DP Tool Club 31/CDASC_31_1996_juillet_aout.iso/vrac/dlhspec2.zip/DLH_FAQ.DLH

Text File | 1996-04-29 | 10KB | 276 lines

______________________________________________________________________
                    T H E   O F F I C I A L
         D I R T Y   L I T T L E   H E L P E R   F A Q
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
          Frequently Asked Questions version v2.1

                    updated:  29. 04. 1996

     Marc Deckert ([e-mail])
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 Contents:

    1. This FAQ

    1.1 Why a FAQ?
    1.2 Why just me?
    1.3 Where can you get this FAQ?

    2.  Contents of the DLH

    2.1 What is the purpose of the DLH?
    2.2 What are cheats?
    2.3 What are hexcheats / debugcheats?
    2.4 What are funcheats?
    2.5 What are codes?
    2.6 What are patches / updates / fixes?
    2.7 Which walkthroughs/solves are provided in the DLH?
    2.8 How do I reach the support of the game developers?

    3. The Special Issues of the DLH

    3.1 Why specials?
    3.2 Why are the specials in english while the main DLH is only
        available in german ?
    3.3 Which specials are out now?
    3.4 Which specials are planned?

    4.  Some questions about the DLH

    4.1 What is Public Domain software?
    4.2 Where can I obtain the newest version the DLH?
    4.3 How much does it cost?
    4.4 How can I contribute to the DLH?
    4.5 How often and when does the DLH appear?
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1. This FAQ

1.1 Why a FAQ?

The purpose of this FAQ is simply to collect frequently asked question
(FAQ) about the Dirty Little Helper. Please look for possible answers
first in this FAQ instead of mailing directly to the author - saves
both us time and costs.

1.2 Why just me?

I contribute to the DLH in testing its beta-releases and therefore I
can give answers to upcoming problems with more exact investigation.

1.3 Where can I get this FAQ?

Since March '96 this FAQ ships within the DLH.
In addition it's planned to provide the current FAQ via Internet (WWW)
at http://www.uni-leipzig.de/~mad/dlh-faq.htm


2.  Contents of the DLH

2.1 What is the purpose of the DLH?

Being a collection of cheats for different games the DIRTY LITTLE
HELPER (DLH) contains explicit help how a program can become
'cheated' directly - through entering a secret code - or indirectly -
by modification of program files.

2.2 What are cheats?

'Cheats' are codes or keystrokes entered directly at an exactly
marked point of the game.  Some cheats are simple words entered in
capital letters like `TERMINATOR', some are just combinations of
letters - e.g. `FRTH45HBG8419'. If this is important it is
mentioned explicitly.
Other codes are always marked through [] brackets, [ALT][CTRL][0].
The results of the codes are different:  Either they do something
directly in the program (e.g. pump up your energy) or they activate
a so-called 'cheat mode' that allows you to achieve a specific
effect during the game forced by a key.

We like to point out that there might be strong differences between
the german and the international cheats due to different keyboard
layouts or translations.

2.3 What are hex cheats / debug cheats?

Named after MSDOS command DEBUG those cheats need somewhat more
expense.
Existing files can be edited/changed with DEBUG to create a specific
effect.
This includes editing savegames as well as program files. Sometimes
you may need to restart the game for the changes to take effect.

Just a little more expense is required for the so-called 'hex cheats'.
To edit the files you need a hex editor, e.g. DiskEdit from the Norton
Utilities or PC Tools. Please consult the manuals to work out how
the function explicitly.

2.4 What are fun cheats?

'Fun cheat' is a more exact classification of a certain part of
cheats. While the main part of the cheats is used to achieve a
technical advantage (e.g. immortality), fun cheats do not need to
produce positive results.
There are rather jokes, installed by the programmers to bring in
some enjoyable atmosphere.

2.5 What are codes?

When we speak of 'codes' we mean in 99% of all cases 'level codes'
(they allow the direct entrance to certain game-planes) or passwords
(they allow it to continue a game) meant. In the database the 'level'
stands first and beside that the code/password.  If a game should
have however a vast number of codes (e.g. Lemmings), then the codes
are simply listed with the level number.

2.6 What are patches / updates / fixes?

Patches/updates or fixes bring still unfinished features of a game.
Either technical discrepancies (e.g. joystick movement does not
function properly, latest sound board is not yet supported) are
removed, or the games are expanded partially (e.g. new (now
accessible) levels installed, gaps in the storyline removed).

