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1995-06-28
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LOCATHA INDUSTRIES, INC.
------------------------
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THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE READ BY SYSOPS BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL OR
RUN THE GRAPHIC ONLINE GAME THAT THIS DOCUMENT IS ACCOMPIANIED WITH. EACH
OF OUR GRAPHIC ONLINE GAMES HAVE SIMILIAR CHARACTERISTICS. ALSO, OVER
THE PAST THREE YEARS SINCE WE'VE BEGUN WRITTING THESE KINDS OF GAMES,
WE HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THE AREAS THAT CONFUSE SYSOPS THE MOST.
NONE OF WHICH ARE GAME SPECIFIC, SO THIS FILE WILL BE THE SAME FOR
EACH GAME. HOWEVER, CHECK THE DATE BELOW TO SEE IF THIS DOCUMENT
HAS BEEN UPDATED OR CHANGED.
LAST CHANGED DATE: <NEVER>
CURRENT DOC DATE : 05-30-1995
With that out of the way, lets return to normal case letters and get to the
business at hand. I'm going to break the document into catagories. Some
of these catagories may not pertain to you, however, please read through
all other catagories. Even if you are not sure if it will pertain to you
it couldn't hurt. I understand, that as adults, we have launched a nation
wide campaign against reading docs (Unless we have to, ofcourse). By all
means I wouldn't want to run against the grain of things. However, the
time you spend reading this document (And I'll do my best to keep it
short) will save you time 10 fold rather than attempting to proceed
without knowing what lies herein.
Before I scare you off, let me say this, The games are no different for
installation than your typical Ansi door. However, due to the graphic
nature of the games their are certain considerations which must be taken
in order to make them work after installation.
(These catagories have been listed in priority of occurance. The )
(listings at the top are the catagories that sysops have had the )
(most problems with, and as you get further down the list, these are)
(the problems we rarely hear anything about. )
CATAGORIES
0) INSTALLATION--------------------------------------------------
1) LOCKUPS, FREEZES, CRASHES ------------------------------------
2) DESQVIEW------------------------------------------------------
3) USERS---------------------------------------------------------
4) CLOSING-------------------------------------------------------
5) HINTS---------------------------------------------------------
6) WINDOWS '95---------------------------------------------------
0) INSTALLATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation isn't one of our more common problems, however, for sake of
order of events, I thought I'd mention a couple of things here first. Once
you've unzipped this package (And are hopefully reading this immediately)
the program to run is HINSTALL.EXE. Currently you will see three options
available: PCBOARD, WILDCAT, and MANUAL INSTALL. If you do not see your
BBS software listed, then select MANUAL INSTALL. This will break up the
archive for you, place it in a desired directory, and create an example batch
file that will show you the necessities of the Batch file and mention the
suggested requirements. This batch file will be what you use to execute the
game when called from your BBS. Simply add this batch file to your DOORS
menu like you would any other door. However, keep in mind that this batch
file is Not Ready To GO, and requires some editing on your part.
PCBOARD: The installation for Pcboard is complete. Save to say we don't
add it to your Doors Ansi menu, but all other functions are completed for
you. Simply answer the questions, and select the settings as they are
presented to you, and your installed. LARGE PCBOARD systes of many many
nodes may wish to consider the Manual Installation option. WHY? because
of Pcboards limiteless configurability it was impossible for use to find
the Batch file that boots up your Board (i.e. Board.bat) for each of your
nodes. Their for we have to prompt for them. If you are running a 100 node
BBS this could be time consuming, and perhaps a procedure best done manually.
However, for the Novice Pcboard users such as myself, this is a very welcome
installation feature.
WILDCAT: The installation for Wildcat is the MOST complete of them all.
