Night Owl 6/Night Owl's Shareware - PDSI-006 - Night Owl Corp (1990).iso/034a/buck210.zip/BUCK.DOC

Text File | 1991-08-13 | 16KB | 376 lines

                                << Buccaneer >>

                                 Version 2.10

                          +-------------------------+
                          | Cross Connect Software  |
                          |      P.O. Box 131       |
                          | Wheelersburg, OH 45694  |
                          +-------------------------+
                          |   Copyright 1990 by     |
                          |       Alan Graff        |
                          +-------------------------+

   Buccaneer has been tested on a Laser Turbo XT with 640 KB RAM running
   SuperBBS 1.11 (reg) and no serious errors in the program have been found.
   If you discover a major error please contact the author so that it may
   be corrected in the next version.  Any suggestions on how Buccaneer could
   be improved are also welcome. We have done our best to debug this game.
   To our knowledge it should not cause undue harm to any IBM compatible
   system if operated according to these instructions.  Alan Graff (dba
   Cross Connect Software) will not be held responsible for loss of data or
   damage to software or hardware that might be caused by the operation of
   this program.

What Buccaneer is
-----------------
   Buccaneer is a game door written for Remote Access BBS, QuickBBS and
   SuperBBS.  It permits users to roam about on a 13x13 grid, attacking
   each other and treasure ships.

Operational modes:
------------------
   This software operates in two modes.  Without a special key, it will
   run as a "freeware" program.  In this mode, you are under no obligation
   to compensate the program author for it's use.  You are free to use it
   in "freeware" mode indefinately.  Should you wish to unlock the special
   features provided by the alternate "registered" mode of operation, you
   should send a $10 registration fee along with information about your
   BBS requested on the registration form included with this program to:

                           Cross Connect Software
                           P.O. Box 131
                           Wheelersburg, OH 45694

   and a special key file will be sent to you to unlock the features of
   the program.  Future updates of Buccaneer should run as the registered
   version by using this key file and may be downloaded from the author's
   BBS or other online services.  See the registration form for further
   details.

Differences between registered and freeware modes
-------------------------------------------------
  Both versions are identical in play from the USER vantage point,
  however there are a few differences from the sysops point of view.

  Option          Freeware Mode      Registered Mode
  ----------      -------------      ---------------
  BUCKEDIT        Several options    All options operational.
                  inoperative.

  Prices          Fixed amounts      Prices may be set in BUCK.CFG
                  set by program.

  User List       Displays location  Displays location, strength and
                  of other users to  amount of gold onboard other users
                  "cheat" level      ships to "cheat" level players.
                  players.

  Credits         Displays an        Displays "[REGISTERED]" and
                  "[UNREGISTERED]"   name of BBS it is registered to.
                  notice to users
                  and a reminder
                  to the sysop.

  Log-In "BEEP"   Locked ON          Selectable by command line parameter

  Log-Off "BEEP"  Locked ON          Selectable by command line parameter

Running Buccaneer
-----------------

  :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::  ATTENTION!!!  ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
  ::                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~                          ::
  :: Records from version 1.00 are not compatible with this version!     ::
  ::                                                                     ::
  :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

  The files needed to run Buccaneer are:

  BUCK210.EXE   Main program
  BUCK.KEY      Registration key (Registered versions only)
  BUCKHLP.TXT   Online help file
  BUCK.CFG      Configuration file
  BUCKANS.000   ANSI welcome screen
  BUCKANS.001   Main ANSI game menu
  BUCKANS.002   ANSI help menu
  BUCKASC.000   ASCII welcome screen
  BUCKASC.001   Main ASCII game menu
  BUCKASC.002   ASCII help menu
  BUCKEDIT.EXE  Sysop utility
  BUCKEDIT.ANS  Ansi menu screen

  Other files included with Buccaneer should be:

  BUCKNEW.2XX   "What's new" file
  BUCK.DOC      Sysop's manual (This file)
  BUCKEDIT.DOC  Sysop utility manual

  The program will create several support files the first time it is run
  and will update them periodically.  These files are:

  BUCK.DAY      Daily maintenance data
  BUCK.USR      User data
  BUCK.LOG      Ship's log
  BUCKKING.SCO  Last month's high score
  BUCKHIGH.ASC  Current high score data file
  BUCKSHIP.DAT  Data on ship locations

Setting up the game
-------------------
      Note: This game was designed for use on QBBS/RA/SBBS systems.
            Unless otherwise noted, setup instructions contained in
            this document refer to those systems.  For other systems
            you should refer to the documentation supplied with your
            BBS software to determine compatibility.

  Create a subdirectory on your hard drive for the game to reside in.
  Copy all of the files from this archive into that directory.
  Edit BUCK.CFG to fit your system configuration.
  Create a batch file to be called from your BBS to run the game.

