This program is a sort of an Artificial Intelligence/ mindreader/ game/?. Basically, it is the old Twenty Questions Game, coupled with a binary addition section, and some Graphics thrown in. However it does have the ability to modify itself and become smarter by using all of the input it receives. The Info is sorted and rearranged in a logical, useful format that is then added to the 'BRAIN'.
I offer Dr. Mysto as Freeware and encourage all Visual Basic programmers to use and modify it in any way they care to. Maybe a sound routine or improved graphics or even a new 'BRAIN'. It could be a Geography lesson. (Where in the world is?). Or perhaps an Automobile trouble finding guide. (Answer these questions and find out why your car won't start). The possibilities are endless.
I have included all the files and information that I thought necessary. The MAK file has notations on almost every line and I tried to use variable names that describe their function.
I have also made an effort to keep the code as simple as possible, but this is my first VB programming effort and my style may not be the best for VB. I originally wrote this for the Commodore 64 a few years ago.
As I said please feel free to modify and redistribute this program. Please put your name and stuff at the end of this document below my name, with a brief description of your modification.
I would like to think that I am throwing a note in a bottle into the ocean, maybe it will come back to me some day as a real nifty program with 20 or 30 names on it. I will be looking....
How It Works
Print a copy of the file "Word.brn" and follow along with the logic below. Each question is assigned a binary number based on how many Yes and No answer it receives. Y=1:N=0
Example: I am thinking of the word "SNOOPY"
(The first digit is always 1 , so the first Y response adds another 1 = 11 or 3 decimal.)
Question Dr. Mysto User Binary Go to
Number Asks response Number Question #
1 "Is it Animal?" Y 11 = 3
3 "Is it Mammal" Y 111 = 7
7 "Is it Human" N 1110 = 14
14 "..Hoofs..." N 11100 = 28
28 "..Dog or Cat..." Y 111001 = 57
57 "...Dog Family.." Y 1110011 = 115
115 "..Special Dog..." Y 11100111 = 231
231 "Cartoon Dog.." Y 111001111 = 463
463 "SNOOPY" Y I am right again!!!
As you can see, a Y or 1 in the first place on LEFT indicates Animal.
1 in columns 2 = Mammal. 0 = Other animal types.
1 in column 3 = Human. 0 = Non human.
1 in column 4 = Female. 0 = Male.
1 in column 5 = in the arts or sciences.
etc.
I also included files called Xtra.brn for those who want to start their own database from scratch. You can load NewBrain.brn if you want to start your own category. Since these are text files, they can be read and edited outside of Dr. Mysto. You can correct the spelling and logic from a word processor or text editor if you are very careful.
Some Hints
If you use the original 20 Questions 'Word.brn' file there are three main categories, ANIMAL, VEGETABLE and MINERAL. Since everything in the Universe has to fit into one of these classifications, there has to be a slight straining of logic. Objects like the Planet Mars is listed under MINERAL because it's not ANIMAL or VEGGIE. Same for locations, rivers, gases etc.
Also, You must KNOW what something is made of. Turpentine comes from trees-It's VEGETABLE! So is a dollar bill. If you are not sure, there's always the Dictionary... it's a good learning experience.
If you put wrong information into the (BRAIN) database, it will start to give wrong answers and pretty soon it will be no smarter than you ... and that's not good. You can even add more detail to an answer if you a picky person. For example Dr. Mysto might tell that your word is Marilyn Monroe when you had a part of her body as your word. Just answer no to Marilyn Monroe as your word and then when Mysto asks for your word, correct him by typing in "Marilyn Monroe's Nose", or whatever you had in mind.
The latest version Dr Mysto 5.xx has a small sound routine in it. Although it doesn't say all of the words, it does give a demonstration of what sound possibilities there are. If you want to add more wave capabilities, you need a file called WAVE1.VBX. This file is available from MABRY.COM on the internet. It is just a paltry $10 by instant e-mail and VERY easy to use. Just use the
add file function in VB and then put in the code, 'Wave1.Filename="(name of wave).wav" and then add 'Wave1.Action=1'. As long as the wave file is present, it will play.
Remember, the clock tells you which version of Dr Mysto you have and the clock is active too.
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7/16/97 I have added a BRAIN selector to the program thanks to a suggestion by Adrien Yam of Queensland Australia
12/30/97 Reworked replay, thanks to Robert Lee Bowman at SoftSeek.com
1/11/99 Reworked graphics and added more categories.
Disclaimer: I don't guarantee anything at all.
***** For the latest updates, visit the Dr. Mysto homepage. *****
