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Monster Media 1996 #15
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Monster Media Number 15 (Monster Media)(July 1996).ISO
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phan217.zip
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SYSOP1.DOC
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1996-05-27
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PHANTOM OF THE CATACOMBS:
Quick and Easy Install Info is 1 SCREEN DOWN! ;)
WHAT'S NEW:
More Quests! More gold when completing a quest!
2.15 fixes the problem that SOME systems had with 2.11 when installing
via Desqview or networks. I did not ship the databases, but created
them during install, which took up more memory. If memory was depleted,
it would stop the creation of the database, leaving a partial database
and causing an error on runtime. Now I ship all databases WITH the archive
so that there should be no installation problems. This is a
STANDALONE game and OPTIONAL IGM. The price is $15.00.
You may wish to check out the PACKAGE DEAL. See REGISTER DOC.
DISCLAIMER: (For License see SYSOP2.DOC)
It is *your* responsibility to make sure the game works on YOUR
system BEFORE registering it. Although I will try to help you in
setting up the DOOR before or after registration, I will NOT be
responsible for getting it to work. I will NOT be held responsible for
any problems on your system which you may think are caused by my games.
PHANTOM OF THE CATACOMBS:
I don't care to hear how this is so difficult to install for an IGM. This
is a STANDALONE game and an OPTIONAL IGM. If you don't care to go through
a more indepth installation process, DON'T RUN IT.
Quick and Easy install:
1. Create a unique directory for Phantom with any name.
2. Unzip this archive within that directory.
3. Type:
INSTPHAN SYSOP
Do item #1, and item #2.
UPGRADES UPGRADES UPGRADES: (If Upgrading, only do item #2.)
4. If you wish to run as an IGM for LORD answer Yes to the question
in item #1 when it asks if you wish to run it as an IGM.
5. See the sample.bat file for setting up as a standalone game for
your non-LORD playing players. Both standalone and IGM will use the
same game from the same directory at the same time. Yeah!
Your players will need to choose if they wish to play it as an IGM
or as a standalone. They will be allowed to enter once per day.
6. For further details, keep reading.
This games will not be supported if you wish to run it using LORD's
local mode from the DOS prompt. You must load it via your BBS so a drop
file will be created, if you wish to run it from a local node. If you
wish to run Phantom locally, just type: phan local "Your Name"
CONTENTS:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LORD IGM OR STANDALONE
RUNNING WITH MULTIPLE LORD GAMES
SYSOP MODE
INSTALLATION
NEW INSTALLATIONS
UPGRADE
UNINSTALL
REGISTER
RESET
SYSOP2.DOC
MAINTENANCE
NIGHTLY MAINTENANCE
MONTHLY RESET
RESET
Sample Door Batch File for Standalone Mode
OPTIONAL CUSTOM CONFIG FILES
CONFIG FILES
Local Mode
Running from Type 7 Shell to DOS
MULTI-NODE PHAN
MULTI-NODE SUPPORT
SHAREWARE -- TRYING IT OUT
Full Features in the Registered Version
Benefits of registering
SYSOP PAGING
ERRORS/PROBLEMS
LORD IGM OR STANDALONE:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PHANTOM of the CATACOMBS:
can be played as an IGM for LORD or as a standalone game
or both at the same time. If a player enters PHAN from "Other
Places" within LORD, the gold and experience they have earned
for the day (as well as other items of value) will be passed
back into their player record for LORD.
If you have players who do not play LORD, they can still get
in on the fun of playing PHAN without having to enter LORD.
Set up a menu item for Phantom of the Catacombs and set it
up as a regular standalone game. All LORD related menu items
will be disabled for them. LORD players and non-LORD players
can play the game at the SAME time, competing with one another!
RUNNING WITH MULTIPLE LORD GAMES:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you choose to run this IGM with multiple LORD games, you
should have a different directory with a different game for
each version of LORD you are running as well. This game only
allows players to enter once per day.
