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DROPSESSION DOCUMENTATION Version Jan. 1997
Eriban Software
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
*** HOW TO CONTACT US ***
Address:
Eriban Software
Postbus 1459
7500 BL Enschede
Netherlands
Email:
e.r.bonsma@student.utwente.nl,
lastdawn@dds.nl and
lastdawn@geocities.com
(be sure to mail to all three of them)
URL:
http://huizen.dds.nl/~lastdawn/dropsess.htm
*** CONTENTS ***
1. Dropsession
2. The puzzle
2.1. A short description
2.2. The actions in a nutshell
2.3. Exceptional situations
3. How to use the Dropsession program?
3.1. Starting up the game
3.1.1. How do I get the game running?
3.1.2. Choosing the set of puzzles
3.1.3. Oops, the screen looks slightly messed up. What now?
3.2. Playing the puzzles
3.2.1. How to start puzzling?
3.2.2. Solving the puzzles
3.2.3. What if I solved a puzzle?
3.3. Moving around between the puzzles
3.3.1. What about the puzzle codes?
3.3.2. Start off where you left
3.3.3. What if I am stuck?
3.3.4. Help, the puzzles code are starting to look weird! Is it a bug?
3.3.5. Solving the puzzles you once skipped
3.3.6. What to do when I solved a skipped puzzle?
3.4. Replaying, loading and saving your moves
3.4.1. Watch out. All your moves will be logged!
3.4.2. Replaying your moves
3.4.3. Can I continue puzzling from anywhere within a replay?
3.4.4. Is there a backward function when replaying?
3.4.5. Saving your moves
3.4.6. Loading your moves
4. Trouble shooting
4.1. The screen looks messed up, you see all kind of weird characters
5. The freeware edition
5.1. Features
5.2. Requirements
6. The registered edition
6.1. Features
6.2. Requirements
6.3. Future plans
6.4. Why register?
6.5. How to register?
7. Contact us
8. Support the environment
9. Frequently asked questions
10. Major thanx
11. Legal stuff
11.1. Disclaimer
11.2. Distribution
11.2.1. Freeware edition
11.2.2. Registered edition
1. Dropsession
We are proud to present to you : Dropsession, a new and exciting puzzle game.
Those of you who are not afraid of a little bit of puzzling will be pleased
with it, we think... The idea behind the Dropsession puzzles is simple yet
very powerful. The difficulty of the puzzles ranges from easy to very hard.
Even puzzles looking extremely simple can turn out to be far from easy.
Solving the puzzles will often prove to be a real challenge. You will need to
plan ahead, you will have to build temporary constructions which will be
removed later on, you will have to decide where to start etc.
Anyway, so we are very exited about the puzzles and the Dropsession program.
Why don't you find out if you are? Just play the game! But be sure to read
the documentation first.
2. The puzzle
2.1. A short description
The goal of each puzzle is to build a given figure on a two dimensional
board. You will have a restricted set of pieces for each puzzle.
Pieces which are on the board are subject to a forcefield. This forcefield
can be orientated in one of two directions (these two directions are 90
degrees apart). The forcefield will drop pieces as far as possible (until
they are obstructed by a border of the board or by other pieces). However,
the forcefield will never rotate the pieces. So the orientation of each piece
stays fixed. You are able to switch the direction of the forcefield. The
forcefield is the only way to move the pieces on the board.
The board has two entrances which you use to insert pieces on the board.
Which entrance you can use is determined by the active direction of the
forcefield. You pick a piece that is still available and position it as you
wish in front of the entrance. You then insert the piece. Once the piece is
on the board, the forcefield will cause it to drop as far as possible in the
direction of the forcefield.
Often you are given more pieces than are necessary to form the figure. These
extra pieces can be used during the construction of the figure. At the end of
the puzzle they have to be off the board again. The board has two exits which
can be used to remove pieces from the board. If you open the exits the
forcefield may cause pieces to leave the board through one of the exits. The
exits then close. You can use the pieces which left the board again later on.
2.2. The actions in a nutshell
To summarize the above. The three actions you have at your disposal to solve
the puzzle are:
- Switch the forcefield to the other direction.
- Insert a piece on the board through the active entrance.
