home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
BBS Toolkit
/
BBS Toolkit.iso
/
doors_1
/
7d_123.zip
/
SYSOP.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-04-12
|
11KB
|
249 lines
(For game play info, please refer to the player documentation.)
(Special thanks to DoorFrame, (c) 1990-1993 by Ted Freeman. Thanx, Ted!)
FILES INCLUDED IN THIS ARCHIVE:
-------------------------------
You should have the following files after unzipping this archive:
7D_123.EXE ---> The executable game
EDIT_123.EXE ---> The Installation utility
SYSOP.DOC ---> This file
PLAYER.DOC ---> The game player documentation
HEAVENS.DOC ---> A brief overview of the game
DORINFO1.DEF ---> A BBS drop file for local evaluation
The Install Utility (EDIT_123.EXE) will create:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
7D.CFG ---> The configuration file for 7D_123.EXE
MIRACLE.1 \
. . . >---> The Miracle description files.
MIRACLE.25 / (Description files are user definable.)
MIRACLE.DAT ---> The Master Miracle list. DO NOT ALTER!
USERS.DAT ---> The user database and game information
The registered version will also create:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
MESSAGES.DAT ---> The Message Base file for the game.
SETTING UP THE GAME:
--------------------
To set up On the Seventh Day, you'll need to place all files from this
archive into it's own directory. Then you will need to run the
installation utility EDIT_123.EXE to create the configuration file.
The INSTALL program also serves as a global RESET utility. If, for any
reason should you wish to reset the game, simply run the INSTALL program,
and answer all the questions as you did when setting the door up for the
very first time. Doing this will erase all information contained within
the USERS.DAT file and begin a new file, restarting the game.
The configuration file is a pure ASCII file which may be edited with any
usual ASCII text editor, or with EDIT_123.EXE. If you do modify the file
with a text editor, be sure to keep all elements of the file in the order
they appear below, no exceptions.
C:\BBS\DORINFO1.DEF ---> Path to your BBS drop file
The Arena BBS ---> Your BBS name
Randy ---> Sysop's First Name
Schad ---> Sysop's Last Name
00000 ---> Your Registration Number
Once this is done, you will need to set up your BBS for the door, switch
to the 7th Day directory, and call On the Seventh Day from a batch file,
which usually looks something like:
CD \BBS\7D
7D_123.EXE 7D.CFG
CD \BBS
There are no command line parameters to pass to the program. It should
recognize any info that it needs from the drop file and the config file.
But keep in mind that the configuration file MUST be specified directly
after the 7D_123.EXE command, just as shown above.
Please note that 7D now recognizes these 10 formats of BBS drop files:
CALLINFO.BBS ---> WildCat! systems prior to 3.0
CHAIN.TXT ---> WWIV systems
DOOR.SYS ---> All systems supporting DOOR.SYS
DORINFOx.DEF ---> QBBS/RBBS/RA(1.11)
GTUSER.BBS ---> GT Power systems
PCBOARD.SYS ---> PCBoard systems using PCBOARD.SYS
SFDOORS.DAT ---> SpitFire systems
TRIBBS.SYS ---> TriBBS systems
USERINFO.DAT ---> WildCat! 3.x+ systems
USERS.SYS ---> PCBoard systems using USERS.SYS
THE VERSION 1.23 BUG FIX:
-------------------------
There was a very serious (and annoying) bug in versions 1.20, 1.21, and 1.22
that caused systems to hang, and could only be exited with a CTRL-C. I have
been working on this bug for the last two versions, and believe I've finally
sqooshed it. I'm releasing this version in the hopes that it is fixed.
I have also taken this time to work some bugs out of both the door as well
as the editor. Although the editor is crude, it should work without any
major problems. I'm being pressed by a number of people to release this
version, so I have not had alot of time to test it, but I believe it is in
working order. If anyone spots any bugs, please be sure to let me know.
WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE VERSION 1.10:
-----------------------------------
I have added support for communications routines, which was not present in
the original release. (It used to require DoorWay or a similar program to
run as a BBS door, which it no longer needs!) In the versions after 0.07,
I had used my own communications routines, which were very rough and had a
number of serious problems.
I have since switched to using DoorFrame, which is a GREAT door development
system. That code now handles all communications I/O flawlessly, leaving
me with more time to develop the door more extensively.
The door now has a status bar at the bottom of the screen. From this bar,
the sysop may perform any number of functions, including:
Sysop Chat
Adjust User's Time and/or Security Level
Kick User back to the BBS
Jump to DOS
There are others. Pressing the HOME key will display a help menu.
Since the door is written in QuickBASIC, I needed to trap any and all
errors which occured, so that the BBS wouldn't "hang" if an error occured.
