Night Owl 9/Night Owl CD-ROM (NOPV9) (Night Owl Publisher) (1993).ISO/005a/golf181.zip/LBGOLF.DOC

Text File | 1993-03-14 | 19KB | 439 lines

                  LAN/BBS Tournament Golf Documentation


I. REQUIREMENTS

   A. FILE SHARING

   If you run LBGolf and get a message that the Share program is needed,
   you need to change your autoexec.bat file to execute the Share
   program when your computer is booted.  For best results, use
   SHARE /F:4096 /L:255.  The defaults used by Share (/F:2048 /L:20) are
   often inadequate and lockups are possible with some programs when
   using the defaults.  Problems are also likely when your execute Share
   from DOS instead of your autoexec.bat or config.sys.

   The LBGOLF.EXE file should be set to READ ONLY if multiple copies of
   LBGolf will be running.  This is because overlays are built into the
   executable file and if the read only attribute is not set, you might
   get a message about the overlays and have to press a key twice after
   another copy of LBGolf is done loading the overlays.


   B. DROP FILE (BBS MODE ONLY)

   In BBS mode, LAN/BBS Tournament Golf supports the "DOOR.SYS",
   "CALLINFO.BBS", "DORINFOX.DEF", and "SFDOORS.DAT" drop files.  If
   your BBS does not support one of these files, you will need to use a
   utility program that converts your BBS's drop file to one of the
   supported drop files.



II. INSTALLATION

   A. COPYING THE FILES

   Simply create a directory where you want the LBGolf files to reside,
   then copy (or decompress) all of the files to the desired directory.

   Example process of copying files from DOS:

   md \lbgolf      (make a directory called "lbgolf")
   cd \lbgolf      (change to the "lbgolf" directory)
   copy a:*.*      (copy all files from floppy drive A)


   B. DESCRIPTION OF FILES

   The following files make up the LBGolf software:

   README       ... Text file describing what LBGolf is
   LBGOLF   EXE ... The golf game program itself
   LBUTILS  EXE ... Companion program (see LBUTILS.DOC file)
   BANNER   EXE ... ANSI banner utility
   LBGOLF   CFG ... Configuration file for LBGolf (pass on command line)
   GOLDOAKS SCR ... Provided LBGolf course script file (editable text file)
   GOLDOAKS NDX ... Index for Golden Oaks course
   GOLDOAKS STA ... Statistics for Golden Oaks course
   PLAYERS  LBG ... Players database (important -- keep a backup)
   TOURNEY  LBG ... Current tournament information (important)
   TRNYSTAT LBG ... Statistics for current tournament
   LBGOLF   DOC ... Documentation for LBGolf
   LBUTILS  DOC ... Documentation for LBUtils
   BANNER   DOC ... Documentation for banner utility
   ORDERFRM TXT ... Text file order form (please print and fill out)
   LBQUEST  TXT ... Text file questionnaire (please print and fill out)
   COURSES  TXT ... Text file describing available LBGolf courses
   ENTRYFRM TXT ... Text file (use when entering course(s) in contest)
   LBGOLF   ICO ... Windows icon for LBGOLF.EXE
   LBUTILS  ICO ... Windows icon for LBUTILS.EXE


   C. CONFIGURATION

   The default configuration for LBGolf is:

   Non-BBS mode
   Use timing when setting hook/slice and power
   Use blinking text
   Allow new players

   If the defaults above are what you prefer, then LBGolf is already
   configured and you do not need to use a configuration file.  Otherwise,
   you will need to edit the LBGOLF.CFG configuration file to suit your
   needs and pass it on the command line (LBGOLF LBGOLF.CFG).