  ======================
  REM Simple sample batch file
  CD C:\QUICKBBS\PIRATES
  BUCK210 /K30 /B
  CD C:\QUICKBBS
  ======================

  Start the batch file from your BBS menu using a type 7 or 15 command.

Parameter options
-----------------
  When starting Buccaneer, there are several optional parameters that
  may be used on the command line to affect the way the game operates.
  Various combinations of these parameters may be used.
  These parameters are:

  /L    Local mode.  Creates it's own drop file and runs the game as
        a stand-alone.  Be sure you have BUCK.CFG edited correctly
        before trying this parameter.  May not be used in combination
        with the /D parameter.

  /N    Ignores EXITINFO.BBS file to permit game to run with door
        patches such as Door Master or QKDoor.  Not required with
        the /L parameter or on QBBS/RA/SBBS systems.

  /D    Causes game to look for DOOR.SYS instead of DORINFO1.DEF
        to let it run on GAP compatible systems.  May not be used
        with the /L parameter.

  /Kn   Deletes players who have not played in n days (i.e.
        BUCK210 /K30 will delete any player who has not played in
        30 days).

  /B    Turns on Log-on/Log-off "beep".  <Registered mode only.
        This feature is locked ON in freeware mode.>

Running Buccaneer under Windows, Desqview, etc.
-----------------------------------------------
  Many complaints were received about versions 1.00 through 2.01a
  running very slowly on systems using multi-tasking software.  There is
  nothing that can be done to speed the operation of those versions.
  For users of version 2.02 and higher, set the DOS variable OUTBUFF=ON
  prior to running the game to speed up operation of this version.
  We have not tested this version of Buccaneer on a multi-task system
  but it should work properly using this method according to the
  documentation provided with JPDoor.

  Here is an example startup batch file for a multi-tasking system:

  REM BUCK.BAT
  CD C:\QUICKBBS\PIRATE
  SET OUTBUFF=ON
  BUCK210 /B /K45
  SET OUTBUFF=OFF
  CD C:\QUICKBBS

Upgrading from earlier versions
-------------------------------
  (a) BUCKFREE Version 1.00
      Backup your current game files.  Delete everything in the
      game directory and copy all files from this archive into
      the directory.  Be sure to extract the new version of
      BUCKEDIT.  Edit BUCK.CFG to fit your system.  Change any
      batch files or menu commands to fit the new file name or
      rename BUCK210.EXE.
  (b) All other versions
      Backup your current game files.  Delete everything in the
      game directory EXCEPT the following files:

                       BUCK.CFG
                       BUCK.DAY
                       BUCK.LOG
                       BUCK.USR
                       BUCKKING.SCO
                       BUCK.KEY (Registered owners only)

      Copy all files except BUCK.CFG from this archive into
      the directory.  Be sure to extract the new version of
      BUCKEDIT also.  Change any batch files or menu commands to
      fit the new file name or rename BUCK210.EXE.

Running Buccaneer in local mode
-------------------------------
  To run Buccaneer in local mode, start it with a /L parameter
  (BUCK210 /L) and enter your name at the prompt.  The security level
  requested will determine whether you are permitted to cheat or not.
  to get the highest security level (32000) just press enter at the
  prompt.

Running Buccaneer with other BBS software
-----------------------------------------
  Correct operation of Buccaneer with software other than QuickBBS,
  Remote Access or SuperBBS can not be guaranteed.  Buccaneer SHOULD
  work with any program that creates either the QBBS style DORINFO1.DEF
  drop file or the GAP style DOOR.SYS drop file.  No special parameters
  are required to operate with Remote Access, QuickBBS or Superbbs.  If
  you are using a patching program to create the DORINFO1.DEF file, you
  may need to use the /N parameter when starting the game
  (i.e.: BUCK210 /N ).  If your software creates a DOOR.SYS drop file,
  you will need to use the /D parameter when starting the game (BUCK210 /D).

Comments about BUCK.KEY
-----------------------
  This file MUST be placed in the same directory as BUCK210.EXE for
  the game to run as the registered version.   Without this key the
  software will run as the unregistered version.  Be sure to make a
  backup copy of this file!  Older registered versions will not run
  without this key file.

Comments about BUCK.LOG
-----------------------
  This file is straight ASCII text that contains events of interest to
  the players about their opponents recent activity.  This is a
  self-maintaining file that limits itself to 100 lines.  It may be
  altered with any ASCII text editor if needed.  Be sure that the
  file contains 100 lines or less after you finish editing.  More than
  100 lines has been known to cause the program to crash.  Watch for
  players who are able to slip a ^J into their alias or ship name, this
  may eventually cause the game to crash.  This has been noticed only
  with players operating Apple computers as of this date.

