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________________________ Subj: Book Recommendations ________________________ Fm: Mark Betz/GD SL 76605,2346 To: David Hernandez 72557,336 31-Jan-92 ... Run, don't walk, to your nearest technically capable bookstore and get a copy of Steve Rimmer's "Bitmapped Graphics" (Windcrest). This book deals with most major file formats in detail... ........................................................................... Fm: David Smith 71311,2334 To: david stafford 76666,2542 (X) 24-Mar-92 A book that I would recommend to any game programmer is: GRAPHICS GEMS II edited by JAMES ARVO published by ACADEMIC PRESS It is a life saver. ... ........................................................................... Fm: KGliner 70363,3672 To: David J. Leach Jr 70511,1573 (X) 01-Jun-92 The Journal of Computer Game Design P.O. Box 360872 Milpitas, CA 95036 $30, published 6 times per year. Back issues are $5 each. (published by Chris Crawford Games) The phone # for the Journal of Computer Game Design is (408) 946-4626. I'll actually be the one who you'll end up talking to as I'm the one who handles customer support and the subscription list. ........................................................................... Fm: yngvi 76703,3046 To: Chris Lampton [GAMPUB] 76711,301 (X) 01-Jun-92 [re: centroid of a polygon] You might try 'Curves & Surfaces for CAD' by Farin, Academic Press. ... ........................................................................... Fm: Mark Betz/GD SL 76605,2346 To: Kevin Clements 70720,2707 18-Jun-92 ... If you can find it I would recommend a book called "Artificial Intelligence and Turbo Pascal". ... The book deals with state-goal traversal of various data structures, as well as heuristic searches and some other neat topics. The idea is that, for any given state a computer opponent has a specific goal (to maneuver his aircraft behind yours, for example), and that there are a finite number of moves which can be used to attempt a traversal from the current state to the desired goal state. ........................................................................... Fm: Mark Baldwin 73637,3032 To: Cory Klatt 70353,346 (X) 24-Jul-92 ... Jim Dunnigan's book, The Wargame Handbook should be out this fall. About 20-30% of it covers computer games. ........................................................................... Fm: yngvi 76703,3046 To: Mark Betz/GD SL 76605,2346 (X) 04-Sep-92 Perla's Wargaming book (1990) is available from Naval Institute Press, Annapolis MD 21402 (no phone number handy, sorry). I had ordered it direct from them. ... ........................................................................... Fm: Crystal Jock 73737,2704 To: game master 70401,3406 05-Sep-92 There are two good books by Stevens: Advanced Graphics in C and C++, and Fractal Programming and Ray Tracing in C and C++. ... ........................................................................... Fm: Bob Provencher/GDSL 71621,2632 To: Rob Nicholson (HMS Ltd) 100060,154 (X) 10-Oct-92 ...I've read several books that talk about game programming - mostly minimax searches and alpha-beta pruning and the like. I have no idea if any of these are still in print but it'd be worth a try ... Computer Gamesmanship, Elements of Intellegent Game Design. David Levy. Simon & Schuster 1983. ISBN 0-671-49532-1 (general theory) Games Programming. Eric Solomon. Cambridge University Press 1984. ISBN 0-521-27110-X (general theory) Creating Adventure Games on Your Computer. Tim Hartnell. Ballentine 1984. ISBN 0-345-31883-8 (deals mainly with the TRS-80) Sorcerers & Soldiers. Brian Murphy. Creative Computing Press 1984. ISBN 0-916688-79-8 (good section on wargames) Golden Flutes & Great Escapes. Delton T. Horn. Dilithium Press 1984. ISBN 0-88056-089-4 (adventure games, TRS-80) Compute's Guide to Adventure Games. Gary McGrath. Compute Publications 1984. ISBN 0-942386-67-1 (adventure games) Computer Chess. David E. Welsh. Wm. C. Brown 19984. ISBN 0-697-09900-8. ... ........................................................................... Fm: Dave Menconi 72350,602 To: Rob Nicholson (HMS Ltd) 100060,154 11-Oct-92 One other book to add to the list: "The Art of Computer Game Design" by Chris Crawford. It's pretty old but the premise is still good. I'm pretty sure that it's now out of print. When you subscibe to the Journal of Computer Game Design you should ask Chris about it and where it's available. ........................................................................... Fm: R. KUEHNEL 71270,270 # 275192 To: Jesse 76646,3302 Date: 07-Jan-93 14:23:52 Jesse, I recently purchased 'The SOUND BLASTER BOOK' from my local computer shop and have just begun to explore it. It is an ABACUS book and came with a 3 1/2 disk with additional programs. The book goes into great detail about the history, features, use, programing, etc. of the SB card. Looked good (that's why I got it) and