- Remove pieces from the board by opening the exits.
Sounds simple, huh? How could these puzzles ever be hard? Well, they can.
They really can. Play a couple of the puzzles if you don't believe us.
2.3. Exceptional situations
The above description is not yet complete. There are still two exceptional
situations:
(1) If you drop a piece and it can not completely get on the board it will be
rejected.
(2) If you open an exit and a piece gets halfway but cannot completely leave
the board you are not allowed to play any further. You will have to start
again from the start or go back using the undo-function.
Furthermore, for some puzzles you are not allowed to 'build to the entrance'.
This means that when you rotate the forcefield, the area of the board under
the current entrance has to be entirely empty if you want to insert a new
piece. Otherwise the entrance will be closed making it impossible for you to
insert a piece. In this way it is as if you have to solve the puzzle on a
very large board. It is done to make the solutions for some puzzles a bit
nicer (and harder!).
You can find out if you are allowed to 'build to the entrance' by looking at
the information for the puzzle.
3. How to use the Dropsession program?
3.1. Starting up the game
3.1.1. How do I get the game running?
That's easy. Go to the directory where you put all the Dropsession files and
type "DROPSESS" at the command prompt to start the game. In the registered
edition you will then have to identify yourself by typing in your personal
password (which you gave to us when you registered). After you have done so,
you will end up in the main menu.
3.1.2. Choosing the set of puzzles
The registered edition of Dropsession supports multiple puzzle sets (you can
recognize files defining a puzzle set by their extension ".PUZ"). At this
moment two puzzle files are issued with the registered edition. A new puzzle
set (in the file DROPSESS.PUZ) and a puzzle set with familiar puzzles (in the
file OLDIES.PUZ), these puzzles were already issued with the freeware
edition. The first puzzle set is chosen by default. If you want to play
puzzles from another puzzle set, give its name (without the extension) as a
parameter. E.g. "DROPSESS OLDIES".
3.1.3. Oops, the screen looks slightly messed up. What now?
To make playing Dropsession more attractive, we upgraded its exterior by
using low-level DOS-functions to get a graphics-look in text-mode. However,
sometimes this will not work, you will then see 'garbage' on your screen. See
paragraph 4.1 to find out how to solve this problem.
3.2. Playing the puzzles
3.2.1. How to start puzzling?
Simply choose 'Play puzzle' in the main menu. You will first see some
information on the puzzle. When you have seen this information, you press a
key and you can try to solve the puzzle.
3.2.2. Solving the puzzles
The actions you can use to solve the puzzle, are given elsewhere in this
document, see paragraph 2. You can find out which keys you have to use to
perform these actions by pressing 'F1'.
3.2.3. What if I solved a puzzle?
When you have solved a puzzle, amongst others you can save your solution if
you want to (registered edition only, see 3.4.5) or you can replay your
solution (registered edition only, see 3.4.2). Pressing a key that is not
bound to an action will get you back to the main menu (in the registered
edition you will have to confirm this when you haven't saved your solution
yet). When you are in the main menu again, the next puzzle is waiting for
you. Always write down the code for this new puzzle immediately (see
paragraph 3.3).
3.3. Moving around between the puzzles
3.3.1. What about the puzzle codes?
Each puzzle has its own unique set of codes. These codes enable you to go
back to any puzzle where you have been before.
3.3.2. Start off where you left
You can go to any puzzle where you have been before by using the
'Goto puzzle' command. Simply enter the number of the puzzle and its code.
Then choose 'Play puzzle'.
3.3.3. What if I am stuck?
It is possible that you are stuck at a certain puzzle. That you really have
no idea how to solve it. Or that you're so extremely close to solving it, but
just not close enough.... You can then skip that puzzle and go on with the
next puzzle. Choose 'Skip puzzle' in the main menu. You are only allowed to
skip up to a certain maximum number of puzzles (we think that number is two
in the freeware edition and three in the registered edition. In fact, we're
pretty sure of that...).
3.3.4. Help, the puzzles code are starting to look weird! Is it a bug?
No, once you skipped a puzzle the puzzle codes will be a random-looking
combination of characters and digits. This new code indicates that you
skipped one or more puzzles. So if you restart Dropsession and use this code
to go back to a puzzle where you have been before, the program will know how
many puzzles you skipped up till then.
