occured (if
you know of where).
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
There may be more files in the data subdirectory that I missed, as
there are quite a few. Some will exist at times, and some will
not. They depend on game play. And if some of the files mentioned
above do not exist, it more than likely doesn't necessarily mean
you are "missing" those files.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
INSTALLATION 7
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you have any trouble at all installing the game. You should
refer to the INSTALL.TXT file included in the G5xxx.ZIP archive.
This file contains detailed installation instructions, quick
installation instructions, and manual installation instructions
if you have to install the game without the INSTALL.EXE program.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. Unzip the G5xxx.ZIP file either to a temporary directory, or
the directory you wish the game to reside in. Change to the
directory you unzipped this file to, and run INSTALL.EXE
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
2. Thats all you need to do for the installation part. INSTALL
will automatically run the G5SETUP.EXE program after installat-
ion is complete. While in the G5SETUP program, the first thing
you should probably do, is "Node Setup." Under node setup,
you will be creating the necessary configuration files needed
for each node that you will be running the game on. When you
choose this option, you will first be editing node 1. Press
PGUP for the next node (node 2), or PGDN for the previous node
(node 0), and so forth, to edit all of the nodes you have.
Online help is available throughout the program, just hit F1
whenever you need some help. After setting up your nodes,
choose "Setup Galaxy 5" to configure the game to your settings
and your preferences.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
3. Now you need to create your batch files needed to run the door
from your BBS software. In these batch files (or batch file),
you need to change to the Galaxy 5 directory, then CALL the
G5.BAT file with the first parameter being the number of the
node this batch file is being called from. For example, node
1's batch file would look something like this,
@ECHO OFF <-- Turn off echoing commands to the screen.
CD\DOORS\GALAXY5 <-- Change to your Galaxy 5 directory.
CALL G5.BAT 1 <-- Call the G5.BAT file using the node number.
A Wildcat! system could use the %WCNODEID% variable in place of
the 1, to use the same batch file for each node (if you use the
SET WCNODEID=? command in your batch files that start
Wildcat!). Here is what mine looks like, using the WCNODEID
variable,
@ECHO OFF
CD\DOORS\GALAXY5
CALL G5.BAT %WCNODEID%
In the above example, the command that would be passed to the
G5.BAT file would be, G5.BAT 1 for node 1, or G5.BAT 2 for node
2, etc.
If your BBS software uses some kind of node id variable, then
you can put that in the command line to use the same batch file
for every node. Like a PCBoard system would be (I think),
%PCBNODE% or something like that, I forget.
Galaxy 5 needs the number of the node being run on the command
line, so it knows which node config file to read upon startup.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
4. If you need to, set up the door in your BBS setup, if your BBS
software needs it. For example, a Wildcat! 4 SysOp would have
to load MakeWild, choose "Doors" then edit a new door for
Galaxy 5 telling Wildcat! that the door is multi user, and the
name of the batch file to look for when the door is run by a
caller, then add the door to your DOORS.BBS display file.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
5. There is NO separate daily maintenance to be performed. Galaxy
5 will automatically run the built in maintenance routines at
the start of each new day when the first player of the day
enters the game!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
UPGRADING
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Upgrading Galaxy 5 is easy. If you can't find an upgrade patch,
named G5Pxxx.ZIP (where xxx is the version number), but you can
find a whole copy of the game, all you have to do is run the
INSTALL program that comes with the Shareware package, type in
the path to your Galaxy 5 directory (or press F2 to pick it), and
INSTALL will ask you if you wish to use the upgrade options.
Choose yes if you have customized anything about the game (like
prices, displays, names of weapons and armour, etc.). You can
choose no to do a full install over your old copy if you have not
customized anything, and your players stats will remain intact. It
is a better idea to choose NO to the upgrade options, if you have
not customized anything, so that you will not be missing anything.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Upgrading your registered version (if registered) is just as easy.