2.7 Which walkthroughs are provided in the DLH?

Many games are not that easy to conquer with cheating, for example
role-playing and strategic games. To give a small support too, we
included some solves and walkthroughs, reference-files (the so-
called 'hints') and the especially popular FAQs with collections
of questions for particular problems in a game. This points
especially to two types of games:

- those who are really new
- and those who are re-released (e.g. as Low-Cost-CD or CD-supplement
  to a games magazine)

2.8 How reach I the support of game developers?

There's the menu point "Support" in the helper ( <F3> ) :
For you freax out there but also for others which are affected by
technical problems, we included all support addresses we found.
In the DLH the support section is distinguished thereby between
the German and the international hotlines.
We recommend following sequence to get the right information to
a game:

     1. WWW-page on the Internet
     2. FTP-Server (especially for Updates and Bugfixes) / CompuServe
     3. E-Mail inquiry
     4. German hotline
     5. American hotline
     6. German mailbox


3. The Spezial Issues of the DLH

3.1 Why specials?

First because we now can provide concentrated information for a
specific game genre or a series and second - well, now there's
something to help you through the time until the next DLH issue
is out ;).

3.2 Why are the specials in english while the main DLH is only
    available in german ?

Simply to reach a broader spectrum of players internationally. As
long as there is no complete english version of the DLH, the only
cheat sources are these spezialausgaben for players from abroad.

3.3 Which Special Issues are out now?

The 'New Year's Eve Edition 1996' - a special about "PC Fighting
Games" is out since early January.

3.4 Which special issues are planned?

A special issue about the 3D action genre has reached beta-test
state. Currently we're working on a special about the 'Ultima' game
series. Furthermore we'd like to throw out a special about german
role-playing games. Suggestions are always welcome.


4.  Some questions about the DLH

4.1 What is Public Domain software?

Public Domain (PD) means that the author holds all rights on the
software. It may not be modified in any way without the explicit
permission of the author but may be copied and given away freely.

4.2 Where can I obtain the newest version the DLH?

You may get the latest DLH from the author himself:

Bernd Wolffgramm
Heckelsgasse 6
D-53227 Bonn

Furthermore the latest DLH can be found at:

FTP (Internet):
ftp.inf.tu-dresden.de/pub/incoming/msdos/games/utility/cheat

Mailboxes:
   Baerenbox BBS Bonn
   SysOp:  Ralf Pagen
   V.34 / V.FC (0228 - 7669388) FidoNet:  2:2453 / 1100
          ISDN (0228 - 7669387) FidoNet:  2:2453 / 1101

   Plutonium BBS, SysOp: Mirko Mucko
           InterNet :  plutonium.seatec.com
           FidoNet  :  2:2433/920
   Analog admission                    ISDN X.75 admission
   0211-9083-300  ZyXEL 19.200         0211-9083-491  ISDN CCB
   0211-9083-301  ZyXEL 19.200         0211-9083-492  ISDN CCB
   0211-9083-026  ZyXEL 19.200         0211-9083-026  ISDN CCB
   0211-9081685   ZyXEL OMNI 288S      0211-9081686   ISDN CCB
   0211-9081687   ZyXEL Elite 2864D

File-group: 1 - Lokale Files, File-area: 364 - Dirty Little Helper

The file look like 'DLHXXMMM.ZIP' whereby XX stands for the current
version and MMM stands for the active month. Example:
'DLH20MAI.ZIP' for DLH v2.0, May issue.
The special issues are called 'DLHSPECX.ZIP' whereby X stands for
the number of the issue. Example: 'DLHSPEC1.ZIP' for the special
'1' about PC Fighting Games.

In addition it will be possible soon to download all versions via
the World Wide Web.  The address is:

http://www.uni-leipzig.de/~mad/dlh-engl.htm

4.3 What does the DLH cost?

The DLH is freeware. That means that everyone can download it
gratuitously (see 4.2). Managers of mailboxes are encouraged to
provide this program for download in their box. Only the entire
archive in its unedited/unchanged state may be transmitted.

4.4 How can I contribute to the DLH?

Mail the cheat with a description of all circumstances to one of the
following internet addresses:

Bernd Wolffgramm ([e-mail])
Marc Deckert ([e-mail])
or via snail mail to the author (see 4.2.).

4.5 How often and when does the DLH appear?

The DLH appears monthly, normally in the first week of the new month.

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The author of this FAQ likes to thank:

Bernd Wolffgramm ([e-mail])
Peter Lieven ([e-mail])
Dipl.-Inf.  Hardy @@Schulze ([e-mail])
Dr.-Ing. Th. Baehring ([e-mail])
Prof. W.A. Scherbaum ([e-mail])
Dr. W. Beger ([e-mail])
Markus Huy ([e-mail] - leipzig.de)
and all others, who contribute monthly to this FAQ.