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User Supported Version 2.0
Copyright 1991 by Federal Hill Software
3722 Greenway Lane
P.O. Box 765
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-356-5592
Contents
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 User-Supported Software . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 Technical Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
4 The Files on this Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.1 Printing the manual . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.2 Hard Disk Installation . . . . . . . . . . 3
4.3 Floppy Drive Installation . . . . . . . . 3
4.4 Running the Program . . . . . . . . . . . 4
5 The Main Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
6 Start a Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6.1 Running the Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
6.2 Checking the Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6.3 Game Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
7 The Bingo Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
8 Choose Color or Monochrome . . . . . . . . . . 8
9 Generate Bingo Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
10 Set Up Card Titles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
11 Bingo Statkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
11.1 Select Statistics file . . . . . . . . 11
11.1.1 Load an Existing File . . . . . . 11
11.1.2 Create a New File . . . . . . . . 12
11.2 Turn Statkeeper On . . . . . . . . . . 12
11.3 Turn Statkeeper Off . . . . . . . . . . 12
11.4 Generate Stat Reports . . . . . . . . . 12
12 Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
13 The Cambridge Handicappers . . . . . . . . . 13
14 Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
i
BINGO MANIA!
Version 2.0
By Michael J. Himowitz
(C)1991 by Federal Hill Software
3722 Greenway Lane, P.O. Box 765
Owings Mills, Md. 21117
1 Introduction
BINGO MANIA is a program for IBM-compatible computers that
will put you into the computerized bingo business. It generates
games with large-number screen displays, creates bingo cards,
produces reports on each game and even generates statistical
summaries showing how many times each number has been called over
any period.
Why use a computer for BINGO? After all, people have been
doing it the old way for a century.
That's what I thought until my wife and I were asked to run
the BINGO parlor at our PTA Fun Fair. What a drag! The cage with
the little plastic numbers didn't turn properly. Half the time
the numbers wouldn't pop out. Three times I bumped the rack
containing the numbers that had been called, which meant I had to
go scrambling around the floor to pick them up. And once, the
latch on the cage didn't shut tight and all 75 little number
balls wound up rolling across the room. I figured there had to be
a better way, and this is it.
If you have a laptop computer, you, as game director, can
just watch the numbers pop up on the screen and call them out. If
you have a full-sized monitor, you can turn it around and let
everyone watch the display (it's big enough to be seen across a
room and great-looking in color). When a player hits BINGO, the
program displays all the numbers called so far so that you can
check the winner's card. For record-keeping purposes, you can
print out those numbers in case there are any questions
afterward.
If you run short of printed bingo cards or have to get a
game going on a short notice, the program will create as many
random cards as you wish, numbered sequentially and personalized
with the name of your organization.
And for those who insist that there's a pattern to random
events such as BINGO, you can generate statistical reports to
prove or disprove their theories. It's easy and it's fun.
2 User-Supported Software
BINGO MANIA is distributed as user-supported software. If
you try it and like it, we'd like you to register it. The
registration fee is $30. If you do register, you'll not only get
the latest version of BINGO MANIA, but also your choice of one of
our three Race Handicapping programs. Handicappers are our main
business at Federal Hill Software, and we've had thousands of
satisfied customers since we began publishing in 1983. You'll
find more information and a registration form in Section 13 at
the end of this manual.
Meanwhile, feel free to give copies of this program to
anyone and everyone. Post it on bulletin boards or add it to your
user-group library. The only caveat is that you may not modify
the program in any way, and you must include all the files on the
disk (or in the archived file you downloaded). Shareware
companies and user libraries may distribute this program for a
copying fee not to exceed $10.
3 Technical Information
BINGO MANIA was written and compiled using Microsoft
Professional Basic Development System Version 7.0. It should run
on any true IBM-compatible computer with 256K of memory. However,
we should caution you that some users have reported problems with
PCjr's and IBM Convertible laptops. Although they carry the IBM
name, some models of these computers are not truly compatible
with the rest of IBM's line.
BINGO MANIA supports color, monochrome or LCD monitors and
display adapters of any type. To print BINGO cards with true
boxes, you must have a printer that can reproduce the IBM
character set. However, for standard bingo cards, game reports
and statistical summaries, any 80-column printer will do.
