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1997-08-20
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─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PENTASIM v2.0
(C)1997 Sunrise Door Software
Written by: Al Lawrence
BBS: 404-256-9525
Email: al_lawre@ix.netcom.com
Voice: 404-256-9518 (9am-9:30pm EST/EDT)
WWW: http://www.netcom.com/~al_lawre
Fido: 1:133/6003
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
PENTASIM Features:
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- DROP FILE SUPPORT:
─────────────────
- DOOR.SYS (DOOR.SYS compatible systems)
- DORINFOx.DEF (QBBS/RBBS/Remote Access systems)
- PCBOARD.SYS (PCBOARD systems)
- SFDOORS.DAT (Spitfire systems)
- CALLINFO.BBS (Wildcat previous to v3.0 systems)
- MULTINODE SUPPORT:
─────────────────
- Error handling routines to save data from becoming corrupt
- Files accessed quickly and effeciently
- Read-only files opened in shared mode for quicker operation
- Highly used data files are copied to a temp data file with
a node number extension to free up these files for other
processes
- SYSOP SCRIPT FILES SUPPORT:
──────────────────────────
- Easy to use Scripting Language allows each Sysop to
customize their game
- Quickly & easily install and UNinstall Script Files
- Quickly test and debug your Script Files
- Sysop can install up to 21 Script Files
- BASIC DOORGAME SUPPORT:
──────────────────────
- Watches callers time and logs them off when they exceed it
- Automatically recycles back to BBS upon loss of carrier
- Inactivity time out watch of 240 seconds(4 minutes)
- EASY INSTALL & CONFIGURATION UTILITY ALLOWS YOU TO:
──────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Install PENTASIM quickly & easily
- Reconfigure nodes quickly & easily
- Reset the game
- Featuring FULL MOUSE Support
- Easy Node to Node passing of entries
- GAME SPECIFIC FEATURES:
──────────────────────
- No DEMO KEY FILES required
- Checking for user entered BADWORDS(can be disabled)
- Tested under a variety of operating systems including:
DOS, OS/2, DESQview, WINDOWS 3.x and WINDOWS 95.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Warranty...........................................1
Usage..............................................2
Distribution.......................................3
Description........................................4
Registration Information...........................5
Shareware vs Registered............................6
System Requirements................................7
Installation.......................................8
Running the Program................................9
Fossil Driver Support.............................10
Environment Variables.............................11
Up & Running......................................12
Using the Scripting Language......................13
Errors & Other Problems...........................14
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
┌─WARRANTY────────────────────────────────────────────────────1─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This product is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.
The entire risk as to the results and performance of the program
is assumed by you. Futhermore, the author does not warrant,
guarantee, or make any other representations regarding the use
of, or the results of the use of the program, and you rely on the
program and results solely at your own risk. The author cannot
and will not accept responsibility for system damage, loss of
profit, or any other special, consequential or incidental damages
resulting from the use or inability to use this product.
┌─USAGE───────────────────────────────────────────────────────2─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This product is being distributed as Shareware. Under this
concept you may use the SHAREWARE (unregistered) version for a
reasonable period for evaluation, after which you MUST either
register your copy or discontinue usage.
┌─DISTRIBUTION────────────────────────────────────────────────3─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
You are encouraged to distribute this copy of PENTASIM provided
the archive is kept in its original and unmodified state.
┌─DESCRIPTION─────────────────────────────────────────────────4─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
PENTASIM is a true Multinode, RPG adventure style door game that
will have your users coming back for more and more each day!
For details on the FULL game story and what each player can
expect each day when playing PENTASIM, please see STORY.DOC.
┌─REGISTRATION─INFORMATION────────────────────────────────────5─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
There are a couple of ways in which you can register PENTASIM
and receive your individual key file, which will allow the
program to operate in FULL registered mode. Look for details on
how to do this in the file: REGISTER.FRM included with this
archive.
┌─SHAREWARE─VS─REGISTERED─────────────────────────────────────6─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
THERE ARE NO DEMO KEYS REQUIRED in the UNREGISTERED version of
PENTASIM. The SHAREWARE version of PENTASIM has a couple of
limitations as opposed to the REGISTERED version. Users can only
reach 50,000 Kilometers before their stats are reset. The game
CANNOT be won in UNREGISTERED MODE! As well, the standard
configuration will be used unless the game is registered.
Ex. Cyborg Battles, Starting Kroons, etc.
These limitations are not in place to be annoying, just to
encourage registration of the product to cover the cost of
programming time and support. Future versions, updates, and
support of PENTASIM are yours FREE with Registration.
┌─SYSTEM─REQUIREMENTS─────────────────────────────────────────7─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
ANSI.SYS MUST be loaded in your CONFIG.SYS. Users who are using
some other type of ANSI emulation may get the system to work...
Ex. DVANSI. This should be loaded at system boot up, not just in
each process or window.
SHARE.EXE MUST be loaded in your CONFIG.SYS.
DOS 5.0 or later.