3.3.5. Solving the puzzles you once skipped
Simply go to a puzzle you skipped once by using the 'Goto puzzle' command.
Then try to solve this puzzle again.
3.3.6. What to do when I solved a skipped puzzle?
When you solved a puzzle that you had once skipped, you will see that the
puzzle code for the puzzle immediately following the skipped puzzle has
changed. Write down this new code. The code has changed to reflect the new
situation (for the number of puzzles you skipped up till then has decreased).
However, if you have any codes for puzzles with a higher number, these should
be changed as well. And uh,..... hmm.... that is where things get a bit
complicated.... Sorry. Really. But don't fear, you do not have to solve all
these puzzles for a second time. You use the 'Validate puzzle' command to
avoid this. You will have to give the code for the next puzzle, and then you
will receive the new code for that puzzle (write it down!). Work your way
through all puzzles by validating them..... Ah well, that's not too hard
after all, is it?
3.4. Replaying, loading and saving your moves
(NB. The information in this paragraph is only valid for the registered
edition)
3.4.1. Watch out. All your moves will be logged!
But that's actually nothing to worry about. It will only make life easier for
you. For it enables you to replay, save and load your moves and solutions.
3.4.2. Replaying your moves
You can replay your moves at any moment. To do so, you first have to reset
the puzzle by pressing 'F3'. This will restore the puzzle board and the
pieces to their starting position. However, your moves will not be lost! You
can review your moves and get back to the position where you were, by using
the two replay-commands. When you want to take your time and get a close look
of what you did, you use the step-replay command. Pressing 'F5' will replay
one move at a time. You can also use the continuous-replay mode, start it by
pressing 'F6'. When you don't interrupt it, this will show all your moves
until the final move is reached. You can interrupt it by pressing any key.
3.4.3. Can I continue puzzling from anywhere within a replay?
Yes, you can. Simply start puzzling from where you want to. But beware! As
soon as you have executed a single move, it will be logged and thus erasing
all your moves you hadn't replayed so far. Even undo won't help you then,
because undo (just as redo) does not affect the logged moves.
3.4.4. Is there a backward function when replaying?
Well, no and yes. No, because there isn't a command implemented to let you
move backwards through your moves (for those of you interested in the
reason:
knowing the last move that was executed is often insufficient to derive the
previous state of the puzzle. An implementation of the command would have
been slow, or would have required a lot of memory). However, since the most
recent puzzle states are stored, the undo-command can be used to backtrack
through your moves. The number of moves you can go backward is limited by the
undo-level (which is 20 in the registered edition). If you want to go back
further, you will have to reset the puzzle and use the replay commands to get
where you want to be.
3.4.5. Saving your moves
You can save your moves at any time. Press 'F8' to get to the 'save moves'-
dialog. For every puzzle there are six slots, each of these can be used to
store a move series. Choose a slot using the arrow-keys and press 'Enter' to
select the slot. You can then give a description for the move series. This
which will help you to keep track of all the move series you saved. After you
have given a description, you press 'Enter' once again and your moves will be
saved.
It might occur that you don't want to save your moves after all, or that you
want to pick another slot. When you have to give a description, 'Esc' will
get you back and you can choose another slot. You can then also press 'C' to
cancel the 'save moves' command entirely.
3.4.6. Loading your moves
Loading moves you once saved is straightforward. Pressing 'F7' will get you
to the 'load moves'-dialog. You can pick which moves to load by using the
arrow-keys. The descriptions will help you to pick the move series you want.
When you press 'Enter' the moves will be loaded and the puzzle will be reset.
You can then use the replay-commands to continue from anywhere in this
(partial) solution.
If you don't want to load moves after all, you can press 'C' to cancel the
'load moves' command.
4. Trouble shooting
4.1. The screen looks messed up, you see all kind of weird characters
In particular, the blue border at the bottom of the screen is filled with
garbage and when you want to play a puzzle, the puzzle board, the puzzle
pieces and the forcefield arrows look ugly.
This may happen when you run Dropsession within Windows in a minimized
DOS-window. Playing the game full-screen will probably solve the problem.
