BBS Toolkit/BBS Toolkit.iso/doors_1/check33.zip/CHECK33.DOC

Text File | 1990-07-26 | 17KB | 325 lines

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                         Checkers Door Version 3.3

                 A Multiplayer Door for PCBoard Version 14

                        Registration is only $10.00!

              Written by: Gerry Freymann
                          R.R.#1
                          Baltimore, ONT K0K 1C0

          The Phantom BBS [phone]/3766 USR HST
                          [phone] Hayes Ultra
============================================================================



BRIEF RELEASE HISTORY
=====================
Ver 1.0 - Initial release, written in Turbo Basic
Ver 1.1 - Changes, including adding a set of letters instead of having the
          co-ordinates all in numbers.
        - fixed the failure of the program which prevented the Black Player
          from getting a King when he got to the bottom!
Ver 1.2 - More fixes, I can't remember as I'm writing this at the release
          of...
Ver 3.0 - Look!  No Version 2!  This is to keep the Version number in line
          with Battleship and Backgammon.
        - Added an ANSI bulletin in addition to the ASCII bulletin
        - Updated the page sysop for game, it now acts EXACTLY as if you
          were really pressed the keys.
        - now written in Quick Basic and uses the Door Patch by Clint
          Labarthe.
        - Updated the Leave Message/Reply to message routine.  Nifty.
        - Configuration file changed with this release! Important!

Ver 3.1 - The authors of Door Patch updated their code and forced me to
          recompile all of my Doors using DORPCH35.EXE!  Also added was an
          option to pick and choose what Bulletin file (if any) you wanted.
          Substitue the word NULL on the line(s) of the path/name of the
          Bulletin file if you don't wish to have them produced.  Also changed
          the way the Hall of Fame is added to the Bulletin at the end of
          program.  The old SHELL COPY command was causing problems for those
          with limited amount of memory.  Added a carraige return at the end
          when the program says creating the Bulletin.  Looks nicer now.
        - Also fixed the problem with the NDX file getting mysteriously set to
          zero!  Every now and then you could have a batch of games going and
          when somebody entered the door the program thought NO games were
          underway.  All you found in the .NDX file was the number 0. This has
          been fixed.

Ver 3.2 - Released June 17/89
        - The Index file has been changed to a Random Access File. The program
          will read this file at various points throughout the Door. The index
          file will only be updated IF a new game is added, a player completes
          his move or a player joins a game waiting for a player. It also only
          updates the RECORD in the NDX file as opposed to rewriting the entire
          file.  This will fix the mixed up .NDX file problem on multi-node
          systems.
        - All game files have been changed to Random access files and are
          opened with File Locking syntax.
        - The opening and closing screens have been changed in favour of
          quicker log-ins and log-offs.
        - The opening where the program searches for the Players' name has been
          updated.  The program now tells the user it's his move in game 1, 2,
          3, etc..  The program also lists the game numbers of games which
          need a second player.
     ** - A convert program to change the .NDX file and the game files to the
          new format has been created.  Run it once and forget it.
          [CHKCNVT.EXE]
        - The Sysop maintenance program [CHKILL.EXE] has been updated to 3.2
          and has also been rewritten in QuickBasic.  Very FAST!  Also the name
          has been changed from CHKKILL.EXE to Chkill.Exe (one K now).
        - An option to allow the player to withdraw from the game has been
          added.  Option 9 - a Sysop only command has been removed.  If you
          really want to delete a game just DEL CHECKERS.0?? and run the
          CHKILL program.
        - If you don't specify a configuration file after the CHKILL name,
          Chkill will now open CHECKERS.CFG by default.  Chkill does require
          a .cfg file to be passed onto it, but if one isn't, CHECKERS.CFG
          will be used.
        - Stopped displaying the Hall of Fame (if one exists) upon exiting the
          door program to speed up exits.  If they want to see the Hall of
          Fame they can read the Bulletin!
        - added an option to disable the Page the Sysop for Game mode.  If you
          don't want the game to automatically play the User then delete all
          comments in your .CFG file(s).  If those 'comments' do not exist the
          Page Sysop for A Game mode is disabled and the user will see a
          comment saying "Sorry, the Sysop is unavailable for a game!"
        - If for some reason the MainMenu gets lost on the users screen, if
          they enter ? or H the program will remind them option 6 displays the
          help file and then the Menu will be reprinted.
       -  On Page Sysop function..the line that lists who's move is next was
          not always being updated.  Fixed.
       -  Chuck Dennis reported a player could jump his own man and remove his
          piece from the board.  Added a check to see if the player is
          attempting to jump his own man and give him a No-no message.
       -  Ronald Coleman reported that when someone tries to view a game an
          error #50 occurred.   I forgot to put LEN=XXX after the open
          statement.  It works much better now.  Thanks Ronald!
       -  Discovered that when a player G)ives Up it declared him the winner
          in the index file but put the correct description in the Hall of
          Fame.  Fixed that too.
        - Added Option #9 to the main menu - Scan Player Status.  This will
          scan through the index file and report the user's status.
        - If a player Jumped to the end of the opposite player's side of the
          board they did not receive a king.  I discovered this myself one
          day when I jumped into home base and jumped out.  I didn't get
          kinged!  Fixed.

