SideMinder!
© 1994 by John V. Holder
    All Rights Reserved
-----------------------

What is SideMinder! you ask?
SideMinder! is a game you play against the computer.  You try to get rid of all your game pieces before the computer does and also try to get the highest score by placing the pieces in places where the most side colors match up! If you're really hot, you can block the computer's next move, too!

When the game starts, the deck consists of however many pieces it would take to fill every spot in the play area; 25 pieces (35 if rotation is allowed) are then dealt to each player.  Only the top piece can be played on the board.

Starting the game:
Start a new game by selecting the “New Game...” option from the “File” menu.

What's in the window?
The main upper part of the window is the play arena.  This is where you and the computer place your game pieces.

The lower portion of the window shows score information and how many pieces each player has.  The small number on the leftmost side is how many pieces the computer has remaining and its next playing piece.  To the right of the playing piece is the computer’s score.

A blank playing piece in the center of the lower part of the window means that there are more pieces left in the deck for you or the computer to use.  If there's no piece shown, there are no more pieces in the deck.

On the right lower side of the window is your score, current playing piece and how many pieces you have remaining.

Setting options:
You can choose the level of playing difficulty, how many colors to use (the more colors, the higher the scores), and whether to “Allow Rotation”, have “Random Boards” or play in “Tournament Mode” by selecting the “Options” item from the “Options” menu.

• If the Level is set to “Easy”, the computer takes the first available move it can.  If the Level is set to “Difficult”, the computer scans the entire board looking for the best possible move.  Start out at Easy and move up to Difficult when you think you can beat the computer!

• If the “Allow Rotation” option is checked, you can rotate a piece before placing it on the board and so can the computer.

• If the “Random Boards” option is checked, the play boards will be randomly choosen, rather than the standard rectangle game board.

• If the “Tournament Mode” option is checked, you will play five games against the computer; the one with the highest score after the fifth game wins!  If you start a new game while in Tournament Mode, it will start a new five game series.

If you change the options while in the middle of a game, you will start a new game with the new options you've selected.

Game play:
You and the computer alternate starting the game.  After the first game piece is played, (anywhere except the borders), you will place pieces when a side of the piece you are placing matches the side of a piece already on the board.  The more sides you match when placing a piece, the better your score will be!

If you cannot make a move, you must get another piece from the deck; do this by clicking your pile until you get a piece that can be placed!  If there are no more pieces in the deck and you have no more possible moves, the computer will automatically take its turn and you lose 10 points.

When you or the computer run out of pieces, the game is over and 20 points will be taken for each remaining piece the other player has.  The one with the highest score will win the hand!  If there are no more pieces in the deck and neither player can move, the game will end.

Rotating a piece:
If the “Allow Rotation” option is checked, you can rotate your piece before placing it to get the best possible placement.  Rotation will cost some points though, so be careful!  Use the space bar to rotate a piece.

Better moves:
If the "Better Move" option in the "Options" menu is checked, SideMinder! may flash at you after you move your playing piece to indicate the spot where you could have scored more optimally.  No points will be deducted.  The purpose isn't to make you feel stupid... think of it as a training aid  ;-)  After you get very good at the game, you may want to turn this option off.

Showing the best move:
You can have the computer show you the best possible move by choosing the “Show Best Move” option from the “Options” menu.  This will cost you points though, so use it only if you absolutely need it!  If Allow Rotation is on, the "best move" it shows you may need to have the piece rotated and the point cost for showing the best move is doubled!

SideMinder! scoring:
Your score depends on how many colors you have chosen and whether you can rotate pieces or not.

The scoring is as follows:

1 matching side..:  5pts (* the number of colors)
2 matching sides:  20pts (* the number of colors)
3 matching sides:  50pts (* the number of colors)
4 matching sides:  100pts (* the number of colors)

If Allow Rotation is off, the scores above are doubled!

Misc. Scores:
Get a piece from deck           =  -10
Showing the best move         =  -50  (-100 if rotation on)
Pass play to other player      =  -10
Rotate Piece                         =  -5
Place all pieces first bonus  = 100
Pieces left over at end         =  -20

High scores:
You can view or clear the scores for regular or tournament games by selecting the appropriate options from the “Options” menu.

