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1994-12-05
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WELCOME TO EasySoft's EXCALIBER v0.9c!
This program is distributed "as-is" with no guarantee or warranty of any
kind. Please copy and distribute this version freely. You must,
however, keep all of the files with the program files in tact.
(Including this file.) This file or any other files may not be modified
in anyway without the express written permission of EasySoft.
This is a beta shareware release version of Excaliber. It has been
initially tested on a Wildcat 3.9M system and found to operate well. If
you do find bugs or problems with the program, please notify me using
the form at the end of this document. I am also interested in adapting
Excaliber to work with other BBS packages that don't support door.sys,
so send all modification requests using the bug form.
EXCALIBER DESCRIPTION:
Excaliber is a multi-player door game designed to be run on Wildcat 3.x
bulletin board systems. It can, however, be run on any BBS that
supports the DOOR.SYS standard for running external programs (doors)
from your system.
Excaliber is won by a player successfully retrieving Excaliber from
the stone that holds it. The game is locked at this point and must
be restarted. Excaliber will inform any players that attempt to log
on that the game has been solved and that they should notify the SysOp
that it needs to be restarted. The file hall.log will now hold the user's
name that solved it for players to read during later games. This file
can only be reset from within the [U]tilities section of the setup
utility.
SETTING UP EXCALIBER:
It is relatively easy to set up. I have included a sample batch file for
Wildcat that is to be run from the \wcwork\nodeX (X being the node which
the program will be run from. Multiple nodes are supported.) work
directory. Run from this directory, it is acceptable for multi-node
systems. If you are only running one node, you can run this batch file
from Wildcat's root directory with a .bat extension. The file name is
door#.bat (for single node) or door#.run (for multiple nodes) and the #
must always indicate which door program it is in your menu system. Its
contents are explained in detail here: (Note: I have run Excaliber in
this example using the Doorway. Any similar program that directs
screen output may be used. I highly recommend Doorway.)
BATCH FILE DESCRIPTION:
copy c:\wc30\wcwork\node1\door.sys c:\excal
│
└────This line simply copies the door.sys for the player from the work
directory to Excaliber's directory. Adjust accordingly depending
on your system configuration.
c:\wc30\doorway sys /*:X^M /b:mz /v:d /cd /p:c:\excal\excal.exe
│ │ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │ └────This is where the
│ │ │ │ │ │ Excaliber program files
│ │ │ │ │ │ can be found.
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ └────This forces the your computer
│ │ │ │ │ to change directory into
│ │ │ │ │ Excaliber's root directory.
│ │ │ │ │ This is required for the
│ │ │ │ │ reading of data files.
│ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ └────This causes doorway to do direct
│ │ │ │ screen writes. This is required
│ │ │ │ by Turbo BASIC.
│ │ │ │
│ │ │ └────This forbids doorway from writing to the
│ │ │ 25th line.
│ │ │
│ │ └────This tells doorway to use this string if the
│ │ user hangs up on the door game while on line.
│ │ Excaliber will recognize this as the user having
│ │ hung up and automatically save statistics
│ │ before releasing control back to the BBS.
│ │
│ └────Tells doorway that door.sys file is utilized.
│
└────Path where doorway.exe can be found.
del c:\excal\door.sys
│
└────This line cleans up after Excaliber by deleting door.sys from
Excaliber's root directory.
This batch file will let you safely use Excaliber in your BBS
environment.
INSTALLING EXCALIBER:
Unzip the excal.zip file. The following files will break out of the
.zip file:
Filename: Description:
excal.exe Main excaliber program file.
setup.exe Setup program. Includes edit user utilities.
maint.exe Daily maintenance file. Run nightly.
excal.hlp Excaliber internal help file.
main.mnu Excaliber main menu.
hall.log Hall of honor.
readme.doc This document.
door1.run Sample batch file.
maint.bat Sample batch file for maintenance program.
excal-x.ans Various ANSI files.
After unzipping all of the files, placing Excaliber in its own directory
and modifying the door#.xxx file for you system - run setup.exe. Select
the menu option [S]etup/Restart Excaliber. All system files will be
started. Note: Additional files will be created in your directory.
You can now run Excaliber from your BBS environment. (Note:
Excaliber will record a file not found error if attempted to be run
without a door.sys present. If you feel the need to test Excaliber
outside of your BBS environment, use a text editor to create a temporary
door.sys. You need only enter enough lines to get to the user's real
name as this is the ONLY variable that Excaliber uses from door.sys.)
For help with the game, view the help file from within Excaliber.
MULTI-NODE USE:
While Excaliber will not accept multiple players at one time it does
recognize when another player from a different node is attempting to
enter Excaliber and informs them that the game is already in use by
another node and for them to try back later. In this sense, Excaliber
is multi-node aware.
NOTE: For Novel users, Excaliber must be placed in a common directory
for this feature to work. In other words, Excaliber cannot be placed on
the C:\ drives of each workstation, but rather on a network drive of
which all workstations can access at the same time.
EXCALIBER MAINTENANCE FEATURE:
Excaliber includes a built-in maintenance feature. Just set up the
program maint.exe to be run nightly in your BBS maintenance run. This
program updates turns and gives interest to all bank accounts.
I have included a sample batch file for this to be setup in Wildcat's
Event Management feature. This batch file utilizes Doorway for screen
output.
