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──══ Galaxy 5 ══── Version 1.05 Wide Beta By -Noel Software- Copyright (C) 1996 Thomas J. Smith ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Freq G5 from 1:2410/903 for latest version, or G5UPDATE for the latest update patch. Updates may be coming out sooner than later, since this door game is still fairly new. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ** Galaxy 5 Does NOT Need a Demo Key! ** ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── For quick installation instructions, refer to INSTALL.TXT ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── All files included with this archive have been stamped with the exact time and date as shown on the "pre-play menu." If your *.EXE files and/or GALAXY5.OVR file are dated a time and/or date other than the one shown on your "pre-play menu," then more than likely, the game has been tampered with. *NOTE* that a few text files may not have the same date after installation due to copying the files over to your Galaxy 5 directory (this gives them a time and date matching that of your system at the time of installation). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Galaxy 5 was written from the ground up. No source code from any other door game was used to create Galaxy 5. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── -=≡■ Thank you for trying Galaxy 5! ■≡=- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── CONTENTS ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Warning..........................................................1 Disclaimer.......................................................2 License Agreement................................................3 Introduction.....................................................4 Game Requirements................................................5 Files Included...................................................6 Installation.....................................................7 Upgrading........................................................8 Special features.................................................9 Restrictions in the unregistered version........................10 G5 Setup........................................................11 Support.........................................................12 What to do if there are problems................................13 Multi Node Use..................................................14 Credits.........................................................15 Where To Reach Me...............................................16 Registration....................................................17 Bug reports, comments, & suggestions............................18 Fido information................................................19 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── WARNING 1 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This is a wide beta release of Galaxy 5. Which means that it is still being tested for bugs. If you do not wish to use the game on your system for fear of improper operation, then do not install this version! Wait for the full release of Version 1.10 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── I have noticed that there are a few SysOps who believe that "Wide Beta" copies should not be released. I strongly disagree. Releasing a wide beta test version of the game shows bugs that may exist on different BBS platforms, and under various different setups that I would never catch by testing on my own system, as everyones setup is different, and I would therefore end up thinking the game was bug free until it was released. Wide beta testing is the only way to learn of bugs that may exist that I could never find on my own system. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── There are two areas of the game which have been tested, and found to work (under my own testing anyway), but may still have problems that I have not found. These are the Xports, and node to node online two player battles. These were tested to the best of my ability, but they could use quite a bit more testing. So if you find anything wrong in these two areas of the game, please take the time to inform me of the problem! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── DISCLAIMER 2 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The author has taken every precaution to insure that no harm or damage will occur on computer systems operating this package. Nevertheless, the author shall NOT be held liable for whatever may happen on your computer system or to any computer systems which connects to your own as a result of operating this package. The user assumes full responsibility for the correct operation of this software package, whether harm or damage results from software error, hardware malfunction, or operator error. NO warranties are offered, expressly stated or implied, including without limitation or restriction any warranties of operation for a particular purpose and/or merchantability. If you do not agree with these terms, then do NOT use this program. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── LICENSE AGREEMENT 3 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The game program, support files, and documentation are copyrighted products of Thomas J. Smith & -Noel Software-. Thomas J. Smith reserves all rights to these products. This is protected by the United States of America (USA) and International Copyright Laws. In no way shall the components of the game software package be reproduced or modified in any form or method without prior written permission from the author. The .ZIP package containing this program may be copied, distributed to BBS's, friends, internet sites, posted on BBS's for download, added to CD-ROM shareware discs, etc. as long as all original files are included, and unmodified, and the same file name is used for the archive as was when found (with the appropriate archiver extension). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Tampering with or altering the contents or integrity of the game software package is prohibited. No fee may be charged by any agency beyond the cost of distributing unregistered copies on floppy and CD-ROM without prior written permission from the author. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This game is distributed under the Shareware concept. You are allowed to operate this game for as long as you wish, except that no one will be allowed to win the game, and your G5 Editor will not save any changes made, until registered. You may register the game with -Noel Software- after you have determined that it will meet your needs. There are no "unregistered" delays, nags, or beeps anywhere in this game. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── INTRODUCTION 4 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Galaxy 5 is a multi player game where your goal is to be number one in the galaxy, and defeat the dreaded Raven Morpheous! Galaxy 5 supports multi player "real time" battles, its own mail writing features with word wrap and quote on reply, uses either fossil or internal COM routines, maintains itself without intervention from the SysOp, support for external programs run directly from the game (Xports), among many other features. There are many things to discover in Galaxy 5, lots of things to do, and you can even kill other players! RIP will be supported soon, and there is a help menu where players can read and/or download a help file, or RIPterm, if you allow downloads from within the door. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── When players reach level 15 (registered version only), they must find the Raven Morpheous (the being responsible for all current destruction done to the galaxy). After the player kills the Raven, he/she starts the game over. Unlike the popular door game LORD, Galaxy 5 does not need to be won a certain number of times. However I am adding a feature where the game will take on a few changes after a player has beaten the Raven, and they must then seek out the person responsible for creating the Raven, and destroy him. After this is done, then the game must be reset, and that player will be listed in an honorable list of heroes! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Galaxy 5 is shareware. And as such, the unregistered version will not allow anyone to win (can not pass level 6), the pre play menu will read "This is an evaluation copy of Galaxy 5" and the G5 Editor will not save any changes. Registration costs only $15.00 U.S funds, and will "unlock" all of these features. Refer to REGISTER.TXT (unpacked after installation) for info on how to register. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Here are just a few of Galaxy 5's features -=≡=- ■ Local Drop To Dos while caller is in door, chat with caller, hang up caller, and quit door, all from local screen. ANSI split screen chat. ■ Multi Tasker aware (DESQview, OS/2, Windows, WIN-NT, & Win95). Will give up timeslices while waiting for user input. ■ No need for a fossil driver to be resident, but can use one. ■ Built in ANSI routines so no need for ANSI driver to be resident. ■ Full support of speeds up to 115,000 baud and the 16550 FIFO. ■ Assembly language serial input/output routines for speed and efficiency. ■ Uses file locking routines for smooth multi node operation. ■ Contains a procedure to close all files and save any changes if caller drops carrier, game crashes, etc. ■ Keeps a log of run-time errors if they occur in ERROR.LOG. ■ Support for the following door drop file formats, DORINFO.DEF : Remote Access compatible dorinfo.def dropfile format. CALLINFO.BBS : Wildcat 2 compatible dropfile format. DOOR.SYS : Wildcat 3 & 4, and GAP compatible dropfile format. SFDOORS.DAT : SpitFire compatible dropfile format. PCBOARD.SYS : PCBoard 15.x compatible drop file formats. CommandLine : passing user info to the door through command line options is also supported. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Note: If using the command line option, you must still create a config file with the first line being CL for Command Line. Then on the command line to run the door, pass these 6 parameters, Parameter(1) should be the name of the Config file the door will use. Parameter(2) Will enable or disable ANSI graphics.. Note: If ANSI, 1, GR, COLOR, or TRUE is passed to this parameter, ANSI will be set to true Else ANSI will be disabled. Parameter(3) Pass the Baud Rate Here. Note: Legal Values are (If 0 passed then Local set to True), 0, 300, 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200. Parameter(4) Pass the Users First Name Here. Parameter(5) Pass the Users Last Name Here. Parameter(6) Pass ComPort Here. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The command line option is only supported for those BBS systems that can not use one of the drop files that this game directly supports. It is not recommended that you run the door this way if you do not necessarily have to do so. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── If your BBS format is not supported, and you would like to run the game on your system, then please take the time to send me a copy of one of your drop files, and I will add support for your particular BBS software if possible. If you have a layout of the format of your drop files, that would help out alot, but I can probably figure it out from a normal one actually created by your BBS software. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── REQUIREMENTS 5 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── DOS 3.x or higher is needed in order to use the G5 Editor program. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The actual memory requirements for this game have not been determined. However, I am guessing that it should run fine under a 4 meg system. When I have the chance, I will test the game on a 4 meg system, to see how it will go. It may even run fine under a 2 meg system. It has been tested on my system using Wildcat! 4.xx under Win95 with 8 megs of ram. SHARE must be loaded IF you intend to use the game in a multi-node environment (except Windows), OR under DesqView. The game is RIP aware, and will automatically detect when a caller is using RIP, and display the appropriate screens (RIP has not yet been added). A FOSSIL driver is NOT required to run the game, although one will be supported if you wish. Automatic time slicing support is provided to most common multi-taskers as well. Supported are DESQview, OS/2, Windows 3.x, Win-NT, and Windows 95 as well. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── FILES INCLUDED 6 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Below is a listing of all files included with the .ZIP file. If you are missing ANY of these files (except for the DOC and TXT files), the game more than likely will NOT function properly. Feel free to give out copies of the ENTIRE archive package of this game but please make sure that all of the original files are included! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ------------------------- Included in G5xxxx.ZIP: ------------------------- G5.ZIP - .ZIP file containing all of the game files. INSTALL.EXE - Installation program. INSTALL.TXT - Installation instructions. GALAXY5.DOC - This documentation. SCREENS.ZIP - Some ANSI screens that you may use on your BBS to announce the door! ;> WHATSNEW.TXT - Description of changes, additions, fixes, etc. in this (and previous) versions. FILE_ID.DIZ - Description file for BBS use. ----------------------------------------------- Directories you will have after installation: ----------------------------------------------- C:\DOORS\G5 <----------- Or whatever your G5 directory will be. C:\DOORS\G5\DATA <------ Where all data files will be kept. C:\DOORS\G5\SCREENS <--- Where all display files are kept. C:\DOORS\G5\MAIL <------ Where all mail files will be kept. C:\DOORS\G5\TEMP <------ Temporary work directory. ---------------------------------------- Files in your Galaxy 5 home directory: ---------------------------------------- GALAXY5.EXE - Main program file. GALAXY5.OVR - Overlay file. G5.BAT - Batch file that is called from your BBS. G5EDITOR.EXE - Editor program to view and/or change player info, planet info, mates info, etc. etc. (will not save changes until registered). A very powerful, yet easy to use editor. G5SETUP.EXE - Setup program. G5_STRUC.ZIP - Structures to data files, drop files, and listings of codes used by Galaxy 5 for third party programmers. LOCAL.BAT - File used to run the game in local mode. NODE*.CFG - Node config files. One for each node, numbered from NODE0.CFG to however many nodes you have setup. These will not exist until you have run "Setup Nodes" in G5 Setup. XPORTS.DAT - This file will contain the juice behind all of your Xports installed (if any). All lines in this file that begin with a semi-colon (;) are ignored. Read the XPORTS.TXT file for further information on Xports. GALAXY5.DOC - This documentation. REGISTER.TXT - Registration form. FUTURE.TXT - Future plans list. XPORTS.TXT - Full information on Xports. Xports are external door programs that are run directly from the game (same as IGM's in LORD). INSTALL.TXT - The installation instructions text file. HELP.TXT - Text file to help beginning SysOps with the setup of doors on a BBS. Covers door setup, fossil drivers, locked baud rates, etc. README.TXT - Important information text file. --------------------------------- Files in the DATA subdirectory: --------------------------------- ARMOUR.DAT - Text file containing all 10 armour names. BADWORDS.DAT - Text file containing all "bad words" you want filtered out anywhere users are allowed to input a string of text. ENEMIES.DAT - Data file containing enemy records. G5CONFIG.DAT - Configuration data file. G5_HELP1.DAT - Help text file on "Game Play" that callers can download from the help menu if you allow downloads (they can also just view the file if they wish). G5_HELP2.DAT - Help text file on "Getting Around" that callers can download from the help menu if you allow downloads (they can also just view the file if they wish). G5_INFO.DAT - Text file containing info displayed to callers when they select (I)nfo from the Main Entrance screen. G5_MATES.DAT - Data file containing records on the people at the inns that players can flirt with. G5_SHIPS.DAT - Text file containing all 10 space craft names. INNCOSTS.DAT - Text file containing prices of rooms at the inns for each player ranking. MARRY.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays news when a player gets married. NEWS.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays news when a new TODAY.DAT file is written. PLANETS.DAT - Data file containing records for each planet. TODAY.DAT - Text file containing "Todays News." TOOBAD.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays news when a player gets killed (if they don't choose to say something themselves). VICTORY.DAT - Text file containing "one liners" used in todays news when a player kills another player (if they don't choose to say something themselves). WEAPONS.DAT - Text file containing names of the 10 weapons. W_DROIDS.DAT - Text file containing the names of the 14 warrior droids players will encounter to progess to the next player rank. YESTRDAY.DAT - Text file containing "Yesterdays News." A_COST.DAT - Cost of Armours 1 through 10. W_COST.DAT - Cost of Weapons 1 through 10. S_COST.DAT - Cost of Space Crafts 1 through 10. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Note: More files will be created in the DATA subdirectory as the game is played. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ----------------------------------- Files in the SCREENS subdirectory ----------------------------------- All *.ANS, *.ASC, & *.RIP (RIP files will not be included until RIP support has been added). There are too many files in this directory to list. However, if you wish to create your own screens for the game, you can figure out which screens are which by looking at them in an ANSI editor. The *.ANS files can be ANSI files, or you can use G5 Codes, or both. The *.ASC files should contain no ANSI codes, or G5 Color codes. However, all G5 codes besides color codes will be supported in the *.ASC files. For example, ~P1~ to display the name of the first planet in the Galaxy will work among others. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Note: If you will be making your own ANSI and/or ASCII screens for Galaxy 5, keep in mind that by default, the screen will be shown from beginning to end, meaning it will not pause. If you need a screen to pause, simply insert a ~<>~ code at the position in the display file you wish the <PAUSE> prompt to be called. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Any ANSI screens that you create for the game yourself, MUST be saved in 100 lines or less. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The majority of *.ANS screens released with Galaxy 5 were created using G5 color codes. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Hints on merging G5 codes with ANSI ------------------------------------- If you create your own ANSI files for the game, and insert G5 codes into your ANSI's, then you will more than likely find out that the codes used to display strings always "push" the text to the right of them over further to the right, therefore knocking everything out of order. Here is what you can do to get around that! 1) First create your ANSI using the G5 codes where you want them. 2) Take note of the screen coordinates of EACH code! 3) After getting the coordinates, erase ALL G5 codes. 