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4 The Files on this Disk
If you downloaded BINGO MANIA as an archived file from a
bulletin board or received it on a disk by itself, you should
have the following files:
BINGO.EXE The Bingo Mania program file
BINGO.STS A start-up bingo statistics file
BINGO.DOC The Bingo Mania instruction manual
BINGO.CFG Titles for reports and Bingo Cards
PRINTME.BAT A batch file to print out the manual
HDINSTAL.BAT Will install program on your hard disk
FLOPPY.BAT Will install program on floppy in B:
RUN.BAT For use with floppy installation.
4.1 Printing the manual
This manual is already formatted. To print it, make sure the
print head is at the very top of a new page. Then type PRINTME
from the DOS prompt. The manual will be printed out. It is 12
pages long.
4.2 Hard Disk Installation
To install the program, just create a directory for it and
copy the BINGO.EXE and BINGO.STS to that directory. You can do
this yourself or have it done automatically. To use the automatic
installer, do the following:
1. Put the BINGO disk in drive A:
2. Type A: and hit ENTER
3. Type HDINSTAL and hit ENTER
The program will be installed in a directory called C:\BINGO
on your hard drive. If you'd like to use another directory or a
hard drive other than C:, just create the directory and copy the
two files mentioned above.
4.3 Floppy Drive Installation
If you're have a floppy drive system, don't use the original
disk. Always work from a backup and keep the original stored
safely away in case of crashes. Here's how to make a working copy
that will execute automatically when you turn your computer on.
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1. Put your DOS master disk in Drive A:
2. Put a blank, unformatted disk in Drive B:
3. Type A: and hit ENTER
4. Type FORMAT B/S and hit ENTER. Follow the instructions on
the screen. The disk will be formatted with the operating
system. When DOS asks if you want to format another floppy
disk, type "N" and hit ENTER.
5. Put your BINGO MANIA master disk in Drive A:
6. Type FLOPPY and hit ENTER
The program files will be copied to your floppy disk. In
addition, an AUTOEXEC.BAT file will be created which will start
the program automatically when you turn on your computer or hit
CTRL-ALT-DEL with the computer running.
4.4 Running the Program
From a hard drive: Use the CD command to change to the
directory in which the program files are stored. Type BINGO and
hit ENTER.
From a floppy drive: If you've made an autoexecuting disk
(See Section 1 above), just put the BINGO MANIA disk in Drive A:
and turn on the machine. If the machine is already on, just hold
down the CTRL, ALT and DEL keys simultaneously.
If you're not using an autoexecuting disk, but your BINGO
MANIA disk in Drive A. Type BINGO and hit ENTER.
When the program runs, you'll see a title screen displayed.
Strike any key to go to the Main Menu.
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5 The Main Menu
BINGO MANIA is menu driven. This means you'll see a set of
of numbered choices. The Main Menu looks like this:
1. Start a Bingo Game
2. Bingo Display
3. Choose Color or Monochrome
4. Generate Bingo Cards
5. Set up Card Titles
6. Bingo Statkeeper
7. Quit the Program
Current Statistics File Is BINGO.STS
Statkeeper is OFF
The first choice will be highlighted. To make your selection you
can do one of two things:
1. Use your UP and DOWN cursor keys to move the highlight bar
to the choice you want. Then hit ENTER.
2. Just type the number of your choice.
You'll also notice two important pieces of information at
the bottom of the screen.
* The Current Statistics File is the file being used to
record the statistics for this session. You can create new
statistics files at any time.
* The display will also show whether the Statkeeper is ON or
OFF. If the Statkeeper is ON, any bingo games you play
will be recorded in the current statistics file. If the
Statkeeper is OFF, the results of your games will not be
recorded.
When you run the program, the default statistics file will
always be BINGO.STS. You can change this at any time. The
Statkeeper will initially be turned OFF. You can turn it on at
any time.
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6 Start a Game
When you select Choice No. 1 from the Main Menu, you'll be
asked if you want to start a new bingo game. If you do, type "Y"
and the game will begin. If you don't, type "N" and you'll return
to the Main Menu.