Because of wildcat's consolidated nature, and structured format of
directories and filenames it was easy to write an installation program that
did everything for the sysop. A true TURN KEY operation. (however, we still
do not add the door to the Ansi menu's <G>). The Wildcat author simply
has to answer a couple of questions, select a few options from a menu, and
then sit back and let it do the work. HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!! the single most
frustrating problem with Wildcat is the infamous NODE 0 (local node). This
is not a problem, IF! the Wildcat sysop does not wish to play the game from
that node. However, if he wishes to participate, he will have to select
a different node. WHY? Well, wildcat first of all does not drop a door.sys
when in NODE 0. Also, because of the nature of our .CFG a node zero is
impossible to account for. (We could have gone the extra mile to code around
this in our .CFG file, yet, since NODE 0 doesn't drop a DOOR.SYS whats the
point??)
1) LOCKUPS, FREEZES, CRASHES:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If after you install the games, go through the configuration file, and
set things to the way you want them on your BBS; and it then locks up when
you attempt to play, here are the most common reasons for this.
MEMORY: These games consume a great deal of Conventional memory. All
of which are in the 510k and up regions. If you want to view
graphics in local mode then you can be certain that you will
require 560-580k free of CONVENTIONAL memory. Many sysops have
had a difficult time grasping the low memory concept. We have
heard time and time again:
"But I have 8 megs of ram? How could I be out of memory".
The answer is simple. These games are REAL MODE, which means
they are not capable of taking full advantage of all the Extra
Ram Available. Therefore, to get an accurate messurement of
the memory available you need to type MEM at a dos prompt and
see how much Conventional memory you have left. Some of the
Higher versions of dos will tell you what the Largest Executable
Size is. This also is the information you're looking for. Now,
just knowing this information isn't enough. When your BBS
executes the door, it may be using some of this memory while it
attempts to execute the door. To find out how much memory the
GAME ACTUALLY HAS TO USE, edit the game batch file, which will
be found inside the directory you selected for installation, and
place these two lines at the top.
MEM
PAUSE
This will allow you to logon locally to your BBS as you normally
would and select the Door (like any other door). Then once it
attempts to execute the door. It will display the memory you
have available just before running the game, and pause. You
will have to press a key to get by this, so be sure to remove it
after this test is done.
WHAT DO I DO IF I DONT HAVE ENOUGH MEMORY?
Their are a number of things you can do, however, I don't want
to leave the scope of this document, therefore, I'll just hint
at a few and say to call 'TECH SUPPORT'. The first thing you
should try is TURNING GRAPHICS OFF. In the Graphics OFF State
the games only require about 490-515k (depending on the game).
This could do the trick for you. QEMM has a feature
which will allow you to OPTIMIZE your memory configuration.
This tends to help a great number of sysops. Search through
your BBS manual, and make sure that your BBS is 'SHRINKING' or
'SWAPPING' out of memory before running the door. This too is
a most common problem amung sysops. If your BBS permits
complete exiting of the BBS software to run a door then by all
means do this. PCBOARD is such a BBS software.
The Best solution to this, because of the large number of
options, would be to call our TECH SUPPORT LINES. When you call
you will be asked to leave your Name, Phone Number, Brief
explanation of your problem, and a convenient time that a Tech.
Rep. could return your call. Please include your Time Zone
information as well.
AS INSENTIVE TO CALL TECH SUPPORT, let me say that their hasn't
been a single BBS system todate, that we have been compatible
with, that we haven't been able to get up and running. Your
Phone call to us shouldn't be more than just a minute or
two to leave the information.
TECH SUPPORT #1-904-387-9796 24hrs a day.
BATCH FILE: The second most common problem is an error within the BATCH
FILE which executes the game. The concepts of this batch file
are simple, however, because of the number of possibilites in
which this could be set up...error's tend to occure. If the
Batch file created for your system doesn't work or, the
Example batch file doesn't account for something specific on
your BBS, then please look over it carefully and see what it is
trying to do...and see if you can alter it to meet the same
ends without comprimising the goal of the original Batch File.
Also because of the limitless possibilities I urge you to CALL
TECH SUPPORT as mentioned above in the MEMORY Section of the
LOCKUPS, FREEZES, & CRASHES.
UNSYNCING : As the game and term connect to play online, they Synchronize
to one another so that data can be sent back and forth between
them. From time to time, you will get a user that complains of
Lockups, inwhich his only alternative is to reboot his system
to get out. (Note: he could also be suffering from the first
problem MEMORY which I discuss in more detail in the HELPUSR.DOC
file for the user...You may refer him to that section for
details). The first thing to ask him would be this. Did you
have to hit the reset button on your computer or did you use
the CTRL-ALT-DELETE. This may ofcourse sound petty, but is a
very important clue in determining what kind of error it was.