      1. GENERAL CONFIGURATION

         a. USE TIMING: (YES or NO)
            Determines how the hook/slice and power are entered.  If set to
            YES, you press a key when the hook/slice and power meters are
            how you want them as they grow in size.  If set to NO, you move
            a marker to set the intended hook/slice and power by using the
            arrow keys, then press the enter key.  The actual hook/slice
            and power are indicated by the solid bars.  The computer
            randomly changes the intended hook/slice and power when this is
            set to NO.  You can back up to the aim prompt by hitting the
            escape key unless you are at the power meter and this is set to
            YES.

         b. BLINK: (YES or NO)
            Determines whether or not blinking text is used.  In some
            cases blinking text is not supported, in which case you should
            set this to NO.

         c. NEW PLAYERS: (YES or NO)
            Whether or not to allow new players into the game.  You can run
            a closed system by adding players yourself using the LBUtils
            program and setting this to NO.

      2. BBS MODE CONFIGURATION

         a. DROP FILE: (caller information file created by your BBS)
            This is required to be properly set for BBS mode play.  The
            supported drop files are: door.sys, dorinfox.def, sfdoors.dat,
            and callinfo.bbs.  When your BBS runs a door program it creates
            a caller information file which is read by the door program.
            If you are not sure which drop file your BBS creates, try using
            the door.sys drop file being read from your main BBS directory
            (EXAMPLE: DROP FILE: [drive]:\[bbs directory]\door.sys).  The
            normal setting for Wildcat! 3.x for a single node BBS is
            DROP FILE: C:\WC30\WCWORK\NODE1\DOOR.SYS.  If your BBS does not
            create one of the supported files, you will need to use a utility
            program that converts your BBS's drop file to door.sys or one of
            the other support formats.

         b. AUTO LOGIN: (YES or NO)
            Normally this setting is YES to automatically log players into
            the game.  If this is set to NO, then players will have to enter
            their player information when they play for the first time and
            enter their password each time they play.

         c. ADDRESS: (hex address)
            Normally this setting is left blank unless you are using non-
            standard comm ports.  If you are using COM1 or COM2 just leave
            this setting blank and the information will be retrieved from
            the drop file.  If you are using a non-standard address, you
            must enter it here.

         d. IRQ: (irq number)
            Normally this setting is left blank unless you are using non-
            standard comm ports.  If you are using COM1 or COM2 just leave
            this setting blank and the information will be retrieved from
            the drop file.  If you are using a non-standard IRQ, you must
            enter it here.



III. STARTING LBGOLF

You can start LBGolf by "LBGOLF" from DOS to use the default
configuration.  If you run a BBS, you will need to edit the LBGOLF.CFG
file to suit your system and use "LBGOLF LBGOLF.CFG" in your batch file.
390K of base memory should be enough to play LBGolf because disk based
overlays are used.



IV. PLAYING LBGOLF

   A. LOGGING IN

   If you are a new player, enter "NEW" to enter your password and name.
   If you have played LBGolf before, enter your password.  The LBUtils
   program can be used to view passwords in case a password is forgotten.
   If playing on a BBS and AUTO LOGIN: is set to YES in the configuration
   file, this step is skipped and players are automatically logged in with
   a random password.


   B. OPTIONS MENU

      1. PLAY IN THE CURRENT TOURNAMENT

      Compete against the other players in the current tournament.  Each
      shot you play will count.  When you quit playing LBGolf, you will
      be able to continue playing exactly where you left off the next
      time you play in the current tournament.


      2. PLAY A PRACTICE ROUND

      Play on any of the available courses without your scores counting
      in the current tournament.  Up to 99 different courses can be
      available to practice on.


      3. TOGGLE COLOR DISPLAY

      Switches between color and monochrome displays.


      4. EXIT LBGOLF

      Quit LBGolf.


   C. GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

   The game play in LBGolf is very simple.  First, select option(s) from
   the main menu such as "L" to view the leader board or press the Enter
   key or "X" key to exit the main menu.  Next, you enter the club you
   want to hit with, factoring in the distance to the pin (shown at the
   top right portion of the screen), the wind, and other conditions.
   Next, you enter the direction to aim (or just press Enter to accept
   the default aim which is straight for the flag).  Next, use your timing
   to hit the ball straight, with a hook or draw (curve left), or with
   a slice or fade (curve right).  Last, you use your timing again to
   indicate how hard to hit the golf ball.  These steps are repeated for
   each hole until the golf ball goes into the hole.  To complete a
   tournament and be eligable for any prizes being awarded, you must
   complete 18 holes for each round (1-4) in the tournament by the
   tournament's deadline (if any).  When you want to quit playing,
   enter "Q" at the main menu and you will exit the game and if you are
   playing in a tournament, you will be able to resume play later where
   you left off.


