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1995-12-20
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_____________________________________________________________________
WCS Oil v1.0
Written by
Rob Williams
WCS Software
_____________________________________________________________________
Copyright Notice
----------------
This door game is distributed under the SHAREWARE concept. This
concept gives you the chance to "try before you buy", and see if it
meets your needs.
I've decided to break away from the standard "30 day trial period"
that many door authors are using and instead go to a much simpler
and more realistic policy. This is simply; Try it on your BBS.
If you like it and your users like it, then register it. If it's not
good enough to register, then delete it.
While I'd like you to register my doors as soon as possible, I'm also
realistic enough to know that different boards have different requirements
and interests, and sometimes it takes longer befor a game catches on, or a
sysop can get to the Doors on his list to register. And frankly, I'd
rather you ran it for awhile and register, than try it for a short
period of time and delete it. Nobody wins that way...I lose out on a
registration and your users lose out on the chance of having the
registered door to play.
The above "extended trial" statement was copied with permission from
Mike Jordan of M&S Doors.
As a shareware program, WCS Oil may be freely distributed.
Shareware distributors may distribute copies of WCS Oil on disk
for a modest disk duplication charge not to exceed $4 per disk.
Warranty
--------
WCS Oil is distributed on as as is basis. In no event will
Rob Williams or WCS Software be liable to you for damages, including
any loss of profits, lost savings, or other incidental or
consequential damages arising out of your use of or inability to use
this program, even if Rob Williams, WCS Software, or an authorized
representative has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Rob Williams and WCS Software will not be liable for any such claim
by any other party.
Features of WCS Oil
-------------------
WCS Oil is fully InterBBS capable, with very little attention
needed from the sysop. Automatic messaging to/from the game hub
in Fido standard *.MSG format messages with file attachments.
Assembly language serial input/output routines for maximum speed.
Fully supports high speed modems: 16550 FIFO buffering and locked
serial ports.
Built in ANSI terminal emulator. No need to have ANSI.SYS loaded in
memory.
DesqView, Windows, and OS/2 aware.
Supports all of the most popular door data file formats:
TriBBS, PCBoard, GAP (DOOR.SYS), Spitfire, WildCat!, RBBS, and WWIV.
ANSI and ASCII Bulletins of high scorers.
Automatic maintenance with no intervention from the Sysop.
Supports play ahead and make up days when registered. This is
completely sysop configurable.
WCS Oil is Multinode Aware!
Files used in the Program
-------------------------
WCSOIL.EXE - The main WCS Oil program
REGISTER.FRM - Information on registration
SAMPLE.CFG - Sample configuration file
SAMPLE.BAT - Sample batch file to run WCS Oil
HISCORE.DAT - Created when the program runs-contains hi score info
OILUSER.DAT - Created when the program runs-contains user info
WCSOIL.KEY - Key file for registered versions
WCSOIL.USE - Created when the game is running, will be deleted
when the user exits normally.
(only in single user/non-registered versions)
*************************************************************************
** IMPORTANT - The game will not run if this file (WCSOIL.USE) exists **
*************************************************************************
WCSOIL.HLP - Help file for the game. When the Instructions option
is selected, this file is displayed. You may edit
this file if you wish. It is a plain ASCII text file.
WCSOIL.HIS - History of the product. Shows what enhancements were
made in what version.
WCSINFO.TXT - A text file explaining more about WCS Software and
showing all currently available WCS Software programs.
READ.ME - A brief text file explaining how to get up and running
quickly.
NOBEEP - If this file exists in the game directory, the game
not make noises when you play it (either remotely or
locally) Good for those sysops who play games locally
late at night <grin>.
INTERBBS.DOC - A document explaining how to set up WCS Oil to
run in an InterBBS League.
*************************************************************************
*** IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO READ THIS FILE FULLY BEFORE ATTEMPTING ***
*** TO RUN WCS OIL IN AN INTERBBS LEAGUE. ***
*** YOU SHOULD ALSO BE WELL VERSED IN FIDO TERMINOLOGY. ***
*************************************************************************
DBRIDGE.HLP - Help file for people running D'Bridge mailers. Also
helpful as a fallback if you have problems getting
the score files automatically processed. (for InterBBS
use)
WCSDOORS.FAQ - Frequently asked questions about WCS Software Doors.
If you are having a problem with either WCSOil or
the InterBBS portion, read this file first for help.
Setting up WCS Oil
------------------
WCS Oil is run by entering a command similar to the
following:
WCSOIL WCSOIL.CFG
The configuration file can have any name you choose, but it must
reside in the same directory as the door. The configuration file is
an ASCII text file with the following format:
Line 1: Door data file type.
Line 2: Path to the door data file(s).
Line 3: BBS name.
Line 4: Sysop's name.
Line 5: Locked baud rate.