If he had to reset the computer via the RESET BUTTON, then it
was most likely a MEMORY problem. If he hit CTRL-ALT-DELETE
then it was most likely a Synchronization problem.
Today in the world of High speed modems, the concepts of line
errors, error correction, and the like are becoming more and
more of a reality. The faster our modems go the more sensitive
they become to line errors. The fact that most users have their
ports locked at 57.6 or 38.4 doesn't help matters much. Their
are two solutions, and one cause. First have the user set his
Port Lock rate down to say 19.2, This will elliminate any
over flowing of the output buffer if he should run into line
noise. Ofcourse the Higher Locking rates work well if he has
a clean line, but as the modem attempts to correct the line
errors, the internal buffers will quickly become filled while
the modem is working on the error correction. So it's best
to set it down to 19.2 for the best performance of both worlds.
The second is the old solution, and thats to hang-up and call
back in the attempt to get a cleaner line.
We have at the begining of our programs a Line quality test
which attempts to test the quality of the line. Now because of
the advent of Error Correcting modems, this test is difficult
since the modem tries to correct the errors as they come in.
However, this will catch those users who's line noise is such
that the modem can't correct it..and all in all those are the
users we want to turn away before they get locked into the game.
Line noise could be a problem from time to time. However,
should not be a consistant neusance. If it becomes such, then
perhaps a call to your local phone company would be in order.
However, NONE! of the users possible problems will cause any
problem for your BBS. If you have sufficient memory to play
then you have nothing to Fear. Even if the user has to drop
carrier because of Unsyncronization or because of a MEMORY
problem on his side, the HOST will recycle back to the BBS as it
should and you will not suffer any down time. Refer the User
to the HELPUSR.DOC or Tech support if he continually has
problems. Line noise will always be a problem from time to
time. Storms and other conditions produce it....But this should
be nothing more than a temporary neusance.
These games really shine, when the sysop has sufficient memory to play, and
Users have sufficient memory to play. All in all the other two problems are
rare indeed. The installation pretty much manufactures a Batch file
compatible with 99% of all BBS's. The Line noise problem is also easily
corrected by having the users drop their lock ports to 19.2 for the gaming
session. Although it is recommended for over all best performance. How
many times have you seen your High Speed callers unexpectedly Drop Carrier
while on the BBS. This is due to line noise, and the modem can't correct it.
DESQVIEW
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the Most mistifying and misunderstood programs in the Computer
Industry today is Desqview. Let me say now that it is very possible to
get upwards of 560k per Desqview window if you have atleast 1 Meg of ram
per window. This hinges on the kind of EMM Memory Manager you use. By
far the most sofisticated and reliable Extended Memory Manager is QEMM
from the makers of Desqview. Their are only two things to consider when
running the games under Desqview.
1). TURN GRAPHICS OFF!!!
We realize that Desqview is capable of Graphics, but thats
streaching things a bit. Capable is about the best
description you could give it. For best performance under
your BBS you will want to turn graphics off. Not to mention
in the Graphics OFF state you'll save about 60-90k of memory.
2). MEMORY
Basically, this is the most common problem by far. We however,
have very knowledgable Desqview Tech Reps. On staff available
to help you walk through your setups and explain everything
to you. They will give you all the information you need to
achieve the memory mentioned above. Their are, however, few
circumstances where the above memory simply can't be achieved
on your current system...However, they will know that too and
be able to explain why. In short: CALL TECH SUPPORT.
VOICE 24hrs a day 1-904-387-9796.