┌─INSTALLATION────────────────────────────────────────────────8─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Installation of PENTASIM is very simple. Move the PENTASxx.ZIP
file into whatever directory you plan to run PENTASIM from and
and UNZIP it. Then type: PENTASxx.EXE -d. This will create the
subdirectories it needs to operate, so moving it to its planned
directory is the way to go here.
Type "PENTCFG" at the DOS Prompt in your PENTASIM directory.
This will start PENTASIM CONFIGURATION UTILITY and get you on
your way. The program is very self explanatory.
You can use your arrow keys to move around as well as your TAB
key if you prefer to use the keyboard. ENTER will select an
item. The Configuration Utility features full MOUSE support as
well if you prefer a mouse.
When configuring for each node in PENTCFG.EXE, it will create a
NODEx.CFG file for each node, where x represents the node number.
Add a call to PMAINT.EXE in your nightly event batch file.
PMAINT.EXE NEEDS to be called once a night. PMAINT.EXE will
delete inactive players and add interest to each players Bank
Station Account. Players are deleted after 14 days of inactivity.
PMAINT.EXE is fully multinode as well and can be run even if
someone is in the game. Be sure that PMAINT.EXE resides in your
main PENTASIM directory and you change to that directory, before
you call PMAINT.
┌─RUNNING─THE─PROGRAM─────────────────────────────────────────9─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This part is basically up to you. Depending on which BBS program
you are running, the .BAT file may look a little different.
Refer to your BBS Manual for information on running Doors from
your BBS. We will use a sample .BAT file which would run
PENTASIM from a Wildcat System:
DOOR10.BAT
──────────
CD\DOORS\PENTASIM <- Call to directory
PENTASIM NODEx.CFG <- Call to main .EXE and .CFG file
CD\WILDCAT <- Call back to the BBS
The x reflects the NODE NUMBER that the program is being called
from. The DEFAULT is NODE1.CFG. If you are running a single
line BBS, then this is the number you should be using.
┌─FOSSIL─DRIVER─SUPPORT──────────────────────────────────────10─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
PENTASIM also supports the use of Fossil drivers. To tell it
to use the Fossil Driver instead of the standard COM ports, just
put /FD on the command line when running the door. For example:
PENTASIM NODEx.CFG /FD
indicates that a Fossil driver is present and should be used.
*** NOTE: No fossil driver is needed to run this door. If you
are operating on standard COM ports and IRQ's, then
use of the fossil driver is NOT REALLY NEEDED.
┌─ENVIRONMENT─VARIABLES──────────────────────────────────────11─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
PENTASIM supports COM 1 - 4 on the standard IRQ's - COM1/COM3 =
IRQ4 and COM2/COM4 = IRQ3. PENTASIM WILL support COM 0 - 15.
If you wish to use a non-standard IRQ, add the IRQ number after
the configuration filename. Let's assume you want to use COM1
and IRQ5. The command line passed in the .BAT file would be:
PENTASIM NODEx.CFG /5 or
PENTASIM NODEx.CFG /%IRQ% <- for the environment variable.
The /5 tells PENTASIM to use IRQ5 rather than the standard
IRQ4 that is normally used with COM1. No /x parameter is needed
for the standard IRQ's.
┌─UP─AND─RUNNING─────────────────────────────────────────────12─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Once PENTASIM is up and running it should basically take care
of itself and will require no maintenance from you, other than the
daily call to PMAINT.EXE. Instructions on using the game are in
the Door itself and are pretty self explanatory.
You can RESET the entire game by using the included PENTCFG.EXE.
If a player reaches the Pentasim, their alias and the date that
they WON will be written to a file called HEROS.DAT. Players
can view who has won at the (I)nformation Centre. If you wish
to delete this file at any time you can do so to reset the HEROS
of the game.
If at any time you wish to change the configuration for any node,
then simply run PENTCFG.EXE again.
┌─USING THE SCRIPTING─LANGUAGE───────────────────────────────13─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
For FULL details on writing your own Scripts for PENTASIM, see
SCRIPTS.DOC included with this archive.
┌─ERRORS─AND─OTHER─PROBLEMS──────────────────────────────────14─┐
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
If unusual ERROR's seem to be cropping up right off that start of
PENTASIM like a keyboard timeout when the user or even YOU
enter the door, there is an easy fix for this problem. Simply
place the following line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file:
SET NO87=ON
One other important thing to note is if you for some reason use
the F5 key (SHELL to DOS) while a user is online, before typing
"EXIT" to return back into the program, you should always make
your way back to the directory that the F5 key dropped you into.
Otherwise, PENTASIM won't know how to make its way back to
where it needs to be! This is a routine written by the author of
the DOOR LIBRARY, which I have no control over!
ANY other ERROR's while the door is in operation will be written
to a file called PENTASIM.ERR. This ERROR log will be written in
the main PENTASIM directory.
If for some reason you see the door say "You need ANSI to use
this door!" upon logon and you DO have ANSI enabled, you most
likely are running in a DESQview or WINDOWS environment. It is
not good enough to load your ANSI emulator (ANSI.SYS is preferred)
in each session or screen, it MUST be loaded upon system start
up. The ANSI routines again, are written by the LIBRARY author,
not myself. I do not have any control over this. :)