6.1 Running the Game
If you've chosen to run a game, the first number will be
displayed on the screen. You can watch the screen yourself and
call the number out, or turn the monitor around so the audience
can see it, too. The numbers are displayed in large, block
characters.
Whatever you do next requires two keystrokes. We've done
this as a safety measure in case you have people who suddenly
realize they have BINGO at the last split second.
* The first keystroke can be any key. The screen won't
change. The keystroke merely gets the computer ready for
the next event.
* If no one has BINGO, hit any key EXCEPT "B" as your second
keystroke. A new number will be displayed.
* If someone calls BINGO, type the letter "B" as your second
keystroke. A screen will appear showing all 75
combinations. It is displayed on the following page.
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6.2 Checking the Numbers
These are the numbers that have been called so far:
B 1 x I 16 x N 31 x G 46 - O 61 x
B 2 x I 17 - N 32 x G 47 x O 62 x
B 3 - I 18 x N 33 x G 48 x O 63 -
B 4 x I 19 - N 34 x G 49 - O 64 -
B 5 x I 20 x N 35 x G 50 x O 65 x
B 6 x I 21 x N 36 x G 51 - O 66 -
B 7 x I 22 x N 37 x G 52 x O 67 x
B 8 x I 23 x N 38 - G 53 x O 68 x
B 9 x I 24 x N 39 x G 54 - O 69 x
B 10 x I 25 x N 40 - G 55 x O 70 x
B 11 x I 26 x N 41 x G 56 x O 71 x
B 12 x I 27 - N 42 x G 57 x O 72 x
B 13 x I 28 x N 43 x G 58 x O 73 -
B 14 x I 29 x N 44 x G 59 x O 74 x
B 15 - I 30 x N 45 x G 60 - O 75 x
Hit "C" to Continue or "E" to End Game
The Numbers that have been called are marked with an "X".
Use these when you check the winner's card. Once you have checked
the winner's card, you have two options.
1. If you have a winner and it signifies the end of the game,
type "E". You'll be asked if you really want to end the
game. Type "Y" and the game will be terminated. Type "N"
and you'll go on to another number.
2. If you don't have winner, or if you have a winner but the
game allows more than one winner and you want to continue,
type "C". The next number will be displayed.
6.3 Game Reports
When you have ended a game, you'll see a screen showing the
starting and ending time, along with how many numbers were
called. You'll be asked if you want to print the list of called
numbers.
* If you don't want to print the list of called numbers,
type "N" and you'll return to the Main Menu.
* If you DO want to print the list of called numbers, type
"Y". You'll be told to make sure your printer is on line
and strike any key for the printout. Strike any key and
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the list of called numbers will be sent to your printer.
You'll then be returned to the Main Menu.
7 The Bingo Display
Selection No. 2 from the Main Menu is simply for the
amusement of your audience during the dead space between Bingo
games. It will provide a continuously changing BINGO display on
your screen (it looks particularly nice in color).
When the display is running, you can terminate it at any
time and return to the main menu by striking any key.
8 Choose Color or Monochrome
Selection 3 from the Main Menu allows you to set up the
program for the type of monitor you're using. When you run BINGO
MANIA, the program will default to a monochrome display.
When you choose No. 3 from the Main Menu, you'll be asked if
you have a color monitor. If you do, type "Y" and the screen
display will switch to color. If you don't have a color monitor,
type "N" and you'll return to the monochrome display.
9 Generate Bingo Cards
Selection 4 from the Main Menu will allow you to print out
Bingo Cards on a Dot Matrix printer. Each card will be different.
For the highest quality cards, your printer must be capable of
emulating any IBM or EPSON model. Most printers on the market
today can emulate an IBM or Epson machine. But you can still
print usable cards on any standard printer. When you choose No. 4
from the Main Menu, you'll be asked three questions:
1. How many cards to you want to print? Type the number of
cards you want to print and hit ENTER.
2. The starting number: The program will number the cards
sequentially. Type the number you'd like to begin with and
hit ENTER.
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If you don't want your cards numbered, type a ZERO and hit
ENTER. The cards will not be numbered.