   D. MAIN MENU

      1. DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT HOLE      (D) Descr of Hole

      Displays a written description of the current hole as contained in
      the course script file.  Above the description is the sponsor of
      the current hole.  If there is no sponsor for the current hole,
      the tournament sponsor is used.  Below the description is some
      to-date and current tournament statistical information for the
      current hole.  Stats are kept track of in the files with an
      extension of ".STA".  Simply erase or rename a stats file to set
      all stats to zero.


      2. SCORE CARD                       (S) Score Card

      You can display score cards in three different ways.  You can
      display your current score card "(Y)our", another player's score
      card "(O)ther", or look at several score cards "(S)can".

      To display your current score card, simply press the Enter key
      or the "Y" key at the prompt.

      To display another player's score card, press the "O" key at the
      prompt.  Next, if you know the player's ID number, enter it.  If
      you do not know the player's ID number, enter "0" at the player
      number prompt to display a list of players and there ID numbers.
      After you find the ID number for the player, exit the player
      display by entering "0", then enter the ID number of the player.
      Next, enter the round number (1-4).

      To display several player's score cards, press the "S" key at the
      prompt.  You will be shown the score card of the first player.
      Press the Enter key or the "Y" key at the "next?" prompt to view
      the next score card.  When done viewing score cards, press the
      "N" key to exit back to the main menu.


      3. LEADER BOARD                     (L) Leader Board

      Displays the top player names, scores, and what place they are
      currently in.  The object of LAN/BBS Tournament Golf is for
      players to play their best and get their names at the top of the
      leader board so they can be eligable for prizes if any prize(s)
      will be awarded to the top player(s).


      4. TOURNAMENT INFORMATION           (T) Tourney Info

      Displays information about the tournament that is currently in
      progress.  If there are any changes made to the tournament,
      players are automatically notified of the changes.


      5. PLAYER NAMES AND ID NUMBERS      (N) Player Names

      Displays player names and their assigned ID numbers.  Players
      are indicated as being on-line (currently playing), playing in
      the current tournament, and finished playing in the current
      tournament.  You can check out the entire competition by using
      this feature, then check out their score cards.


      6. PLAYER STATISTICS                (P) Player Stats

      Displays statistical information about a player.  You can see
      your stats, another player's stats, or several player's stats
      by using the same methods as viewing score cards.


      7. INSTANT REPLAY                   (I) Instant Replay

      Use this feature when you just made a great shot and want to
      see it again or if you did not see what happened during the
      last shot.  When you start the replay, just sit back and
      watch exactly what happened during the previous shot.


      8. REDRAW SCREEN                    (R) Redraw Screen

      Use this feature whenever the screen has been corrupted.  When
      playing on a BBS, it is very possible to get line noise that
      will corrupt the screen.  On networks, unwanted information
      can be displayed on the screen which could corrupt the display.


      9. PRODUCT INFORMATION              (A) About LBGolf

      Displays a description of what LAN/BBS Tournament Golf is and
      registration information.


      10. PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS             (H) Instructions

      Displays the basic instructions of how to play golf and how
      to play LAN/BBS Tournament Golf.


      11. SAVE PLAYER AND EXIT             (Q) Quit For Now

      Players should always exit LAN/BBS Tournament Golf by using this
      feature.  This will save the player's current information and
      properly exit back to the operating system.  If not playing on
      a BBS and a player does not exit LBGolf this way, the player
      will still be considered to be on-line (currently playing) until
      the LAN/BBS Tournament Golf Utilities program is used to change
      the player's on-line status.  Players that are indicated as
      being on-line will not be able to continue playing.