INSTALLATION:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Phantom of the Catacombs SHOULD NOT be loaded in the LORD
directory. It should be loaded in its own directory with ANY name,
ANYWHERE on the system! Pains have been taken to ensure that file
names will be unique so as not to copy over any LORD files, if you
do accidentally unzip this archive in your LORD directory (except
for the REGISTER.DOC), so if you did unzip in the LORD directory,
type INSTPHAN SYSOP and use UNINSTALL to remove the PHANTOM files.
Then create a new directory and install it in there.
This game must be loaded in its own unique directory.
Unzip the archive in the unique directory created.
SYSOP MODE:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PHAN SYSOP
NEW INSTALLATIONS:
──────────────────
Type:
INSTPHAN SYSOP
For new installations, you must do item #1, creating the needed
installation files.
You must also do item #2, installing and setting attributes for
the needed files.
If you are runnin WindowsNT, the file system does not support the dos
attributes command and you will need to manually set the attributes for
these types of files to READ ONLY:
*.EXE
*.ANS
*.TXT
If you are upgrading, you will need to undo the read only attribute before
running #2 for the upgrade. Then you will need to set them again after.
UPGRADE:
────────
Type:
INSTPHAN SYSOP
You must do item #2, installing and setting attributes for the
needed files.
1. You will be asked if you wish to run with or without a fossil
driver. A fossil driver such as X00 or BNU is recommended for
best system operation, but use with no fossil is supported.
After answering this question, config.cfg will be created with
; NoFossil
or
NoFossil
in the file. If you wish to add more unusual settings pertaining
to IRQ's, etc. see the section in the documention on the config.cfg
file.
2. You will be asked if you wish to run this as a LORD IGM. If you
answer yes, the correct lines will be added to the 3rdparty.dat
file in the LORD directory. You will input the path to the LORD
directory. The system will check for a valid directory by looking
for lord.exe. If this is not found, it will exit and ask you to
find the correct lord path.
3. MOONCHAT is a new feature which will be added to all Shining
Star Software games and doors. This will allow users to page and
chat multi-node with one another while on-line and using any
SSS game or door. Select a desired directory where you wish to
load the MOONCHAT files. When you upgrade to a SSS door with
this feature, use the same path for all SSS doors so that users
can chat and page one another no matter what SSS door they are
using.
4. Bulletin file path and names. You will be asked for the path and
name to your ansi bulletin file and to your ascii bulletin file.
5. You will be asked how many nodes you run and the path and name
of the drop file for each node. If you copy your drop file to
your game directory, DO NOT enter the path, just the drop file
name.
UNINSTALL:
──────────
After installation, if you wish to uninstall, type:
PHAN SYSOP
And select the Uninstall option.
REGISTER:
─────────
If you are registered. Make sure you have your key handy.
After installation, type:
PHAN SYSOP
Select the Register option.
RESET:
──────
Use this option if you wish to delete all players and reset the
game. The high scorers list will be retained.
Type: PHAN MAINT R
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
For legal junk, support and sysop commands, read SYSOP2.DOC
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
NIGHTLY MAINTENANCE:
────────────────────
This game uses databases. To keep it cleaned up, delete old
records, and reindex databases, maintenance must be performed
in your nightly maintenance batch file:
PHAN MAINT
MONTHLY RESET:
──────────────
Phantom of the Catacombs can be played for contests. If you
begin your contest on the first of each month, you can have
it automatically reset every month by using this in your
nightly maintenance file:
PHAN MAINT M
RESET:
──────
If you wish to start your contest in the middle of the month
and wish to reset the game at any time, you may delete all
players and reset the game by running this from DOS:
PHAN MAINT R
Sample Door Batch File for Standalone Mode
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
See the sample.bat file for setting up a standalone game.
Example:
@echo off
cd\games\phantom
phan game 1
cd\pb\node1
or
@echo off
cd\games\lord\phan
phan game %1
cd\pb\node%1
In the above example:
Change to the phantom directory.