have learned alot from the short time in my possession. Hope this helps you. Ralph ........................................................................... Fm: Mark Betz/Ass't SysOp 76605,2346 To: PATRICK CUNNINGHAM 76550,264 18-Jan-93 Hi, Patrick. A few weeks ago I would have agree with Bob's recommendation. However, there is a new book out called "Graphics File Formats" (Windcrest/McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-8306-3059-7) that is much more specifically a book on file formats than is Rimmer's. On the other hand, if you need any basic info on graphics techniques, you won't find it in there. ........................................................................... Fm: Derek Smart 71334,2207 To: KGliner 70363,3672 (X) 01-Feb-93 why don't you check the cult classics 1) Principles of Interactive Computer Graphics by Newman & Sproul 2) Computer Graphics - Principles & Practice by Foley, van Dam, Fernier ... 3) The C Graphics Handbook by Al Stevens 4) Advanced Graphics Programming in C/C++ by Stevens & Watkins ........................................................................... Fm: Derek Smart 71334,2207 To: KGliner 70363,3672 (X) 01-Feb-93 Bob mentioned another book which I also have 'Computer Graphics - A Programming Approach' by Steve Harrington You should also check ' Advanced Graphics on VGA and XGA cards using Borland C++' by Ian o. Angell and Dimitrios Tsoubels This book was written by my old professor from England and is published by Halsted Press and inprint of J. Wiley & Sons ISBN 0-470-21833-9. It is REALLY good and simplifies a lot of stuff for ease of understanding Also 'Computer Graphics' by Edward Angel - published by Addison Wesley I also suggest that you get a copy of Beyer's 'Standard Mathematical Tables & Formulae' published by CRC press. ... ........................................................................... Fm: Bob Provencher/GD SL 71621,2632 To: KGliner 70363,3672 (X) 01-Feb-93 ... I couldn't remember the 2D matrix rotation stuff off the top of my head the other day. It's been a little while since I used it. I'm pulling this stuff straight out of one of my graphics book, in this case it's "Computer Graphics, A Programming Approach," by Steven Harrington, McGraw-Hill, 1987, ISBN 0-07-026753-7. ........................................................................... Fm: David A. Campbell 72620,140 To: Diana Gruber/Fastgraph 72000,1642 (X) 12-Mar-93 ... HIGH PERFORMANCE INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS Lee Adams, TAB Books, isbn 0-8306-2879-7 HIGH-SPEED ANIMATION AND SIMULATION FOR MICROCOMPUTERS Lee Adams, TAB Books, isbn 0-8306-2859-2 Both books concern animation, high speed graphics, and simulation. They have worked fairly well for me. ........................................................................... Fm: Mark Betz/Ass't SysOp 76605,2346 To: David A. Campbell 72620,140 (X) 13-Mar-93 Hi, David. I'm glad that the Lee Adams books have worked out for you. I have to admit that my general advice to book-seekers is "don't buy anything by Lee Adams." I have "High Performance Graphics in C", and found it terrible. The code hardly deserves the name, being C converted from BASIC, with incredibly bad formatting, and descriptive variable names like "c", and "mx" <g>. Other folks with whom I've conversed have had the same experience. Was yours different? ........................................................................... Fm: Chris Lampton [GAMPUB] 76711,301 To: All 19-Mar-93 ... For those of you who aren't familiar with it, FLIGHTS OF FANTASY is a 600+ page book about writing flight simulators, with extensive information on polygon-fill graphics techniques (many of which are applicable to other forms of 3D graphics, such as WOLFENSTEIN 3D-style texture mapping, WING COMMANDER-style bitmapping, etc.), plus chapters on programming PC input devices (joystick, mouse, keyboard), outputting sound effects through the Sound Blaster, designing flight models, animating sprites, etc. ... it's either $34.95 or $39.95. A disk is included with both source and executable for a working flight simulator, written by yours truly in collaboration with Mark Betz. ........................................................................... Fm: Humongous Entertainment 72450,2051 To: Lorin O'Brien 100032,51 25-Mar-93 One basic book I used [as] a student was Artificial Intelligence and The Design of Expert Systems by George F. Luger and William A. Stubblefied (ISBN 0-8053-0139-9). It discusses searching and heuristics and simple game play implementation (tic-tac-toe, Nim, maze running, a little chess). LOTS of algorithms, most of which can be easily implemented in C or Pascal. Probably more than you want, but since it's one of the few books out there that even mentions game AI and is really not too self-conceited (as most textbooks are <g>), I thought I'd mention it :) ........................................................................... Fm: John Dlugosz [ViewPoint] 70007,4657 # 330490 To: Chris Lampton [GAMPUB] 76711,301 (X) Date: 10-Apr-93 12:27:51 Chris and anyone else who's interested, The "C++ Test of Knowledge, or The Guru's Handbook" is an ongoing project not a finished work. For a copy send $30 plus $2.90 shipping to: Dlugosz Software Guru's Handbook PO Box 2335 Warminster, PA 18974 Upgrades are for cost of printing and shipping. ........................................................................... Fm: Chris DiBona 72437,1473 # 348227 To: Rasputin 71005,2524 (X) Date: 05-May-93 02:12:12 One place that is a great reference for the theory and practice of 3d mathematics is "Mathematical Elements for Computer Graphics" this is a very good treatment of Comp Graphics, especially spline based. The author is Rogers & Adams. Published bY McGraw hill. ........................................................................... Fm: John Adkins 70253,364 # 352241 To: David J. Leach Jr 70511,1573 (X) Date: 10-May-93 18:25:38 David - "The Sound Blaster Book" by Stolz, published by Abacus contains information on MOD files and SoundBlaster programming. The ISBN is 1-55755-181-2, and the cost is $34.95 USA. Abacus 5370 52nd Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512 Book includes a 3.5" diskette. - John Adkins ........................................................................... Fm: Diana Gruber/Fastgraph 72000,1642 # 359469 To: Scott Weller/Zapp! 70400,1541 Date: 21-May-93 12:32:31 Charles Kramer is a good guy. He is Randy's attorney, my attorney, Karen's attorney, Scott Miller's attorney, lots of other people's attorney, which is great until we start trying to do contracts with each other, then one of us has to get another attorney and we end up fighting not over the contract, but over who gets to keep Kramer. :) Besides being real smart about legal things, Charles is quite humorous and loveable, and he was my date at the GDC banquet. He also makes you pay for advice, and while this is reasonable, there are other sources of information on copyrighting software that cost less. I recommend: The Nolo Press 950 Parker St. Berkeley, CA 94710 800-992-NOLO (outside California) 800-446-NOLO (in CA) (415) 549-1976 I have two of their books: How to Copyright Software by M.J. Salone and Legal Care for Your Software by Remer & Elias. These are older books, so you should call Nolo for their newer titles. These are not dusty old legal texts, they are very readable and helpful books. Another source is: Graphic Artists Guild 11 West 20th Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10011-3704 (212) 463-7730 (voice) (212) 463-8779 (fax) I ordered one of their books called "Making it Legal" by Lee Wilson, which I found fascinating. It covers copyright, trademark, libel and false advertising law among other things. BTW, most of us game programmers are graphic artists by the Guild's definition, and they offer other services like group health insurance. It's definitely worth looking into. Copyrighting shareware is important, but legally binding license agreements are even more important. You don't want people selling your shareware without your permission because it can potentially limit your retail options. Ask Kramer for a license agreement, or pop over to UKSHARE and ask me there and I will post some examples for you. Diana ........................................................................... Fm: Charles B. Kramer, Esq. 72600,2026 # 359671 To: Diana Gruber/Fastgraph 72000,1642 (X) Date: 21-May-93 18:24:55 You might also write to: Publications Section Copyright Office Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20559 and ask for Circular 61 ("Copyright Registration for Computer Programs") and Application Form TX. The application and Circular are free. You can also get both by telephone by calling the Copyright Office Forms Hotline 1-202-707-9100. There's also a short article that briefly discusses copyright registration and copyright notice, and why you should care about them. It's in a file called "COPYSO.TXT" that's available in the UKShare library. ........................................................................... Fm: KGliner 70363,3672 # 368784 To: Paul G. Matthews 73727,2774 Date: 04-Jun-93 05:26:44 Paul, the JCGD is a very small publicatiom (both in circulation and in pagewise). There's typically only 6 or 7 articles per issue, and no advertising. It's interesting information, but primarily theoretical or about broad-scope business issues. As such, it's not often not directly applicable to what you may be doing the way a technical journal might be. Still worth it though, IMHO. If you're looking for resources in general, I would peruse as many online game design forums as you can. You've already found the one here on CIS. There's also one on GEnie (associated with the JCGD), AOL, the Interenet, etc. There's actually very little redundant information between them, so