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1996-12-26
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10KB
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262 lines
+--------------------------------------------------------+
| Boxcars, (C) Copyright 1991-97, Scott Jibben |
| Version 1.00 |
+--------------------------------------------------------+
This is a list of the files that should accompany this software
package:
LOCAL.BAT - Batch file to run Boxcars locally.
NODES.CFG - Example BBS nodes configuration file.
BOXCARS.CFG - Example Boxcars Configuration File.
FILE_ID.DIZ - BBS Description File.
CATALOG.DOC - Information on Jibben Software Products.
CC-ORDER.DOC - Information to register by credit card.
FIDOFREQ.DOC - Listing of Fidonet FREQ'able files and info.
INTERNET.DOC - Listing of internet access points.
ORDERFRM.DOC - The order form.
BOXCARS.DOC - Boxcars Documentation.
VENDOR.DOC - Information for disk vendors and SHAREWARE distribution.
WHATSNEW.DOC - The Version History of Boxcars.
BOXCARS.EXE - Boxcars executable.
RES01.RES - Boxcars Resource File.
AVEXTRA.TXT - Information regarding PKZIP AV codes.
This software should not include any other files other than the ones
listed above. It was also compressed using the PKZIP AV.
Please contact The Warehouse BBS for TECHNICAL SUPPORT at:
(612) 767-2966 - USR Couriers, V.34 (6 phone lines)
The concept of Shareware
Boxcars is being released as a Shareware product. Shareware is a
marketing concept, in which you get to try out a software package for a
period of time. If you find that the software is useful to you (you
are still using it), you are obligated to send in a registration fee
for that software to the author.
Boxcars' trial period is unlimited. If it is useful, please promptly
send in the requested registration fee. If it is not useful, you are
expected to delete it and stop using it.
The shareware version of Boxcars is functional. However, the game will
always display registration notices and the game stats on exit with
delays.
Here's what you get when you register (Please use ORDERFRM.DOC or
CC-ORDER.DOC to order this software):
1. Support. You can call and leave e-mail to me on the BBS listed in
the Technical Support section of this document or CompuServe and
get a response from me. I will more than likely answer all
questions, but the registered individuals will definitely get top
priority. You will also receive unlimited telephone support for
the program. Registered users will get a phone number that they
will be able to use to receive support between the hours of 6:00 pm
- 9:00 pm (Central Standard Time) Monday-Saturday.
2. You will receive a disk with the most recent version of Boxcars
(unless email/fidonet deliveries are requested). The software will
also have all of the registration incentives removed. The name and
serial number of your BBS will also be displayed in the main menu
when the software is run.
3. Special access to new products. You will be allowed access to
beta test any software package that I'm in the process of creating.
The beta software will be available only on the Warehouse BBS.
Also you must make arrangements with Jibben Software to get access
to the new software. (see Technical Support section of this
document for details).
4. You will be able to download and upgrade your registered version
with the shareware releases of the software.
Requirements for Boxcars
Boxcars should have at least 350KB of free memory to run.
Installation Instructions using NODES.CFG
Supported BBS Systems
---------------------
Boxcars will support any BBS that creates a DOOR.SYS file when chaining
to a door. Also, Wildcat 2.x (CALLINFO.BBS) and PC Board - 12.x
through 14.x (PCBOARD.SYS) are supported. Systems using standard
DORINFOx.DEF file (Remote Access) are supported.
Setting up Boxcars with NODES.CFG
---------------------------------
First of all, you will have to edit the NODES.CFG file. There are
detailed instructions and information in this file to assist you in
this process. NODES.CFG is a simple text file that works very similar
to an INI file.
