Shareware Overload Trio 2/Shareware Overload Trio Volume 2 (Chestnut CD-ROM).ISO/dir44/cryptgms.zip/MANUAL.DOC

Text File | 1993-10-08 | 13KB | 268 lines

                     Crypto-Mania, Version 2.21

                         Operator's Manual

                     Revised September 30, 1993

COPYRIGHTS:
        This software is registered with and protected by the U.S.
Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington D.C., Copyright 1991,
1992, 1993 to Don L. Dow. All rights reserved.

CRYPTOGRAMS:
        Cryptograms are sentences or phrases written in code, ie. one
letter substituted for another. The word comes from the Latin word
{crypta} which means to hide and the Greek word {graphein} which means
to write.
        Your job is to decipher the code and reveal the phrase.

HOW TO START CRYPTO-MANIA:
        Go to the DOS prompt in the directory where you have put
Crypto-Mania and type the word CRYPTO and hit <enter>. On some
computers it's called <return>.
        You can also  run this software directly from a floppy diskette
if you choose.

THE MOUSE:
        The mouse usage is straight forward and simple. When you have
an option box you simply move the mouse to the option you want and
click the LEFT button.
        Any clicks on the RIGHT button are the same as hitting the
<ESC> key.
        There will be more on mouse commands later.


THE PROGRAM BEGINS:
        The program begins with the title page that contains the
program title and version along with copyright information.
        At the lower center of this screen there is a start box with
two options, "Start" and "Exit".
        Strike "S" (or click Start) and you will be given a selection
of puzzle volumes to pick from.
        Strike "X" (or click Exit) and you will exit the software.


SELECTING A VOLUME:
        There are currently 13 volumes available and the volume
selection box lists all 13 volumes. However, you may only have 1 unless
you have ordered more puzzle volumes from me. Each volume has 250
puzzles.
        To select a volume, simply use the up and down arrow keys until
the volume you want is highlighted then strike <enter>. (or use your
mouse to click on the volume#)
        If you select a volume you don't have, you will be given a
message telling you how to update your library. To erase the message
just strike any key.
        You can also select the Storage Room where any puzzles will be
stored that you chose to save.


YOUR PUZZLE IS ON THE SCREEN. NOW WHAT?:
        First, let's look at what you've got on the screen.  There are
four rows for the coded message with three lines for each row. The line
above the code is where your guesses will appear when you type a
letter. The next line is the coded phrase itself. And the line under
the code on which the location pointer travels.
        You'll notice a yellow arrow pointing up under the first letter
of the puzzle each time you start a puzzle. This is the location
pointer that shows you which letter the program is currently looking
at. You can move this pointer anywhere around the puzzle with the arrow
keys.
        If you have a mouse you can simply move the mouse to the
desired location and click the LEFT button, and the pointer will
immediately go to that position. (Remember, clicking the RIGHT button
is the same as striking the <ESC> key.)
        With the pointer at the location of your choice, just press the
letter that you think the code letter really represents. For instance,
you may think that a "T" is really a "A" in the final answer. So, move
the pointer under any "T" on the board and press the letter "A" on your
keyboard. Crypto-Mania will find all the T's and place your
choice (in this case an "A") over them for you and the pointer will
move one position to the right and wait for the next guess.
        If you decide that the "A" doesn't look right and wish to use
another letter then simply move the pointer back under any "T" and
strike another letter. All the A's will be overwritten and replaced
with your new choice. You can also use the space bar if you want to
just erase the choice.
        Continue doing this until the phrase is solved including the
name of the person who made the statement (if any).
        When you have guessed the entire phrase, Crypto-Mania will play
you a congratulatory ditty and will ask you if you want to play another
game.
        If you wish to play again, press "Y" for yes or "N" for no, or
you can move your mouse and click on "Yes" or "No" with the LEFT button
and your wish will be granted.
        If you choose "Yes" then the next puzzle will be displayed on
the board and you're ready for more fun. If you choose "No" then you
will be taken back to the original title page that you got when you
first started the game.

        If you have to exit the game prematurely or if you wish to put
this puzzle in storage for the future you can strike <ESC> and you will
be given three options.
        1. Exit - You can simply exit the current puzzle and leave it
           behind.

        2. Bookmark - You can bookmark the puzzle and save the work you
           have already done before exiting. When you bookmark a
           puzzle, it will be the first one you start with when you
           come back into the Volume# that you are currently doing.

           You can have a "bookmark" for each volume that you own
           including the Storage Room.  For instance, suppose you're
           working on Volume_3 and have to exit out. You can bookmark
           the puzzle on the way out. In the meantime another member of
           your family can go into any other volume and play Crypto-
           Mania.  Then when you come back and fire up Volume_3 and it
           will bring you right back to where you left off including
           the work that you've done.

        3. Storage - You can place the puzzle in Storage Room and come
           back to it at a later time of your choice. When a puzzle is
           first placed in the Storage Room, none of the work you have
           done will be saved with it.  You will be given a fresh start
           when you recall the puzzle. You can, however, place a
           bookmark on the puzzle you are currently doing in the
           Storage Room if you have to leave the game suddenly.