they complement each other well (although beware what you read on the Interenet...I've seen just as many blatantly false statements there as right ones). There are also some local game developer groups that meet monthly. The ones I'm aware of are in the Bay Area, L.A., Denver, and I think Randy's got something going down in the Dallas area too. If you're in one of these areas, it's definitely worth your while to hook up with one of these groups. There's a national one that's been around a couple years, but finally got off the ground recently (it's called CEDA-- Computer Entertainment Developer's Association). It has a newsletter and some other resources that you may find useful. Lastly, you might try getting your hands on a copy of the proceedings from this year's Game Developer's Conference. There aren't any currently available, but they were considering another print run if there was sufficient demand. For that matter, there should be copies of proceedings from previous year's conferences as well. There are audio tapes too. --Kevin ______________________________ Subj: Internet ______________________________ Fm: Thomas Gerstner 100031,1171 # 354147 To: Kirk Bateman 100112,71 Date: 13-May-93 17:02:03 > Give us a clue how do I get this file, I am not on internet as a user Yes it should definetly work via CIS!!! Instead of directly transfering binary data from one host to another there exists also the possibility to get the files from Internet via e-mail. There is a e-mail FTP server which is called 'bitftp@pucc.princeton.edu' (and some otheres). You can e-mail your FTP commands to this server which will handle the FTP connection to your desired host and mails the file to you in uuencoded/xxencode format. Uuencoded means the file is changed from binary to ASCII format (the file will increase also in size (about 25%)). This ASCII encoded file is then broken into smaller pieces (about 35KB to 45KB) and send to you as seperate mails (spx10.zip is about 23 files with 45KB size). BTW, CIS can handle mail messages up to 50KB. I will supply an example (how to get spx10.zip from the Internet): Send the following message to '>INTERNET:bitftp@pucc.princeton.edu': -------------------------Cut here ---------------------------------------- ftp wuarchive.wustl.edu uuencoded user anonymous cd /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/programming dir binary get spx10.zip quit -------------------------Cut here ---------------------------------------- ftp wuarchive.wustl.edu uuencoded ================================= This logs you to the 'wuarchive.wustl.edu' FTP server. The optional 'uuencoded' will tell 'bitftp' to send you the file uuencoded. Syntax: ftp <host> [uuencoded/xxencoded] user anonymous ============== This should always be the same line. Anonymous users don't need a password. Syntax: user name password cd /pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/programming ================================= this will change to the desired path. The path is CASESENSITIVE!!! You can also use 4 cd commands, like: cd / cd pub cd MSDOS_UPLOADS cd programming Just like in MSDOS (just change the backslash to a slash) binary ====== This should always be used for binary files. For text files you can FTP without the uuencoded/xxendcoded parameter and without the binary command. get spx10.zip ============= This will transfer the file 'spx10.zip' to BITFTP and BITFTP will uuencode it and send it to you via e-mail. quit ==== This will quit the FTP session. You will get the reply after some minutes (approx. 10 min). Sometimes the FTP site will not allow BITFTP to log onto the system because there are already too many anonymous users logged on. BITFTP will notify you about that and will try it 10 more times in the next 2 days (but normaly it would connect within the next 30 minutes). So if you try to get spx10.zip via e-mail from BITFTP be warned: It consists of 23 seperate e-mails with about 900KB in size all together. I hope this is not to confusing for you. Just try it out. It is a fine way to search different KNOWN FTP sites for files. If you need more FTP commands or have further questions, just drop a message. If all of the above fails I will upload it to CIS <g>. Thomas BTW: You can also subscribe to some mailing lists on several listservers on the Internet (IBM-PC, 386USERS, GAMES-L, ...) via CIS. ........................................................................... Fm: Paul G. Matthews 73727,2774 # 369303 To: KGliner 70363,3672 (X) Date: 04-Jun-93 23:05:25 Thanks for all your info. Two questions: 1) What is the name of the Internet newsgroup for game design? 