Call the .exe name:
phan
The Second Parameter tells the game whether you are running as a LORD
IGM or as a standalone game.
If running as a standalone game, the second parameter will be "game."
The third parameter is the node #. You may use a macro for the node
number or pass it as the actual number if single node or if creating
a separate .bat file for each node.
If you answer "yes" during installation that this is to be run as an
IGM, the command lines will automatically be added to your LORD
3rdparty.dat file:
In the 3rdparty.dat file for IGMs, the second parameter will be "lord."
In the 3rdparty.dat file for LORD IGMs, the node number will show as "*".
OPTIONAL CUSTOM CONFIG FILES
────────────────────────────
If your system requires unusual settings be added to your *.cfg file,
you may obtain customized information in the sample.cfg file. Rarely,
but sometimes, a system might require a separate .CFG file per node.
If this is true for you, create a separate .CFG file for each node
and name them:
CONFIG1.CFG
CONFIG2.CFG
CONFIG3.CFG etc.
Then, on the command line pass this parameter at the end like so:
phan game 1 custom
This will tell the system to NOT look for CONFIG.CFG, but instead to look
for custom .CFG files with the number of the appropriate node as above.
If running as a LORD IGM, edit the 3rdparty.dat file and add the word
"custom" to the end like so:
c:\games\phantom\phan lord * custom
CONFIG FILES:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
DO NOT ALTER THE *.CFG FILE(S) UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS!
IF you do need to alter the .CFG file(s), please see the SAMPLE.CFG
for instructions on options which you may add to your CONFIG.CFG file.
NOTE: THE SAMPLE.CFG FILE IS NOT NECESSARY IN 99% OF ALL CASES.
It allows you to optionally customize the game if you wish to use
unusual IRQs or PORTS, etc.
The file to refer to is the sample.cfg file. Most BBS systems will have no
need of looking at this file. If you DO need any of the options in the
sample.cfg file, simply add them at the bottom of your existing CONFIG.CFG
file.
Local Mode
──────────
The door can be tested in Local Mode before setting up your .bat file(s):
PHAN local "Your Name"
If you just type:
PHAN local
The system will default to "Sysop" as your name. Within the game you will
be asked to give an alias for play.
If your entire family is playing locally, each one can pass their real
name on the command line for identfication and then if they play via
the BBS as well, it will use the same record for play.
Running from Type 7 Shell to DOS
────────────────────────────────
PHAN can be run from your bbs with a type 7 shell to dos. An example
command line within your BBS system config would be:
Quickbbs:
command.com /c phan.bat or
command.com *C phan.bat
Proboard:
*Z phan.bat
Phantom of the Catacombs runs on MANY, MANY BBS systems, the above
two are JUST examples.
MULTI-NODE PHAN:
─────────────────
CALL PHAN MULTI-NODE THE SAME AS SINGLE NODE.
The drop file paths and names are setup when you first install PHAN.
Drop file path and name information is stored in:
SETUP.FIL
The 15th line of SETUP.FIL contains the drop file path and name for
node 0. The next line for node 1, the next line for node 2 and so on.
If you wish to alter the drop file path and names or add nodes,
please edit the SETUP.FIL with a normal text editor for alteration.
If you do not use node 0, please leave that line blank.
MULTI-NODE SUPPORT
──────────────────
PHAN is a true Multi-User Door Game. It supports multi-nodes. We have
tested it on six nodes successfully, and I'm sure it will support even more.
Chat feature allows sending public or private messages to other on-line
players. It also features "rewinding" up to 9 messages and "putting messages
on hold" to "play back" later. The score list shows "who's on line" and
from what "node" they are calling.
The installation automatically takes care of setting the *.exe, *.ans,
and *.txt files to READ ONLY. This is necessary for multi-user play since
users will get a sharing violation if they try to access those files at
the same time from within the game. This is a (hak kaff) "feature" of
using Turbo C/C++ as a compiler. Sorry. ;)
PHAN will use the record locking options built into SHARE from MS DOS
3.30 or later. Or you may use your Network's Sharing capabilities.