Just find either a shareware update patch, or the whole game, and
follow the above instructions. Your copy will still remain
registered!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SPECIAL FEATURES 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Listed here are some special features of the game that you should
be aware of since some may be of use to you! ;>
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BADWORDS.DAT - If this file exists in your DATA subdirectory, then
it will be used to filter out any "bad words." This
file is included in the distribution archive. You
can edit it to your needs, or delete it if you wish
to allow "cursing" in your game! :) The format of
the file is as follows,
BADWORD1|GOODWORD1
BADWORD2|GOODWORD2
In these examples, if someone wrote a sentence
anywhere in the game where user input is allowed,
and used the word BADWORD1, then it would be
replaced with GOODWORD1. Each bad word must be
followed by a |, and then the word to replace
the bad word with. Case is not important, as lower
case will be used for all filters, and there should
be no spaces on each line.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Galaxy 5 contains the ability to automatically run a LOGON.BAT
file if it exists in your Galaxy 5 directory. All you have to do
to use it, is create it, and place it in your home Galaxy 5
directory. When Galaxy 5 executes this batch file, it first
creates the three drop files NODE*.DAT, DROPFILE.*, & DORINFO*.DEF
in the TEMP subdirectory just like it does when an Xport is
executed, so that it may be used by the programs ran from this
batch file if needed. The * will be the node number of the caller.
Then G5 will show the caller a message to let them know what is
going on that looks like this, "*** RUNNING EXTERNAL PROGRAM ***."
Galaxy 5 will shell out, and execute this batch file after the
caller has logged into the game, and read "Today In The Galaxy."
It is ran just before the caller gets to the main menu. You can
use it to run external maintenance routines you may have set up,
or to run a certain Xport (or Xports), a random menu switching
program, or whatever.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you would have other uses for external batch files, let me know
where you would like them inserted, and I'll probably put them in
for you. Its really no problem! :)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
When a player enters Galaxy 5 for the first time, they are sent a
default message addressed from SysOp stating, "Welcome to the
Galaxy!" If you would like this message to read something other
than the default, then create a text file in your Galaxy 5
directory named whatever you like containing your message. Then
run G5 Setup and type in the name of this text file under the
field "SysOps Welcome Message" under the menu option "Setup Galaxy
5," and this is the text all new players will receive in their
welcome message. Your message must be a plain ASCII text file
(however, it may contain G5 color codes).
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Galaxy 5 will also display a bulletin for you. When callers enter
the game, if you have a file name specified under "SysOps
Bulletin" under the menu option "Setup Galaxy 5" in G5 Setup, and
if that file exists, then it will be displayed to the caller as
the "SysOps Bulletin" right after they read "Todays News." This
file can be plain ASCII, ANSI, G5 Codes, or a combination of each.
It is recommended that you either use ASCII, or G5 codes, since
ANSI can not be shown to callers with no ANSI terminal. G5 codes
can be used since any color codes are stripped out for non-ANSI
callers.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
As you may figure out sooner or later, Galaxy 5 contains a few
cheat codes. Many people find cheat codes "unethical" or do not
approve of them in one way or another. So I have added the ability
to "suppress" all cheats in the game. If you do not want callers
to be able to cheat in your game (if they ever figure out the
cheats), all you have to do, is create a file named NO_CHEAT.DAT
and place it in your DATA subdirectory. This file can contain
anything you want, or nothing at all. All that matters, is that it
exists, and if it does, then cheating will NOT work anywhere! ;>
If in the future you wish to allow "cheating," simply delete the
NO_CHEAT.DAT file.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
RESTRICTIONS IN THE UNREGISTERED GAME 10
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Until the game is registered the following restrictions are in
effect:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
a. No one can finish the game. It will be unwinnable. The
highest level players can reach in the unregistered
version is 6.
b. The G5 Editor will not save any changes that you make. It
is simply there for you to evaluate, and see what the
working editor can do.
c. In the Pre-Play Menu, one of the lines will read, "This is
an evaluation copy of Galaxy 5" until the game is
registered, which it will then read the name you chose as
"Registered To" in your registration form.
d. Registering the game enables all of the above and allows
you to alter virtually all of the game settings using the
G5EDITOR.EXE program.
e. Once you are registered any future updates can be obtained
free from anywhere you can find a shareware copy of G5 and
upgrades are easy to implement! All you have to do to
upgrade is find either the latest shareware version, or
the latest upgrade patch and install it. If you are
registered, then your copy will still remain registered as
long as your GALAXY5.KEY file remains in your home G5
directory!
