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1992-07-25
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The Greedy InterFace Terminal - v1.7
by Bob Sewell
Copyright 1991, 1992 - Seven Wells Productions
All Rights Reserved
The Greedy InterFace Terminal (GIFT) is for use with the Greedy On-Line
Door, a game played on a Bulletin Board System (BBS) that has Greedy available
for remote callers. The on-line game can be played without the GIFT software,
but due to the heavy use of ANSI or Avatar graphics it can take a long time to
play. Executing GIFT before choosing the BBS's menu selection that runs Greedy
will cause each to communicate with each other in a manner that speeds up the
game play. If, for whatever reason, the two programs fail to see each other
(and if you are playing on a BBS running version 1.2 or higher), you can force
Greedy to recognise GIFT by pressing menu item "4" to toggle the option on.
Warning! Use this program at your own risk. While it has been tested by
myself and others for several months, it may still have some problems. If you
experience problems with this software, please use the methods below to inform
me of any bugs. I'll do my best to correct them and send out updates through
the original distribution channels.
To setup GIFT, decompress all the files in the GIFTxx.ZIP file, and copy
them into the directory that contains your communications software. For
example, if you use Telix, and the Telix files are in the C:\TELIX directory,
copy the GIFT files into that directory. The following files are in this ZIP
file, and all must be in this subdirectory for GIFT to work:
GIFT.EXE - The executable program
GRLOGO.BSV - The logo screen
GRMAIN.BSC - The main playing screen for color monitors
GRMAIN.BSM - The main playing screen for monochrome monitors
GIFTSCN0.EGA - The main playing screen for EGA monitors (1 of 4)
GIFTSCN1.EGA - The main playing screen for EGA monitors (2 of 4)
GIFTSCN2.EGA - The main playing screen for EGA monitors (3 of 4)
GIFTSCN3.EGA - The main playing screen for EGA monitors (4 of 4)
DIE.IMG - The die image file for EGA monitors
GIFT.DOC - This document
Next, change into the above directory (e.g., CD\TELIX <Enter>) and run
GIFT in it's "setup" mode, by typing GIFT SETUP <Enter>. The screen will
clear, and you will be asked three questions. First you will be asked for the
baud rate you use to connect with your favorite bbs's. A 5-digit number is
required, e.g., if you use 2400 baud, type "02400". Next you will be asked for
the communications port number your modem is set at. GIFT supports COM1 and
COM2, and may support COM3 and COM4, I've not tested the latter two. Answer
with the appropriate COM number your modem is connected to. Last, you will be
asked about your monitor type (CGA, EGA, VGA, etc.). Answer "E" for EGA/VGA
mode, "C" for color or "M" for monochrome. GIFT will then exit after writing
a batch file called GREEDYIF.BAT that calls up the GIFT program with the
parameters you filled in during setup. You can rename this batch file to any
name you like, as long as you don't call it GIFT.BAT.
The last step is not necessary, but you'll find it convenient when running
GIFT. Run your communications program, and if it allows for external protocols
or an external editor, set one of these as GREEDYIF.BAT. For example, Telix
users would type Alt-O to run Telix's setup menu, then P for protocol options.
Type the letter of a blank (unused) protocol. Enter R for the Key, GReedy
for protocol name, GREEDYIF for Upload and Download Filenames, B for
Batch or Script, and N for DL Name. When finished, the protocol option line
should look something like this:
Key Protocol Upload Download BAT or DL
Name Filename Filename Script Name
R GReedy GREEDYIF GREEDYIF Batch N
If you don't use Telix, set your communications package similar to the
above. Just make sure that your comm program knows it is a batch file called
GREEDYIF and not to prompt for a download filename.
Another way to execute GIFT is to use your comm program's feature that
"shells" out to DOS. Once you've shelled out, type GREEDYIF <Enter>. This will
give the same results, and it will maintain connection with the bbs. When you
have finished playing Greedy, type EXIT <Enter> to return to the comm program.
While GIFT is running, it will handle all the communications. It will
automatically interpret ANSI and Avatar codes, though it may be a trifle
slower than your comm program or ANSI.SYS driver. Once you enter Greedy from
the BBS, GIFT will detect this and start you into the game. All keystrokes are
the same in playing as they are without using the GIFT program. When you exit
Greedy, GIFT will automatically terminate and return to your comm program (or
DOS, wherever it was when it executed). The only difference is speed!
If GIFT detects a mouse on your system, it will automatically use it. If
for some reason you do not want to use the mouse, you can disable it by
pressing Alt-M. If you change your mind and want to use the mouse again,
pressing Alt-M will toggle the mouse back into action. One reason you may want
to disable the mouse is when you are playing on a BBS running version 1.0 of
Greedy. It does not support the codes from GIFT for a die selection from the
mouse. Strange things may happen if you try this!
This program is free for use without any charge. However, the code is
NOT in the public domain and remains the property of Bob Sewell and
Seven Wells Productions. Of course, if you feel like making a $5 donation
(more won't hurt my feelings, either!) to encourage me to write more games,
I'll take it! Send any comments, criticism, suggestions (or donations!) to:
Bob Sewell
5200 Dove Trail
Hermitage, TN 37076
Additional support can be found by sending me Netmail at 1:116/5.0, or
writing me a message on Strawberry Fields BBS, (615) 385-9328. This is the
"unofficial" support board for Seven Wells Productions. (Glen Harness, the
sysop, may not know this yet, so don't tell him (grin). It just happens to be
my favorite bbs, and he's been willing to test my games there...)
I hope you enjoy using GIFT and playing Greedy! Look for a stand-alone
version of Greedy coming soon to a BBS near you. This version will be for use
on your PC, and will have graphics that match that of your monitor.
New Features for version 1.7:
1. Adds mouse support for the "Delay Speed" bar option found in Greedy
versions 1.5 and higher, as well as slightly better mouse handling.
2. EGA graphics support, if you have an EGA/VGA monitor & adapter. The
screens look much better in this mode than normal "BBS" ANSI text mode!
Warning: In EGA/VGA mode, GIFT runs very slowly under MicroSoft's
Windows, and may bomb out with a "communications buffer overflow"
error. I love Windows, but I advise against running GIFT in Windows.
3. It hasn't been tested yet, but I've attempted to add support for
modems on COM3 and COM4. Please let me or your sysop know of any
problems you encounter using it on one of these ports.