Shareware Overload/ShartewareOverload.cdr/games/ewheel16.zip/EGAWHEEL.DOC

Text File | 1991-08-02 | 16KB | 411 lines

EGAWHEEL Documentation
V.16.0 (07-28-91) Small Evaluation version w/1000 puzzles.
Information on availability of the full 11,000 puzzle version is
contained at the end of this document.  Purchase of the full
evaluation version directly from the author entitles the user to
a $5 discount when registering.
Requires EGA Card (256K) and Monitor
Russell Mueller
Member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
          _______
     ____|__     |                (R)
      --|       |    |-------------------
    |   ____|__  |  Association of
    |  |       |_|  Shareware
    |__|   o   |    Professionals
      -----|   |   |---------------------
       |___|___|    MEMBER

DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration of EGAWHEEL, you get the most recent revision of
the program and database.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.

DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

Users of  EGAWHEEL must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"EGAWHEEL is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation,
the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-
quential, which may result from the use of EGAWHEEL."

EGAWHEEL is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your
friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products.  If you find this program
useful and find that you are using EGAWHEEL and continue to use
EGAWHEEL after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg-
istration payment of $10.00 to Russell Mueller.  The $10.00
registration fee will license one copy for use on any one
computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just like
a book.  An example is that this software may be used by any
number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the
same time.

Commercial users of EGAWHEEL must register and pay for their
copies of EGAWHEEL within 30 days of first use or their license
is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by con-
tacting Russell Mueller.

Anyone distributing EGAWHEEL for any kind of remuneration must
first contact Russell Mueller at the address below for authorization.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of EGAWHEEL along to your
friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their
copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users
will receive a copy of the latest version of the EGAWHEEL
system, software support via mail, free upgrades/fixes for 3 months
from date of registration, and a questionaire with self-addressed
stamped envelope to insure compatibility with future revisions.

***ASP Ombudsman Policy***
"This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with
an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help.
The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP
member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI  49442
or send a Compuserve message via Compuserve Mail to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536."
**************************
EGAWHEEL:
    Start the game by typing EGAWHEEL at the DOS prompt.
Instructions are included in the game.  EGAWHEEL has been
extensively play tested by friends and secretaries at my workplace
and their homes.  It has been found to run on all PC/XT/ATs
and clones (work-alikes to my friends in England) equipped with various
EGA cards (256K only) and monitors, so far.  Changes which are
described below in the section below CHANGES.TXT are the result of
BUGS, programming technique, etc.  Shareware distribution began with
Version 7.23.
    An editor is included to facilitate adding new clues
to your game.  When adding new puzzles, the database is checked
to prevent duplication.  The ability to edit previously added
clues is included in the event of mispellings.  However, be careful
not to change a puzzle into a duplicate since duplicate
checking is not done at this point.  A high score table keeps track of
the top 10 "WHEELERS".
    Features: automatic win after all letters guessed and vowels bought,
high score table for top ten "WHEELERS"; a timer to prevent cheating by
taking long turns.
    I have not examined the memory needs of the program as most
people with EGA also have the full 640K memory.  The data file
is limited only by the size of the storage disk.  The clues
have a maximum of 20 characters and the puzzles are limited
to 40 characters.
    Any suggestions for improvements are, of course,
welcome.  The name "Wheel of Fortune" is not used so as to avoid
infringing the copyrights of Califon Productions, hence the name,
EGAWHEEL.
    Beware, younger children may not fully understand the
rules and are prone to fighting when one player monopolizes
the Wheel.
    Players outside the U.S. may not recognize some of the
puzzles, especially those which pertain to U.S. television celebrities or
programs.  I do not have a database which is specific to the world market.
The only exception to this is that I have granted rights in Denmark to
Hugo Pedersen of Danish Program Consulting for a Danish translation of
Version 10.20DK of EGAWHEEL.