Comments about BUCKEDIT
-----------------------
  BUCKEDIT is a sysop utility that permits editing of all user info as
  well as treasure ship and spanish armada information.  Since the
  Flying Dutchman moves with every game played, editing it's position
  is not possible.  Prior to version 2.10, BUCKEDIT was limited to registered
  users only.  Starting with version 2.10, a crippled version of BUCKEDIT
  is being included with the game.  The same key file that unlocks the
  registered functions of BUCCANEER also unlocks BUCKEDIT. Read the file
  BUCKEDIT.DOC contained in this archive for further information.

Regarding bugs and updates.
---------------------------
  Due to the nature of my regular job (you thought I made a living
  off of this stuff?) it sometimes takes me quite a while to fix
  minor bugs in the software.  If a major bug causes the game to
  crash and burn or other nasty things, a fix will probably be
  soon in the making.  In other words, you may have to live a few
  months with minor bugs, but I will try to fix them as soon as
  I can after I have been notified of their existence.
  Updates will be posted on Cross Connect BBS as soon as they are
  released and may be downloaded from the visiting sysop file area.
  If you are a member of FidoNet, you may also file request the game
  using the magic name "BUCK" for the current version.
  Version 2.10 is a rather extensive revision of some of the code,
  so I expect some new bugs may have found their way into the game.
  Please let me know about any you find, I will try to get a fix out
  for them sometime around November 1991 unless they are MAJOR ones.

Things to come?
---------------
  Some of the things we hope to be able to add in future versions of
  Buccaneer:

  Online chat. <Registered version only>
  Twit control. <Registered version only>
  Option to re-float ships (for a price).
  Option for other ships to attack when entering their sector.
  Multi-node operation.  <Registered only>
  Further implementation of user flags.

  Whether these upgrades are made or not depends largely on the
  continued popularity of Buccaneer.  Thanks to everyone who has
  registered and/or called about it so far!

Miscellaneous comments
--------------------------
  Buccaneer was written by Alan Graff, sysop of Cross Connect BBS.
  It was written and compiled in Turbo Pascal 6.0. and uses JPDoor
  (registered) for fossil and BBS interface operations.

  =================================================================

  Thanks to:

  God for giving me the talent and patience to be able to write this
  program in the first place.

  My wife Patsy for putting up with my computer addiction and the
  huge telephone bills, still loving me after 15 years despite it all.

  The many users of Cross Connect who put up with the bugs, the
  best bunch of pirates sailing the 7 seas!

  John Parlin for writing JPDOOR, without which the game would not
  have been possible.

  Everyone who has registered the game.  Your comments and positive
  responses have been most gratifying.

Blatant plug
------------

  CROSS CONNECT BBS [phone]
  Fidonet 1:2260/50
  EchoNet 50:6606/50
  24 hour operation
  Communication parameters: 8-N-1
  Currently supporting 300-2400 bps.

Legal stuff
------------------
  The following words and phrases used in this documentation are
  trademarks or copyrighted property of their respective owners:

  Apple           Apple Computers
  Buccaneer       Alan Graff
  Buckedit          "    "
  Cross Connect     "    "
  IBM             International Business Machines
  JPDoor          John Parlin & Motor City Software
  Laser Turbo XT  Laser Computers
  QuickBBS        Ultimate Software Technologies (et al)
  Remote Access   Continental Software
  SuperBBS        Risto Virkkala and Aki Antman
  Turbo Pascal    Borland International

REGISTERED SYSTEMS AS OF 8/6/91
-------------------------------
  Reg# BBS PHONE      BBS Name & location
  ---- -------------  -------------------
  0001 [phone]  Cross Connect BBS, Wheelersburg, OH
  0002 [phone]  City Terminal BBS, Hopkins, MN
  0003 [phone]  TopSoft Support BBS, Brookfield, WI
  0004 [phone]  The Penal Colony, Fairfax, VA
  0005 [phone]  Hi-Tech Express, Moberly, MO
  0006 [phone]  The High Frontier BBS, Toney, AL
  0007 [phone]  Penticton QBBS Systems, Penticton BC, Canada
  0008 [phone]  Odyssey BBS, Edina, MN
  0009 [phone]  Pacific Coast Micro, Thousand Oaks, CA
  0010 [phone]  The Shock System, Greensboro, NC
  0011 [phone]  The Photo Exchange, South Holland, IL
  0012 [phone]  Broad River Emporium, Burton, SC
  0013 -------------  Reserved
  0014 [phone]  Game Wars BBS, Paris Island, SC
  0015 [phone]  The Eagle's Nest, Lynhurst, NJ
  0016 [phone]  Road Runner BBS, West Warwick, RI
  0017 [phone]  The Witch City BBS, Salem, MA
  0018 [phone]  PC MUNCHLAND, Columbus, GA
  0019 [phone]  The Empire BBS, Woodstock ON, Canada

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