f. I am always improving this game - so check my BBS for a
more current version whenever you have a chance.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
There are NO "Unregistered" nags or any of those annoying delays
ANYWHERE in Galaxy 5! What is mentioned above, are the only
restrictions in Galaxy 5.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
G5SETUP 11
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
In the G5 Setup program, you need to set the game to your
preferences. If you do not do so, then the first time the door is
run, a default configuration will be created and used. G5 Setup
will allow you to create fresh data files (in the case that a data
file or two gets corrupted beyond repair), entirely reset the
game, set the "On Now" flag to OFF for all players (useful if a
player is being flagged as ON when you know they are not), fix
any marriage problems, and manage your node configuration files.
You can also start the G5 Editor from within G5 Setup. Both G5
Setup, and the G5 Editor contain full online help. Just highlight
the option you need help with, and press F1. Some areas allow use
of different keys, if this is the case, then the key(s) that you
can use will be highlighted when you highlight these areas.
Pressing ESC or your right mouse button will exit whatever part of
the program(s) you are in. If you have any unsaved information,
you will be asked if you wish to save your changes first.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
G5 Setup can use four different command line parameters (separately
or together in any order). When a command line parameter is used,
G5 Setup will run the called for options automatically,
unattended. This is good for running nightly maintenance or just
for running when you do not wish to start the entire setup
program. I would recommend having your mailer, or BBS run G5 Setup
with the /R parameter every night when you have it set to not
accept any callers, so as to make sure no one is incorrectly
flagged as being "On Now." Here are the four parameters G5 Setup
can accept,
/? - Will show you all of these command line switches and tell you
which ones do what (this switch is used alone).
/R - Reset "On Now" flag for all players. Take note that when
using this option on the command line, G5 Setup will not
check to see if anyone is playing the game at the moment, and
will set EVERY PLAYERS "On Now" flag to NO.
/D - Create fresh data files. Take note that when using this
option on the command line, if the DATA subdirectory does not
exist in the directory running G5 Setup from, it will be
created, and new G5_MATES.DAT, and PLANETS.DAT files will be
created in the DATA subdirectory.
/M - Fix marriage problems. This will set EVERY PLAYERS record to
read "Not Married" and will also set all of the mates at each
inn to "Not Married."
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
SUPPORT 12
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you need help with something about the game, or have a
question, comment or suggestion, feel free to contact me using
any of the methods below. Whether you are a registered owner or
a shareware evaluator, I will answer your questions to the best of
my ability, and help you out the best I can!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
My BBS : The Last Call BBS! (313) 295-6284
Fido : 1:2410/903
Internet : Thomas.Smith@wland.ack.mi.org
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I also frequent the following FidoNet echos,
LORD
LORD_SYSOP
DOORGAMES
ON_LINE_GAMES
SHAREWRE
SHAREWARE_SUPPORT
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Voice support is currently unavailable, as I do not have a voice
line! :(
Regardless of whether or not you have registered Galaxy 5, you
will receive optimal support for this game. After all, if you
can't get it going to start with, why would you bother
registering? :) I will respond promptly to all questions and
comments as soon as I receive them.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WHAT TO DO IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS 13
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Every effort is made to ensure that the game runs correctly
before it leaves my BBS as Shareware. If you are experiencing
problems please do the following before contacting me:
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. Read ALL of the GALAXY5.DOC file and look through any other
text files to ensure you have setup the program correctly, and
have met all of the program requirements.
2. Check your IRQ numbers under "Node Setup" for each node. This
is the most common problem I am asked about. Do NOT enter the
COM port number in this field! IRQ & COM numbers are TOTALLY
different! If you use the wrong IRQ number, then the door
will load, and will not respond to the callers input, only
the local console. If you are using a fossil driver, then
enter a 0 in the IRQ number field for EVERY node.
3. Make sure you are calling the G5.BAT file from your BBS batch
file that runs Galaxy 5, and not GALAXY5.EXE. It is important
that you use CALL G5.BAT 1 on the command line (replacing 1
with the proper node number), instead of running GALAXY5.EXE.
