Share Gallery 1

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ Share Gallery 1 / share_gal_1.zip / share_gal_1 / GA / GA070.ZIP / BINGO.DOC < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 1989-04-27 | 32KB | 919 lines

BINGO MANIA! By Michael J. Himowitz (C)1989 by Federal Hill Software 8134 Scotts Level Road Baltimore, MD 21208 BINGO MANIA Contents 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 User-Supported Software . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 The Files on this Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4.1 Printing the manual . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4.2 Hard Disk Installation . . . . . . . . . . 3 4.3 Floppy Drive Installation . . . . . . . . 3 4.4 Running the Program . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5 The Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 Start a Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6.1 Running the Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6.2 Checking the Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . 6 6.3 Game Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 7 The Bingo Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 8 Choose Color or Monochrome . . . . . . . . . . 7 9 Generate Bingo Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 10 Set Up Card Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 11 Bingo Statkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 11.1 Select Statistics file . . . . . . . . . 9 11.1.1 Load an Existing File . . . . . . 10 11.1.2 Create a New File . . . . . . . . 10 11.2 Turn Statkeeper On . . . . . . . . . . 10 11.3 Turn Statkeeper Off . . . . . . . . . . 10 11.4 Generate Stat Reports . . . . . . . . . 11 12 Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 13 The Cambridge Handicappers . . . . . . . . . 11 14 Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 i BINGO MANIA! By Michael J. Himowitz (C)1989 by Federal Hill Software 8134 Scotts Level Road Baltimore, Md. 21208 1 Introduction BINGO MANIA is a program for IBM-compatible computers that will put you into the computerized bingo business. It generates games with large-number screen displays, creates bingo cards, produces reports on each game and even generates statistical summaries showing how many times each number has been called over any period. Why use a computer for BINGO? After all, people have been doing it the old way for a century. That's what I thought until my wife and I were asked to run the BINGO parlour at our PTA Fun Fair. What a drag! The cage with the little plastic numbers didn't turn properly. Half the time the numbers wouldn't pop out. Three times I bumped the rack containing the numbers that had been called, which meant I had to go scrambling around the floor to pick them up. And once, the latch on the cage didn't shut tight and all 75 little number balls wound up rolling across the room. I figured there had to be a better way, and this is it. If you have a laptop computer, you, as game director, can just watch the numbers pop up on the screen and call them out. If you have a full-sized monitor, you can turn it around and let everyone watch the display (it's big enough to be seen across a room and great-looking in color). When a player hits BINGO, the program displays all the numbers called so far so that you can check the winner's card. For record-keeping purposes, you can print out those numbers in case there are any questions afterward. If you run short of printed bingo cards or have to get a game going on a short notice, the program will create as many random cards as you wish, numbered sequentially and personalized with the name of your organization (You must have an IBM or Epson-compatible printer). And for those who insist that there's a pattern to random events such as BINGO, you can generate statistical reports to prove or disprove their theories. It's easy and it's fun. 2 User-Supported Software BINGO MANIA is distributed as user-supported software. If you try it and like it, we'd like you to register it. The registration fee is $30. If you do register, you'll not only get the latest version of BINGO MANIA, but also your choice of one of our three Race Handicapping programs. Handicappers are our main business at Federal Hill Software, and we've had thousands of satisfied customers since we began publishing in 1983. You'll find more information and a registration form in Section 13 at the end of this manual. Meanwhile, feel free to give copies of this program to anyone and everyone. Post it on bulletin boards or add it to your user-group library. The only caveat is that you may not modify the program in any way, and you must include all the files on the disk (or in the archived file you downloaded). Shareware companies and user libraries may distribute this program for a copying fee not to exceed $10. 