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1988-07-25
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
for
FootBALL POOL II
- - GENERAL DESCRIPTION - -
FootBALL POOL II is a program written for CGA graphics.
FootBALL POOL II is a program which will allow you to run a unique
football pool for the regular NFL season. It has been designed to be
simple enough so that it can be enjoyed by those who just casually follow
football yet challenging enough to satisfy the most avid fan.
Most pools offer the player a point spread for each game and you play
against "the house". This "handicapping" is tricky for the "house" and
not very easy for the players.
FootBALL POOL II is different. There is no "house" and no point spreads
to deal with. Players play against each other and just pick the winning
teams. A win by one point is as good as a win by 100 points. For each
game of each week, the players of the pool pick the team that they think
will win. They assign those teams points from 1 to 14. No point value is
used more than once so they should always assign a total of 105 points.
If the team they picked wins, they add the points that they assigned to
that team to their total for the week. The player with the highest point
total is the winner. !!! THAT'S IT !!! (There is an instruction sheet
provided that you can give to all your players.)
FootBALL POOL II is extremely "user friendly" and is completely menu
driven. It does not require the operator to learn any commands.
- - DISCLAIMER - -
GAMBLING IS ILLEGAL IN MOST STATES.
IT IS NOT THE INTENT OF FootBALL POOL II OR NEBULOUS ENGINEERING TO
ENCOURAGE, PROMOTE OR ENDORSE GAMBLING IN ANY WAY. THE "REWARDS" (IF ANY)
GIVEN TO A PLAYER(S) FOR WINNING THE POOL ARE UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS
ORGANIZED THE POOL. NEBULOUS ENGINEERING ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
HOW THIS PRODUCT IS USED.
- - FUTURE PLANS - -
Two additional programs are due for release prior to the 1989 NFL season.
One is the STATS program. This utility tabulates the comparative
performance of each participant in the pool and allows each player to see
how he or she is doing in relationship to the other players.
The second utility is the PLAYOFF program. This utility utilizes your
existing player files and allows you to run a "tree" type pool throughout
the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
The operating instructions for these programs will be contained in a
separate manual and will be provided when they are released.
- - DEFINITION OF TERMS - -
ORGANIZER -
Probably you. The person or persons who are running the
pool and will use FootBALL POOL II.
PLAYER(S) -
The person(s) who are participating in the pool. FootBALL POOL II can
support up to 60 players. If more is required you can set up a duplicate
copies of FootBALL POOL II in different directories or on different floppy
disks. Be careful not to mix up the data files. If you have two separate
pools, each FootBALL POOL II will give you a winner(s) so you will have to
compare these results to determine the actual winner.
WINNER -
The player who has the highest point total after all the games have been
played for that week.
REWARD -
This is entirely up to the organizer. A reward (if any) could be given to
the winner after the conclusion of all the games for that week. A reward
could consist of "tokens". One for each player that participated in the
pool for that week. (see the disclaimer)
PICK
SHEET - This is the sheet that each player is to fill out for each
week during the regular NFL season. FootBALL POOL II has the capability
of printing out a copy of the pick sheets for all 16 weeks of the regular
season. The player retains one half of each sheet and sends the other
half to the organizer for entry into FootBALL POOL II.
POINT
VALUE - For each game played, players are to assign a point value to
the team that they think will win that game. Only one team in each game
can be given a point value. Point values are from 1 to 14 and no point
value should be used more than once in each week. Point values should
total up to 105 for every player each week.
- - INSTALLATION - -
FootBALL POOL II is not copy protected. You should make a back-up copy to
prevent accidental damage to the original.
It is recommended that FootBALL POOL II be run from a hard disk due the
time required to load and save the necessary data files but it can be run
from one floppy disk.
It is assumed that you are familiar with most of the DOS directory and
file commands and no attempt will be made here to teach them to you.
Please refer to your DOS manual if you have trouble.
For HARD DISK installation, make a separate directory with a name of your
choice (e.g.. FBPOOL). You must copy ALL the *.EXE and *.DAT files into
that directory. The *.DOC files are not required but are recommended.
For FLOPPY DISK installation, format a blank floppy to be used exclusively
by FootBALL POOL II. Copy all *.EXE and *.DAT files onto that disk. The
*.DOC files are not required but are recommended.
- - START-UP - -
To run FootBALL POOL II, make the appropriate drive and/or directory
active. Type "FBXX " (without the quotes of course) for the BETA TEST
version and then press <enter>. If you are a registered user then you
would replace the XX with the last two digits of the year (e.g. FB88).
THAT'S IT !!!
- - TIPS ON RUNNING THE POOL - -
Some of these instructions will be clearer after you have read the entire
manual, but you will catch on in no time.
Included with FootBALL POOL II is a file called FBINST.DOC This file is
one example of an instruction sheet that you should give to each player in
the pool. You may use it as is or come up with one of you own. You may
wish to include more information about specific rewards available to the
winner and any entry requirements that you wish to impose.