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Ver 3.3 - added necessary code to work with Register program (see DOCS)
        - added Expert mode on Main Menu
        - added a comment to screen when searching for player stats
        - messages left will be displayed in their original case
        - added a colour graphics toggle to Main Menu
        - corrected stacking at main command line.  You could view game 5 with
          just a 2;5 but a 2;10 would fail.
        - have the program stopping after filling up the screen when listing
          games and displaying current game status bulletins.
        - Added a question mark at the end of the Main Menu command line
        - put the current date into the game file when Player2 joins up
        - justified the game numbers from 1-9 when listing current players
        - when the playing field is drawn I added a comment after each players'
          name to indicate what end of the screen they started from
        - changed Ctrl-K aborts on Page Sysop for a game to just K aborts,
          as I've never been able to trap control codes with doorpatch.
        - I found out that the Give Up option wasn't quite working the way it
          should when playing the "Sysop".  Fixed exit.
        - This version will also place comments in your caller log to let you
          know if the user is using the page sysop option.
       - Updated the Chkill program
          -now creates a Chkill.LOG file (overwrites each time)
          -automatically deletes games that have not had a move in them for
           45 days or longer
   *--->  **NOTE** Once you are upgraded to 3.2 status, and BEFORE you start
          to use the 3.3 code, please run CNVT33.EXE once.  It just changes
          the LastMove field to hold the current date and time to conform to
          the 3.3 format.  I stopped holding the last move of the chips and
          put in its place the time and date of the last move.  If you don't
          run CNVT33.EXE - the next time you run the ChKill program it will
          delete most of your games! **IMPORTANT**


OVERVIEW OF CHECKERS DOOR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to multi players checkers for PCBoard Version 14.  This program
is now written in Quick Basic and uses the Door Patch code created by
Clint Labarthe.  I originally discovered the program in a Commodore file
on a BBS.  I have used that file as a guide to writing this Checkers
Door.  It was a PUBLIC DOMAIN file and no, the authors name was no where
to be found.  Some code from the original Commodore Checkers program does
exist in one form or another in this Door.

If you were running a version lower than 3.2 you will need to run the
convert program to change your game and index files into the new format.
Run this program once (you may want to back them up first) and forget it.

Once you are at 3.2 file formats, and before you run the 3.3 code, run
CNVT33.EXE.  This is a simple program that changes the LastMove field
in the game files to the new format.

If you were using a version loswer than 3.1 you MUST change your
configuration file!  See the section of the CFG file later in this
documentation.


When you enter the Door a menu will be presented with 9 choices.  They
are:

                1) Make a move in a Game that you are in
                2) Start a brand new game and wait for a Player
                3) See a Game that is already underway
                4) Become Player 2 in a Game waiting for a Player
                5) List the current Games, Players & who's move
                6) Complete instructions for Checkers Door
                7) End program and Exit to PCBoard
                8) Page Sysop for a Game
                9) Scan your Status in the Games
                X) Expert Mode ON/Off
                G) Colour Graphics ON/off

Guesses are entered using numbers and letters.  Like A1-B2.  You'll see
them on the playing grid.  The Letter is first and the number second.

The players are colour coded as Blue and White in graphics mode or as
"b" and "B" for blue and "w" and "W" for white.  Small case letters are
normal playing pieces while the capital letters are kings.

Your players can also leave one line messages to each other during the
game.

When a user exits the Door the program will write a Bulletin that
you can add to your system containing the names of the Players and
their opponents, who's turn it is, if the game is over, how may guesses
have been made and if some games have been completed, the
"Hall of Fame" appears at the bottom of the Bulletin (if there is one).
The "Hall of Fame" is contained in a file that is called CHECKERS.SCR
and will appear once a game has been completed and should remain there
until you deem fit to 'reset' the Hall of Fame scoreboard.
The program actually copies CHECKERS.SCR to your Bulletin
so deleting CHECKERS.SCR will erase any completed game history.
You need to specify full path and names for the bulletins in your
configuration file.  Both an ASCII and ANSI version are made.  Substitute
the word NULL in your .cfg file if you don't want the bulletin(s) created.



