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Text File | 1996-03-27 | 20.2 KB | 479 lines

-------------------------------------------------------------------- -= High N' Low =- Version 1.00 Online Door Game For BBSs Games Unlimited (tm) Software Copyright (c) 1996 by Michael Kinser All Rights Reserved Table Of Contents ----------------- Introduction................................................... 1 Copyright/Warranty/Agreement................................... 2 Setup.......................................................... 3 Game Play...................................................... 4 Sysop Instructions............................................. 5 Trouble Shooting............................................... 6 Registration................................................... 7 Defining Custom Door Information Files......................... 8 Possible Future Enhancements................................... 9 Special Thanks................................................ 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. INTRODUCTION --------------- High N' Low is a online door game for Bulletin Board Systems. However it may also be used without a BBS. High N' Low features: Multi-Node Support Great ANSI Graphics Full Split Screen Chat Game completely resets at the beginning of each month meaning no sysop maintenance! Monthly Hall Of Fame Last Year Hall Of Fame Easy Setup and much much more... -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. COPYRIGHT/WARRANTY/AGREEMENT ------------------------------- High N' Low is copyrighted software which is distributed under the shareware concept. Under this license agreement you are granted the right to use High N' Low on all machines and environments that it supports for a resonable trial period without registering. If you decide to keep this software and/or use this software after the trial period, you must register or you will be in violation of United States and International copyright laws. As a Shareware Program, High N' Low may be freely distributed through Bulletin Board Systems, computer networks, on floppy disks, and on CDs or other magnetic media. Never give a copy of the HIGHNLOW.KEY file to anyone as this is a violation of the United States and International copyright laws. You may pass copies of the Unregistered version to others as long as it is not for payment or bundled with anything else that is for payment, and you distribute all original files without any changes. This includes the Configuration files. All file dates should to set to one date and the file times should be set to the version number of the program if it is directly from me. A small fee may be charged for the media High N' Low is distributed on. High N' Low, and all releated materials, is distributed without warranty. In no event will we be liable to you for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of your use of or inability to use the program, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. We will not be liable for any such claim by any other party. It is a violation of the High N' Low agreement to modify the EXE files in any way. You acknowledge that you have read this agreement, that you understand this agreement, and understand that by continuing the installation of the software, by loading or running the software, or by placing or copying the software onto your computer hard drive or memory, you agree to be bound by this agreement's terms and conditions. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SETUP -------- 1. Make a directory, for example C:\HIGHNLOW, and copy all of the files into this directory. 2. Run the HLCFG.EXE program. Example: HLCFG HIGHNLOW.CFG You may name the configuration file whatever you choose. HLCFG.EXE will create an example batch file which you MUST use. 3. Set up High N' Low in your BBS door menu and optionally your door bulletin menu. Use the sample batch file that HLCFG created. You will have to edit it to run your BBS after the game and be sure that it changes to the correct directory to run the game Please Note: You may also specify the name of the door information file at the end of the BBS Directory in HLCFG.EXE. For example, for the BBS Directory, you may enter "C:\BBS" or you can enter "C:\BBS\DOOR.SYS". For multi-node setups, you must use the HLCFG to set up a batch file for every node. If you configure High N' Low in one directory and then decide you want it in another directory, you will have to edit the batch file to reflect the changes. For non-standard Com Ports, you must edit the batch file and change the the IRQ settings. More options are available through the usage of a batch file. Type HIGHNLOW /? at the DOS Prompt for more information. High N' Low supports DOOR.SYS, DORINFO?.DAT, EXITINFO.BBS, CHAIN.TXT, CALLINFO.BBS, SFDOORS.DAT, and Custom Door Information files (see DEFINING CUSTOM DOOR INFORMATION FILES) defined in the config file. A sample DORINFO1.DEF file has been included. High N' Low should be compatible under DOS, DESQview, Windows, and OS/2. High N' Low may be run locally (without a Bulletin Board System) by typing LOCAL from the DOS prompt. If you have registered High N' Low, you may also make an ANSI file named REGISTER.ANS with the names of the people who registered the game in it. This will be shown before the game returns control back to the BBS. Please Note: If you have defined a Custom Door Information File in the configuration file, do not use that configuration file with the HLCFG.EXE. It will not read the Custom Door Information File section or save it! --------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. GAME PLAY ------------ Game play is simple. A player bets money and tries to guess if the next die will be higher or lower. Scores are kept throughout the month/year. Each player is given a certain amount of games per day. The player may press H for help during game play. The player will also have other options during game play such as pressing the A key will bet all of their money and press <Enter> will repeat the last bet. All options available to the player are in the help screens. On the "one before the last" bet, the user must enter at least 1/4 of the money they have. On the last bet, the user must enter at least 1/2 of the money they have. A bonus on $500,000 is added to the players score if he/she gets all bets during a game correct! Games Per Day are automatically added up. For example, if a user enters High N' Low on the 4th day of the month and you have Games Per Day set at 5, the user will automatically have 20 games left. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. SYSOP INSTRUCTIONS --------------------- High N' Low gives the Sysop the control they need to interact with users. The following functions are available to the Sysop while a user is in the door. KEY FUNCTION ------------ -------------------------------------------------- [UP]/[DOWN] Use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the amount of time which the user has left in the door. [Alt]-[C] Allows the sysop to break into chat with the user. Pressing [ESC] will end chat mode. [Alt]-[J] Allows the sysop to shell to DOS, if enough memory is available. Simply type EXIT to return to the door again. [Alt]-[H] Hang up on the user. [Alt]-[L] This key locks the user out of the BBS. It first hangs up on the user, and then sets their security level to 0, to prevent them from logging on again. This feature may require use of the EXITINFO.BBS file, depending on what system the door is running under. [Alt]-[K] The "User Keyboard-Off" key allows the sysop to temporarily prevent the user from typing anything on their keyboard. This has no effect on the local keyboard. [Alt]-[N] The "Sysop Next" key, this function reserves the system for use by the sysop after the user logs off, if the door is running under an Apex or RA 1.00 or later system. [Alt]-[D] "Drop to BBS" key. This function allows the sysop to exit the door and return the user to the BBS, without hanging up. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. TROUBLESHOOTING ------------------ 1. When I try to run High N' Low locally from DOS, it says that it cannot read the door information file. What is wrong? The last door information files that your BBS created were for someone that was online. Log on to your BBS locally and then try again, or run High N' Low locally by typing LOCAL at the DOS prompt. 2. When someone enters the door, all they receive is garbage. What should I do? Be sure you have set your "Locked BPS" and "COM Port" correctly in the batch file. HLCFG.EXE will allow you to do this. 3. When I run the game, it gives me a file error. What am I doing wrong? When you run the game, you must first change to the directory where all of the High N' Low data files reside. If you are doing that correctly, then you should make sure that you have all files that was included in the original ZIP file. If it is an original copy from me, it will have 8 files, all with the same file dates, and the file times will the same as the version number. 4. When I quit, I get an file error. What is wrong? You need to set the ANSI and ASCII bulletin options in the configuration program to VALID filenames or no filenames at all, including no spaces at all. 5. Jump To DOS (Alt-J) does not work. If you press the Alt-J function key, but do not get any results, your problem is likely as a result of lack of memory. 6. The game just won't work. Check your batch file and be sure it is changing to the correct directory where the High N' Low files reside first. Also be sure that you have set up your COM Port and your Locked BPS in the batch file. 7. I have a problem that I cannot figure out, even after I read this document. What should I do? You should write me about your problem. Please explain the problem in full detail or I cannot help you. Also, it would be helpful if you could explain how I can duplicate the problem on my computer. Michael Kinser Games Unlimited Software P.O. Box 804 Norton, VA 24273 I may have the Games Unlimited (tm) BBS up and running soon and support will be provided by it also. TriBBS #3000. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. REGISTRATION --------------- High N' Low is not crippled in any way. The Unregistered version functions exactly like the Registered version except for a few "Reminders" and the Games Per Day limit. Until High N' Low is Registered, it is limited to 2 Games Per Day, has a small Unregistered Delay, says Unregistered on the Title screen, Score screens, Bulletins, and the Configuration Module. These small "Reminders" will be removed after you register and you will be able set it up to allow more games per day (maximum of 40). I recommend 5 to 10 games a day. You may also make an ANSI file named REGISTER.ANS with the names of the people who registered the game in it. This will be shown before the game returns control back to the BBS. Be sure to write "Press Any Key To Continue..." or something to that effect in the REGISTER.ANS if you use one. High N' Low is copyrighted software which is distributed under the shareware concept. Under this license agreement you are granted the right to use High N' Low on all machines and environments that supports it for a resonable trial period without registering. If you decide to keep this software and/or use this software after a resonable trial period, you must register. Please print REGISTER.TXT, fill it out, and send it along with $10.00 + $2.00 Shipping & Handling (Check or Money Order Payable to Michael Kinser) to: Michael Kinser Games Unlimited Software P.O. Box 804 Norton, VA 24273 If you do not have a printer, you may write all of the information down from REGISTER.TXT and fill it out. Once you register, you will be registered for all future versions. All upgrades will be free. It will be up to you to download the upgrades. Once you register, I will send you a "KEY" file. Just copy this file into the same directory where the High N' Low files reside, and the next time it is run, it will say Registered. DO NOT GIVE ANYONE A COPY OF YOUR KEY FILE. This will be your registered "KEY" only with YOUR name inside of it! High N' Low "KEY" files may NOT be transfered, for example, if your BBS closes down, you may not give someone the "KEY" file. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 8. DEFINING CUSTOM DOOR INFORMATION FILES ----------------------------------------- Please note, if you have defined a Custom Door Information File in the configuration file, do not use that configuration file with HLCFG.EXE! The configuration files may be edited with a normal ASCII text editor such as MS-DOS EDIT. High N' Low allows you to define a custom door information file format in the config file. This permits High N' Low to operate directly on any BBS system that produces a door information file format not directly supported by High N' Low. A custom door information file format is defined using the "CustomFileName" option, followed by one or more lines beginning with the "CustomFileLine" option. The "CustomFileName" option specifies the filename used to distinguish this file format from other file formats. This filename should not include a path. If the filename of the custom format is the same as that of one of the built-in formats, the custom format will override the built-in format. The actual format of the custom file is specified using a number of lines that begin with the keyword "CustomFileLine". Each of these lines will correspond to a single line in the door information file, with the option following the "CustomFileLine" keyword specifying the information that can be found on that line. This can be one of the following keywords: Ignore - Causes the next line in the door information file to be ignored. Use on lines for which none of the options below apply. COMPORT - COM? port the modem is connected to (0 indicates local mode) FOSSILPORT - Fossil port number the modem is connected to MODEMBPS - BPS rate at which to communicate with modem (0 or non- numerical value indicates local mode) LOCALMODE - 1, T or Y if door is operating in local mode USERNAME - Full name of the user USERFIRSTNAME - First name(s) of the user USERLASTNAME - Last name of the user ALIAS - The user's pseudonym / handle HOURSLEFT - Hours user has left online MINUTESLEFT - Minutes user has left online, or time left online in format hh:mm SECONDSLEFT - Seconds user has left online, or time left online in format hh:mm:ss or format mm:ss (If more than one of the above time options are used, the user time left is taken to be the total of all of these values.) ANSI - 1, T, Y or G for ANSI graphics mode AVATAR - 1, T or Y for AVATAR graphics mode PAGEPAUSING - 1, T or Y if user wishes a pause at end of screen SCREENLENGTH - Number of lines on user's screen SCREENCLEARING - 1, T or Y if screen clearing mode is on SECURITY - The user's security level / access level CITY - City the user is calling from NODE - Node number user is connected to SYSOPNAME - Full name of the sysop SYSOPFIRSTNAME - The sysop's first name(s) SYSOPLASTNAME - The sysop's last name SYSTEMNAME - Name of the BBS As an example of how to define custom door information file formats, consider the following imaginary file format, which we will name DROPFILE.DAT: Michael Kinser <-- User name 0 <-- Local mode COM1: <-- Serial port to use 9600 <-- BPS rate 22:30:15 05-08-95 <-- File creation time 35 <-- Time remaining (in minutes) 1 <-- ANSI mode Norton, Virginia <-- Location This format would be defined in the configuration file as follows: CustomFileName DROPFILE.DAT CustomFileLine USERNAME CustomFileLine LOCALMODE CustomFileLine COMPORT CustomFileLine MODEMBPS CustomFileLine IGNORE CustomFileLine MINUTESLEFT CustomFileLine ANSI CustomFileLine CITY Notice that the first "CustomFileLine" keyword in the configuration file corresponds to the first line in our DROPFILE.DAT file, the second "CustomFileLine" to the second line, and so on. Also notice that the keyword "IGNORE" is used for the line that contains the file creation time, since there is no CustomFileLine keyword that allows you to read this information. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9. POSSIBLE FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS ------------------------------- I cannot be certain of any of the following. Some, none, or all of these enhancements may be added to High N' Low. 1. ASCII Support 2. RIPscrip Support 3. RIPscrip Support on the Local Screen -------------------------------------------------------------------- 10. SPECIAL THANKS ------------------ High N' Low would not be available if not for the great Beta Testing of the following people: David Allio Thanks for all of the suggestions and extensive (SYSOP) Beta testing! Bryan Bates You didn't want to test it, you just wanted to play it! Tim Bowman Thanks for the help in programming it! (A little!) Kevin Donelson Thanks for Beta Testing, and letting me call your (SYSOP) board every day (early morning about 4 or 5) for the past 3 or so years! Sandra Kinser Thanks for the help with all of the problems Mom, and putting up with me! Sorry about blowing up the car... Douglas Strouth Thanks for all of the suggestions and extensive (SYSOP) Beta Testing! Everyone spent a great deal of time to help me get this game going how I wanted it to. Thanks everyone! I hope I didn't leave anyone out. Games Unlimited is a trademark of Games Unlimited Software and the Games Unlimited BBS. OS/2 is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation. RIPterm and RIPscrip are trademarks of TeleGraphix Communications, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other programs are copyright and/or trademarked by their respective author unless otherwise noted. This is the first door of many to come from Games Unlimited (tm) Software. Any feedback, good or bad comments, and suggestions are welcomed. Look for other doors by Michael Kinser coming soon! --------------------------------------------------------------------