FootBALL POOL II contains the ability to print out the all 16 blank pick
sheets for the season. You may do this for every player but it is
probably simpler to photocopy one set. Make a copy of one pick sheet
twice and fill one out. This can be used as an example for your players.
Once you have lined up your players, you should provide each with a copy
of the player instructions, a sample of a filled out pick sheet, and all
of the blank pick sheets for the season. This way you don't have to worry
about distributing them every week.
You may wish to give a copy of the player instructions with the filled out
pick sheet to all potential players to see if they are interested.
Make sure that you allow plenty of time for collecting all the pick sheets
prior to the start of the first game of that week. This may mean that all
sheets must be in on Thursday if there is a game that night.
You might want to have all of your players lined up and "committed" for
the entire year before the start of the season. This tends to reduce the
drop-out rate. New players could still join throughout the season.
Since FootBALL POOL II give you all possible winners prior to the Monday
night game, you can tell all interested players how they stand going into
that game. This certainly increases their interest.
- - FILE STORAGE - -
As you use FootBALL POOL II, the program will save and load data as it is
necessary. You do not have to worry about accidentally erasing data. The
only thing you must remember is that you should NEVER turn your computer
of while FootBALL POOL II is running. Exit the program and return to DOS
via the main option screen and then it is safe to turn power off.
- - DATA ENTRY CONVENTION - -
Whenever FootBALL POOL II requires information from you, it will prompt
you by asking you to either "Press" or "Enter" data. If you are asked to
"Press", then it is not necessary to follow it with an <enter> key. If
the prompt is "Enter", then the <enter> is required.
At this point it may be best for you to read the rest of this manual while
FootBALL POOL II is in operation.
- - MAIN OPTION SCREEN - -
This screen is the starting point for all of the FootBALL POOL II options.
Of particular note is the "Week No." display in the upper right corner of
the screen. The first thing that you should do when you start FootBALL
POOL II is to make sure that you are dealing with the proper week.
The "Week No." blinks while this screen is displayed. This is to catch
your eye in order to hopefully prevent you from forgetting to change to
the correct week. Once you have moved on to another screen, the blinking
will stop.
The bottom three lines of this screen (and all others) make up the prompt
and data entry area. If at any time you are not sure of what you should
do next, check this area for your options. Don't worry, invalid data
cannot be entered. (This should not to be confused with incorrect data.)
The week number is changed by using the right and left arrow keys.
The center of the option screen displays all of your possibilities.
The first is "EXIT FootBALL POOL II". Use this option when you are
finished using FootBALL POOL II.
The second is "Enter this weeks PICKS". This is option is used when you
are entering the data received from all of your players. This will
usually be done prior to the start of the first game of that week.
Use "Enter game RESULTS" to enter the outcome of all of the games played
that week. You will probably to this Sunday evening and then again on
Monday night.
"Check the pool WINNERS" will automatically give you the names of the
player or players that could win (pending Monday night's results) or that
have won for the week.
You keep track of your player's names with the "Edit PLAYER'S info."
option. Sixty names may be maintained at any one time.
"Print the season SCHEDULE" is the option used to generate the 16 pick
sheets for the entire season. This will probably be done only once for
the season.
The highlighted options are displayed in white while all others are shown
in black. To alter the highlighted option, use the up and down arrow
keys. An option is initiated when the "enter" key is pressed.
A more detailed description of each option follows.
- - PICKS - -
After this option has been selected, the schedule of games for the
selected week is shown in the center of the screen. The first player's
name is shown in white just above the schedule. Previously assigned point
values (if any) are shown in the two middle columns of the schedule.
Use the right and left arrow keys to change from player to player until
the one you want is shown (the point values are automatically changed).
Once you see the player's name that you want, press the "enter" key. The
player's name will turn from white to black. A small diamond marker will
appear in the schedule display frame. You are now ready to enter/edit the
point values for that player.
All of a player's point values may be cleared by pressing "C" at this
time. If you do, only the point values for that player will be effected.
By using the cursor arrows, the diamond marker will move about the frame.
When it is next to a team that is to have points assigned, press <enter>.
Now enter the point value for that team (it must be ended with an "enter"
keystroke). Only point values from 1 to 14 will be accepted. A running
total of all the point values for this player is automatically kept just
below the schedule display. It will be yellow on red until the total has
reached 105. The total is then displayed in white. NOTE: Although the
program prevents you from entering values other than 1 to 14, it does not
stop you from entering the same point value more than once.
After all of the point values are entered, press the "ESC" key. The
player's name will now go back to white. This signifies that you may now
select another player from you list by using the cursor arrows. If you
press "ESC" again, you will return to the main option screen.