      11. ZOOM OUT FOR A BETTER LOOK       (Z) Zoom Out

      Displays the entire hole or green.  Use this feature when you
      want to view more of the layout of the hole or want to see more
      of the green.  This feature comes in handy when the hole is out
      of view when putting.


      12. EXIT MENU AND PLAY NEXT SHOT     (X) Play Shot

      Exits the main menu and goes to the prompt that asks the player
      to enter the club to use for the next shot.


   E. CLUB SELECTION

   Enter the two letter code for the club you want to use for the
   next shot.  You pick the club you want to hit mainly based on the
   distance between your ball and the flag.  This distance is shown
   at the top right of the display.  For a list of about how far a
   ball will travel with a full power swing for each club and what
   the two letter code of each club stands for, type in "HE" for
   help.  In many cases, the default club selection is acceptable,
   in which case you can simply press the Enter key.


   F. DIRECTION OF AIM

   The computer automatically calculates the approximate direction
   to the hole, however, in some cases it is not a good idea to
   aim directly at the hole.  You can enter the exact direction
   (0-359 degrees) to aim the next shot.  You can get help on
   the direction by pressing the "H" key.


   G. SETTING BALL'S FLIGHT PATTERN

   You must use your timing when setting the flight pattern of the
   ball.  A bar will grow from left to right until it reaches the
   end or you press a key.  To make the ball travel straight, press
   a key when the bar is at the halfway point.  To play a hook or
   draw, press a key when the bar is before the halfway point.  For
   a slice or fade, press a key after the bar is past the halfway
   point.


   H. SETTING POWER OF SWING

   Setting the power of swing is similar to setting the ball's
   flight pattern.  A bar will grow from left to right until it
   reaches the end or you press a key.  The larger the bar is when
   it stops, the harder you will swing the club to hit the ball.
   For a full power swing, just let the bar reach its full size.
   For a weak swing, press a key when the bar is small.  The
   recommended power of swing is indicated by a flashing rectangle.


V. END OF TOURNAMENT

   Tournaments are ended using the LAN/BBS Tournament Golf
   Utilities program by starting a new tournament.  When a new
   tournament is started, players who were playing in the previous
   tournament will be notified that the tournament is over.  The
   1st-4th place winners will also be displayed along with any
   prizes that will be awarded.



VI. COURSES

   LBGolf courses are ASCII text files that can be easily modified
   and created using any standard text editor.  The course file that
   is supplied with LBGolf is GOLDOAKS.SCR.  Take a look at this
   file to see exactly what goes into making an LBGolf course.  It
   may seem like a lot at first, but it is really very easy to create
   LBGolf courses.

   An up-to-date index file (.NDX) is kept for each course.  If a
   course is modified or the index file for the course does not
   exist, the index is rebuilt automatically.

   The maximum distance (without any wind) the ball will travel with
   each club may be changed within LBGolf course files.  If you ever
   wanted to drive a ball 500 yards all you have to do is change the
   "DRIVER DISTANCE" variable to 500.  You can even hit a sand wedge
   farther than your drive if you want to...anything goes.  When
   playing LBGolf, the current club distances are shown by typing
   "HE" for help when entering the club to use.



VII. NOTES FOR BBS SYSOPS

   The alternate method of setting the hook/slice and power is
   recommended and is the default in the LBGOLF.CFG configuration file.
   There are many causes for the meters to move too slow, fast, or
   erratic when running on a BBS.  Using DESQview is a common cause of
   the meters moving too slowly.  Set USE TIMING: to NO.  If you run a
   single node BBS at 2400 baud and do not use any multitasking software,
   you can set USE TIMING: to suit the preference of your users.

   Use /L on the LBGolf command line (LBGOLF LBGOLF.CFG /L) to force
   LBGolf to play in local mode and ask for a password instead of
   attempting to read a drop file and establishing a connection.

   If you have problems with a drop file, there might be a
   compatibility problem and you should try the other supported drop
   files.  Unfortunately, there still is not a standard drop file being
   used by all the various BBS software and sysops will continue to have
   problems until a single standard drop file format is used.