The G5.BAT file will execute GALAXY5.EXE properly.
4. Make sure you are changing to the Galaxy 5 directory from your
BBS batch file, and not running the game from your BBS drop
file directory! For example, CD\DOORS\GALAXY5.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
MULTINODE USE 14
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
This game supports multinode use and provides automatic mulit-
tasker support (time slice releasing) for a wide variety of
multi-taskers, and uses file locking routines so as not to cross
or lose data while multiple players are online at the same time.
Real time messages, and battles are also supported!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Common Problems (Locked Bauds, High Speed modems, etc)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1. The game does NOT require a fossil driver to run, but it will
use yours if you are using one, and have specified 0 for the
IRQ numbers for every node.
2. If you are running a high speed modem (9600 baud or above),
then I suggest you run your bbs/mailer/doors at a locked baud
rate. On high speed error correcting modems, locking the baud
rate will have a noticeable increase on the speed of text
that is sent. It's beyond the scope of this document to
discuss configuring your BBS and mailer for a locked baud
rate, you may wish to consult those docs for information on
that. Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a
door with a locked baud rate:
a. When using a locked baud rate, I highly recommend using a
FOSSIL driver. This game will work at high speeds without
one though. BNU is a good fossil driver which can even be
loaded and unloaded before and after you run this game.
b. If you are using a fossil, then make sure to tell the
fossil that the port is locked. For BNU, to lock COM1 at
38400, you would use something like "/L0:38400" on BNU's
command line.
c. If you lock the baud for one program, it must be locked
for everything. You can't lock the baud for just this
game, but not your BBS/mailer.
3. What follows is some information on possible strange situat-
ions that may occur:
Corrupted data files
----------------------
It is possible that something could happen to your players data
file. A power outage, game crash, or other event could damage the
data files. If you get gibberish anywhere in the game like when
someone views their stats or anywhere else, then the best thing to
do is run the G5SETUP.EXE program and reset the game, if it is a
problem with player info being displayed incorrectly. If it is a
problem elsewhere, try running G5SETUP, and choosing the "Create
Fresh Data Files" option, to create new data files where possible.
Of course, there is no substitute for backing up your data files
directory every now and then! ;>
"File Is Missing"
-------------------
You will see this one whenever the game tries to display a file
that doesn't exist. If you still have your original G5xxx.ZIP
file, unzip it, and run INSTALL, NOT using the upgrade options. If
you do not wish to do it this way, then you can unzip the G5.ZIP
file (located inside G5xxx.ZIP), and copy over all of the files to
the proper directories, not overwriting any files that you have
customized.
"I/O Error"
-------------
This message is displayed when there is a problem reading from a
data file. Check your PLANETS.DAT file, to make sure there are 5
records in it, and that there are 5 records in the G5_MATES.DAT
file also. If this is not the problem, then another data file has
been screwed up somewhere somehow, possibly due to a system crash.
You can try using the "Create Fresh Data Files" option in G5SETUP,
and see if that fixes the problem.
"Overlay File Is Missing"
---------------------------
You will see this one when the game is booting up, if the
GALAXY5.OVR file could not be found in your home Galaxy 5
directory. If you still have the original G5xxx.ZIP archive, you
can unzip it, and unzip the G5.ZIP file (located inside G5xxx.ZIP)
then copy GALAXY5.OVR to your Galaxy 5 home directory (it also
wouldn't hurt to copy over the GALAXY5.EXE file also, as the two
may come from different versions if you only copy over one).
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
CREDITS 15
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Thanx go to the following people for helping out with Galaxy 5 in
one way or another! :)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The callers of
The Last Call BBS! - Without the callers who played the game
during test phases, I probably never would
have been able to release this game!
Kenneth Bledsoe ---- For creating such a great door writing kit,
the UrDoor unit. If you are wanting to get
started writing doors in Turbo Pascal, and
want an easy to use powerful kit, this is it!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Thanx to the following Beta Test sites
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Tom McEachren - Wonderland BBS -------- (313) 274-3531
Tony Henson --- Line Noise ------------ (810) 254-3658
Carnage ------- Black Dawn BBS -------- (313) 955-6534
Bruce Miller -- Millers Manor --------- (313) 595-8243
Bill LaBeau --- Late Night With Bills - (313) 283-3225
Tony Zarzecki - The Evil Crypt -------- (313) 538-3762
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Thanx also go to Carnage of Black Dawn BBS for one of the ANSI's
used in Galaxy 5 (the blue flame intro).
