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Monster Media 1994 #2
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1994-07-19
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SHIP OF THE LINE Version 1.00 -- Program & Design by Robert A. Dalton
Copyright (C) 1994
Compiled using SCOTT BAKER's Door Driver Routines (Registered) with
enhancements provided by Steven Lorenz via DDPlus and Borland Pascal
7.0 (Professional).
INTRODUCTION:
------------
Ship of the Line (SOTL) is half wargame and half card game and can be
played in a single user log on session on most BBS's. It takes place in
the Atlantic Ocean between 1778 and 1805. The goal is simple: Utilizing
cards drawn from a play deck attempt to sink or capture all the COMPUTER
opponents fleet while attempting to keep that fate from happening to yours.
Easy? Think again!
DISCLAIMER:
----------
To the extent of this SysOp's knowledge, this software will cause not damage
whatsoever to your system. HOWEVER, no warranty is given or implied. By
running this software, you hereby submit to the rules and limitations
imposed by the author. NEITHER THE AUTHOR, NOR ANY OF THE TEST SITES,
SUPPORT BOARDS, OR ANYONE OF ANY RELATION TO THE GAME MAY BE HELD
RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THE VARIOUS POSSIBLE PROBLEMS THAT MAY OCCUR. IF
YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH ANY OF THE RULES OR REQUIREMENTS STATED, DO NOT USE
THIS PACKAGE!
REQUIREMENTS:
------------
At this point in time the only requirements are FILES=10 (or more) in your
config.sys file, ANSI.SYS and SHARE must also be loaded. The game is RIP
aware but NOT a RIP Game at this time. A FOSSIL is NOT required to run the
game, although one will be supported if it exists. Automatic time slicing
support is provided to most common multi-taskers as well.
Files Included
--------------
Below is a listing of all files for the Ship of the Line Game. If you are
missing ANY of these files (except for the DOC and FRM files), the game
will NOT function. Feel free to give out copies of the ENTIRE archive
package of SOTL but please make sure all the files below are in that package:
SAILSHIP.ANS - ANSI Opening Screen for Ship of the Line
SAMPLE.BAT - A sample BAT file for Door.sys used to support Multi-node
on a WildCat BBS
SAMPLE1.BAT - A sample BAT file for Door.sys used to support Single Node
on my BBS (WILDCAT)
SOTL.CTL - Un-edited Control file for setting up Ship of the Line
SAMPLE.CTL - A copy of the SOTL.CTL file which I use on my BBS to
run the game (WildCat 3.91S System, 386 33Mhz Computer,
Single Node, 8Mb RAM, DesqView 2.41/QEMM 7.03, BNU Fossil
locking port #1 at 19200 and using FrontDoor 2.02 and a
US Robotics DS Modem, ANSI.sys loaded and SHARE loaded).
KEY.DAT - Dummy Key for Ship of the Line (Good forever!)
FILE_ID.DIZ - Ascii Description File for BBS Sysops on SOTL
B4UASK.DOC - Checklist for resolving setup/game play problems
HISTORY.DOC - SOTL Version History information file
SYSOP.DOC - This text file you are reading
SOTL.EXE - Ship of the Line Main Program
REGISTER.FRM - Preprinted registration form and mailer
BUGRPT.FRM - Preprinted bug report/suggestion/comment form and mailer
CATALOG.TXT - A catalog with descriptions of all door games available
from me.
INSTRUCT.TXT - Game Player Instructions for Ship of the Line
SOTL.ZIP - Compressed copy of the above instructions to make
available on your BBS for download by players of the game.
Files created by Ship of the Line when first played:
SOTLSCOR.DAT - Ascii Top Six Scoreboard
SCORE.DAT - Data file to store player scores between plays
Files created by Ship of the Line when errors are encountered:
ERROR.LOG - Log of system errors which happen during game play.
Installation
------------
1. Create a directory for the game (example: "WC30\DOORS\SOTL")
2. Make sure that ALL files listed above from the SOTL100.ZIP file
are moved into that directory.
3. Edit the control file (SOTL.CTL) for your type of BBS software,
user name, etc. The control file should be self-explanatory.
If all else fails - try mine (Sample.CTL).
4. Edit the Key.DAT file. Line #1 should be the sysops name, Line
#2 should be the name of the using BBS, do NOT change or edit
line #3.
