Crawly Crypt Collection 1/crawlyvol1.bin/bbs/afl_90/sysop_88.doc

Text File | 1991-03-19 | 10KB | 195 lines

------------------------------------------------------------------------
(March 19, 1991)

              Sysop's Doc File for Axolotl Football League

                              version 8.8

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
To upgrade from 8.2 or newer, simply replace AFLMENU.PRG and AFLMAIN.PRG
with the new ones in this archive.  All others... follow the directions
for 8.8 as listed below:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

        *********** VERSION 8.8 NOTES:  IMPORTANT!!! **************

If you are currently running ANY version of AFL prior to 8.2, you cannot
install this version on a season in progress, and should start as new,
with the exception of the following two files which can be retained:
                   CHAMPS.AFL     RECORDS.AFL

Make sure you use the -NEW- and improved AFL_UTIL.PRG!
        ***********************************************************

You should have found the following files within
the AFL_88.LZH file archive:

     AFLMENU.PRG         (Main Program number 1)
     AFLMAIN.PRG         (Main Program number 2)
     AFL_UTIL.PRG        (Utility Program)
     ROSTERS.TXT         (1990 Season Player names file for 28 teams)
     AFL.SET             (Sample)
     EXP.SCR             (Sample EXPRESS script file - old v. EXPRESS)
     EXP142.SCR          (Sample EXPRESS script file - EXPRESS 1.42)
     SYSOP_88.DOC        (Yup. This file!)

These are all you need to get the game set up and running.
AFL will generate its own files for standings, news, records,
stats, etc.

GETTING STARTED:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Create a folder for the numerous files that will be generated:
For example, D:\AFL\ or G:\AFL\.  Place AFLMENU.PRG. AFLMAIN.PRG, and
ROSTERS.TXT in this folder.

Now place AFL_UTIL.PRG and AFL.SET in your main directory, the one
your BBS program runs from! (Probably C:\)

Now run AFL_UTIL.PRG and select item [S]...
This will generate the AFL.SET file, and it will ask you for a path
name for the game files, and a couple other things like minutes per
quarter (I use 6) and number of days between playoffs.

Once you have finished creating AFL.SET, you can [I]nitialize the game.
You MUST be sure that the FOLDER you named above exists!!! Otherwise,
you will not be able to initialize!

While initializing, the AFL_UTIL.PRG will be reading from the file
ROSTERS.TXT to get player names.


Now you should be ready to go... if you are running BBS EXPRESS versions
prior to 1.42, use the sample script file EXP.SCR to get to the game, or
create one of your own, as long as it writes the &01 (username) string
to the file PLAYER.DAT!  ...if you are running BBS EXPRESS 1.42 or newer,
use the newer script EXP142.SCR, which writes both the &01 (username) and
the &66 (translation) variables to the file PLAYER.DAT.  Check out the
note at the end of this file!

For FOREM, STARNET, or OTHER, use your normal doors routine for the
running of the game... AFL has several different initializations,
they will run based on your response when running AFL_UTIL.  INNER
SANCTUM boards should emulate either Express or Forem to run AFL.

AFL_UTIL.PRG can also be used to add or delete callers that are in need
of addition or deletion for whatever reason.

The NEWER versions of AFL_UTIL since version 6.0 have a feature that
enables any sysop to edit the team rosters, and can be updated as
necessary to reflect next year's actual teams, etc.  Maybe you can fill
in the correct names on teams I didn't have listings for!  Anyway, you
will find this very handy for changing one player, making massive changes,
whatever it takes.  It is very easy to use, and can be run at any time,
even during the season or playoffs.

Several sysops have complained about hearing the BELL ringing all
night long as people play AFL... well, you now have the option to turn
it off at the sysop end!  It's a selection in AFL_UTIL, and you can
change it at will.  Selecting 'NO BELL' does NOT turn it off on the
caller's end, it only mutes the bell at the SYSOP's terminal.
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PLAYOFFS:

When you set up your AFL.SET, you are asked for number of days between
playoffs.  This choice should be set at a level that will enable enough
time for the humans to advance to the playoffs.  On Axolotl, we find that
about 10 days is sufficient.  With the ratings system, the human players
who play every day have enough opportunity in that time span to get ahead
of computer opponents.  If you have a very busy BBS, you can probably
shorten the time period if you want.