- - RESULTS - -
The "Enter game RESULTS" option allows you to enter the outcome of the
selected week's games. Once into this option, the schedule of games
appears in the center of the screen. A small diamond marker appears in
the border of the schedule. "XXs" may be show in the two middle columns
of the display. The signify the teams that have won their games. If you
want to clear all the winners, press "C".
For each game played, use the cursor arrows to move the diamond next to
the winning team. Pressing <enter> will cause an XX to appear next to
that team. The other team's box will be clear.
If a game has not yet been played (i.e. the Monday night game) or there
has been a tie, the <space> bar can be used to clear any winning teams
shown for that game.
After you have completed entering the winning teams, press "ESC" to return
to the main option screen.
- - WINNERS - -
This option will show you the status of all of your players for the
selected week. There are two versions of this screen.
The first version is used after all of the Sunday games have been played
and just prior to the Monday night game. All of the players will be
listed and two numbers will follow each name. The first number signifies
what their total score would be if the away team wins on Monday. The
second number is their score if the home team wins. The player or players
that have a possibility of winning are shown in bright white blinking
letters. Their winning score is highlighted in bright white numbers. The
teams who are to play on Monday night are shown just above the prompt/data
entry area. The away team is on the left and the home team is on the
right.
The second version of this screen is used after all games for the selected
week have been played. All active players are listed but just their final
score is shown. The player (or players) with the highest score is shown
in blinking bright white letters and their score is highlighted in bright
white. The winning team is displayed just above the prompt/option area.
Pressing any key will return you to the main option screen.
- - PLAYERS - -
The "Edit PLAYER'S info." option is where you enter the names of all of
your players. Start by using the cursor arrow keys to highlight the
number of the player you wish to clear, enter or change.
If you want to enter or change the name at this location, press the
<enter> key. If you want to clear the name at that location, press "C" at
this time. The prompt/data entry area prompts you for the new entry. If
you have changed your mind and would like to keep the name as is, just
press <enter> again. FootBALL POOL II requires that there be at least one
valid name at position #1. If you clear it, FootBALL POOL II will
automatically reassign it to "PLAYER #1".
FootBALL POOL II will display names up to 10 characters long. If your
entry is longer that, it will automatically be shortened.
FootBALL POOL II does not care if you enter a player's name more than
once. It will maintain separate records for each entry. From your point
of view though, this is not a good idea. You should make sure all
player's names are different so you can keep them straight while you are
entering their picks.
If you need more than 60 names, you should set up as many additional
directories and/or floppies as you need. Make sure that each copy
contains all the data files. If you do this, each FootBALL POOL II
program will yield its own winner(s). You must keep track of these
separately. (No BIGGIE)
To return to the main option screen, press "ESC" after you have entered of
changed your last player's name.
- - SCHEDULE - -
The last option of the main option screen is "Print the season SCHEDULE".
If selected, can print one copy of all 16 pick sheets required for the
regular season. This is not intended to be a substitute for a copy
machine.
This option works with just about any dot matrix printer with TRACTOR
PAPER LOADED. The only requirements for the printer are that it be hooked
up to LPT1: (parallel port #1) and that it be capable of compressed
print. If you are unable to get a proper printout of the pick sheets, you
may purchase one copy of all 16 sheets for $5.00 (incl. shipping) from
Nebulous Engineering.
- - IN CASE OF FIRE - -
FootBALL POOL II has been very thoroughly tested but there may be a bug or
two. You may be entitled to a free replacement copy and/or upgrade. This
gets a little complicated so pay attention. For all those that notify us
of errors, we need to know the following: 1) The type of problem/failure
in as much detail as you can provide, 2) the description of your computer
set up, and 3) how you got a copy of FootBALL POOL II (i.e. from a friend,
BBS, registered user etc.). Do not send us the disk. Here is the next
step.
For BETA TEST versions:
You are obviously not a registered user but all is not lost. If you are
the first to let is know of a particular error, you will receive a free
copy for the 1988 season and you will be upgraded to an INTRO level user.
For registered users:
You will automatically receive corrected copies of your version as soon as
we have made the required changes. If you are the first to make us aware
of the problem, you will receive a free copy of the next version after the
one you are already entitled to. For INTRO users, that would mean a free
1989 version. For PREFERRED and DELUXE users, you would receive free
copies through the 1990 season.
All of this of course assumes that it was our mistake that caused the
problem and it is severe enough to prevent you from using the product.
In any case, we would appreciate receiving your comments about the
product.
Nebulous Engineering makes no other warranty, either specific or implied,
for the product FootBALL POOL II. In addition Nebulous Engineering does
not accept any responsibility for the loss of any data caused by the
FootBALL POOL II product for any reason and therefore does not accept the
responsibility for any hardship (financial or otherwise) that may be
suffered by anyone.
Nebulous Engineering
25381-G Alicia Pky
P.O. Box 351
Laguna Hills, Ca. 92653