5. Install the door into your BBS software (see your BBS software
documentation for more information). A batch file is normally
used to do this. To run the program just have your batch file
change to the SOTL directory and run SOTL.EXE - Thats all there
is to it! Two different DOOR.SYS batch files are included to
show you how it should look for single node (SAMPLE1.BAT) and
for Multi-node (SAMPLE.BAT). The single node one is in use on
BBS and works fine. These are included with the game for editing
and your use. For dorinfo systems use the following:
Sample Batch File
-----------------
COPY DORINFOx.DEF \RBBS\DOORS\SOTL\*.*
CD \RBBS\DOORS\SOTL
SOTL x <-=- NODE number !!DO NOT USE "x"!!
del dorinfox.def
CD \RBBS
-=*=- Please note that you replace the "x" with the appropriate node
number. Ex: Dorinfo1.def ; Dorinfo2.def ; etc...
6. If you would like a score bulletin just have the game batch file
copy the SOTLSCOR.DAT file to wherever you have your bulletins.
Example:
Copy C:\WC30\DOORS\SOTL\SOTLSCOR.DAT C:\WC30\BULL\BULL11.BBS
7. Surprise! There is NO daily maintenance to be performed.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE UNREGISTERED GAME
-------------------------------------
Until the game is registered the following restrictions are in effect:
a. The human player can only play the English Navy (ENG) side.
b. There will be a slight delay experienced by players at the beginning of
the game.
Local Mode
----------
"SOTL/L" will get you there.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS
--------------------------------
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 calling me:
1. Read ALL the SYSOP.DOC to ensure you have setup the program
and have met all the program requirements.
2. Use the B4UASK.DOC as a checklist to ensure that you have
not done anything wrong.
Glossary of Terms
-----------------
Here is a brief guide to a few terms that I will be using in this
document:
BAUD - The speed at which the user is calling.
DOOR.SYS - Common drop file used by a variety of BBS programs. It is
the one I use on my BBS to run SOTL, and therefore, the
most reliable.
DROP FILE - The file that is created by the bbs program when it goes to
execute the door. It contains the baud rate, com port,
name of the user online, etc. Common drop files are
DORINFO.DEF, DOOR.SYS, PCBOARD.SYS, EXITINFO.DAT, etc.
LOCKED BAUD - In order to get the most efficiency out of a high speed
error correcting modem (9600 baud or above), you must
lock the baud rate to a speed higher than what the caller
is actually using. By locking the baud to 38,400, the
modem can actually compress the data that is being sent
and achieve a baud rate much higher than the actual
transmission rate.
SOTL - "Ship of the Line", the name of this game.
MULTINODE - A BBS system with either more than one computer attached
or using a multi tasker (desqview, windows) that allows
more than one person to call at a time.
NODE - Refers to a member of a multinode system.
Command Line Switches
---------------------
/L Load in Local mode.
/Nx Specifies node number. (i.e. /N1 for node 1, /N2 for node 2,
etc)
/Pyy Specifies path to drop files. (i.e. /PC:\BBS, for c:\bbs, etc)
/Bxxxx Specify lock baud rate. For example "/B38400" would force the
comport to be 38,400 baud no matter what the drop file says
the baud is (ie; like door.sys). Only use IF the SOTL.CTL
locked baud section does NOT work.
Multinode use
-------------
SOTL supports multinode use and provides automatic multi-tasker support
(time slice releasing) for a wide variety of multi-taskers.
Common Problems (Locked Bauds, High Speed modems, etc)
------------------------------------------------------
1. The game does NOT require a fossil driver to run.
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 SOTL with a locked baud rate:
a. When using a locked baud rate, I highly recommend using a FOSSIL
driver. SOTL 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 SOTL.
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 38,400, 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 SOTL, but not
your BBS/mailer.
d. You may need to use the /B switch on the SOTL Command line to
specify the locked baud rate. For 19,200 this would be "/B19200"
and for 38,400 this would be "/B38400". Please note there is no
space between the "/B" and the baud rate.
3. What follows is some information on possible strange situations
that may occur:
a. Low speed users can play SOTL, but high speed users get garbage.
- If you are not using the DORINFOx.DEF or DOOR.SYS drop file
then you may wish to find a converter program to convert
whatever drop file your BBS produces to the DORINFOx.DEF
or DOOR.SYS format and tell SOTL to use that.
Several converter programs are readily available on most
BBS systems. CallDoor is a good one if you can find it.
b. SOTL hangs up when a user enters the game.