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Error Log Unit was used to trap run-time errors to the
ERROR.LOG file. The Error Log Unit is a freeware unit created by
Bob Dalton, and so far, has worked great! ;>
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I also used a few snippets from Bob Daltons sample sysop
documentation included with the DDplus door driver package to
write this documentation.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WHERE TO REACH ME 16
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
The Last Call BBS! -=≡=- (313) 295-6284, Home of -Noel Software-
FIDO -=≡=- 1:2410/903
Internet E-Mail -=≡=- Thomas.Smith@wland.ack.mi.org
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
REGISTRATION 17
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you or your users enjoy this game, then you may wish to
consider registration. It costs only 15 bucks, and will allow you
to change almost anything about the game, and will display your
name as "Registered By" instead of reading "This is an evaluation
copy of Galaxy 5." Information on how to register is shown in the
enclosed REGISTER.TXT file. Included with your registration is
lifetime free updates, along with notification by mail of major
updates, BEFORE they are released, with the option of having the
latest version sent to you on disk (for $1.00 each disk), so you
can always get the latest versions as soon as they are released!
You never have to pay an extra charge for future upgrades, minor
or major! It is even possible to register the game for home use,
even if you do not run a BBS! You and your family can enjoy it
privately! :) To register this game just print out the
REGISTER.TXT file included with the game and send it in with your
check or money order to:
Thomas J. Smith
26910 Beverly
Taylor, MI 48180
If you can not print out the REGISTER.TXT form, then you can write
one with the same info asked for on your own sheet of paper. The
format does not have to be the same, just try to include all of
the information asked for in the registration form.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
You may also run G5 Setup, and choose the "Register Galaxy 5"
option from the main menu. This is the easiest way, as it will
allow you to enter all of the info needed for registration in the
same format as the rest of G5 Setup, then you can either print the
info to your printer, or save it to a file on disk!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Reminder: You will be mailed a GALAXY5.KEY file by either postal
mail, crashed to your FIDO address, or you can download it from
The Last Call BBS!, your choice, as listed in the REGISTER.TXT
file, with your registration. All you have to do after receiving
your key file, is put it in your home Galaxy 5 directory, and all
registered features will be "unlocked!" Many months and hours of
work went into creating this game, and I think you will feel that
it is well worth the money! :) I have more than contributed to
fellow SysOps with the development of many fine freeware programs,
as I understand completely the high costs of running a BBS,
especially as a hobby (as I do)! A lot of work went into the
development of Galaxy 5, and I think you will find the price is
lower than alot of other door games not nearly as big as Galaxy 5!
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
BUG REPORTS/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS 18
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
* If you find a bug in the game, by all means, TELL ME ABOUT IT! *
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
I have made every attempt to make sure the game is free of bugs,
BUT the possibility always exists that one may have gotten by me,
or the testers. If you find a bug, or have a suggestion or comment
to make which would make future versions better, please fill out
the BUGFOUND.TXT form (print it out if mailing it), and send it to
me by uploading it to my BBS, sending crash through FIDO, or if
you want, you can even put it in an envelope, stamp it, and send
it through postal mail, along with your configuration files, batch
files, and if they exist in your Galaxy 5 directory, ERROR.LOG &
GALAXY5.LOG. I DO read ALL of them and those people that have made
suggestions in the past, can tell you, I have implemented almost
every one of them as suggested, so long as they were usable ideas.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
FIDO INFORMATION 19
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
My BBS supports file "freq"ing at 2400 to 28.8 baud. Just request
G5 from 1:2410/903 for Galaxy 5, or G5UPDATE for any recent update
patches. I also have a few other useful BBS utilities, 90% of
which are freeware! For a list of all "freqable" programs from
-Noel Software-, freq LIST or FILES from 1:2410/903 and you will
receive a text listing of all my programs, all of which are also
"freqable."
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
=----=≡=- END OF DOC -=≡=----=