Line 6: ASCII High Score Bulletin Name
Line 7: ANSI High Score Bulletin Name
Line 8: File name to write comments to
Line 9: Number of Games per day
* Line 10: Number of extra days allowed for make up days
* Line 11: Day to start playing make up days-31 to disable
Line 12: Write log files (explained below)
* Line 13: Line to display a message (donated by, etc)
Line 14: Name of the computer opponent
Line 15: InterBBS Play (Y or N)
Lines with a "*" to the left indicate features only present in the
registered version of the program. *** The lines must be present,
even if the door is not registered. ***
As illustrated above, the door's data file type is specified in line 1
and can be PCB for PCBoard, GAP for GAP (DOOR.SYS), SF for Spitfire,
RBBS for RBBS, WC for WildCat!, TRIBBS for TriBBS, or WWIV for WWIV.
The locked baud rate is specified in line 5. If you don't lock your
serial port, you must specify 0 for the locked baud rate.
The following is a sample door configuration file:
************************************************************************
** IMPORTANT - If you are running WC 4.x, use the GAP drop file **
************************************************************************
WC <== BBS Type
C:\WC30\WCWORK\NODE1 <== Drop file location
WCS Software BBS <== BBS Name
Rob Williams <== Sysop Name
0 <== Locked baud rate
C:\WC30\BULL\BULL10.BBS <== ASCII bulletin
C:\WC30\BULL\BULL10.SCR <== ANSI bulletin
C:\WC30\COMMENTS.DRS <== File name to write comments to
10 <== # of questions per day
2 <== Extra days allowed for make up days
10 <== Day to start make up days
A <== Write a log file (See Below)
By WCS Software <== Donated by line
Joe <== Computer opponents name
Y <== InterBBS Play
************************************************************************
** IMPORTANT - Even if the game is not registered, the last three **
** lines must exist, or the game will not run. You will get an error **
** when the game starts up. **
************************************************************************
On line 12, the valid options for a log file are:
- P for Play log ONLY (WCSOIL.nodenumber)
- N for No logs
- C for Comments log ONLY (Specified in .cfg file)
- A for ALL Logs (play log and comment log)
WCS Oil can be run locally without a door data file (handy
for the sysop to use the door without logging on to the BBS) by
specifying /L after the configuration file parameter in the DOS
command line. WCS Oil will request you to enter your name before
running the door.
To play the game in Multiuser mode, you must have a registered multinode
copy,and DOS SHARE must be loaded. If these two things are not done,
the game will display a message if you try to run multinode.
Nonstandard IRQs can be used by specifying the IRQ number after the
"config" parameter in the command line used to run the door as
follows:
WCSOIL WCSOIL.CFG 4
Setting up WCS Oil for Multinode Play
-------------------------------------
In order to set WCS Oil up for multinode play, you need to create a
.cfg file for each node that will be using the game. The .cfg files
will be similar, except that lines 2 and possibly 5 will be different.
Line 2 is the location of the door drop file. This needs to be unique
for each node that runs the game. Line 5 is the locked baud rate for
the node. If you have nodes that are locked at different rates, then
this line may be different for different nodes. For example, the
configuration file for node 1 (WCSOIL.CF1) might look like this:
GAP
H:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE1 <=== Notice this is the node 1 directory
Williams Computer Services BBS
Rob Williams
19200
[etc].....
And the configuration file for node 2 (WCSOIL.CF2) might look like this:
GAP
H:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE2 <=== Notice this is the node 2 directory
Williams Computer Services BBS
Rob Williams
19200
[etc].....
You will also need to set an environment variable to tell the program
what node it is currently running on. Since I run Wildcat, I call
this variable WCNODEID. In my .BAT file that calls the BBS, I set the
WCNODEID to whatever node is running. You can use wahtever name you
wish, it just needs to be a unique node ID.
Next, in the batch file that calls WCS Oil, you would change the sample.bat
that is included with this archive to look like this:
CD\WCSOIL
WCSOIL WCSOIL.CF%WCNODEID%
What this will do, is when the game is started, it will look for the
WCNODEID (or whatever you called it), and append that to WCSOIL.CF. So
when the game runs, and you run it from node 1 say, it will use .cfg file
WCSOIL.CF1.
Hopefully, I have not totally confused you on how to set the door up for
mult-node use. If you have questions on environment variables, refer
to your DOS manual.
**************************************************************************
** Running this game on more than a single node at a time requires a **
** Multi-Node Key. When running in Evaluation mode, only one (1) Node **
** will be able to access the door at a time. **
**************************************************************************
Playing the Game
----------------
Object of the Game
------------------
WCS Oil is loosely based on an old board game called GUSHER! The object
of the game is to accumulate the most money by drilling wells, and
hopefully hitting oil. For each successful well you drill, you will get
a bonus when you hit oil, and a variable amount each turn for each
producing well you have.
