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SCI-FI TRIVIA MARATHON(tm)
1996 Edition
Version 1.15
SysOp Documentation
Written By Don McClain
(c) Copyright 1996 Don McClain and Cyber Artists Studios
Distributed by CYBER ARTISTS STUDIOS
=- WARRANTY -=
This product is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind
expressed or implied. The entire risk in the use of this product, the
results of the program or the performance of the program is assumed
by you. The author does not warrant, promise or guarantee in any
manner the use of or the results of the use of the program. You
assume all risks and responsibilities in regard to the use of this
product including any system damage, loss of profit or any other
damages resulting from the use, inability to use or failure of this
program. In no event shall anyone involved in the creation,
production or distribution of this product be held liable for any
damages arising out of any use, inability to use or failure of this
product.
=- COPYRIGHT -=
SCI-FI TRIVIA MARATHON, Copyright (c) 1996 by Don McClain and Cyber
Artists Studios, is being distributed as Shareware. Under this
distribution method, you may use this product for a period not to
exceed 30 days for evaluation purposes. After this period, you must
either register your copy or discontinue use.
=- PROGRAM OVERVIEW -=
SCI-FI TRIVIA MARATHON is a BBS online game of trivia pertaining to
the entertaining worlds of science-fiction and fantasy in film,
television, books, etc. Each day players will face a pre-determined
number of questions. Points are awarded for each correct answer.
Players continue to answer questions up to the daily maximum or until
they select an incorrect answer. At that time, their play for the day
is finished and they may call the next day to continue their play.
A running scoreboard of the Top 10 players is maintained for display.
The SCI-FI TRIVIA MARATHON, 1996 Edition, version 1.15 contains a 500
question database.
=- BEFORE WE GET STARTED -=
The following files should be included in your distribution archive.
If any of these files are missing you do not have a complete
distribution package for SCI-FI TRIVIA MARATHON and you should call
one of the distribution sites listed at the end of this file.
INSTRUCT.TXT - Internal player documentation and instructions.
MAINT.EXE - The nightly maintenance executable.
QUESTION.TXT - Question Breakdown text file for internal use.
REGISTER.TXT - Registration form for SCI-FI TRIVIA MARATHON.
SAMPLE.BAT - A sample .bat file for program execution.
SFTM-AD.ANS - An announcement advertisement for your use.
SFTMSCR.ANS - Display screen used internally.
SFTPOINT.DAT - Question tracker file used internally.
SFTRIV.ANS - Title screen.
SFTRIV.CFG - Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon configuration file.
SFTRIV.DAT - Main question data file.
SFTRIV.EXE - Main executable.
SYSOP.DOC - This documentation.
TOP20.TXT - Top 20 Sci-Fi film chart used internally.
WHATSNEW.TXT - Listing of version changes and bug fixes.
In addition the following files will be created as the game is
played:
*. - Individual player data files.
PLAYER.DAT - Player data file used internally.
SFTRIV.BLT - Score Bulletin.
SFTRIV.BUL - Score data.
SFTRIVG.BLT - Score Bulletin in color.
SFTSCORE.DAT - Internal score tracking data file.
=- INSTALLATION -=
1. - UnZIP the contents of the distribution archive into a directory.
2. - Modify SFTRIV.CFG. The configuration file is defined as follows:
c:\wildcat\wcwork\node1\door.sys <- Path to drop file.
Forum BBS <- BBS Name
Don <- Sysop First Name
McClain <- Sysop Last Name
00000 <- Registration Number
20 <- Number Of Daily Questions
3. - The next step would be to modify the sample batch file and any
configuration files your BBS system requires for a door installation.
Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon supports the following door files:
CALLINFO.SYS - For Wildcat! systems prior to 3.0.
DOOR.SYS - For systems that support the industry standard
52 line version of DOOR.SYS.
DOORINFO.DEF - For QBBS, RBBS and RA systems.
PCBOARD.SYS - For PCBoard systems using PCBOARD.SYS.
SFDOORS.DAT - For Spitfire systems.
TRIBBS.SYS - For TriBBS systems.
USERINFO.SYS - For Wildcat! 3.x systems.
USERS.SYS - For PCBoard systems using USERS.SYS.
(Note - Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon may also run on other systems that use
one of the dropfile formats listed above. Also, Sci-Fi Trivia
Marathon may also run on systems using different dropfile formats
with the use of dropfile conversion programs.)
The door batch file need only switch to the proper directory and then
call SFTRIV.EXE with the configuration file on the command line. For
example:
c:
cd\wildcat\door\sftriv
sftriv.exe sftriv.cfg
c:
cd\wildcat
=- Local Test -=
You may test Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon locally by simply typing:
sftriv /local
You must still have a sftriv.cfg file in place, however.