3 Technical Information BINGO MANIA was written and compiled using Microsoft Quickbasic Version 4.5. It should run on any true IBM-compatible computer with 256K of memory. However, we should caution you that some users have reported problems with PCjr's and IBM Convertible laptops. Although they carry the IBM name, some models of these computers are not truly compatible with the rest of IBM's line. BINGO MANIA supports color, monochrome or LCD monitors and display adapters of any type. To print BINGO cards, you must have a printer that emulates an IBM or Epson printer. For the other reports and summaries, any 80-column printer will do. 4 The Files on this Disk If you downloaded BINGO MANIA as an archived file from a bulletin board or received it on a disk by itself, you should have the following files: BINGO.EXE The Bingo Mania program file BINGO.STS A startup bingo statistics file BINGO.DOC The Bingo Mania instruction manual BINGO.CFG Titles for reports and Bingo Cards PRINTME.BAT A batch file to print out the manual HDINSTAL.BAT Will install program on your hard disk FLOPPY.BAT Will install program on floppy in B: RUN.BAT For use with floppy installation. - 2 - 4.1 Printing the manual This manual is already formatted. To print it, make sure the print head is at the very top of a new page. Then type PRINTME from the DOS prompt. The manual will be printed out. It is 12 pages long. 4.2 Hard Disk Installation To install the program, just create a directory for it and copy the BINGO.EXE and BINGO.STS to that directory. You can do this yourself or have it done automatically. To use the automatic installer, do the following: 1. Put the BINGO disk in drive A: 2. Type A: and hit ENTER 3. Type HDINSTAL and hit ENTER The program will be installed in a directory called C:\BINGO on your hard drive. If you'd like to use another directory or a hard drive other than C:, just create the directory and copy the two files mentioned above. 4.3 Floppy Drive Installation If you're have a floppy drive system, don't use the original disk. Always work from a backup and keep the original stored safely away in case of crashes. Here's how to make a working copy that will execute automatically when you turn your computer on. 1. Put your DOS master disk in Drive A: 2. Put a blank, unformatted disk in Drive B: 3. Type A: and hit ENTER 4. Type FORMAT B/S and hit ENTER. Follow the instructions on the screen. The disk will be formatted with the operating system. When DOS asks if you want to format another floppy disk, type "N" and hit ENTER. 5. Put your BINGO MANIA master disk in Drive A: 6. Type FLOPPY and hit ENTER The program files will be copied to your floppy disk. In addition, an AUTOEXEC.BAT file will be created which will start the program automatically when you turn on your computer or hit CTRL-ALT-DEL with the computer running. - 3 - 4.4 Running the Program From a hard drive: Use the CD command to change to the directory in which the program files are stored. Type BINGO and hit ENTER. From a floppy drive: If you've made an autoexecuting disk (See Section 1 above), just put the BINGO MANIA disk in Drive A: and turn on the machine. If the machine is already on, just hold down the CTRL, ALT and DEL keys simultaneously. If you're not using an autoexecuting disk, but your BINGO MANIA disk in Drive A. Type BINGO and hit ENTER. When the program runs, you'll see a title screen displayed. Strike any key to go to the Main Menu. 5 The Main Menu BINGO MANIA is menu driven. This means you'll see a set of of numbered choices. The Main Menu looks like this: 1. Start a Bingo Game 2. Bingo Display 3. Choose Color or Monochrome 4. Generate Bingo Cards 5. Set up Card Titles 6. Bingo Statkeeper 7. Quit the Program Current Statistics File Is BINGO.STS Statkeeper is OFF The first choice will be highlighted. To make your selection you can do one of two things: 1. Use your UP and DOWN cursor keys to move the highlight bar to the choice you want. Then hit ENTER. 