- Sounds like SOTL is getting the wrong baud rate somehow.
Try switching over to the DORINFOx.DEF drop file method
if possible.
c. Text and screens are getting cut off.
- If you are running with a locked baud, then this could
be caused by some sort of FLOW CONTROL problem. Try using
a fossil if you aren't already.
d. If you're using something other than the DOOR.SYS drop file,
then I always suggest trying to use DOOR.SYS if possible. It is
the most reliable method and has had the most testing. If that
is not possible try DORINFOx.DEF as an alternative.
"Corrupted" data files
----------------------
It is possible that something could happen to your SOTL data file. A power
outage, SOTL crash, or other event could damage the data files. If you get
one of these messages, then the best thing to do is eliminate the SCORE.DAT
file and start the game again to create a new one.
CREDITS:
--------
This relatively small section is just to recognize the GOOD people
who have made this door a possibility.
Scott Baker -=*=- The author of the door driver package which
made this game possible. Great job Scott!!
Steven Lorenz -=*=- The author of the enhanced add on package
to Scott Bakers DoorDriver. Thanks to his
allowing me to use his modifications I
was able to delete the fossil requirement
and add many new communication enhancements
to SOTL. Thanks Steve!
Michael Arnett -=*=- ANSI Artist Supreme for his generous contribution
of the custom ANSI opening screen for this
game.
Where to reach me
-----------------
I can usually be reached at my BBS system, which should be listed in the
section entitled "registration" which is below.
Registration
------------
If you or your users enjoy this game, then please register it.
Registration is $20.00 and you get a key code by mail or posted on my
BBS which will disable the delay, allow players to play either side,
and entitle you to life time support through my BBS. BBS Support
includes unlimited free updates and upgrades (not like some door game
authors who charge for major upgrades/updates!) through my BBS and access
to the SOTL support conference on my BBS. To register this game just print
out the registration form (REGISTER.FRM) file included with the game and
send it with your check or money order for $20.00 to:
Robert A. Dalton
203 Old Farm Road
Harrison, AR 72601
HOW TO REACH ME BY MODEM
---------------------------
The TANSTAFL BBS (USA)
(501) 741-5699 (USR Dual- 2400 to 14400 baud)
Fidonet 1:391/3010
Reminder: You will be mailed a letter with your registration code.
Just allow an appropriate amount of time (a week or two) after dropping your
check in the mail for it to arrive to me and the code to be sent by mail
back to you. If you need it sooner log onto my BBS, leave me a message
telling me you mailed the registration and when I receive your check or
money order I will post a private message on the BBS giving you the key
code. If you do it this way please allow at least a week from the time
you mail it to the time you call and get your code. If you go the BBS
route you will ALSO receive a key code by mail. If you live in the
continental 48 United States I can also send your key via Netmail, if
you would like, through the FIDO system (only).
Bug Reports/Comments/Suggestions
--------------------------------
I have made every attempt to make sure the game is free of bugs, BUT the
possibility always exists that one may have been missed by me or the
playtesters. If you find a bug, or have a suggestion or comment to make
which would make future versions better please print out the BUGRPT.FRM and
mailer, fill it out, and send it to me. I read ALL of them and those people
that lead me to find a bug or generate a better game will receive credit in
the game documentation. PLEASE DO NOT NOTIFY ME OF PROBLEMS AND EXPECT ME
TO FIX THEM IF YOU HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE BUGRPT.FRM AND ANY
ERROR.LOG WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN GENERATED BY THE GAME DURING PLAY.
FUTURE PLANS
------------
I hope to add a RIP version someday soon and to allow players to play other
humans on multi-node systems in REAL time. Once you are registered any
future updates can be obtained free through my BBS and my upgrades are
ALWAYS easy to implement!
FIDO INFORMATION
----------------
My BBS supports file "freq"ing at 9600 baud or above. Just call 1:391/3010.
I also carry a door library of over 275 of the all time best door games which
I try to keep current. For a list of these doors just freq "DOORS". I am
always adding new things to my games so most likely there will be a later
version of the program available on my BBS then the one you have. For
a current version of SOTL just freq "SOTL". For a list of ALL my files just
freq "TANSTAFL.ZIP". If you are a door game/program writer why not send me
a copy of your game/program? If you have a more current version of a door
then I have, please consider sending me a copy as a token of your
appreciation for the service I offer at NO cost to you. Thanks!