This has been accomplished (to the best of my knowledge) and will now
write to an error file (DFRAME.ERR) if anything happens, instead of giving
the usual "Press any key to return to system..." prompt, which remote users
couldn't even see. And since the actual program had terminated, the COM
port was not under control, so a remote keypress would not register on the
BBS. This usually results in the user dropping carrier and the BBS hanging.
These new features should be relatively bug free, since DoorFrame handles
the communications I/O routines and error trapping. But just in case the
program does something it shouldn't, I (as always) welcome comments and
bug reports. Please direct them to my BBS. (BBS info found below.)
NOTES ON UPCOMING VERSIONS:
---------------------------
The current version (1.23) is not yet programmed to handle the gamma
release of RemoteAccess 2.00. It WILL, however, support any of the older
DORINFOx.DEF files. I hope to make 7D compatible with RA 2.00 in the next
release, schedule pending.
*** IF *** 7D DOES accept the new DORINFO1.DEF format that RA uses, could
someone please drop me a line and let me know?
There are also some formulas and equations in the game that I believe could
be better calculated, so I will spend a large amount of time working on all
the formulas used to calculate things like how many followers a user should
get when performing a miracle. It also seems that the "ENERGY" variable is
getting mis-calculated, so I intend to work on that.
Another idea I've had in mind is condensing the screen, so that any and all
pertinent information could be displayed on the same screen without the need
for screen clears... Simply updating the portions of the screen that need
to be updated, and leaving the rest alone. This would make the game easier
to play and concentrate on, as well as saving the user some valueable time.
Any other ideas are more than welcome. Please address all suggestions and
comments to the address/BBS specified below.
IMPORTANT LICENSE NOTE:
-----------------------
On the 7th Day is SHAREWARE. This means that you my try this software for
a period not longer than 30 (thirty) days, after which you must register
the program with the author, or discontinue using the door.
TERMS OF LICENSE AGREEMENT:
---------------------------
As I said, this program is Shareware, with a 30 day examination period.
If, after the 30 day evaluation period, you decide you wish to purchase
this software, please fill out the registration form REGISTER.DOC and
mail it to the address below, along with your check or money order for
$15 made payable (in U.S. currency ONLY please) to:
Randy Schad
633 S. Main St.
Bryan, OH 43506
You will then receive your REGISTERED copy of On the 7th Day, usually
within 2 weeks if receiving by mail, or 1 week if FREQ'ing your copy
via RealNet or FidoNet.
Use of this door beyond the 30 day trial period is an infringement of
this license agreement. Usage of this program constitutes acceptance
of the terms outlined above.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
---------------------
I present this software to you 'AS IS', with no warranties, expressed
or implied. I shall not be held responsible for any losses incurred
due to the operation of this software. I reserve the right to change
the terms of the license agreement at any time without notice.
HOW TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR:
--------------------------
I may be contacted in a number of ways, including the old-fashioned way.
Use whatever means is most convenient for you, and I will reply promptly.
Electronic Mail:
- The Arena BBS - (419) 636-7197
- RealNet Regional HQ - 54:5419/1
- FidoNet NetMail - 1:234/44
- CompuServe - 71174,637
Snail Mail:
Randy Schad
633 S. Main St.
Bryan, OH 43506
COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
-----------------
"ON THE SEVENTH DAY" and all related material...
Copyright April 13, 1993 - Randy Schad and ArenaSoft
Copyright April 1, 1993 - Randy Schad and ArenaSoft
Copyright March 24, 1993 - Randy Schad and ArenaSoft
Copyright March 19, 1993 - Randy Schad and ArenaSoft
Copyright March 12, 1993 - Randy Schad and ArenaSoft
Copyright September 15, 1992 - Randy Schad
HISTORY:
--------
Version 0.01 - Original release.
Version 0.02 - Fixed User Database bug.
Version 0.03 - Re-wrote User Database format.
Version 0.04 - Re-wrote Miracle files and formats.
Version 0.10 - Attempted to add basic communications routines.
Version 1.00 - Changed communications routines, without much luck.
Version 1.01 - Re-wrote program to make it use less memory.
Version 1.10 - Re-wrote program to condense it... Was too large.
Version 1.11 - Changed communications routines... Again.
Version 1.20 - Re-wrote program using DoorFrame communications routines.
Version 1.21 - Fixed "hang" bug and re-wrote the registration formulas.
Version 1.22 - Re-wrote the message base functions to fit memory requirements.
Version 1.23 - Fixed the hang up bug in the "Perform Miracle" menu (again).
END OF DOCUMENT "SYSOP.DOC" - - - - - - - - - PLEASE REGISTER THIS DOOR!