3. Do you want (I)BM or (A)SCII characters? The program will
create the bingo matrix using either the IBM character set
(with its preformed corners, rules and junctions) or
standard text characters. The IBM character set looks
nicer, but takes longer to print. If your printer can
emulate an IBM printer, type "I"; if it doesn't have the
IBM character set, type "A". If you're not sure, type "I"
and print out a card. If the borders and rules are
composed of strange characters, you don't have an IBM-
compatible printer and you'll have to use the ASCII
character set. If you have a Hewlett Packard LaserJet,
select the IBM-US character set.
Once you've told the program what printer you have, you'll
be told to strike any key to begin printing. Set your printer so
that the print head is at the very top of a page and strike any
key to begin printing the cards.
NOTE: You'll probably want to customize the title lines of
each card for your organization. We discuss how to do this in the
next section.
10 Set Up Card Titles
Choice No. 5 from the Main Menu will allow you to set up two
title lines which will be printed at the top of each bingo card
(and at the top of your reports). You'll see the following screen
(we've inserted dummy titles here):
-------------------------------------------------------------
Set Bingo Titles
Title No. 1: Millersville V.F.D.
Title No. 2: Sunday Night Bingo
Type Number of Title to Change or hit <ENTER> for Menu
-------------------------------------------------------------
To change a title, do the following:
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1. Type the Number of the title you want to change (1 or 2).
2. A highlighted blank space will appear.
3. Type the new title and hit <ENTER>. You can type a maximum
of 36 characters. The new title will be displayed.
When you're satisfied with the titles, hit <ENTER>. You'll be
asked if you want to store this information.
* If you want to store these titles, type "Y" and the
information will be stored in the BINGO.CFG file. The
updated titles will be used on your bingo cards, and they
will be loaded automatically the next time you run the
program.
* If you don't want to store the changed titles, type "N".
The titles displayed on the screen will stay in effect for
this session only (or until you change them again).
11 Bingo Statkeeper
Selection No. 6 from the Main Menu will bring up the Bingo
Statkeeper Menu. This will allow you to choose which statistics
file you want, turn the statkeeper on or off and generate a
statistical report. The menu looks like this:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Bingo Mania
Statistical Functions
1. Select Statistics File
2. Turn Statkeeper On
3. Turn Statkeeper Off
4. Generate Statistical Report
5. Return to Main Menu
Current Statistics File Is BINGO.STS
Statkeeper is OFF
-------------------------------------------------------------
To select an option, use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to
highlight your choice and hit <ENTER>. Or merely type number
opposite that choice.
- 10 -
11.1 Select Statistics file
Choice No. 1 from the statistics menu will allow you to
select a statistics file or create a new one. When you select a
file, the results of all bingo games will be stored in that file
(provided the Statkeeper is turned ON). The information in that
file will be used for statistical reports.
By default, the statistics file is called BINGO.STS.
However, you can set up as many different files as you want
(within the limitations of your disk space, of course). You might
want a file for a particular evening, a month, an organization,
or whatever. It's up to you.
When you select this choice, you'll see a list of statistics
files on the current drive or directory. At the outset, this will
only be BINGO.STS. But for the purposes of the manual, we'll
assume you've created a couple of files of your own. The screen
will look something like this:
These are the available statistics files...
A:
BINGO.STS JANUARY.STS FEB.STS APRIL.STS
CHURCH.STS VFD.STS
(E)xisting File, (N)ew File or <ENTER> for Menu
11.1.1 Load an Existing File
To load an existing file, type the Letter "E" and you'll get
the following prompt:
File to Read:
Type the name of the file you want to load and hit <ENTER>.
Do not type an extension. For example, if you want to load the
JANUARY.STS file, just type JANUARY and hit <ENTER>. When the
file has been loaded, you'll be told to hit <ENTER> to return to
the Statistics Menu.
If the Statkeeper is turned on, JANUARY.STS will be updated
every time a game is run. The information in JANUARY.STS will be
used for the statistical reports.
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11.1.2 Create a New File
To create a new file, type a filename of up to eight
characters. Do not include an extension. For example, if you want
to add March statistics to the list above, you might type MARCH
and hit <ENTER>
If you type the name of an existing file here, the program
will ask if you want to OVERWRITE the existing file. If you type
"Y", a new file with the existing name will be created and the
information in the old one will be lost. So be careful.