EXCALIBER SETUP/UTILITY PROGRAM:
The setup program is where you, the SysOp, can adjust various features
of the game. I will briefly explain each menu option here.
[S]etup/Restart Excaliber: Use this when initially setting up or when
restarting Excaliber.
[U]tilties: Use to edit players statistics and restart Hall of Fame.
[M]aintenance Log View/Reset: Allows to view the Maintenance log and
then reset if so desired.
[E]rror Log View/Reset: Same as above.
[P]layer Log View/Reset: Same as above.
[R]eset Game Lock Feature: If game is locked due to an error this is
the only way the game will become unlocked. This gives you the
opportunity to figure out the game's problem before you get flooded with
mail due to the error.
[C]hange Land Available: Due to the fact that this game is in beta
stage, I'm not sure the optimal value for land. I wanted to limit the
amount of land to make the game more interesting. You might have to
adjust this figure. If you have any suggestions on this one after an
entire game is played out please let me know.
[I]nformation on Registration: Just as it says.
[Q]uit: Leave setup.
ERROR HANDLING:
In the event of an error, Excaliber will note the time and date of the
error along with the BASIC error number in a .log file. You can view
the log file by using the setup utility.
Excaliber will also leave the game locked to the end user until you can
solve the problem. The user will get a message that the game is in use
by another node until the Game Lock has been reset by the setup utility.
Common Error Codes are as follows:
Error# Error Text Resolution
5 Illegal Function Call Excaliber's variables are getting too
large. You may have to restart the
game. (Please notify me.)
6 Overflow Same as above.
7 Out of memory Same as above.
53 File Not Found A file has been corrupted or deleted.
Find out which file and correct.
NOTE: If you are attempting to run
Excaliber from the DOS Command Line
this error will appear. It indicates
that a door.sys file is not found.
57 Device I/O Error Your disk is not responding to load or
save commands. Check disk.
72 Disk Media Error Same as above.
MAINTENANCE HISTORY:
Version 0.9d (Beta/Shareware) - Released: 12/05/94
1. Fixed bug which caused the player records to be saved with all null
values if a user hung up on the game while the opening ANSI screen
was being displayed.
Version 0.9c (Beta/Shareware) - Released: 11/10/94
1. Added [99]Delete Current User option in setup program.
2. Added ability for SysOp to purge all .log files.
3. Added documentation for setup program.
Version 0.9b (Beta/Shareware) - Released: 10/28/94
1. Added ability to view Hall of Fame Log.
2. Fixed bug which let the Serfs revolt more than once if taxes were higher
than 35%.
3. Fixed bug in which the game reported a player was protected by the new
user treaty but the player position was empty. Excaliber now reports
that the player position is empty.
4. Added various ANSI screens. (ANSI.SYS driver is required for this
feature to work since I am shelling to DOS and using the 'type' command.
If you prefer not to use ANSI.SYS, you'll have to and may modify
the .ans files to hold only pure text. You must, however, include
the name of the game and credit myself as the programmer.)
5. Made for/next loops quicker for slower machines.
6. Improved Main Menu.
UPCOMING VERSION 1.0 FEATURES: (Registered Users Only!)
1. Ability to purchase mercenaries for protection before leaving the
game.
2. Players will be able to use spies to find out about enemy strengths
and weaknesses.
3. Players will have E-Mail capabilities within the confines of
Excaliber.
REPORTING BUGS:
To report bugs please fill out the following form and mail them to the
address at the bottom of this document.
┌────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Date: │ Name: │
├────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ BBS #: │ BBS Name: │
├────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Describe bug/incompatibility: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ At what point did bug occur: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Condition of system after bug: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ In your opinion what caused: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
REGISTERING EXCALIBER:
Version 0.9x will be the only version of Excaliber to be released
into the Shareware market. To get a non-beta version of Excaliber
send $20.00 check or money order to the below address. The
non-beta version is due to be ready early 1995. For your $20.00
you will receive the newest version of Excaliber on diskette
personalized with your BBS information. You will also be placed
on a mailing list (optional) for future EasySoft door programs.
NOTE: DO NOT send $20.00 for the registered version unless you
have successfully installed version 0.9x first.
┌────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Date: │ Name: │
├────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ BBS #: │ BBS Name: │
├────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Address Line 1: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Address Line 2: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ City: State: Zip: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Game that you are registering: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Mailing list option: ( ) Yes ( ) No │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Disk Format: ( ) 3 1/2 ( ) 5 1/4 │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Game Comments: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ BBS Software/Version: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ How does the game interface with your software: │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Send all correspondence to:
Robert Jarrell
EasySoft
8207 Brisbane
Converse, TX 78109
Make all checks payable to Robert Jarrell.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
I will be adding BBS support late 1994 early 1995. Registered users
will be able to upgrade their versions of Excaliber by dialing in and
downloading current files. There will never be a fee for upgrading a
registered version of any of EasySoft's door programs once initial
registration is completed. BBS UPDATE: I now have the phone line in
and the PC running. The number is (210) 659-0049. Expect the board
to be up by the end of November 1994.
I am also very active on Wildcat's HQ BBS. I generally call there
four to five times a week.
If all else fails, I can be reached on American Online at user ID
RLJarrell.