2) How can I get in touch with CEDA? I'm in the Boston area, actually. ........................................................................... Fm: KGliner 70363,3672 # 369715 To: Paul G. Matthews 73727,2774 Date: 05-Jun-93 16:54:46 Paul, The Internet newsgroup is rec.games.programmer. It's 99% programming. There's also a newsgroup called rec.games.design, but they seem pretty tightly focused on some paper rpg system and nothing else. Hmmmm. I looked around and can't seem to find the official address for CEDA. I'll talk to Dave Walker and find out what it is, then get back to you. Kevin ........................................................................... Fm: KGliner 70363,3672 # 376350 To: Paul G. Matthews 73727,2774 (X) Date: 14-Jun-93 22:37:55 Paul- sorry about the delay getting back to you on this (was out of twon for a few days). CEDA can be reached at: 5339 Prospect Rd. #330 San Jose, CA 95129 (408) 998-4608 ........................................................................... Fm: Paul Whittemore 72007,3305 # 371132 To: R.MORLEN 73167,3263 (X) Date: 07-Jun-93 22:09:25 > I will try and do an Archie search tomorrow and see if that will bring > up anything. ... In fact, I will send you the address and a sample > command file that will allow you to do archie searches from CompuServe > (via Internet). I've been meaning to ask this for a *long* time... I use the Internet all the time. I have obtained addresses from the NIC, read lots of mail and done anonymous FTPs from all over the planet. But what the heck is this ARCHIE thing? I've seen it mentioned several times now. I presume it is some kind of database of files available via FTP. Is it a central database? Is there more than one? Is ARCHIE a command you execute on Unix machines (like FTP) or a specific machine (like HOSTS on the NIC)? ........................................................................... Fm: R.MORLEN 73167,3263 # 371178 To: Paul Whittemore 72007,3305 (X) Date: 07-Jun-93 23:04:00 From what I can gather Archie seems to be a database of files on Internet (though by no means complete). There is an xarchie command. You can specify search criteria and it will return a list of matching files and hostnames. Fm: Steve Salter 71732,3126 # 371361 To: Paul Whittemore 72007,3305 (X) Date: 08-Jun-93 08:32:35 |what the heck is this ARCHIE thing? I've seen it mentioned several times |now. I presume it is some kind of database of files available via FTP. Is |it a central database? Is there more than one? Is ARCHIE a command you |execute on Unix machines (like FTP) or a specific machine (like HOSTS on |the NIC)? There should be an 'archie' or 'xarchie' command at most sites. There should also be an 'archie' man page available on your system. Basically, Archie is a database query system that tracks about a 1000 ftp sites among other resources. A good way to learn more about it and use it if you have direct Internet access is: Use telnet to connect to "archie.mcgill.ca" (132.206.2.3) and log in as 'archie'...no password needed. Type Help to get going. Note I said TELNET and not FTP. Alternate way would be to email 'archie@archie.mcgill.ca' with the word 'help' in the subject line. You'll get info mailed back to you concerning email access to the archives. ........................................................................... Fm: Jay Shaffstall 76003,1072 # 377374 To: R.MORLEN 73167,3263 Date: 16-Jun-93 10:04:29 Randy, A quick note, CIS *doesn't* UUDECODE messages from Internet. That's the responsibility of the receiver, so Bob'll have to get a version of UUDECODE and process the text file. There's also a DOS version of UUDECODE in the Unix forum (GO UNIXFOR). ........................................................................... Fm: Jim Krammes@The Midland 75300,1663 # 377787 To: All Date: !` 16-Jun-93 22:10:29 CompuServe members can both send and receive e-mail with internet members. There is no way (that I know of) to to file transfer (i.e., anonymous FTP). To send email, the following info should help: Assume that the CIS user id is [75300,1663] << hmmn, thats me! >> Assume that the internet id is JoeBlow@somenode.someplace.com To send mail from CIS to the internet, the "To:" line would read: >INTERNET:JoeBlow@somenode.someplace.com To send mail from the internet to CIS, the address is: 75300.1663@CompuServe.com Note the use of the "." in place of the ",". Also, please note that I'm not 100% sure about the capitalization on the internet stuff (it is important). One further note: the CIS reply command handles all internet stuff transparently, so if you get a message from an interneter, use the "reply" command and you will be ok. - Jim ........................................................................... Fm: Craig/Paul 76307,3252 # 377830 To: Jim Krammes@The Midland 75300,1663 (X) Date: !