GoMoku Version 2.2 by Mihai Nastase (c) 1999-2000 All rights reserved. CONTENTS: 1.Game Overview 2.Future Improvements 3.Installation 4.Registration 5.Disclaimer and Legal Stuff 1.Game Overview Though it has many names and a few flavors, this game has been a favorite for quite a while, being one of ancient Asia's classics, together with Go, with which it shares the same board and pieces. Its Asian names are GoMoku, RenJu or Wuziqi. In the western world a variation of it is played, known under names like Pentix, Tic-Tac-Toe, Five-In-Line, Pente, and many others, depending which country you are in. The rules and board are the same but black and white pieces are replaced by 'O' and 'X', and are placed inside the squares, not at the intersections. The player who succeeds in having 5 adjacent pieces on any horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line wins. PC (Windows-based) and versions for Palm OS are available. The program's algorithm was developed in the eighties, and the first implementation dates back then. This GoMoku game is a quality, highly customizable implementation. The handheld environment is especially suitable since the user can play the game on the go and, unlike Chess or Go, a game usually ends in a few minutes. It has 5 levels of difficulty, from very basic to 'Expert', which can be played in 3 styles: aggressive, balanced, defensive, and can be configured for both Asian and Western board. Play against computer or with a friend. Board size is 15 x 15, optimised for readability. The interface is very friendly: games are saved automatically without any intervention, 'New' and 'Undo' buttons are conveniently placed on the screen, making user's life easy. 2.Future Enhancements (Your suggestions are always welcomed) A stronger 'Expert' level. Professional rules for the Asian version. The user will be able to play with a partner via infrared. If you have any problems, questions and suggestions, please feel free to email me, at palm_bit@yahoo.com, and also visit http://MihaiNastase.Homestead.com ( this site, of course! ) I am very greateful for your interest in my software. http://MihaiNastase.Homestead.com palm_bit@yahoo.com 3.Installation First read the contract at chapter 5 on this document. If you agree to abide by it, install the 'pgom.prc' file on your handheld. 4.Registration This program is shareware. Your registration will make possible for me to continue working. To encourage registration, the evaluation copy, though unlimited in time, will not accept 'Undo' and more than 3 games every 3 minutes. The registration costs $12(US) or equivalent. *To register go to: http://www.palmgear.com and buy it using a major credit card, phone or fax. They will instantly give you a registered code valid for at least one week. In a day or two you will receive a permanent code from me, via e-mail. You should go to the Registration form, tap on the dotted line where the code is asked for, and input it. You should keep your code safe. You can e-mail at palm_bit@yahoo.com, if you need a new code. (That is if you change your User Name). Do not forget to send your old and present User Name, because these codes are personalised. Registered users will get free upgrades, and 30% discount on the 'Go' game, which will soon be available. 5.Disclaimer and Legal Stuff I am dedicated to write the best quality software, for your enjoyment, and thoroughly test all the released software. However, please read the legal statements below regarding your and my legal liabilities and obligations: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ELECTRONIC END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR Mihai's GoMoku program NOTICE TO USER: THIS IS A CONTRACT. BY INSTALLING THIS SOFTWARE YOU ACCEPT ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. This End User License Agreement accompanies the GoMoku product and related explanatory materials ("Software"). The term "Software" also shall include any upgrades, modified versions or updates of the Software licensed to you by Mihail Nastase ("Author"). Please read this Agreement carefully. If you do not wish to accept this Agreement, you should not use the Software, and should remove all installs, copies and backups of the Software that you may have. Upon your acceptance of this Agreement, The Author grants to you a nonexclusive license to use the Software, provided that you agree to the following: a. Use of the Software. - You may install the Software on any handheld compatible system for the sole purpose of playing the game. - You may make backup copies of the Software. - You can distribute the Software without any modification or any commercial purposes. You should contact the Author if you intend to use the Software for commercial purposes. b. Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights. The Software is owned by the Author and its structure, organization and code are the valuable trade secrets of the Author. The Software also is protected by Canadian Copyright Law and International Treaty provisions. Except as stated above, this Agreement does not grant you any intellectual property rights in the Software. c. Restrictions. You agree not to modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble or otherwise attempt to discover the source code of the Software. d. No Warranty. The Software is being delivered to you AS IS and the Author makes no warranty as to its use or performance. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT AND CANNOT WARRANT THE PERFORMANCE OR RESULTS YOU MAY OBTAIN BY USING THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION. THE AUTHOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS OR LOST SAVINGS OR DATA, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY THIRD PARTY. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental, consequential or special damages, or the exclusion of implied warranties or limitations on how long an implied warranty may last, so the above limitations may not apply to you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------