Versions:
1.0      Initial release (6/10/94)
1.01    Fixed scoring bug, would sometimes give a higher
           score for one side match than for a two side
           match!   Thanks to Linda Roberts for letting me
           know about this! (6-19-94)
1.02    Fixed tournament score bug, would not clear
           the scores when starting a new tournament in
           the middle of a game!   Also added some new 
           boards.  (6-20-94)
1.03    Added ability to print help or registration form.
           Also added screen depth checker and a few new
           boards.   (10-7-94)

Thanks!:
I want to thank Bob Bittner, Kaaren Buffington, Jerry Fox, Mark Hall, Stephen Kayner, Garrett Lang, Sean McNiff, Casey Meaden, and Scott Sattler for all the help with testing and the mahvelous suggestions!

This is Shareware:
I've worked very hard on this game and would like to continue to release fun and useful games and utilities, but the only way I can do this is if you send in the requested fee.  Please, if you use this, send in the small fee requested along with the registration form (just click the 'Print Registration Form' button below).  Do your part to keep the idea of shareware (and me) going!  Thank you for supporting shareware!

I have tested this game to the best of my ability, but cannot possibly test it with every application, INIT setup, etc.  If you find any problems, please let me know about it.  Also, if you have any suggestions of other features you'd like to see in this game, let me know.  You can contact me at the address or on-line service below:

Shareware fee:  $10

John V. Holder
2862 Lowell Street
Eureka, CA  95501

or on GEnie e-mail........:  JOHN.HOLDER
or CompuServe e-mail:  75040,1126
or America Online........:   JohnHolder

OTHER PROGRAMS:
I have written several other shareware games and utilities. They are described below along with the price for each; price does not include disk or postage.  To get the latest versions of all of these to try out for yourself, send a disk with a self addressed stamped envelope or send $5 and I will supply the disk and pay postage.

GAMES:
Escape! - Escape is a simple strategy game that's mind-bogglingly similar to an old computer game called Daleks, though there’s lots more goodies in this game!  Control a guy as he runs around mazes trying to collect gems, weapons, mines and the occasional extra life, finding tunnels to pass through, while stupid, but persistant, robots attempt to smoosh him. Simple, but addictive as all get out.  ($5)

ColorFall - A simple yet very fun and addictive new game!  Blocks of 4 colors (or patterns for B&W) drop down; you position and rotate them where you want them and let 'em drop!  Try to get 4 or more in a row down, across, diagonally or in a block... But that's not all!  Random things happen during play to either help or hinder your progress, such as a falling weight, a bomb and other strange things!  Try it!  ($10)

SideMinder! - SideMinder! is a challenging game played against the computer.  Your mission is to place 3D game pieces on the board, matching as many sides as you can. The more sides you match, the higher the score!  Many different options are available, such as various playing boards, tournament mode, rotating pieces, number of colors (or patterns for B&W), and level of difficulty!  Try it, you won't be disappointed!  (1.02 fixes a Scoring bug and adds new game boards!)  I take no responsibility for time or sleep lost due to the habit forming effects of this game!  ($10)

PRODUCTIVITY:
ScrapIt ][ DA (2.0) - If you ever use Apples' Scrapbook DA, you must get this to replace it!!  Features include:

• Standard Scrapbook view, Name list view and
   a NEW Thumbnail view!
• Open or create different Scrap Files.
• Open ScrapBooks in the System Folder or
   in the ScrapIt Folder (ScrapIt Folder in
   System 7 only) by selecting from a pop-up menu!
• Import MacPaint, PICT, PICT resources, TEXT,
   “snd” (Sound) files or QuickTime Movies!
• Cut, Copy and Paste QuickTime Movies!
• Export PICT, TEXT ¨or “snd ” files.
• Find an occurence of text in any TEXT item.
• Select portions of TEXT or PICT items.
• Play sounds and QuickTime Movies!
• You can name each item if you like!
• Resize the Scrap Window.
• Fit an item’s picture in the viewing rectangle
  (reduce it or center it) or show it full size with the
  ability to scroll to see all of the picture
• Move to different items by:
  1. using the bottom scroll bar as Apple’s Scrapbook DA does.
  2. choosing from a list of the names of all items.
  3. choosing from an icon (thumbnail) list of all items.
  4. searching for any characters in any TEXT item.
• Print PICT and TEXT items!
• Up to 1000 items per file!
• And more...  ($15)

JUST FOR FUN:
QTAction 1.0 - Just released!  QTAction is a Control Panel that lets you assign QuickTime movies OR sounds to certain system actions such as the System Beep, emptying the trash, Disk Eject, Disk Insert, Starting the Mac, and more!!  Movies or sounds can be played at certain times, too, (on the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 hour or on the hour).  Check this out!!!  ($10)