2. Just type the number of your choice. You'll also notice two important pieces of information at the bottom of the screen. * The Current Statistics File is the file being used to record the statistics for this session. You can create new statistics files at any time. * The display will also show whether the Statkeeper is ON or OFF. If the Statkeeper is ON, any bingo games you play will be recorded in the current statistics file. If the - 4 - Statkeeper is OFF, the results of your games will not be recorded. When you run the program, the default statistics file will always be BINGO.STS. You can change this at any time. The Statkeeper will initially be turned OFF. You can turn it on at any time. 6 Start a Game When you select Choice No. 1 from the Main Menu, you'll be asked if you want to start a new bingo game. If you do, type "Y" and the game will begin. If you don't, type "N" and you'll return to the Main Menu. 6.1 Running the Game If you've chosen to run a game, the first number will be displayed on the screen. You can watch the screen yourself and call the number out, or turn the monitor around so the audience can see it, too. The numbers are displayed in large, block characters. Whatever you do next requires two keystrokes. We've done this as a safety measure in case you have people who suddenly realize they have BINGO at the last split second. * The first keystroke can be any key. It gets the computer ready for the next event. * If no one has BINGO, hit any key EXCEPT "B" as your second keystroke. A new number will be displayed. * If someone calls BINGO, type the letter "B" as your second keystroke. A screen will appear showing all 75 combinations. It is displayed on the following page. - 5 - 6.2 Checking the Numbers These are the numbers that have been called so far: B 1 x I 16 x N 31 x G 46 - O 61 x B 2 x I 17 - N 32 x G 47 x O 62 x B 3 - I 18 x N 33 x G 48 x O 63 - B 4 x I 19 - N 34 x G 49 - O 64 - B 5 x I 20 x N 35 x G 50 x O 65 x B 6 x I 21 x N 36 x G 51 - O 66 - B 7 x I 22 x N 37 x G 52 x O 67 x B 8 x I 23 x N 38 - G 53 x O 68 x B 9 x I 24 x N 39 x G 54 - O 69 x B 10 x I 25 x N 40 - G 55 x O 70 x B 11 x I 26 x N 41 x G 56 x O 71 x B 12 x I 27 - N 42 x G 57 x O 72 x B 13 x I 28 x N 43 x G 58 x O 73 - B 14 x I 29 x N 44 x G 59 x O 74 x B 15 - I 30 x N 45 x G 60 - O 75 x Hit "C" to Continue or "E" to End Game The Numbers that have been called are marked with an "X". Use these when you check the winner's card. Once you have checked the winner's card, you have two options. 1. If you have a winner and it signifies the end of the game, type "E". You'll be asked if you really want to end the game. Type "Y" and the game will be terminated. Type "N" and you'll go on to another number. 2. If you don't have winner, or if you have a winner but the game allows more than one winner and you want to continue, type "C". The next number will be displayed. 6.3 Game Reports When you have ended a game, you'll see a screen showing the starting and ending time, along with how many numbers were called. You'll be asked if you want to print the list of called numbers. * If you don't want to print the list of called numbers, type "N" and you'll return to the Main Menu. * If you DO want to print the list of called numbers, type "Y". You'll be told to make sure your printer is on line and strike any key for the printout. Strike any key and the list of called numbers will be sent to your printer. You'll then be returned to the Main Menu. - 6 - 7 The Bingo Display Selection No. 2 from the Main Menu is simply for the amusement of your audience during the dead space between Bingo games. It will provide a continuously changing BINGO display on your screen (it looks particularly nice in color). When you choose Bingo Display, you'll be asked "Do you have an (X)T or (A)T computer. If you have an IBM XT-compatible, type the letter "X". If you have high-speed IBM-AT-compatible or 80386 machine, type "A". Your choice will determine the rate at which the screen display refreshes. When the display is running, you can terminate it at any time and return to the main menu by striking any key. 8 Choose Color or Monochrome Selection 3 from the Main Menu allows you to set up the program for the type of monitor you're using. When you run BINGO MANIA, the program will default to a monochrome display. When you choose No. 3 from the Main Menu, you'll be asked if you have a color monitor. If you do, type "Y" and the screen display will switch to color. If you don't have a color monitor, type "N" and you'll return to the monochrome display. 9 Generate Bingo Cards Selection 4 from the Main Menu will allow you to print out Bingo Cards on a Dot Matrix printer. Each card will be different. To use this feature, your printer must be capable of emulating any IBM or EPSON model. Most printers on the market today can emulate an IBM or Epson machine. When you choose No. 4 from the Main Menu, you'll be asked three questions: 1. How many cards to you want to print? Type the number of cards you want to print and hit ENTER. 2. The starting number: The program will number the cards sequentially. Type the number you'd like to begin with and hit ENTER. 