FILES NEEDED FOR DOOR OPERATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following files are contained in your ZIP copy of Checkers..
The files with the asterisk (*) must be located in the same directory
in order for this program to function properly.  If you have any doubts
about the integrity of these files please feel free to download them
directly from my board [phone]/3766 HST [phone] Hayes Ultra.

*  CHECK33.EXE      <<--The main program
* CHECKERS.CFG      <<--A sample configuration file
  CHECKERS          <<--A sample file to run the whole thing
* CHECKERS.INS      <<--The instructions the user will see
   CHECK33.DOC      <<--I luv this part - You're reading it right now!
*   CHKILL.EXE      <<--Sysop Maintenance program, use in your Event.Sys
   LICENSE.DOC      <<--You must read, understand and agree to this!
     SYSOP.DOC      <<--Important set-up instructions
     FLYER.DOC      <<--Information on other programs available from me
  REGISTER.FRM      <<--Registration Form
   CHKCNVT.EXE      <<--Convert game/ndx files to 3.2 format.
    CNVT33.EXE      <<--Convert 3.2 game files to 3.3 format.

Files created by the program after running it:

* CHECKERS.SCR      <<--Hall of Fame is held in here once a game has ended
* CHECKERS.0??      <<--Games currently underway, ?? equals 01 to 100
* CHECKERS.NDX      <<--Quick index of all the Games
* CHECKERS.REG      <<--Created by CHECKREG.EXE after registering

Files needed for Door Patch Operation:

* DORPCH35.EXE     <<--If you don't have these I can make them available to
    BRUN30.EXE     <<--to you on my Board.

[*] - these files must be in the same directory


CHKILL.EXE - Sysop Maintenance Program - UPDATED!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This has also been rewritten in Quick Basic.
This program can be called up from DOS or added to your Event.sys file.
It's purpose is to delete any games that are completed and move all other
games up.  Games are stored as CHECKERS.001 for game 1, CHECKERS.002 for
game 2 etc.  When the players decide to G)ive up and forfeit the game you'll
see DEL in one of the columns.  If you have alot of these run the CHKILL
program to remove them.  If you as the Sysop wish to delete a game simply
go to DOS and enter DEL CHECKERS.0?? and then run CHKILL.Exe.  It'll be
removed!

Also, if for any reason your index file becomes inaccurate, simply run
CHKILL and it will be updated.  CHKILL actually reads in each data file
of all the games and read the Player's name and who's turn and all that
important stuff.  It kinda double checks everything and sets it right.

CHKILL also needs a configuration file name passed onto it when you run it,
as it must know your maximum allowed games and where your Bulletin is to be
kept.  Use the SAME name as you did to load CHECKERS.  For example, if you
loaded Checkers using CHECKERS CHECKERS.CFG then you should load the
Sysop maintenance program like this:  CHKILL CHECKERS.CFG.  If you DON'T
supply a .cfg name the Kill program will try to read [CHECKERS.CFG] by
default.

** As of Checkers v3.3 the Chkill program will now automatically delete games
that have not seen action for 45 days or more.  Chkill also creates a log
file called ChKILL.LOG which will let you know what games have been
deleted and why.  The Log file is overwritten each time the program is run
so you don't have to worry about it growing and growing.



CHECKERS.CFG - What is required
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
C:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS   <<--Full path and name of PCBoard.Sys
The Phantom BBS      <<--Your BBS Name (Use upper and lowercase)
Gerry                <<--Sysop first name
Freymann             <<--Sysop last name
20                   <<--Maximun number of games you want (100 is the max)
C:\PCB\GAMES\GBLT4   <<--Full path and name of ASCII Bulletin | NULL if none
C:\PCB\GAMES\GBLT4G  <<--Full path and name of ANSI Bulletin  | NULL if none
 * next 25 lines     <<--Comments the program will "type" for you when the
                         user uses the Page Sysop for a game option.
                         Do NOT include these lines if you don't want the Page
- Good luck! -           option to work.


Support the Shareware concept...
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To Register, please print out and return the REGISTER.FRM in the Zip file.
With the release of Checkers 3.3 I have made a slight change to the
register process.  Now, when you register, you will be given a small program
called CHECKREG.EXE which you run in your door subdirectory.  This program will
create a file called CHECKERS.REG which will instantly register your existing
copy of the door program, and any and all future versions as well.  This
means that any future releases you find will automatically continue to say
registered to you, without the need to come back to me.  I hope you'll
appreciate this new system.  You should be able to call The Phantom BBS and
make your initial call, wait until I receive your payment, and download this
small utility without spending alot of time on the phone.  Or, for an
additional $5.00 per order, I can send you the whole package on disk using
the postal service.  The choice is yours.  I'll also be creating a Door so
Registered Sysops may download their *.REG files and/or the *REG.EXE
programs.

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Thanks for your support!