=- Fossil Driver Support -=
Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon supports the use of a fossil driver. Tell the
program you are using a fossil driver by putting /FD at the end of
the command line calling the program. For example:
sftriv.exe sftriv.cfg /FD
If, for some reason, no fossil driver is detected, Sci-Fi Trivia
Marathon will print a message indicating such and exit back to the
BBS.
=- MAINTENANCE -=
The maintenance module, MAINT.EXE, should be run once a day. No
command line parameters are required. This module must be executed
from with the Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon directory.
MAINT.EXE should be run from a .bat file as part of your system
nightly maintenance. For example:
c:
cd\wildcat\door\sftriv
maint.exe
=- SYSOP FUNCTIONS -=
The following function keys are supported:
F5 - Shell to DOS
F8 - Return user to system
F9 - Toggle display
F3 - Toggle Printer (PCBoard only)
F4 - Toggle Bell (PCBoard only)
F7 - Toggle Caller Alarm (PCBoard Only)
Alt-H - Toggle status line
Alt-N - Toggle sysop on next
Alt-X - Exit to DOS after call
=- UNREGISTERED VERSION LIMITATIONS -=
The following limitations are active within the Unregistered
Demonstration version of Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon:
1. Daily questions set at 10.
2. Only the first 100 questions of database available.
3. No monthly reset.
4. Closing delay with unregistered status notice.
=- REGISTRATION -=
Registration of Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon 1996 Edition is currently $15
as of April 24, 1996. Cyber Artists Studios reserves the right to
alter this price at a later date.
All registrations must be paid for with checks or money orders drawn
on U.S. funds in U.S. banks. No overseas checks accepted.
Registration removes the limitations of the Unregistered version.
Registration also entitles the user to all future upgrades, updates
and/or versions of the Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon. This includes, but is
not limited to, any and all yearly editions to be released. At the
present time, Cyber Artists Studios hopes to release an updated
edition of the Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon on an annual basis. These plans
are dependent on the acceptance and reception of Sci-Fi Trivia
Marathon by the BBS community. Cyber Artists Studios reserves the
right to alter these plans at any time.
Registrations are not transferrable from one system to another.
Changes in a BBS name or a BBS sysop will require a new registration
at the full registration price.
Cyber Artists Studios reserves the right to revoke or invalidate the
registration of any user who resells, redistributes, duplicates or
allows the reselling, redistributing or duplication of their
registration codes for use by others.
Please see REGISTER.TXT for further details and the registration
form.
=- REGISTRATION VIA COMPUSERVE -=
In addition to registration via the use of the enclosed REGISTER.TXT
file, users who are subscribers to CompuServe may also register
online on CompuServe. GO SWREG once online. The registration ID
number for Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon is 11106.
=- SUPPORT -=
Due to the changing nature of cyberspace, the numbers, addresses and
sites listed below may change at any moment without prior notice. If
one of the sites listed no longer answers or cannot be accessed,
please try one of the others. We are maintaining as many access sites
as possible in hopes of making it easier for users to contact us.
Via Internet at casamerica@aol.com
Via Internet at 71777.326@compuserve.com
Via WWW at http://members.aol.com/casamerica/cas.htm
Via America Online at casamerica
Via CompuServe at 71777,326
Via BBS at The Forum BBS at 219.456.6151
Via USPS at Cyber Artists Studios, P.O. Box 10541, Fort Wayne, IN
46853-0541
=- DISTRIBUTION SITES -=
The Forum BBS at 219.456.6151
Cyber Artists Studios at http://members.aol.com/casamerica/cas.htm
CompuServe at PCBBS Forum (Go PCBBS)
America Online at PC Telecom Forum (Keyword: PC Telecom)
=- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -=
I would like to thank my wife and children for being patient and
enduring my occassional bouts with insanity the past few months as
Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon evolved and especially when things didn't go
quite right.
I would like to acknowledge the late Ted Freeman for his contribution
to the door authoring community. His DoorFrame library creations for
QuickBasic and Visual Basic has saved many an author the frustration
of having to deal with the tricky problem of reliable comm routines.
I and many other door authors out there owe Ted an immense sign of
gratitude.
I would also like to thank those BBS sysops brave enough to subject
their systems not only to the alpha and beta testing of my creations,
but, of any author's creations. Without you brave and patient folks,
our job would be immensely more difficult.
And I would like to thank those of you out there who will register
Sci-Fi Trivia Marathon because you intend to use it. In a time when
it has become easy, and to many a matter of course, to simply steal
registration codes or crack programs, those of you who register your
programs and let the author know that you appreciate his or her
efforts are to be commended and applauded. Your sense of honesty,
respect and gratitude is what keeps the shareware concept alive and
shareware authors trying. Again, I appreciate and I thank you.