Another reason might be that you use a DOS that is not fully compatible with
standard MS-DOS. A simplistic solution to that problem is, run Dropsession in
a DOS that is compatible... However, that may not always be that easy.
But there is a way to completely get around the problem. You can turn of the
'fancy' look by running Dropsession in plain text-mode. To do so, you give
"/NOFANCY" as an extra parameter when you start the game.
E.g. "DROPSESS /NOFANCY". And if that still doesn't work out, you can always
contact us.
5. The freeware edition
5.1. Features
Some features of the freeware edition are:
- 17 different puzzles.
- A built in demo-mode.
- Undo & redo function (only up to 2 levels).
- You are allowed to skip a puzzle when you are stuck.
- You can always go to any puzzle where you have been before.
5.2. Requirements
The freeware edition is designed to run on almost any computer which runs
MS-DOS. If your screen supports a 80x25 text-mode with at least sixteen
colors there shouldn't be any problems to run the program. Or your computer
should really, really be ancient...
6. The registered edition
6.1. Features
The registered edition still has all the functionality the freeware edition
has (see paragraph 5.1). However, extra features are:
- Over 30 new puzzles (as we speak, new puzzles are being designed!).
- Undo & redo up to 20 levels.
- You will be able to replay your moves.
- Save & load your (partial) solutions. You will be able to restart from
anywhere in these solutions.
6.2. Requirements
If the freeware edition runs on your computer, the registered edition should
give no problems either.
6.3. Future plans
Some things we have in mind to do in the near future:
- More puzzles!!!!
- A 256 color graphical edition. Ray tracing will be used to create a
realistic board and pieces. You would puzzle with (for instance) marble
pieces and a wooden board! This graphical edition is not yet available.
However, as soon as 50 users have registered, it is guaranteed to be
released!
- Small improvements like defining your own keys.
6.4. Why register?
Registering has the following advantages:
- You will get more puzzles!
- You will receive the registered edition of the program. The extra
functionality will make solving the puzzles slightly easier and more fun!
See paragraph 6.1 for the features of the registered edition.
- You can join the Dropsession Puzzle Contest! You can read all about the
money you can win and how to win it in the file CONTEST.TXT.
- It only costs you 15 US dollar to register for life! You will then be able
to get all future versions and all new puzzles for free. Be quick, when the
registered package gets more comprehensive the registration fee will
increase. So you will save money if you register now!
- You will support the environment by registering! Part of the registration
fee (10%) will go to the WWF (read on for more information)
6.5. How to register?
Print out the file REGISTER.TXT, fill in the form and send it to us
accompanied by your payment of the registration fee. You will find full
details in the file itself. And it is even easier when you have access to the
Internet. You can then pay the registration fee on-line using the service
offered by ShareIt! (at this moment, you still have to send us the
registration form though).
7. Contact us
You can always contact us. You can find all the addresses you need at the top
of this document.
Contact us...
- ... when you have questions or want to get more information.
- ... when you experience problems when you try to run Dropsession.
- ... when you want to give us your feedback. We would be very happy to
receive any feedback on this program (we think it is an extremely
cool program, but do feel the same way?...)
- ... when you want to register. Check out the file REGISTER.TXT for more
information.
- ... when you have found a shorter or better solution for a certain puzzle.
It can be that your solution takes less rotations or that you do not
use all the pieces that are available (for instance, your solution
for the Devilish Diamond leaves the small rectangle untouched. Which
would be quite an achievement by the way). What's in it for you?
Eternal fame: your name will be mentioned by the information of the
puzzle.
- ... when you have designed some neat puzzles and you don't mind that we use
them. Eternal fame will be yours again: you will get your name
mentioned by each of your puzzles which we use. Furthermore, when you
give us several puzzles of a good quality, you can also expect a
small reward in return. Don't hesitate to ask for more information
when you're interested.
- ... when you discovered a bug in Dropsession. We hope that this will never
be the case. But it is possible since the source code of Dropsession
has gotten pretty big (over 300k C++ code).
- ... when you think there is another reason to contact us.
