This is a quick and dirty doc on Bo - Rad! instructions. Expect future versions to have a more detailed read-me.
Bo - Rad! v1.0 Instructions
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The object of Bo - Rad! is to match a combination of colors/patterns with a master puzzle hidden from view. The computer automatically creates the puzzle at the outset.
After you have placed a set of colors/patterns in the far left 5 columns, press the "Check It" button. This will return an answer to you in the right 5 columns.
NOTE : Bo - Rad! will not allow an incomplete row to be checked.
CLUES
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The answers returned are as follows:
A black circle indicates that the color is correct and in the correct spot.
A white circle indicates that the color is correct but in the wrong spot.
NOTE : The order or placement of the answering colors in the second columns is irrelevant to the correct order or placement of the puzzle.
Game play is over when the player solves the puzzle or when they have reached the 13th row.
MENUS
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Ñ The "New", "Open", "Save", "Save As" and "Quit" under the "File" menu work as expected.
Ñ The "Special" menu has the following items:
Ñ "Flash Puzzle" - Flashes the puzzle on the screen, but disables the user from making the low scores list.
Ñ "Display Time" - Toggles whether or not time should be displayed.
NOTE : time continues to be scored whether or not this item is checked.
Ñ "Sound" - Obvious. Toggles on and off.
Ñ "Repeat Colors" - With this option checked, the puzzle set at the beginning of the game will possibly have its colors repeated. Unchecked, and all colors in the puzzle will be distinct. We're still trying to figure out which option is more difficult to the player.
Ñ "Mix 'Em Up" - If this option is checked, after a set amount of time has passed and no guess has been attempted, the puzzle will automatically change, as well as the clues returned. I believe the time is set for around 1 minute or so. Makes the game rather interesting.
Ñ "Great Scores" - In this menu item, the user can view the greatest scores of Bo-Rad! The scores are divided into both modes of play : repeated colors and single color lists. The equation by which scores are computed is :
Raw Score = (((Line Number *2)+Minutes)*100)+Seconds.
We have decided that this equation best reflects the player's ability to solve the puzzle, without allowing them to take years to do so.
Ñ As far as the best scores are concerned, please note that my friend, Sam, scored a 3 row, 17 second score that has held the high score on repeated colors for over a year, and probably will for a very long time to come. My best is on the single colors : a 4 row, 44 second score. I think Sam's score was quite incredible, and I would appreciate it if you would let me know if someone beats this.
Ñ To clear the high score list, just drag the high score file to the trash. A new file will be created the next time you play.
Hidden Features
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Ñ If you shift-click in a column, the color (pattern) will fill all the way up the column.
This is useful if you absolutely know that a color is correct in that position.
Ñ Also, if you click in a previous color below the row you are working on, it will automatically become the select color.
Ñ You can select colors with the arrow keys. Movement follows according to the arrow.
Ñ You can quickly place colors (patterns) with the numbers 1 - 5 which correspond to
the respective column.
Ñ The return key is akin to pushing the "Check It" button.
If you have any questions, bug reports, critiques, etc. of the game, please drop me a note via e-mail at :