Game Play
---------
Each player starts out with $25,000 and no land. Game play is pretty
simple and straight forward. In your turn, you can do one of three
things:
- You can buy a piece of property.
Property costs $1,000 per well site. You cannot purchase land
if you have more than 9 undrilled wells. This is to keep players
from cheating and buying all the land up.
- You can drill 1 or 2 wells
You must decide at the start of your turn how many wells you want
to drill. You cannot change your mind after you have decided.
Each initial drill attempt will cost you $2,000. When drilling,
you will either strike oil, or you might hit rock or water. If
you do, you have the option to drill deeper (for more money, of
course). Each attempt to drill deeper will cost an additional
$1,000. If you do not hit oil after the third attempt, you will
be forced to cap the well, and pay $500 for the cap. If you
strike oil, however, you will pay $1,000 for an oil "rig", and be
awarded a bonus for hitting oil. You will also be awarded money
on each turn for all producing wells. The deeper the well, the
more money they are worth!
- You can pass your turn
You can pass your turn only if you cannot drill a well or buy
land. However, if you do not have any producing wells, and you
do not have enough money to drill a well, you will be forced to
give up, since you cannot make any plays, and you will not be
receiving any money for producing wells.
Game play continues until one of three things happen:
- All the available wells have been drilled.
- Either you or the computer are forced to give up (bankruptcy).
- You quits before the game is finished.
The player with the most money at the end of the game is the winner.
Scores are reset the 1st of every month.
Make-Up Days Explanation
------------------------
The make up days feature warrants a little more explanation here.
When the game is registered, after you have played your game for today,
it will check to see if make up days has been enabled (start day < 31).
If today is greater than the start day, and the total number of days you
have played is not greater than what was specified in the .cfg file, it
will ask you if you want to play a make up day. It will then show a
calendar of days for the current month. Days that you have played will
show up in red with an x, playable days will show up in green with an o.
Choose a valid date (one with an o, within the current month), and you
will start another days game. If you changed your mind and do not want
to play a make up day, enter 99, and you will be asked if you want to
view the high scores, then be returned to the BBS.
Special Keys
------------
While WCS Oil is running, the sysop can press certain special keys to
perform a variety of functions. The following is a list of the
functions that the special keys perform:
Key(s) Function
HOME Toggles between the user status window and a help
display that lists the special keys.
F6 Takes 5 minutes away from the caller.
NOTE: This will NOT be returned to BBS.
F7 Gives 5 minutes to the caller.
NOTE: This will NOT be returned to the BBS.
F9 Quit the door and return the caller to the BBS.
F10 Enter chat mode. Pressing the ESC key exits the
chat mode.
Alt+D Drop to DOS.
Support
-------
If you have problems, I will try and help as best I can, whether you
are registered or not. Registered users will get priority over non-
registered users, though. You may get help with problems by calling
Williams Computer Services BBS at (503) 631-8439, or by writing to
the author at the following addresses:
FIDO : 1:105/278
Internet : support@wcs.org
rwilliam@cybernw.com
US Mail:
Rob Williams
18370 S. Henrici Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
Registering WCS Oil
-------------------
Registration of WCS Oil is only $15.00 for single node
or $20.00 for Multi-Node. Please use the form in the file
REGISTER.FRM. When you register, you will receive a registration
key that will turn your version into a registered version.
You may also now register and get your keys immediately by calling
Williams Computer Services BBS at (503) 631-8439 and using the online
registration door. Have your Visa or Mastercard ready, fill out the
proper information, and your keys will be downloaded to you immediately!
Registered users will have access to the special area of the support
BBS, be able to run multi node (if you purchased a multi node version),
and have access to make-up days.
***** ALL UPDATES ARE FREE FOR THE LIFE OF THE PROGRAM *****
Acknowledgements
----------------
Thanks go to the following people/companies (Listed in no particular order):
- Mustang Software for creating Wildcat!
- Randy Hunt and Mark Goodwin for creating RMDoor which was used
to create this game.
- Mike Jordan for his help with some of the routines, and for the
idea of the make up days, and also help in testing, and his help
in helping me get started in door programming. Also, for his help
with some of the InterBBS ideas.
- Andy Stewart for his programming help, and also for help in creating
the main play screen, and for also writing some of the InterBBS
routines. These are available with the DDPlus door kit, and are
FREEWARE!
- Matt Somerville for his help in testing and ideas for the game.
- Ken Foster for his help in testing and ideas for the game.
- Gayle Davis and all the people that have contributed to the
SWAG archives. I have used various snippets from those
archives, as well as them giving me good ideas on how to
accomplish certain tasks. THANKS!
- And last but not least, thanks to my wife and kids who allow me
to spend endless hours at my computer, writing and supporting
these games.