4) Save this screen in ANSI format using Home Cursor, NOT Clear Screen, or Normal! For example reasons, name it TEST2.ANS. 5) Now, create a new ANSI placing your G5 codes at the coordinates you jotted down using no color, and save this screen using Clear Screen, and name it TEST1.ANS. 6) From the DOS prompt, type COPY TEST1.ANS+TEST2.ANS FILENAME.ANS This will merge the two TEST files into FILENAME.ANS. Of course you will replace FILENAME.ANS with the name of your file you are creating. -OR- Load TEST1.ANS in your editor, and merge TEST2.ANS to the end of the file, then save it as the appropriate file name. 7) Log onto G5, and see how it worked. If it didn't display properly, and you are SURE you followed the above instructions, then check the coordinates of the G5 codes in the TEST1.ANS file, and edit them as necessary. -OR- Obtain the G5 Viewer freeware utility that allows you to view display files created using G5 Codes, ANSI and/or ASCII. It can be "Freq'd" via FidoNet from my system using the magic name G5VIEWER (from 1:2410/903). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── --------------------------------- Files in the MAIL subdirectory: --------------------------------- NONE - Until a player writes a message to another player, or a player receives a message from the galaxy informer. This directory will contain all messages to every player, starting from MAIL0.DAT. Mail files are erased after the players receive their mail. --------------------------------- Files in the TEMP subdirectory: --------------------------------- NONE - The only time you will see files in this directory, is if someone is playing the door, and you are in another "window" in a multi tasking environment looking in this directory. It is where Galaxy 5 creates, and deletes temporary files that it uses during game play. If you should find any files in this directory while no one is playing the game, you may safely delete them all, and probably should. :) -------------------------------------------- Files created by Galaxy 5 as play goes on: -------------------------------------------- DATA\DATE.DAT - Text file containing the current date. Used to determine when the game should run maintenance mode. DATA\WALL.DAT - Text file containing "graffiti" players have posted on "The Black Wall." DATA\PLAYERS.DAT - Data file containing player info. DATA\RIPTERM.DAT - This one is created by G5 Setup. Text file containing full path and file name to your copy of RIPterm for callers to download from the help menu (if you allow it). DATA\DONE.DAT - Text file containing info on certain features each player has already done today, so they will not be allowed to do them again until the next day. :) DATA\GRAFFITI.DAT - The graffiti wall at the biker bar. DATA\INNTALK*.DAT - Numbered INNTALK1.DAT through INNTALK5.DAT. Contains the conversations held at the inns. DATA\INTRO.DAT - Contains only one number between 1 and 5. G5 rotates 5 intro screens to display to callers. This file holds the number of the next intro screen to display. G5 updates it after every player enters the game. DATA\HIT_INFO.DAT - Contains record information between callers who have hired a player to kill another player (if any). DATA\HEROES.DAT - Contains the names of all players who have won the game for displaying from the (L)ist heroes options at the inns. DATA\FLIRTED.DAT - Names of players who have flirted with other players today. Erased at the beginning of each new day. GALAXY5.LOG - Created by main program if errors occur, and if you have log errors set to TRUE under node setup in G5SETUP. ERROR.LOG - Generated in the case of a run-time error. If you have problems with the game, and you see this file, it helps if you can send it to me to review, along with a simple explanation of where at in the game the error occured (if you know of where). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── There may be more files in the data subdirectory that I missed, as there are quite a few. Some will exist at times, and some will not. They depend on game play. And if some of the files mentioned above do not exist, it more than likely doesn't necessarily mean you are "missing" those files. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── INSTALLATION 7 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── If you have any trouble at all installing the game. You should refer to the INSTALL.TXT file included in the G5xxx.ZIP archive. This file contains detailed installation instructions, quick installation instructions, and manual installation instructions if you have to install the game without the INSTALL.EXE program. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 1. Unzip the G5xxx.ZIP file either to a temporary directory, or the directory you wish the game to reside in. Change to the directory you unzipped this file to, and run INSTALL.EXE ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 2. Thats all you need to do for the installation part. INSTALL will automatically run the G5SETUP.EXE program after installat- ion is complete. While in the G5SETUP program, the first thing you should probably do, is "Node Setup." Under node setup, you will be creating the necessary configuration files needed for each node that you will be running the game on. When you choose this option, you will first be editing node 1. Press PGUP for the next node (node 2), or PGDN for the previous node (node 0), and so forth, to edit all of the nodes you have. Online help is available throughout the program, just hit F1 whenever you need some help. After setting up your nodes, choose "Setup Galaxy 5" to configure the game to your settings and your preferences. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 3. Now you need to create your batch files needed to run the door from your BBS software. In these batch files (or batch file), you need to change to the Galaxy 5 directory, then CALL the G5.BAT file with the first parameter being the number of the node this batch file is being called from. For example, node 1's batch file would look something like this, @ECHO OFF <-- Turn off echoing commands to the screen. CD\DOORS\GALAXY5 <-- Change to your Galaxy 5 directory. CALL G5.BAT 1 <-- Call the G5.BAT file using the node number. A Wildcat! system could use the %WCNODEID% variable in place of the 1, to use the same batch file for each node (if you use the SET WCNODEID=? command in your batch files that start Wildcat!). Here is what mine looks like, using the WCNODEID variable, @ECHO OFF CD\DOORS\GALAXY5 CALL G5.BAT %WCNODEID% In the above example, the command that would be passed to the G5.BAT file would be, G5.BAT 1 for node 1, or G5.BAT 2 for node 2, etc. If your BBS software uses some kind of node id variable, then you can put that in the command line to use the same batch file for every node. Like a PCBoard system would be (I think), %PCBNODE% or something like that, I forget. Galaxy 5 needs the number of the node being run on the command line, so it knows which node config file to read upon startup. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 4. If you need to, set up the door in your BBS setup, if your BBS software needs it. For example, a Wildcat! 4 SysOp would have to load MakeWild, choose "Doors" then edit a new door for Galaxy 5 telling Wildcat! that the door is multi user, and the name of the batch file to look for when the door is run by a caller, then add the door to your DOORS.BBS display file. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 5. There is NO separate daily maintenance to be performed. Galaxy 5 will automatically run the built in maintenance routines at the start of each new day when the first player of the day enters the game! The maintenance routines currently checks for player inactivity, and deletes players who haven't played for the amount of days you specified in G5 Setup, revives players who haven't played for the number of days you specified in G5 Setup, and adds interest to all players bank accounts (the interest rate is also configurable by the SysOp in G5 Setup). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── UPGRADING ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Upgrading Galaxy 5 is easy. If you can't find an upgrade patch, named G5Pxxx.ZIP (where xxx is the version number), but you can find a whole copy of the game, all you have to do is run the INSTALL program that comes with the Shareware package, type in the path to your Galaxy 5 directory (or press F2 to pick it), and INSTALL will ask you if you wish to use the upgrade options. Choose yes if you have customized anything about the game (like prices, displays, names of weapons and armour, etc.). You can choose no to do a full install over your old copy if you have not customized anything, and your players stats will remain intact. It is a better idea to choose NO to the upgrade options, if you have not customized anything, so that you will not be missing anything. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Upgrading your registered version (if registered) is just as easy. Just find either a shareware update patch, or the whole game, and follow the above instructions. Your copy will still remain registered! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SPECIAL FEATURES 9 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Listed here are some special features of the game that you should be aware of since some may be of use to you! ;> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── BADWORDS.DAT - If this file exists in your DATA subdirectory, then it will be used to filter out any "bad words." This file is included in the distribution archive. You can edit it to your needs, or delete it if you wish to allow "cursing" in your game! :) The format of the file is as follows, BADWORD1|GOODWORD1 BADWORD2|GOODWORD2 In these examples, if someone wrote a sentence anywhere in the game where user input is allowed, and used the word BADWORD1, then it would be replaced with GOODWORD1. Each bad word must be followed by a |, and then the word to replace the bad word with. Case is not important, as lower case will be used for all filters, and there should be no spaces on each line. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Galaxy 5 contains the ability to automatically run a LOGON.BAT file if it exists in your Galaxy 5 directory. All you have to do to use it, is create it, and place it in your home Galaxy 5 directory. When Galaxy 5 executes this batch file, it first creates the three drop files NODE*.DAT, DROPFILE.*, & DORINFO*.DEF in the TEMP subdirectory just like it does when an Xport is executed, so that it may be used by the programs ran from this batch file if needed. The * will be the node number of the caller. Then G5 will show the caller a message to let them know what is going on that looks like this, "*** RUNNING EXTERNAL PROGRAM ***." Galaxy 5 will shell out, and execute this batch file after the caller has logged into the game, and read "Today In The Galaxy." It is ran just before the caller gets to the main menu. You can use it to run external maintenance routines you may have set up, or to run a certain Xport (or Xports), a random menu switching program, or whatever. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── If you would have other uses for external batch files, let me know where you would like them inserted, and I'll probably put them in for you. Its really no problem! :) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── When a player enters Galaxy 5 for the first time, they are sent a default message addressed from SysOp stating, "Welcome to the Galaxy!" If you would like this message to read something other than the default, then create a text file in your Galaxy 5 directory named whatever you like containing your message. Then run G5 Setup and type in the name of this text file under the field "SysOps Welcome Message" under the menu option "Setup Galaxy 5," and this is the text all new players will receive in their welcome message. Your message must be a plain ASCII text file (however, it may contain G5 color codes). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Galaxy 5 will also display a bulletin for you. When callers enter the game, if you have a file name specified under "SysOps Bulletin" under the menu option "Setup Galaxy 5" in G5 Setup, and if that file exists, then it will be displayed to the caller as the "SysOps Bulletin" right after they read "Todays News." This file can be plain ASCII, ANSI, G5 Codes, or a combination of each. It is recommended that you either use ASCII, or G5 codes, since ANSI can not be shown to callers with no ANSI terminal. G5 codes can be used since any color codes are stripped out for non-ANSI callers. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── As you may figure out sooner or later, Galaxy 5 contains a few cheat codes. Many people find cheat codes "unethical" or do not approve of them in one way or another. So I have added the ability to "suppress" all cheats in the game. If you do not want callers to be able to cheat in your game (if they ever figure out the cheats), all you have to do, is create a file named NO_CHEAT.DAT and place it in your DATA subdirectory. This file can contain anything you want, or nothing at all. All that matters, is that it exists, and if it does, then cheating will NOT work anywhere! ;> If in the future you wish to allow "cheating," simply delete the NO_CHEAT.DAT file. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── As of v1.04 Wide Beta, Galaxy 5 now supports its own macros. While it is nothing very fancy, it is kind of a nice feature nonetheless. Here are step by step instructions on how to use them, 1) Choose the (R)ecord Macros option from any planets main menu. 2) Choose the number of the macro you wish to record, or re-record. If you have macros recorded already, then they will be shown, otherwise they will be either blank, or read "Empty." 3) Now you can use your macros by number anywhere you are allowed to input a string of text. Like conversations at the inns, after killing someone (or getting killed), sending mail to another player, writing on the black wall or the graffiti wall, etc. etc. 4) To use a macro, on a blank like (while being asked to enter your text), type in the number of the macro you wish to use, then press ENTER and that macro will be inserted. If the macro is empty, then nothing will be inserted, try again! ;> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── RESTRICTIONS IN THE UNREGISTERED GAME 10 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Until the game is registered the following restrictions are in effect... ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── a. No one can finish the game. It will be unwinnable. The highest level players can reach in the unregistered version is 6. b. The G5 Editor will not save any changes that you make. It is simply there for you to evaluate, and see what the working editor can do. c. In the Pre-Play Menu, one of the lines will read, "This is an evaluation copy of Galaxy 5" until the game is registered, which it will then read your name. d. Registering the game enables all of the above and allows you to alter virtually all of the game settings using the G5EDITOR.EXE program. e. Once you are registered any future updates can be obtained free from anywhere you can find a shareware copy of G5 and upgrades are easy to implement! All you have to do to upgrade is find either the latest shareware version, or the latest upgrade patch and install it. If you are registered, then your copy will still remain registered as long as your GALAXY5.KEY file remains in your home G5 directory! f. I am always improving this game - so check my BBS for a more current version whenever you have a chance. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── There are NO "Unregistered" nags or any of those annoying delays ANYWHERE in Galaxy 5! What is mentioned above, are the only restrictions in Galaxy 5. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── G5SETUP 11 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── In the G5 Setup program, you need to set the game to your preferences. If you do not do so, then the first time the door is run, a default configuration will be created and used. G5 Setup will allow you to create fresh data files (in the case that a data file or two gets corrupted beyond repair), entirely reset the game, set the "On Now" flag to OFF for all players (useful if a player is being flagged as ON when you know they are not), fix any marriage problems, and manage your node configuration files. You can also start the G5 Editor from within G5 Setup. Both G5 Setup, and the G5 Editor contain full online help. Just highlight the option you need help with, and press F1. Some areas allow use of different keys, if this is the case, then the key(s) that you can use will be highlighted when you highlight these areas. Pressing ESC or your right mouse button will exit whatever part of the program(s) you are in. If you have any unsaved information, you will be asked if you wish to save your changes first. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── G5 Setup can use four different command line parameters (separately or together in any order). When a command line parameter is used, G5 Setup will run the called for options automatically, unattended. This is good for running nightly maintenance or just for running when you do not wish to start the entire setup program. I would recommend having your mailer, or BBS run G5 Setup with the /R parameter every night when you have it set to not accept any callers, so as to make sure no one is incorrectly flagged as being "On Now." Here are the four parameters G5 Setup can accept, /? - Will show you all of these command line switches and tell you which ones do what (this switch is used alone). /R - Reset "On Now" flag for all players. Take note that when using this option on the command line, G5 Setup will not check to see if anyone is playing the game at the moment, and will set EVERY PLAYERS "On Now" flag to NO. /D:? - Create fresh data file(s). /D:M = Create new G5_MATES.DAT file, /D:P = Create new PLANETS.DAT file, /D:E = Create new ENEMIES.DAT file, /D:A = Create them all. Take note that when using this option on the command line, if the DATA subdirectory does not exist in the directory running G5 Setup from, it will be created, and the file(s) specified on the command line will be created in the DATA subdirectory. /M - Fix marriage problems. This will set EVERY PLAYERS record to read "Not Married" and will also set all of the mates at each inn to "Not Married." ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── SUPPORT 12 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── If you need help with something about the game, or have a question, comment or suggestion, feel free to contact me using any of the methods below. Whether you are a registered owner or a shareware evaluator, I will answer your questions to the best of my ability, and help you out the best I can! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── My BBS : The Last Call BBS! (313) 295-6284 Fido : 1:2410/903 Internet : Thomas.Smith@wland.ack.mi.org ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── I also frequent the following FidoNet echos, LORD LORD_SYSOP DOORGAMES ON_LINE_GAMES SHAREWRE SHAREWARE_SUPPORT ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Voice support is currently unavailable, as I do not have a voice line! :( Regardless of whether or not you have registered Galaxy 5, you will receive optimal support for this game. After all, if you can't get it going to start with, why would you bother registering? :) I will respond promptly to all questions and comments as soon as I receive them. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── WHAT TO DO IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS 13 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Every effort is made to ensure that the game runs correctly before it leaves my BBS as Shareware. If you are experiencing problems please do the following before contacting me... ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 1. Read ALL of the GALAXY5.DOC file and look through any other text files to ensure you have setup the program correctly, and have met all of the program requirements. 2. Check your IRQ numbers under "Node Setup" for each node. This is the most common problem I am asked about. Do NOT enter the COM port number in this field! IRQ & COM numbers are TOTALLY different! If you use the wrong IRQ number, then the door will load, and will not respond to the callers input, only the local console. If you are using a fossil driver, then enter a 0 in the IRQ number field for EVERY node. 3. Make sure you are calling the G5.BAT file from your BBS batch file that runs Galaxy 5, and not GALAXY5.EXE. It is important that you use CALL G5.BAT 1 on the command line (replacing 1 with the proper node number), instead of running GALAXY5.EXE. The G5.BAT file will execute GALAXY5.EXE properly. 4. Make sure you are changing to the Galaxy 5 directory from your BBS batch file, and not running the game from your BBS drop file directory! For example, CD\DOORS\GALAXY5 CALL G5.BAT 1 And NOT like this, CALL C:\DOORS\GALAXY5\G5.BAT 1 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MULTINODE USE 14 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── This game supports multinode use and provides automatic mulit- tasker support (time slice releasing) for a wide variety of multi-taskers, and uses file locking routines so as not to cross or lose data while multiple players are online at the same time. Real time messages, and "node to node" battles are also supported! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Common Problems (Locked Bauds, High Speed modems, etc) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── 1. The game does NOT require a fossil driver to run, but it will use yours if you are using one, and have specified 0 for the IRQ numbers for every node. 2. If you are running a high speed modem (9600 baud or above), then I suggest you run your bbs/mailer/doors at a locked baud rate. On high speed error correcting modems, locking the baud rate will have a noticeable increase on the speed of text that is sent. It's beyond the scope of this document to discuss configuring your BBS and mailer for a locked baud rate, you may wish to consult those docs for information on that. Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting up a door with a locked baud rate... a. When using a locked baud rate, I highly recommend using a FOSSIL driver. This game will work at high speeds without one though. BNU is a good fossil driver which can even be loaded and unloaded before and after you run this game. b. If you are using a fossil, then make sure to tell the fossil that the port is locked. For BNU, to lock COM1 at 38400, you would use something like "/L0:38400" on BNU's command line. Note that 0 is used instead of 1. All COM ports to BNU are decreased by one value. So COM 3 would be 2, COM 4 would be 3, etc. c. If you lock the baud for one program, it must be locked for everything. You can't lock the baud for just this game, but not your BBS/mailer. 3. What follows is some information on possible strange situat- ions that may occur: Corrupted data files ---------------------- It is possible that something could happen to your players data file. A power outage, game crash, or other event could damage the data files. If you get gibberish anywhere in the game like when someone views their stats or anywhere else, then the best thing to do is run the G5SETUP.EXE program and reset the game, if it is a problem with player info being displayed incorrectly. If it is a problem elsewhere, try running G5SETUP, and choosing the "Create Fresh Data Files" option, to create new data files where possible. Of course, there is no substitute for backing up your data files directory every now and then! ;> "File Is Missing" ------------------- You will see this one whenever the game tries to display a file that doesn't exist. If you still have your original G5xxx.ZIP file, unzip it, and run INSTALL, NOT using the upgrade options. If you do not wish to do it this way, then you can unzip the G5.ZIP file (located inside G5xxx.ZIP), and copy over all of the files to the proper directories, not overwriting any files that you have customized. "I/O Error" ------------- This message is displayed when there is a problem reading from a data file. Check your PLANETS.DAT file, to make sure there are 5 records in it, and that there are 5 records in the G5_MATES.DAT file also. If this is not the problem, then another data file has been screwed up somewhere somehow, possibly due to a system crash. You can try using the "Create Fresh Data Files" option in G5SETUP, and see if that fixes the problem. "Overlay File Is Missing" --------------------------- You will see this one when the game is booting up, if the GALAXY5.OVR file could not be found in your home Galaxy 5 directory. If you still have the original G5xxx.ZIP archive, you can unzip it, and unzip the G5.ZIP file (located inside G5xxx.ZIP) then copy GALAXY5.OVR to your Galaxy 5 home directory (it also wouldn't hurt to copy over the GALAXY5.EXE file also, as the two may come from different versions if you only copy over one). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── CREDITS 15 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Thanx go to the following people for helping out with Galaxy 5 in one way or another! :) ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The callers of The Last Call BBS! - Without the callers who played the game during test phases, I probably never would have been able to release this game! Kenneth Bledsoe ---- For creating such a great door writing kit, the UrDoor unit. If you are wanting to get started writing doors in Turbo Pascal, and want an easy to use powerful kit, this is it! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Thanx to the following Beta Test sites ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Tom McEachren - Wonderland BBS -------- (313) 274-3531 Tony Henson --- Line Noise ------------ (810) 254-3658 Carnage ------- Black Dawn BBS -------- (313) 955-6534 Bruce Miller -- Millers Manor --------- (313) 595-8243 Bill LaBeau --- Late Night With Bills - (313) 283-3225 Tony Zarzecki - The Evil Crypt -------- (313) 538-3762 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Thanx also go to Carnage of Black Dawn BBS for one of the ANSI's used in Galaxy 5 (the blue flame intro). ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── MUCHO thanx to MudShark for all the great ANSI's he created for the game! He can be reached through my BBS under the name MudShark. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Thanx to Ron Porter for calling my system and helping test the game. He helped alot with testing the online two player battles. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The Error Log Unit was used to trap run-time errors to the ERROR.LOG file. The Error Log Unit is a freeware unit created by Bob Dalton, and so far, has worked great! ;> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── I also used a few snippets from Bob Daltons sample sysop documentation included with the DDplus door driver package to write this documentation. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── WHERE TO REACH ME 16 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The Last Call BBS! -=≡=- (313) 295-6284, Home of -Noel Software- FIDO -=≡=- 1:2410/903 Internet E-Mail -=≡=- Thomas.Smith@wland.ack.mi.org ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── REGISTRATION 17 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── If you or your users enjoy this game, then you may wish to consider registration. It costs only 15 bucks, and will allow you to change almost anything about the game, and will display your name as "Registered By" instead of reading "This is an evaluation copy of Galaxy 5." Information on how to register is shown in the enclosed REGISTER.TXT file. Included with your registration is lifetime free updates, along with notification by mail of major updates, BEFORE they are released, with the option of having the latest version sent to you on disk (for $1.00 each disk), so you can always get the latest versions as soon as they are released! You never have to pay an extra charge for future upgrades, minor or major! It is even possible to register the game for home use, even if you do not run a BBS! You and your family can enjoy it privately! :) To register this game just print out the REGISTER.TXT file included with the game and send it in with your check or money order to: Thomas J. Smith 26910 Beverly Taylor, MI 48180 If you can not print out the REGISTER.TXT form, then you can write one with the same info asked for on your own sheet of paper. The format does not have to be the same, just try to include all of the information asked for in the registration form. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── You may also run G5 Setup, and choose the "Register Galaxy 5" option from the main menu. This is the easiest way, as it will allow you to enter all of the info needed for registration in the same format as the rest of G5 Setup, then you can either print the info to your printer, or save it to a file on disk! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Reminder: You will be mailed a GALAXY5.KEY file by either postal mail, crashed to your FIDO address, or you can download it from The Last Call BBS!, your choice, as listed in the REGISTER.TXT file, with your registration. All you have to do after receiving your key file, is put it in your home Galaxy 5 directory, and all registered features will be "unlocked!" Many months and hours of work went into creating this game, and I think you will feel that it is well worth the money! :) I have more than contributed to fellow SysOps with the development of many fine freeware programs, as I understand completely the high costs of running a BBS, especially as a hobby (as I do)! A lot of work went into the development of Galaxy 5, and I think you will find the price is lower than alot of other door games not nearly as big as Galaxy 5! ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── BUG REPORTS/COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS 18 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── * If you find a bug in the game, by all means, TELL ME ABOUT IT! * ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── I have made every attempt to make sure the game is free of bugs, BUT the possibility always exists that one may have gotten by me, or the testers. If you find a bug, or have a suggestion or comment to make which would make future versions better, please fill out the BUGFOUND.TXT form (print it out if mailing it), and send it to me by uploading it to my BBS, sending crash through FIDO, or if you want, you can even put it in an envelope, stamp it, and send it through postal mail, along with your configuration files, batch files, and if they exist in your Galaxy 5 directory, ERROR.LOG & GALAXY5.LOG. I DO read ALL of them and those people that have made suggestions in the past, can tell you, I have implemented almost every one of them as suggested, so long as they were usable ideas. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── FIDO INFORMATION 19 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── My BBS supports file "freq"ing at 2400 to 28.8 baud. Just request G5 from 1:2410/903 for Galaxy 5, or G5UPDATE for any recent update patches. I also have a few other useful BBS utilities, 90% of which are freeware! For a list of all "freqable" programs from -Noel Software-, freq LIST or FILES from 1:2410/903 and you will receive a text listing of all my programs, all of which are also "freqable." ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── =----=≡=- END OF DOC -=≡=----=