11.2 Turn Statkeeper On
When you select Choice No. 2 from the Statistics Menu, the
Statkeeper will be turned on. If the Statkeeper is turned on, the
current statistics file will be updated every time a game is run.
The information in that file will be used for the statistical
reports.
11.3 Turn Statkeeper Off
When you select Choice No. 3 from the Statistics Menu, the
Statkeeper will be turned off. Results of games will NOT be added
to the current statistics file.
11.4 Generate Stat Reports
When you select Choice No. 4 from the Statistics Menu,
you'll see a screen report showing you the total number of bingo
combinations called, the number of times each combination was
called, and the percentage of the total that combination
represents.
You'll be asked if you want to print this information. If
you do, type "Y" and the report will be sent to your printer. If
you don't want a printout, type "N" and you'll return to the
Statkeeper Menu.
12 Warranty
With respect to non-registered versions of BINGO MANIA,
Federal Hill Software makes no warranty whatsoever. We make no
warranty because we have no control over the distribution of
these programs. Registered versions of BINGO MANIA supplied to
the end user by Federal Hill Software are guaranteed to load and
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run as indicated in these instructions. No other warranty is
expressed or implied, and Federal Hill Software will not be
liable for any damages, either direct or incidental, that result
from the use of this program. In no case will Federal Hill
Software be liable for damages in excess of the purchase price of
this program.
13 The Cambridge Handicappers
As we mentioned earlier, Federal Hill Software's main
business is race handicapping software. Our Cambridge
Handicappers for Thoroughbreds, Harness Horses and Greyhounds are
professional quality programs that rank the horses or dogs in
each race quickly and easily, even if you've never handicapped
before.
We published the first edition of our Cambridge Handicappers
in 1983, and we've been improving them ever since. They're not
get-rich-quick schemes, but solid handicapping systems based on
established principles and years of experience.
The Cambridge Handicappers are menu-driven and easy to use.
To handicap a race, just fill out an on-screen handicapping form
for each horse or dog. All the information you need is readily
available in the Racing Form or track program. We even provide a
diagram showing you exactly where to find each piece of
information you need.
When you're through, the Cambridge Handicapper displays and
prints a sorted report ranking each horse or dog according to its
likelihood of winning the race.
Just as important, our 24-page, on-disk manual tells you
when and how to bet. Knowing when to put your money down and when
to sit out is just as important as knowing which horse to pick.
We also provide advice on managing your money to maximize your
profits and minimize your losses.
In addition, our Wagermaster (TM) software displays a wide
variety of reports showing payoffs on different bets at varying
odds. And it helps with key bets for daily doubles, exactas and
trifectas.
- 13 -
14 Registration
The registration fee for BINGO MANIA is $30. When you
register your BINGO MANIA program, we'll include one of our three
handicappers. Just tell us which one you want. If you'd like
additional handicappers, you can order them at $20 each.
Just fill out the form below and send it with a check, money
order or credit card information to Federal Hill Software, 3722
Greenway Lane, P.O. Box 765, Baltimore, MD 21117. We accept Visa
and MasterCard. Foreign orders should be made payable in U.S. funds.
- 14 -
Federal Hill Software
3722 Greenway Lane, P.O. Box 765
Owings Mills, MD 21117
410-356-5592
BINGO MANIA REGISTRATION FORM
Enclosed is $30. Please rush my registered copy of BINGO MANIA
and the Cambridge Handicapper I've checked off below:
( ) Thoroughbred
( ) Harness
( ) Greyhound
In addition, I'd like to order the following Cambridge
Handicapper(s) at $20 each.
( ) Thoroughbred
( ) Harness
( ) Greyhound
Total Enclosed: ______________
Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
City: _____________________ STATE ______ ZIP ____________
Type of Payment: ( ) Check/Money order ( ) Credit Card
Credit Card: ______ No. _________________________ Exp.______
Signature: _________________________________________________
Send to: Federal Hill Software
3722 Greenway Lane, P.O. Box 765
Owings Mills, MD 21117
- 15 -