During the playoffs, any player can enter AFL, and view all menu items,
but only playoff teams can actually enter a game.  When it is all over,
and the championship is won; the date, and the players name and teams are
entered in the hall of fame, and AFL immediately clears everything and
re-initializes itself!  All players can then sign up and play again, even
on the same day.

If a playoff matchup goes unplayed, the next slot is FORFEITED. If half
of a playoff game is played, the team that played advances.  This means
that the player who should play the second half CANNOT bail out!
Also, this eliminates computer-coached teams after the first round.

Once the playoffs are completed (either by the 2nd half being played in
the Axolotl Bowl -OR- at any time AFL determines that the outcome is
clear by default) the game will re-initialize automatically.


The new versions also have an option for ANSI color for the IBM callers...
This has been tested as much as practical at this point, and while there
are still some rough edges such as background color, it otherwise does a
reasonable job of simulating the ATARI VT-52 mode for them.  The sysop's
monitor displays an abbreviated status of the position of an ANSI player
within AFLMENU or AFLMAIN, instead of scrolling a mess of data.

Regards, Axolotl Tyrant
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like AFL, send me a donation for this shareware effort!!!

If you want to show your support, (AND help me convince Ms Axolotl that
all these hours at the keyboard are worthwhile) here's the address:

D. Nelson
2416 Berrywood Dr
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Be sure and include the NAME of the BBS, your SYSOPNAME, and any other
comments on the game.  Be sure to also include the BBS area code and
number, so that your board will benefit from permanent advertising! There
are a couple of current boards on the East Coast that we STILL need phone
numbers for!

If you have donated already, make sure that the name of your BBS is
entered in your AFL.SET file EXACTLY the way it appears in the Main Menu
OFFICIAL SITES listings.  This will cause the program to recognize your
board as legitimate, and display the appropriate message.

AXOLOTL BBS [phone] 1200/2400 PCP NODE 'CASAC'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Many people have asked me recently about the upcoming AXOLOTL BASKETBALL
ASSOCIATION online game... yes, it -IS- a reality, and yes, it -WILL- be
hitting the phone lines soon.  How soon?  Well, we are making every effort
to get a playable game ready to go at the earliest date possible.  The
date of release at this point is difficult to predict... we do not feel
that "playable demos" are worthwhile for anyone... and will not release
a game that has not been sufficiently developed or tested.  Hang in there
sports fans, if the game gets off the ground in the manner I expect, you
will probably like it better than AFL!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFL VERSION 8.8 Notes for BBS EXPRESS only...

BE SURE TO SELECT THE PROPER VERSION OF EXPRESS WITH AFL_UTIL!!!

This new version of AFL will eliminate the "choose translation" screen
every time a player enters AFL... for BBS EXPRESS -ONLY-!  Rick Taylor
of T2 Ltd has made some amazing progress with enhancements to BBS EXPRESS
in the brief time since he obtained EXPRESS from ICD.  One of the latest
improvements he has made is the inclusion of a script variable to hold
the caller's translation.  This variable, &66, holds a number ranging
from 1 to 5.  The enclosed EXPRESS script, EXP142.SCR, upon inspection
will reveal the passing of of BOTH username and translation.  The 8.8
version of AFLMENU.PRG picks up both items when running on an EXPRESS
board.  The user goes directly on to the title screen when AFL runs, with
the translation mode in the game matching whatever their bbs translation
was set for.  It will important for sysops to remind users to check/set
their mode in your [EDIT PARAMETERS] area BEFORE they enter AFL!

Many thanks to Rick and Heidi for their support and ongoing development
of a fine bbs program, and for their responsiveness to EXPRESS sysops
everywhere!  If you are interested in upgrading your current version of
BBS EXPRESS to take advantage of the new and improved EXPRESS, or would
like to get started running what is now probably the leader of bulletin
board programs available for the ATARI ST, contact:

                                T2, Ltd
                           Fontana, California
                             [phone]
                          also via pcp node CACOL
                                 24 hrs

Meanwhile, here at AXOLOTL, work continues on AXOLOTL BASKETBALL!
[phone]    pcp: CASAC