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PMICS - The Internet Chess Client for OS/2 Warp
Version 2.1.1 Released 15th September 1996
Copyright (C)1996 Paul Mitchell/Mystic Software
README
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See Also
--------
HISTORY.DOC for revision history
MANUAL.DOC for User Guide
Introduction
------------
PMICS is a sophisticated interface for the numerous chess servers available on
the internet. Using PMICS you can play chess, observe other games and chat to
the inhabitants of these servers. PMICS is a native, 32-bit, multi-threaded
application which makes full use of the incredible power of OS/2 Warp.
For news, information and updates be sure to check out the web site dedicated
to PMICS. The URL is http://www.tcom.co.uk/secondnature/pmics/
System Requirements
-------------------
To run PMICS successfully, your system must have at least the following
configuration...
o OS/2 Warp Version 3.0 or above (including Warp Connect and Merlin)
o A TCP/IP connection to the internet, such as Internet Access Kit found
on the Warp BonusPak, or the TCP/IP support in Warp Connect
o A mouse
o A SuperVGA display with 256 or more colours
About This Version
------------------
Version 2.1.1 is a maintenance release to fix some bugs from V2.1 and to
add a few minor new features. See the HISTORY.DOC file for full details.
Installation
------------
Create a folder on your system and copy the file "pmics.exe" into it. You can
then create a program object for PMICS in the usual fashion.
Information for Upgraders
-------------------------
If you have a previous release of PMICS installed on your system, please
read the following paragraphs...
o If you have PMICS V2.1
Copy the new files into your existing directory.
o If you have PMICS V2beta2, V2beta3 or V2beta3a
First, please note that the name of the executable has changed from
"pmicstcp.exe" to "pmics.exe". You may now delete your original executable
and replace it with this version. Remember to modify any program objects you
have created for PMICS.
PMICS V2.1.1 uses a completely different structure for the information held
in the profile (PMICS.INI). Your current settings will be migrated
automatically when you run this version for the first time.
You may also notice that the PMICS executable is much larger than before.
This is because it is no longer compressed when it is compiled since the
distribution ZIP file is smaller this way. You can safely compress the
executable using any of the available utilities (i.e. REPACK or LXLITE).
o If you have the original PMICS V1
PMICS V2.1.1 is a completely reworked version by a new author. It is different
in both operation and configuration.
PMICS V1 supported internet shell accounts using a local modem. PMICS V2.1.1
no longer provides this support - you must have a native TCP/IP connection.
Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
All upgraders should read the HISTORY.DOC and MANUAL.DOC files. These contain
important information on what has changed and how to use PMICS.
If You Are New to Internet Chess
--------------------------------
PMICS comes ready to connect to the Free Internet Chess Server (FICS). You
will be connected as a guest. You communicate with the server using simple
commands such as 'tell', 'help' and so on. To leave the server, enter the
command 'quit'.
You are known on the server by a 'handle'. As a guest, your capabilities are
limited, but you can register for free and obtain a permanent handle for all
future connections. When you are connected to FICS, enter the command "help
register" for more information.
PMICS uses toolbars to represent some of the available server commands.
However, there are still some which have to be manually typed. Here are a
few useful commands...
"help" Displays the index of help files available
"help channel_list" Displays a list of available channels, and the topic
of discussion in each channel
"+ch 1" Joins channel 1 - the help channel - where you can ask
questions about the server
"tell 1 <message>" Sends message to all people who are listening to
channel 1. Use this to ask questions. Normally, an
administrator or helpful user will answer.
Above all, do not panic. Also remember that you are in a public place, and
you should behave appropriately. There are help files available which explain
the etiquette expected of server users.
Known Problems in PMICS
-----------------------
o Command lines will occasionally lose focus. This is usually caused when you
scroll the text area and reach the end.
o MMPM sound will occasionally fail to initialise. This mostly occurs if you
have MMPM installed but have disabled System Sounds. Running PMICS again
seems to solve the problem. Haven't found the reason for this yet. Maybe a
MMPM guru could lend a hand? :-)
o With 'auto observe bughouse' active - if you observe a bughouse game and the
game completes before the partner game is observed, the interface can get a
little confused when the next bughouse game is observed. It seems to sort
itself out eventually.
Future Work
-----------
I'm taking a brief hiatus from PMICS development for a few weeks - mostly to
concentrate on improving my chess, but also to work on another project which
has a little significance to my future PMICS versions. I will still fix all
reported bugs during this time and release updates as necessary.
I'm expecting to release PMICS V2.2 sometime before Christmas 1996. I
expect it to include the following features...
o Full on-line help (which I intended to do for this version, but ran out of
time)
o Fully tested with OS/2 Warp Version 4 (aka Merlin)
o Radical improvement of the board visuals including full scaling and multiple
piece designs with the ability to design your own.
o Proper drag-and-drop piece movement including bughouse pieces. Also the
ability to move pieces using two clicks (from and to) which should help
when playing fast games.
o User-definable toolbar buttons and keys.
Check the PMICS Home Page regularly for more updated information.
Contacting the Author
---------------------
My name is Paul Mitchell. Email me as 'paulm@secondnature.co.uk'. My handle on
FICS is 'MysticUK'. Feel free to 'finger' me for more information.
IMPORTANT
---------
To be notified of new releases of PMICS, send me email. Just a simple "Hi, I'm
using PMICS" will be fine. However, more would be better - read on...
It is my intention to make PMICS the best available chess interface for OS/2.
However, I'd prefer that is the best chess interface available, period. I can't
do this alone - I need help from you, yes YOU!
I need to know what you think of PMICS and how I can improve it. I need to know
if you love it or hate it - any feedback is good. A great OS/2 chess interface
is good for OS/2. If it is the *best* interface available, it may just help to
bring people across from "the other side" :-).
Acknowledgements
----------------
Many thanks to Kevin Nomura for the first version. Thanks to Dave Tukey, Scott
E. Regener and Jennifer Regener for testing, comments and encouragement.
Tautvydas P. Girenas designed the toolbar bitmaps. A tip of the hat to IBM,
TeamOS/2 and all OS/2 users.
Without these people (and many more), PMICS would not exist today. THANKS!
-=O END O=-