           The Storage Room grabs the puzzles on a first in first out
           basis. If you are solving a puzzle in the storage room and
           choose to store it again, it will be placed at the bottom of
           the pile.

           Unlike the regular volumes of puzzles, the Storage Room is a
           self cleansing area. This means that the puzzles you solve
           or the puzzles you choose not to re-store or bookmark when
           you exit out of the storage room will be swept out.  This
           will help save disk space.

           Cleansing takes place when you first start the program.  It
           also happens when you exit out of the game area and come
           back the the startup screen.  You will see a flash of a
           message. If you don't have any puzzles in the storage room
           or have only a few, the message will flash so fast that you
           won't even be able to read it. I put it there, however,
           because if the storage room starts getting large you will
           notice a longer pause and the message will remind you that a
           cleansing is taking place.



FREQUENCY CHART:
The frequency chart shows the count of letters that were used in the
coding, NOT the answer. Many hard core cryptologists can tell what the
answer is by looking at the frequency chart because they know which
letters are used the most in the English language.

USED LETTER BOARD:
A board with the alphabet on it. When you use a letter, it will be
greyed out on the board. This is a big help when there are many letters
being used. A quick glance will tell you what letters are still
available.

HINTS:
You are allow one hint per puzzle. To get a hint for a letter, simply
move the pointer under the code letter you want revealed and key Alt-H
or click the work "Hint" in the upper right corner of the game board.

PRINT PUZZLE TO THE PRINTER:
There may be a puzzle that you liked especially well. You can elect
to print a puzzle to the printer once you have either solved it or
if you asked for the solution. This can be done at the option box
that asks you to opt "Next puzzle / Exit / Hardcopy". Simply key "H" or
click on the word Hardcopy.

RE-ENCIPHER:
A special feature for my friends with certain vision disorders.  Some
of us have trouble with certain groups of letters. If you find that a
group of code letters are giving you a hard time, simply key Alt-R and
the puzzle will be Re-enciphered for you with a new set of code.


COMMAND KEYS:

Arrow keys      Will move the pointer to the desired location on the
                board.

HOME            Moves the pointer to the beginning of the current line.

END             Moves the pointer to the end of the current line.

Ctrl-HOME       Moves the pointer to the first position of the first
                line.

Ctrl-END        Moves the pointer to the last position of the last
                line.

<Enter>         Moves the pointer down to the next line and home.

Alt-H           Gives you the hint for the current letter. You get only
                on hint per puzzle.

Alt-M           Toggles the Music/Sound On and Off

Alt-R           Re-enciphers the puzzle

<ESC>           exits the puzzle prematurely. Note that you'll be given
                a chance to bookmark the puzzle and save the work
                you've already done.

F1-Help         Brings you the first of three help screens

F2-Fresh Start  Clears the work you've done and gives you a fresh start
                on the same puzzle.

F3-Freq.Chart   Toggles the frequency chart On and Off.

F4-Used letters Toggles the used letter board On and Off.

F5-Solution     Gives the answer and ends the puzzle. You also get the
                dreaded raspberry.

MOUSE INSTRUCTIONS:
While you are doing a puzzle you can activate any of the
Function key assignments simply by moving the mouse down to the bottom
of the screen and clicking on any of the function descriptions.
        You can select a CHOICE from the used letter board with the
mouse by moving the mouse to the desired letter and clicking the LEFT
button. Your choice will be placed on the game board just as if you had
used the keyboard.
        You can also toggle the Music/Sound on and off by moving the
 mouse over to the musical notes at the upper right of the screen and
 clicking on them. (LEFT button). When the music is turned off the
 notes will disappear. A shadow will be left in place so you will know
 where to click if you want to toggle the Music/Sound back on.
        To choose HINT with the mouse. Simply move the pointer to the
letter that you want the hint on and click the work "Hint" in the upper
right corner of the gameboard.

ORDERING MORE PUZZLES to update your library:
        On the third help page you'll see a sample Order Form. If you
have a printer you can print this Order Form by pressing Alt-P.
        If you don't have a printer you can use this sample format to
create your own order form to send.
        If you want your order to be processed immediately, you can
simply call [phone] (Voice). Have your MasterCard or VISA ready.

You can send any comments and suggestions to:
        Don L. Dow
        PO Box 1111
        Nashua, NH 03061-1111

               ...or via CompuServe Mail ID: 76336,1253

If you wish to register through CompuServe you can go to their
Shareware Registration Data Base. (go: SWREG). The Registration ID# for
this software is # 570.

Comment:
        The quotes and phrases are from hundreds of people and express
        hundreds of views. Some are funny, some are insightful, and some
        are biased and short sighted. The nature of this word game is more
        than just the fun and challenge of solving the puzzles, it's a way
        to view the world as it is (which may not be the way we would like
        it to be.) I think women especially take a bad rap in some of the
        quotes, although men take a few. We, as a human race, still have a
        lot of growing up to do.
        Don