Once you have the NODES.CFG updated to match your system. You will
need to create a batch file to run the game. This is a very simple
batch file. Here is an example:
C:
CD\DOORS\BOXCARS
BOXCARS 1
CD\
The important line to note is 'BOXCARS 1'. The '1' tells the game
which node you are running. Ideally, you will pass in the node number
from an environment variable. Below is an example of using an
environment variable with the Wildcat! BBS software:
C:
CD\DOORS\BOXCARS
BOXCARS %wcnodeid%
CD\
Local Mode
----------
The door can be tested in local mode simply by using the '/local'
option or use a DOOR.SYS file that has a comm port of zero (COM0:).
The following file is included: LOCAL.BAT
This file will assist you in testing the door in local mode.
Miscellaneous Setup Issues
--------------------------
Boxcars supports multi-node access! So, you can safely allow more than
one node to access the door at one time. However, you will be
responsible for keeping each DOOR.SYS or related door file separate
from other players files.
Maintenance
There are no maintenance programs that need to be run. The game
manages it all by itself.
Configuration
Boxcars has been written to be easily configured. Included with this
distribution software is a file named BOXCARS.CFG. It is very similar
to a Microsoft Windows *.INI file. It contains a sample configuration
for the game. It also contains the documentation for the settings and
what the options mean. Please refer to this file to see how to
configure your copy of Boxcars.
Boxcars Technical Info
Files
-----
Boxcars takes advantage of technology created by Jibben Software
called 'Resource Files'. This technology allows a software package to
contain all of it's ANSI and DOC files in a single *.RES file.
The only files that Boxcars requires are:
BOXCARS.CFG - Boxcars Configuration File.
BOXCARS.EXE - Boxcars Executable.
RES01.RES - Boxcars Resource File.
STATS.BIN - Boxcars Statistics File, optional in registered game.
All other distribution files may be removed to conserve disk space.
Multi-Node Issues
-----------------
In order for Boxcars to allow multi-node access it creates temporary
semaphore files. These files always have the extension of *.SEM.
Normally these files will be removed when the player who created them
exits the door. If you are certain that no one is in the game and
*.SEM files exist, you may safely delete them. The software will also
delete them if they are over 30 minutes old.
Also, a side effect of a BBS crash or similar critical event when
Boxcars is in use is that files with no extention may exist in the
Boxcars directory. These files always are 0 bytes for size and will
have a 'random' name, usually starting with '0'. These may be safely
deleted if there are no players in the game.
Data Files
----------
Boxcars creates several data files. These files contain game, player,
and ranking information. They will always have the file extension of
*.DAT.
They are:
PLAYER.DAT - Player data file.
WINNER.DAT - Monthly winner list.
RANKDATE.BIN - Keeps track of the last time monthly rankings occurred.
Development Data
Boxcars was written entirely in C++ using Watcom C++ 10.60.
Technical Support
For technical support I (Scott Jibben) can be reached at the following
on-line systems:
Internet:
I usually read internet email at least once a day.
My Internet email address is: sjibben@usinternet.com
My web site is: http://www.usinternet.com/jsw
The Warehouse BBS: 612-767-2966 1200-57600 baud V.34/HST 33.6K
(N81) - 6 Lines. The Warehouse is my first (main) line of support.
Since I am a sysop of this BBS, I usually log on several times a day
to check for email. This BBS is a subscription BBS, however anyone
logging on will receive access rights to the file area where my
software can be downloaded for FREE and a message area that is
dedicated to my software.
My CompuServe ID is 72657,3303. Feel free to send me an E-Mail any
time. I usually log on to CompuServe at least once a week. This
software can be found in the IBMBBS forum.
FidoNet:
The Warehouse BBS is attempting to get on fidonet.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank those people that have assisted me in the
development of this software:
My wife, daughter and son, for the patient support and active
involvement in running this business.
All the people who made great suggestions for this game.
Finally, all of the people who've registered my software. I really
appreciate it!
Disclaimers, etc.
Jibben Software specifically disclaims all other warranties, expressed
or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, functionality or
data integrity. In no event shall Jibben Software be liable for any
loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including but not
limited to special, incidental, consequential or other damages.
Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.