    VGA Computer users:
    VGAWHEEL Full Evaluation version         (11,000 Puzzles) for  $ 5.00
    VGAWHEEL Registered version         (11,000 Puzzles) for  $10.00

    EGA Computer users:
    EGAWHEEL Full Evaluation version         (11,000 Puzzles) for  $ 5.00
    EGAWHEEL Registered Version              (11,000 Puzzles) for  $10.00

    Windows 3 users:
    WINWHEEL V.1.2 is now available:
    Requires VGA, mouse, and Microsoft Windows 3.
    WINWHEEL Full Evaluation version         (11,000 Puzzles)  for $ 5.00
    WINWHEEL Registered Version              (11,000 Puzzles) for  $19.00

        Enjoy!-- Russell Mueller
             507 Washington Gardens
             Washington, NJ  07882-9205
             U.S.A

EGAWHEEL CHANGE.TXT by Russell R. Mueller
(Versions prior to 5.00 are long forgotten)


Version 5.00
1) Fixed FREE SPIN.  Previously, FREE SPIN acted as LOSE
   TURN.
2) Compiled QuickBASIC 2.00


Version 5.02
1) Fix FREE SPIN.  Previously on FREE SPIN, play continued
   with next player.
2) Changed Wheel colors
3) Now guessing duplicate letter forfeits turn.  Previously
   allowed player to keep guessing.
4) Proof read data file with Spell Checker.
5) Changed the [F4] QUIT to end in system rather than BASIC.
6) Retype title, "WHEEL OF FORTUNE" in center of Wheel
   between rounds.


Version 5.03
1) Puzzle uses shaded block instead of underline character.
2) If player loses turn and has a FREE SPIN marker, then he
   is asked if he wants to use it.
3) Orange color is added to the Wheel.
4) Separate Data Editor created.


Version 5.04
1) Compiled with QuickBASIC 3.00.  This fixes a graphics bug
   from QuickBASIC 2.00 and also adds 8087 support.
2) Yellow color on Wheel made a darker yellow.
3) Current contestant is highlighted in bright blue instead
   of dark red.
4) Data editor program access is added at beginning of
   program.


Version 5.05
1) Order of contestants is changed.  Now player 1 starts
   Round 1, player 2 starts Round 2, and player 3 starts
   Round 3, etc.
2) Screen mode is returned to screen 0 before quitting or
   accessing editor.
3) Press any key to continue is fixed. Previously responded
   only to RETURN key.
4) No more consonants warning is left on screen until end of
   round.


Version 5.06 (9/15/87)
1) No more consonants warning is moved to lower right of
   Wheel.
2) Guess prompt is moved to line 21.
3) Fully erase the no more vowels prompt-used to leave the
   't' at end of line.


Version 5.07 (9/17/87)
1) Moved Data file read from beginning of program to screen
   setup point in program .


Version 5.08 (9/30/87)
1) Players retain their FREE SPINs throughout the game.
   Previously, FREE SPINs were forfeited after first round.
2) FREE SPINs were forfeited with BANKRUPT; now kept until
   used or game over.


Version 6.00 (10/13/87)
1) Since the TV show (1987 Fall Season) has eliminated the
   purchase of prizes after rounds, there is time for more
   rounds.  In light of this, the number of rounds has been
   increased from 3 to 5.
2) The values on the Wheel are changed to reflect the new
   values on the TV show.
3) The version number is printed in the lower right hand
   corner of the screen.


Version 6.01 (10/14/87)
1) Mistyped data for round 2 values on Wheel. Missed 350 at
   end of data line.  Fortunately, no distribution.
2) Restored continuation of Wheel spins.  Removed REM from
   the line indexing the last Wheel spin. Why I added it, I don't
   remember?


Version 7.00 (10/15/87)
1) This version is intended for release to Public Brand
   Software for distribution and their software contest.
2) Due to copyright and trademark laws, the "Wheel of
   Fortune" names are changed to "EGAWHEEL".
3) Inclusion of Russell R. Mueller 1987 Copyright Notice at
   beginning of game and editor and at end of game.
4) Notice of additional data file availability.
5) Compiled with Microsoft QuickBASIC 3.0 without 8087
   support.  The 8087 is unnecessary in this program.



Version 7.10 (10/17/87)
This version was mailed to Public Brand Software on this
date.
1) Added routine to prevent same clue being repeated in any
   session.
2) Typo in line 770 caused the period character to repeat in
   clues having same.


Version 7.11 (10/17/87)
1) Corrected the blanking of line 21 (left) prompt.  It was
   slightly intruding on the Wheel.


