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Esterian Conquest Helper
Release 1.2
Copyright 1992,1993
Just FUN Software
All Rights Reserved
"Esterian Conquest" is a trademark of Griffith International.
Read the Introduction, Installing and Running sections before using
Esterian Conquest Helper.
INTRODUCTION
Esterian Conquest Helper is a set of programs used both online and
offline with the BBS door game "Esterian Conquest" v1.50 published by
Griffith International. It uses pull down menus, windows, dialog boxes,
a graphics galaxy map, and the mouse to simplify the entry of build and
fleet orders and to automate the process of submitting these orders to
Esterian Conquest. Using this program will increase your enjoyment of
Esterian Conquest and will significantly reduce the time you spend
online with the game.
The play of Esterian Conquest (EC) is generally broken into three
phases. The first phase (INPUT) involves going online with EC and
getting current information from the data base. The second phase
(PROCESS) is done offline and involves analyzing the data and
determining the build, fleet, and other orders to issue. The third
phase (OUTPUT) is the online process of submitting those orders to EC.
Esterian Conquest Helper (ECH) is also composed of the same three
phases. Each of these phases is initiated by starting a batch
procedure. These procedures are:
ECHIN.BAT - Performs the input phase by issuing commands to EC to
collect the current information and saves this data in a data base file.
ECH.BAT - Performs the process phase. This is the main program and the
one where you interact with the program to determine build and fleet
orders along with other command to EC. Your orders are saved in the
data base file. Any monitor, with or without a mouse, can be used to
enter orders. An EGA or VGA monitor and the mouse are required to use
the galaxy map feature.
ECHOUT.BAT - Performs the output phase by reading the data base file and
issuing the commands to EC for the build, fleet and starbase orders you
determined in the process phase.
The input and output phases are initiated from your communication
program immediately after your have opened the door leading to Esterian
Conquest. The process phase is initiated offline and can be run
directly from DOS or Windows.
Data files are included that allows you to examine at the main program
before going online with Esterian Conquest. Simply change to the
directory created and enter ECHELP. Create any orders you want but
don't try to output these orders to EC. When you're done experimenting
and are ready to use ECH productively, begin with the first phase to
input data relevant to your empire.
INSTALLING
Make a directory, \echelp, on your hard disk using the DOS mkdir
command. Use \echelp as the directory name or change the batch
procedures accordingly. Use the DOS copy command to copy the files to
the directory or unzip the .ZIP file to the directory.
Copy the ECHIN.BAT and ECHOUT.BAT files to your communications program's
directory. Copy the ECH.BAT file to the root directory of your hard
drive or create a Windows program item to start it. Note: depending on
your communication program, you may want to edit the last line of the
ECHIN.BAT and ECHOUT.BAT files to change back to your communications
program's directory rather than the root directory.
If your modem is connected to a COM port other than COM2, run the
ECH.BAT procedure and change the COM port number in the "Control" menu.
RUNNING
Run your communications program, login on to a BBS, and open the
Esterian Conquest door. When Esterian Conquest issues the "Display ANSI
Colors ..." prompt do not respond. Instead, shell to DOS from your
communications program and enter ECHIN to start the input phase. This
phase require intervention only if there are new planets to name. When
it completes, log off from the BBS and exit from your communications
program.
Run the process phase by entering ECH at the DOS prompt. Use the screen
listings, dialog boxes, and the graphics galaxy map to determine the
build orders for your planets and the orders for your fleet and
starbases. You can press the F1 key to get help with the menu items.
When you are satisfied with your orders quit the program. The data base
file with your orders is automatically saved when you quit.
Again run your communications program, login on to the BBS, and open the
Esterian Conquest door. When Esterian Conquest issues the "Display ANSI
Colors ..." prompt do not respond. Instead, shell to DOS from your
communications program and now enter ECHOUT to start the output phase
program. This program will allow you to issue additional commands to EC
in addition to the orders you entered into the process phase. When this
program completes, optionally log off from the BBS and exit from your
communication program. You may also run the input phase again at this
time to insure your orders were correctly sent to Esterian Conquest.
IMPORTANT: If you are playing Esterian Conquest on more than one BBS,
perform all three phases for a BBS before running any of the phases for
another BBS.
The first time EC is accessed for a new game, the opening sequence of
displayed text is somewhat different from all other times. Begin a NEW
game of EC without using ECH. Just take it to the first MAIN COMMAND
prompt and then quit the program. Now you can restart the door leading
to EC and run the ECHIN.BAT procedure.
SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTED PRODUCT
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before
buying it. A product distributed via shareware is not "free software".
If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you are expected
to register it with the author for a modest fee within 30 days of your
initial usage. You may register this product by mailing cash, check or
a money order for $8.00 to:
Just FUN Software
4790 Naniloa Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84117-5547
Upon receipt of the registration fee, you will be mailed instructions to
include your name in the program as the registered user.
Please use the REGISTER.TXT file when registering. This file may be
printed using the DOS print command. For example:
print \echelp\register.txt
DISCLAIMER
Esterian Conquest Helper is supplied on an "as is" basis. The author
disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without
limitation, the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any
purpose. The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or
consequential, which may result for the use of Esterian Conquest Helper.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright laws apply to both shareware and commercial software, and the
copyright holder retains all rights, with the following exception. The
program, complete with the files discussed below, may be freely copied
and distributed. It is in fact encouraged. If you like this program,
please tell your fellow players about it and upload it to several BBSs.
FILES
This product is made up of the following files:
README.TXT - This file contains the information you are now reading.
REGISTER.TXT - This file contains a printable registration form.
PRODUCTS.TXT - A description of products from Just FUN Software.
FILE_ID.DIZ - A description of this product.
ECHIN.BAT - The input phase batch file.
ECH.BAT - The process phase batch file.
ECHOUT.BAT - The output phase batch file.
ECHELP.EXE - The process phase program file.
ECHINOUT.EXE - The input and output phases program file.
ECHELP.HLP - The context sensitive help text file.
ECHELP.ICO - A Windows 3.1 icon file for the process phase.
DATABASE.ECH & REPORT.ECH - These files contains sample data that can be
used to experiment with the process phase (ECH.BAT).
This product may be distributed only when all the above files are
included in the distribution.
RELEASE ACTIVITY
Release 1.0: December 1, 1992 - Initial release.
Release 1.1: December 22, 1992 - Fixed bugs related to message issued to
all players, buffer overrun when transferring at 14.4K bps, and listing
other empires when more than 19 players.
Release 1.2: January 5, 1993 - Changed method used to recognize mouse
button action.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS
All questions, comments or suggestions of any nature are welcomed. You
need not be a registered user to ask questions, or make comments or
suggestions. Please address correspondences to:
Attn: Mike Ingham
Just FUN Software
4790 Naniloa Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84117-5547
or telephone: (801) 272-6238
or via Prodigy: NKJM79A
or via CompuServe: 71231,3727
or via U'NI-net: Shareware conference
or via ILINK network: Shareware conference
or via RIME network: Shareware Pgms conference
Salt Lake City area BBSs I get mail daily from are:
The Graphics Connection: (801) 266-2660
Rocky Mountain Software: (801) 963-8721
Center Point BBS: (801) 963-9280