` 16-Jun-93 23:06:30 You can transfer files by Email using uuencode to send and uudecode when recieving the files, but I believe that it is rather slow. Craig ______________________________ Subj: Shareware ______________________________ Fm: Dave Snyder 70363,15 # 302905 To: All Date: 23-Feb-93 19:56:00 *** TO AUTHORS WANTING TO LICENSE SOFTWARE FOR RETAIL SALE *** I have been hired as a consultant for Goodtimes Entertainment, a New York company introducing a new line of software for the mass market. GT's line will debut in Walmart nationwide on March 1st, and will include over 80 titles. Currently they have licensed product from Sierra, Parsons, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, and other large companies. GT also is a vendor for Kmart, Toys 'R Us, Target and other major national chains. GT has over 330,000 square feet of production and distribution space, as well as four floors of office space in midtown Manhattan. They employ about 500 people, and do in excess of $100 million in annual sales. My job with GT is to locate and evaulate new products from shareware and other independent authors. Retail prices on these products range from $5.99 to $39.99, and include the categories of entertainment, education and home office. GT pays me a flat fee for every product I locate; the contracts are directly with the authors, and I get no part of the royalties paid. GT pays generous, timely royalties, and can provide unparalleled distribution. If you are interested in having your product considered, or just want additional information, please send me the shareware version of your product at 1035 Dalla SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507-1407, or call me at 616-245-8376. Or reply to me by email. I am placing some of my own products with GT. Other authors working with them include Tim Sweeney and Gary Elfring. I believe this is a tremendous opportunity, and I welcome the opportunity to make you and I some money. <g> ____________________ Subj: Online Shareware Registration ____________________ Fm: James Hamilton 73670,647 # 341958 To: John Dlugosz [ViewPoint] 70007,4657 (X) Date: 26-Apr-93 09:49:14 John ( & Tris), You can register a lot of shareware programs on-line by using GO SWREG. I have a shareware utility for Windows which is available in this manner. Essentially, once you GO SWREG, just follow the instructions to search for or register a program. The cost (which is displayed) of registration will be billed to your CompuServe account and notification is sent to the author, along with your name and address (in my case I mail out the registered version along with a manual, etc.). You may browse thru listings of available programs or search for specific types, etc., and there is plenty of information about the process provided in that "forum"... You are prompted before an order/registration is entered, so you can change your mind at any time during the process. (It's much like online catalog shopping.) Shareware that you may register online must indicate so in the description and documentation in the forum where you found it (providing you an ID number under which it is listed in the database). From the author's standpoint, I have found the process to be very effective (I don't have to wait for cheques to clear, etc., and can ship immediately) and provides both the author and the person registering assurance that the order has been sent/received! Jim ........................................................................... Fm: Lutz Kretzschmar 100023,2006 # 342089 To: James Hamilton 73670,647 (X) Date: 26-Apr-93 14:52:16 James, can anyone use this service? What does it cost the author? Do you have to be a member of the ASP? - Lutz ........................................................................... Fm: James Hamilton 73670,647 # 342100 To: Lutz Kretzschmar 100023,2006 (X) Date: 26-Apr-93 15:16:32 The standard "cost" is 15% of the registration fee (deducted before you're paid). You do not have to be a member of the ASP (I'm not - although I am considering it.) Detailed information and procedures are available for both users and authors if you GO SWREG (there's a menu that will get you to where you want to go for the right info). Hope that helps? Jim P.S. If 15% sounds high - it's actually reasonable overhead as it does eliminate many difficulties (such as registrations from other countries, etc.). ........................................................................... Fm: James Hamilton 73670,647 # 342625 To: John Dlugosz [ViewPoint] 70007,4657 (X) Date: 27-Apr-93 06:45:24 John, Full instructions are available from the menu when you GO SWREG. I would hesitate to try and remember the details as they may have changed since I did it, but it was fairly straight-forward. Basically you complete a description of the program and what forum(s) it can be downloaded from, and they review it and assign it an ID. Then you have to update your doc. (and descriptions in the forums) to add the ID # so people know they can register on-line. Although I still obtain most registrations by mail (from non-CompuServe users) it has proved to be _very_ handy for foreign users, as the cost of obtaining money orders, etc., is often more than my registration price! And both authors and users obtain records of the transaction. Jim ...........................................................................