Version 7.20 (10/23/87)
1) Corrected error in editor.  Was possible to add null clue
   or null description.
2) Changed the 'clicking' to use direct statements rather
   than the sound command.  Problem was that faster machines
   (Turbos, AT's) didn't have reliable click.


Version 7.21 (11/05/87)
1) If player has less than $200 and guesses puzzle
   correctly, then he wins $200.


Version 7.22 (11/05/87)
1) Player X blanks out after introductory spin.  Only active
   player names are displayed.
2) Removed blanking of Wheel values during spin to speed up
   rotation.  Values overwrite previous.


Version 7.23 (11/10/87)
1) [F4] exit point is changed to display the current
   standings before exit.
2) Microsoft Copyright Notice added to game and editor.


Version 7.23PBS (11/13/87)
1) This is the same as V.7.23 except for the inclusion of
   the offer for 1000 more puzzles.  It is intended for
   distribution only with the reduced data set of 200
   puzzles.



Version 8.00 (11/26/87 Thanksgiving)
1) Major change in data file format.  I had reached the
   memory limit of a 640K computer with 1478 files, so
   divided files and forced a limit of 1000 puzzles per
   file.  Files are named 1.DAT, 2.DAT, etc.  This also
   speeds loads.
2) Change in data file required restructuring EGAWHEEL
   program to randomly read the data files.  A
   directory is read and stored in a file DIRFILE.  This is
   accessed to determine the number of data files.  A random
   number is generated to access one of the files for the
   games to play.  This does not allow full access to all
   puzzles during a session, but is adequate.
3) Change in data file required restructuring EDITWHEL
   program to read only SELECTED file.  You may not add
   more than 1000 puzzles to a file.


Version 8.01 (11-28-87)
Changes to EGAWHEEL only.
1) Added option of toggling sound on and off.  Okay, Mike???
2) Number of FREE SPINs acquired is counted and displayed.



Version 8.02 (12-28-87)
Changes to EDITWHEL only.
1) Number of puzzles changed to 500 per file.



Version 8.03 (12-28-87)
Changes to EDITWHEL only.
1) Duplicate puzzle checking is added to all files.



Version 9.00 (01-06-88)
Changes to EGAWHEEL and EDITWHEL
1) Change to a single random access file type to eliminate
   the DOS SHELL command which is used to determine the
   number of data files.  This will eliminate the need to
   reboot after running EDITWHEL.
2) Titles now boxed in EDITWHEL program.

* (1/88) EGAWHEEL wins 4th Semi-Annual Public Brand Software Contest
  in the GAMES and EDUCATION category.

Version 9.01 (06-30-88)
Changes to EDITWHEL
1) View Puzzles now shows category as well as puzzle.
2) Arrow keys used to page forward and back through puzzles.


Version 10.00 (07-01-88)
Major Change to Program Structures
1) Combined EGAWHEEL.EXE and EDITWHEL.EXE into one program.
   Major effect is to save 40K of disk space.  Redundancy
   in compiled programs eliminated.  Other minor mods include
   restoring the caplock to its status before playing the game,
   player color changes, restoring the color palette to the default,
   and speeding the editor access.


Version 10.10 (01-13-89)
1) Blanking of Left prompt occurs immmediately after key input.


Version 10.20 (01-14-89)
1) Discovered bug in versions 9 through present.  A puzzle >38
   characters or description >18 characters crashes program.
2) Compiled with Microsoft QuickBASIC V.4.5 suppressing coprocessor.

Version 10.30 (08-21-90)
1) Added support for ampersand character (&).

Version 11.00 (09-09-90)
1) Changed used character list to blank out letters as used.

Version 12.00 (01-05-91
1) Timer added to prevent long turns (cheating)!
2) Top "WHEELER" list added

Version 13.00 (01-31-91)
1) Fixed long-standing bug with high scores caused by bug in Microsoft
   QuickBASIC 4.5 Compiler.

Version 14.00 (03-09-91)
1) Added the option to delete puzzles in editor.

Version 15.00 (04-15-91)
1) Fixed "no more vowels error".
2) Acceptance into the Association of Shareware Professionals, added ASP
   Ombudsman statement, and ASP shareware text.

Version 16.00 (07-29-91)
1) Added more sounds and music.