3. Do you want (I)BM or (A)SCII characters? The program will create the bingo matrix using either the IBM character set (with its pre-formed corners, rules and junctions) or standard text characters. The IBM character set looks nicer, but takes longer to print. If your printer can emulate an IBM printer, type "I"; if it doesn't have the - 7 - IBM character set, type "A". If you're not sure, type "I" and print out a card. If the borders and rules are composed of strange characters, you don't have an IBM- compatible printer and you'll have to use the ASCII character set. Once you've told the program what printer you have, you'll be told to strike any key to begin printing. Set your printer so that the print head is at the very top of a page and strike any key to begin printing the cards. NOTE: You'll probably want to customize the title lines of each card for your organization. We discuss how to do this in the next section. 10 Set Up Card Titles Chocie No. 5 from the Main Menu will allow you to set up two title lines which will be printed at the top of each bingo card (and at the top of your reports). You'll see the following screen (we've inserted dummy titles here): ------------------------------------------------------------- Set Bingo Titles Title No. 1: Millersville V.F.D. Title No. 2: Sunday Night Bingo Type Number of Title to Change or hit <ENTER> for Menu ------------------------------------------------------------- To change a title, do the following: 1. Type the Number of the title you want to change (1 or 2). 2. A highighted blank space will appear. 3. Type the new title and hit <ENTER>. You can type a maximum of 36 characters. The new title will be displayed. When you're satisfied with the titles, hit <ENTER>. You'll be asked if you want to store this information. * If you want to store these titles, type "Y" and the information will be stored in the BINGO.CFG file. The updated titles will be used on your bingo cards, and they will be loaded automatically the next time you run the program. - 8 - * If you don't want to store the changed titles, type "N". The titles displayed on the screen will stay in effect for this session only (or until you change them again). 11 Bingo Statkeeper Selection No. 6 from the Main Menu will bring up the Bingo Statkeeper Menu. This will allow you to choose which statistics file you want, turn the statkeeper on or off and generate a statistical report. The menu looks like this: ------------------------------------------------------------- Bingo Mania Statistical Functions 1. Select Statistics File 2. Turn Statkeeper On 3. Turn Statkeeper Off 4. Generate Statistical Report 5. Return to Main Menu Current Statistics File Is BINGO.STS Statkeeper is OFF ------------------------------------------------------------- To select an option, use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to highlight your choice and hit <ENTER>. Or merely type number opposite that choice. 11.1 Select Statistics file Choice No. 1 from the statistics menu will allow you to select a statistics file or create a new one. When you select a file, the results of all bingo games will be stored in that file (provided the Statkeeper is turned ON). The information in that file will be used for statistical reports. By default, the statistics file is called BINGO.STS. However, you can set up as many different files as you want (within the limitations of your disk space, of course). You might want a file for a particular evening, a month, an organization, or whatever. It's up to you. When you select this choice, you'll see a list of statistics files on the current drive or directory. At the outset, this will only be BINGO.STS. But for the purposes of the manual, we'll assume you've created a couple of files of your own. The screen will look something like this: - 9 - These are the available statistics files... A: BINGO.STS JANUARY.STS FEB.STS APRIL.STS CHURCH.STS VFD.STS (E)xisting File, (N)ew File or <ENTER> for Menu 11.1.1 Load an Existing File To load an existing file, type the Letter "E" and you'll get the following prompt: File to Read: Type the name of the file you want to load and hit <ENTER>. Do not type an extension. For example, if you want to load the JANUARY.STS file, just type JANUARY and hit <ENTER>. When the file has been loaded, you'll be told to hit <ENTER> to return to the Statistics Menu. If the Statkeeper is turned on, JANUARY.STS will be updated every time a game is run. The information in JANUARY.STS will be used for the statistical reports. 