USERS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's kind of ironic that we would list USERS as one of the more common
problems. However, many users are novice's in this realm of
telecommunications and have limited knowledge of even their own terminal
package. This section is to help you, the sysop, sift through information
and help your users get online and playing. But let me say first, that once
the users have 1 of our games set up, the rest will be automatically installed
and should work with no problems from then on. (providing they do not switch
platforms). The terminal program for the games interact directly with
whatever terminal software they use to call your BBS through a special
protocol. Also, an Interface link has been implemented via a TSR which is
installed to the users Autoexec.BAT file. This TSR is how LIMODEM protocol
is activated. Once LIMODEM is activated, it acts as a traffic cop, and will
determine which game the user is wanting to play, sift through the correct
version matching to insure the user has the correct version, and finally
load it up for them to play. If they did not have the correct version, it
will prompt them to download it..and automatically install it. Once they're
done playing the game, it will automatically return them to their terminal
software to continue with normal BBS activity. Once a Single Locatha
Industries game has been installed successfully on their system, then any
future games will be done automatically for them while they're online.
Here are some of the things we suggest for you the sysop to do, in order to
help your users enjoy these fine games.
1) Take your favorit terminal package, call into your BBS and walk through
the installation procedures that your users will have to walk through.
This will make you better prepared for questions as they are made.
Also, if you have available a second game from Locatha Industries, try
that one also, so that you can see how the LIMODEM protocol will update
and install new games for the users in the future. Only the first game
they install will have to be installed manually. All future games and
updates will be handled through the protocol.
2) The installation procedures for the terms are identical from one game
to the next, and from one terminal package to the next (save the fact
of selecting the specific terminal package). This should allow you to
get a grasp of any question that may be put to you. If it worked for
your terminal software, it should work for any of the other supported
terminal software packages. Their realistically is no significant
difference other than an ID CODE number passed to LITECK.
CLOSING
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats it. Basically it comes down to this. If your BBS system is set up
for best performance, and optimum memory you should have 0 problems
installing and getting the games to work. These games streach the demands of
a BBS to their limits. However, as you can see through the above document
that their are only 3 things to consider. Memory, Mistakes, & Tech
Support.<g>
Which ever your problem, just give us a call..and we'd be happy to help walk
you through the installation and get you running. Our Tech Support offices
are open to your Users as well, so if they have any problems we'll be here
to walk them through them. Thanks for reading this far...Below are a few
hints picked up from Sysop's like you that have made these games the center
point of their BBS.
Thank you,
Evan Schwartz
HINTS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are some Hints that Sysops have passed on to us, and a few that we
have discovered that you may wish to use on your BBS.
1) FOSSIL DRIVER : If you know what a fossil driver is, and you aren't
using one..then you may wish to consider using one. When you use a
fossil driver with our games instead of standard uart communications
you will save about 25k of memory that the game could use. This is
very helpful if you are a little low on memory. Possibly more uncommon,
for users to consider using, however, they would benefit also from the
25k bonus if they installed a fossil driver on their system. This
bonus of 25k includes the memory the FOSSIL would take up.. so it is a
True Bonus of 25k.
2) In the Game directories you will find files that end with 'T' and have
the extension '.DAT'. For example you will find in the Slot-Tris
directory SLOTT.DAT, or in the Battle Gird Directory BGRIDT.DAT, or
in the Fields of Battle Directory FOBT.DAT, and so on through out the
games. These files are actually the Terminal Packages ZIPPED simply
renamed .DAT files. They MUST remain in the Game directories, and they
MUST be named with the .DAT extension. However, you may make copies
of these files and then rename the COPIES of these file to .ZIP and
place them up on your BBS for download as normal. But BE CERTIAN TO
LEAVE THE ORIGINAL '.DAT' FILES IN THE GAME DIRECTORIES.
Many users are afraid of something they are not familiar with. So by
placing the terminal packages in a familiar setting for download,
Sysops have found them to be more likely to download them and check
them out. This is not the same for all BBS's ofcourse, however, may
help you if you find the users are being skidish about downloading
the terms from inside the games.
6) WINDOWS '95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
When operating the games Under Windows '95, It is recommended to play with
graphics turned off for preformance purposes. Also, you will notice that
the Music and Sound F/X will not function while under Windows '95. Also,
when these games are running under Windows '95 be sure to turn the SCREEN
SAVER OFF. The Screen Saver is too big a Drag on the system, and will cause
a preformance problem.