8. Support the environment
Eriban Software is pretty concerned at the way the world and her natural
environment is going. Therefore, we will give 10% of all revenues to the WNF,
the Dutch organization of the WWF ("World Wide Fund for Nature" also known as
the "World Wildlife Fund"). We feel that that's the least we can do.
WWF's Mission:
To reverse the destruction of the Earth's natural environment and build a
future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
Get more information:
WNF : http://www.wnf.nl/
WWF: http://www.panda.org/
9. Frequently asked questions
At the moment of writing this documentation, the first version of
Dropsession has been released not too long ago. So far, there haven't been
any questions (it seems like we did a good job!). But if you have any
questions, ask us. You can visit our homepage, email us or write us. All the
addresses you need are at the top of this document. For now, we fill this
paragraph with some less serious, not so frequently asked questions (and
answers).
1.1 Will there be a Windows version available in the near future?
- Nah, think not. Eriban Software feels that they should not in any way
help Bill and his friends in a monopolizing marketing position.
1.2 But does Eriban Software realize that this will mean that they throw
away a good chance to make some extra money?
- Yes, but making money is not everyoneÆs main goal in life. Some people
have higher morals.
2.1 Is this product environmental friendly?
- Yes.
2.2 Why?
- First of all, no first multi-megaherz mega-memory hardware is required
to run this piece of software. So you can refrain from buying the
newest (even faster and better) computer model around. You can still
use your old computer. You don't have to throw it away! This will
effectively reduce the world's waste belt by one (still perfectly
functioning) machine.
2.3 Oh, oops. But what if I already made the mistake of buying the latest
computer model?
- Those who did, can still save some precious energy by switching their
power consuming piece of hardware from the high-speed mode to the
rarely used but still useful low-speed mode. Try it!
2.4 That's indeed all very impressive. Is there more?
- It's nothing compared to the above ;).... but it deserves to be
mentioned anyway: 10% (or even more when things start to work out) of
all received payments will be donated to the WWF. And that's a promise!
10. Major thanx
An incredible bunch of thanx go out to Savatage, Blind Guardian and Pique
Poque Poetry, without their inspiring music the creation of this program and
the underlying ideas would be inconceivable. And that's no lie!
Furthermore, thanx go also out to: Paul and Calslaan 7-2 for providing
feedback and the NKC for publishing an article on Dropsession in their CFF
magazine (puzzle lovers, we can highly recommend this magazine to you,
contact us for more information when you're interested).
11. Legal stuff
11.1. Disclaimer
WE PROVIDE DROPSESSION AS IS. WE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE
RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS PROGRAM. IF YOU USE DROPSESSION, YOU DO SO AT
YOUR OWN RISK.
So, if for instance your wife wants to divorce you because you didn't spend
enough time on her recently, your boss fires you because you played
Dropsession at your work, your computer started to smoke because it had been
on too long just because of that stupid little puzzle, your cat pees in your
keyboard, a bug in Dropsession erases very important data on your harddrive,
or anything else, we are simply not responsible.
11.2. Distribution
11.2.1. Freeware edition
IMPORTANT: DISTRIBUTION OF THE FREEWARE PACKAGE OF DROPSESSION IS ONLY
ALLOWED WHEN YOU KEEP THE PACKAGE IN ITS ENTIRETY. FURTHERMORE, YOU ARE NOT
ALLOWED TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE FILES IN THE PACKAGE.
As long as you keep the freeware package of Dropsession in its entirety and
you don't charge any money for it, you are free to pass the package to your
friends, colleagues or anyone else (the file ALLFILES.TXT gives the names and
sizes of all the files in the Dropsession freeware package).
Distributors of freeware or shareware software are also allowed to distribute
the freeware package of Dropsession. In doing so you may charge no more than
a nominal fee for duplication. Furthermore, Dropsession may only be
distributed in its entirety (refer to the file ALLFILES.TXT). We would
appreciate it when you would inform us when you use Dropsession. You can also
contact us when you have any questions regarding the distribution of
Dropsession.
11.2.2. Registered edition
You are not allowed to distribute the registered package of Dropsession. Your
registered edition of Dropsession is/will be protected by a personal password.
It is your responsibility that this password stays personal.
Ayreon - I hope one day, that man will understand,
it's in his power to change his destiny