11.1.2 Create a New File To create a new file, type a filename of up to eight characters. Do not include an extension. For example, if you want to add March statistics to the list above, you might type MARCH and hit <ENTER> If you type the name of an existing file here, the program will ask if you want to OVERWRITE the existing file. If you type "Y", a new file with the existing name will be created and the information in the old one will be lost. So be careful. 11.2 Turn Statkeeper On When you select Choice No. 2 from the Statistics Menu, the Statkeeper will be turned on. If the Statkeeper is turned on, the current statistics file will be updated every time a game is run. The information in that file will be used for the statistical reports. 11.3 Turn Statkeeper Off When you select Choice No. 3 from the Statistics Menu, the Statkeeper will be turned off. Results of games will NOT be added to the current statistics file. - 10 - 11.4 Generate Stat Reports When you select Choice No. 4 from the Statistics Menu, you'll see a screen report showing you the total number of bingo combinations called, the number of times each combination was called, and the percentage of the total that combination represents. You'll be asked if you want to print this information. If you do, type "Y" and the report will be sent to your printer. If you don't want a printout, type "N" and you'll return to the Statkeeper Menu. 12 Warranty With respect to non-registered versions of BINGO MANIA, Federal Hill Software makes no warranty whatsoever. We make no warranty because we have no control over the distribution of these programs. Registered versions of BINGO MANIA supplied to the end user by Federal Hill Software are guaranteed to load and run as indicated in these instructions. No other warranty is expressed or implied, and Federal Hill Software will not be liable for any damages, either direct or incidental, that result from the use of this program. In no case will Federal Hill Software be liable for damages in excess of the purchase price of this program. 13 The Cambridge Handicappers As we mentioned earlier, Federal Hill Software's main business is race handicapping software. Our Cambridge Handicappers for Thoroughbreds, Harness Horses and Greyhounds are professional quality programs that rank the horses or dogs in each race quickly and easily, even if you've never handicapped before. We published the first edition of our Cambridge Handicappers in 1983, and we've been improving them ever since. They're not get-rich-quick schemes, but solid handicapping systems based on established principles and years of experience. The Cambridge Handicappers are menu-driven and easy to use. To handicap a race, just fill out an on-screen handicapping form for each horse or dog. All the information you need is readily available in the Racing Form or track program. We even provide a diagram showing you exactly where to find each piece of information you need. - 11 - When you're through, the Cambridge Handicapper displays and prints a sorted report ranking each horse or dog according to its likelihood of winning the race. Just as important, our 24-page, on-disk manual tells you when and how to bet. Knowing when to put your money down and when to sit out is just as important as knowing which horse to pick. We also provide advice on managing your money to maximize your profits and minimize your losses. In addition, our Wagermaster (TM) software displays a wide variety of reports showing payoffs on different bets at varying odds. And it helps with key bets for daily doubles, exactas and trifectas. 14 Registration The registration fee for BINGO MANIA is $30. When you register your BINGO MANIA program, we'll include one of our three handicappers. Just tell us which one you want. If you'd like additional handicappers, you can order them at $20 each. Just fill out the form below and send it with a check, money order or credit card information to Federal Hill Software, 8134 Scotts Level Road, Baltimore, MD 21208. We accept VISA and Master Card. Foreign orders should be made payable in U.S. funds. - 12 - Federal Hill Software 8134 Scotts Level Road Baltimore, MD 21208 301-521-4886 BINGO MANIA REGISTRATION FORM Enclosed is $30. Please rush my registered copy of BINGO MANIA and the Cambridge Handicapper I've checked off below: ( ) Thoroughbred ( ) Harness ( ) Greyhound In addition, I'd like to order the following Cambridge Handicapper(s) at $20 each. ( ) Thoroughbred ( ) Harness ( ) Greyhound Total Enclosed: ______________ Name: ______________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ City: _____________________ STATE ______ ZIP ____________ Type of Payment: ( ) Check/Money order ( ) Credit Card Credit Card: ______ No. _________________________ Exp.______ Signature: _________________________________________________ Send to: Federal Hill Software 8134 Scotts Level Road Baltimore, MD 21208 - 13 -