SHAREWARE -- TRYING IT OUT
──────────────────────────
You may run PHAN from DOS to try it out first. Just issue the
following command from dos:
phan local
The non-registered version allows you to experience EVERYTHING in
the REGISTERED version...BUT instead of getting the full number of
Quests, users will only be allowed to go on 5 quests which will
reloop. Once the game is registered, they can REALLY get into
some competition by tackling all the Quests.
There is no expiration date. There is no request to remove it from
your system after so many days.
When you can afford to register, all you will need to do is plug in a
number. You won't need to install a new EXE. You won't need to download
a key every few weeks. Your key will be valid for new versions. All
upgrades are FREE. *We reserve the right to change keys if we find our
key has been hacked and released to others. In that case we will notify
you of the new key when the new version comes out.
Everything is fully tested for many weeks before final release.
Full Features in the Registered Version
────────────────────────────────────────
You are not limited to a trial time period.
You may keep the unregistered version on your BBS as long as you wish.
Yet, remember, this is NOT FREEWARE, it is SHAREWARE, and at such a
time as you can afford the SHAREWARE registration fee, please send it.
The game is fully functional, but with the registered version, your
users will get more Quests.
Benefits of registering
───────────────────────
1. More Quests!
2. All future updates FREE when freqed from BBS's carrying the files.
3. Author support.
4. Top priority for suggested game features and enhancements.
SYSOP PAGING:
If you wish to allow sysop paging, please add the following section of
text, altered according to your wishes to the CONFIG.CFG file(s).
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;
; Sysop paging hours. Sysop paging will be permitted beginning at the start
; time, up until, but not including, the end time. Times should be in 24-hour
; format. To disable paging on a particular day, set the paging start and end
; times to the same time.
;
; Start Time End Time
SundayPagingHours 9:00 22:00
MondayPagingHours 8:30 22:00
TuesdayPagingHours 8:30 22:00
WednesdayPagingHours 8:30 22:00
ThursdayPagingHours 8:30 22:00
FridayPagingHours 8:30 22:00
SaturdayPagingHours 9:00 22:00
;
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;
; Duration of sysop page. Value indicates the number of beeps that compose the
; sysop page alarm.
;
PageDuration 10
;
;------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ERRORS/PROBLEMS:
────────────────
If you get an error -70 during packing and reindexing of a database,
refer to the database name on the screen. That error will happen if someone
else is using the game while you are trying to do maintenance on the
other node.
If that is NOT the problem, then that database is probably corrupted.
If you run "PHAN MAINT" and it happens again, you will need to
unarchive the game and replace the corrupted files.
If your remote callers get aschii dumped characters on the screen when
playing, but locally it looks okay:
If you have a config.cfg file, please edit it and make sure anything
referring to Personality is totally deleted. For some reason on some
systems the Personality profile causes this to happen.
Deleting it seems to resolve the problem.
ERROR -120: This error occurs when your disk is full. Check and make
sure you have a lot of hard disk memory. Perhaps you're getting low.
Clear up some hard disk space.
ERROR -200, -300, -310: One of your database files or indexes is
probably corrupted.
Run the nightly maintenance. If that fails, you will have to delete
your entire directory and unarchive the original and install it new.
To uninstall the entire directory, enter sysop mode:
PHAN SYSOP
And use the Uninstall option.
If you are registered, make sure you have a backup of your key, it
is stored in the file: reg.key.
ERROR -920: Out of memory. The game tried to allocate memory from the heap,
but no memory was available.
When entering IGM from LORD, it says:
"Screw it! .... is missing!"
You didn't do the INSTPHAN SYSOP item #2 for updating or installing the files.
Make sure when you upgrade or install that you do #2:
INSTPHAN SYSOP
If this is a new installation, you must also do item #1. Order doesn't matter.
I will NOT try to offer support of this game when used with a
wide beta release of LORD. Don't report bugs to me unless
they are reproduced in a working non-beta version of LORD.