The MPG-Net System Access Software is the user interface for MPG-Net games such as The Kingdom of Drakkar and Empire Builder. But the System Access Software(SAS) is more than that. It is also an online interactive system where you can create an online persona, communicate with other players, and send e-mail. You can also download games, manuals and updates from the library, and more. This manual is designed to help you quickly master the basics.
* NOTE * In our explanations, we will abbreviate left mouse button as LMB.
If you are reading this Help manual online you can minimize this window by clicking on the arrow in the top right corner of this window. Maximize the window by clicking on the help or 'book' icon again. The program will 'remember' your place in the document and return you there. To close the window, click on the close button (top left corner). Use this minimize/maximize feature to quickly access information while you explore the System Access Software (SAS).
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Logging on for the First Time
The first time you log onto MPG-Net, you will be taken directly to the Control Room to create an online identity. Your online identity (also called a persona) is how others 'see' you.
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The Control Room
In the middle of the Control Room is the central console, or Persona Generator, where you will create your persona.
*NOTE* A persona is your online identity. It is NOT a game character. In Drakkar you will be asked to create a character specifically for that game...and you will do it within the game.
Along the bottom of the screen is the Gold Bar. Each gold button accesses a different menu item. As you move your mouse pointer along the gold buttons, help balloons pop up with an explanation of that item. As you move your mouse pointer along Control Room items, helpful explanations appear in a blue field above the central console.
Clicking on any gold button will bring up a blue sub menu, which will allow you to explore further.
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Creating an Online Persona
To create a randomly generated persona, click on the dice to the lower left of the console's screen and then modify the individual characteristics to suit your taste. To start from scratch, simply modify the "Anonymous" character. (to make "him" a "her", click on the female symbol below the console screen). Other buttons control skin color and face type. Click on the red arrows on either side of the face to scroll through feature options.
On the end of the left 'arm' of the central console you will see another icon with more scroll arrows. Scroll through the icons to choose what characteristic or accessory you would like to modify. Then click on the icon to bring up a palette of choices on the wall behind the console. Use the red scroll arrows to modify your persona.
All the accessories; glasses, clothing, jewelry, etc., function in this same manner.
To name your online persona, click in the blue field beneath the face and backspace to delete Anonymous. Now type a name of your choice and press <Enter> to save.
To save your online persona you must register it in the Art Gallery. Click on the CD ROM player on the inside left arm of the central console to be transported to the Gallery.
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The Art Gallery
On the bottom and in the middle of this screen is an area called the 'easel' where you will build your Netcard, or online calling card. Currently, all you have on your Netcard is your 'face'.
The Art Gallery has 9 empty spaces for your 'faces', and 3 spaces on the right for your 'shields'. To save your face, click on it with the LMB and drag it over the Anonymous face already on the wall. Answer "yes" when the computer asks whether you want to overwrite the existing face.
You may save up to 9 different personas at a time.
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Creating Shields
Next you'll need a shield to complete your Netcard. Double-click on one of the three spaces reserved for your shields and the Shield Generator will appear. As with the persona generator, you can start with a randomly generated shield and modify this to your liking, or create a shield from scratch. To modify the shape of the shield, click on the 'shield only' option and use the scroll arrows to choose a new shape. You may then modify each of the four symbols on the shield by clicking on its number and then scrolling through the choices. You can drag the symbols to suit your taste.
Type in a shield name by clicking in the blue field under the shield. Be sure to press <Enter> after you've typed a shield name. (If you don't enter a name, the default name is "New".)
Once you have completed your shield, click on All. Save the shield by holding down the LMB at the edge of the shield(wait until the mouse pointer becomes a hand), and drag the shield to one of the three shield squares. The shield can only be dragged in 'All' mode. The registration light will flicker on the Generator, and the host computer will save the shield.
Now drag the shield from the wall to the right side of the easel.
* NOTE * Clicking on a shield always brings up the shield generator. Ignore it as you drag your shield to the easel.
You should now have a face and shield on the wall, and an assembled Netcard at the bottom of the screen.
The final step is to put the Netcard in your wallet.
Between the face and the shield on the easel is a tiny Netcard icon. Click on this to open your wallet (an hourglass will activate telling you your wallet is opening up). When it appears, drag and drop the Netcard icon onto it. Your freshly made Netcard will now appear in the wallet and you're ready to head for the conference rooms where you may drop it on the table. This will automatically enter your e-mail address into the card files of any of the people sitting there.
*NOTE* You may save other Netcard identities that you create in the same way.
To exit from the Art Gallery, click on the Navigation button and go to the Main Lobby. You'll be prompted to save your changes before you leave...just say Yes.
To see your online persona click on the Gold Bar Mirror icon to access the Personal Accessories menu bar. Then select the Mask icon which will show you your 'active' persona. This is what you look like to the others online. If you have more than one Netcard saved in your wallet you can change identities by dragging the new choice out of the wallet and dropping it on the "you" window.
* NOTE* This persona change works everywhere in the SAS except in the Art Gallery.
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Exploring the SAS
The Main Lobby
After your first log on, successive log-ons will put you directly in the Main Lobby. Each lobby door corresponds to different areas of the SAS. From left to right they are:
Billing Area............ lists account information
Forums................. read and post messages
Library.................. download game information and upgrades
Shopping Mall........ not yet functioning
Game Room.......... provides access to MPG-Net games
Control Room......... create personas and shields
Click on a hand to select a door.
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The Gold Bar
The main Gold Bar has five gold buttons, each corresponding to a different menu. From left to right they are:
Communications Menu.... lets you send messages to other players
Help Menu.................... contains online help
Accessories Menu.......... E-mail and other functions
Navigation Menu............ allows you to move between screens and exit the SAS
Utilities Menu................ lets you set user options (sound, desktop controls, etc.)
Clicking on a gold button will call up a "sub-bar" with the gold button on the left and a set of blue buttons on the right. To back out of any sub-bar and return to the main Gold Bar, click on the left gold button.
If you have entered a room and want to get out, click on the Navigation button (arrows pointing in all directions). If you don't see the Navigation button, you are undoubtedly in a sub-bar. Click on the left gold button to return to the main Gold Bar. Now you should see the Navigation Button. Click on it.
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Communicating
There are four ways to communicate in the SAS:
*using the Communications screen
*sending E-mail
*leaving messages in the Forum
*or chatting in the Conference Rooms (also called Pubs).
Communications Screen
Clicking on the Communications button will bring up the Communications Screen. This screen shows which players are currently online. You can Speak, Page or Invite from this screen.
Clicking on faces will show where they are in the SAS. You can not Speak with players already in the games, but you can Page players in Drakkar.
Click on the Speak button (third from the left) to send a message to another online player. Enter text in the designated area, click on the box under that player, and press <Enter> or click on the Speak button.
The Invite button sends an invitation to a game to the selected player(s).
The Page button sends a notice as to your location, but no message.
Forums
Use this area to read and join in ongoing "threads" on varying topics. The Forums have their own online help. Please refer to that section.
E-Mail
Select the Personal Accessories button (the mirror icon on the main Gold bar) to access the Text Editor (the notepad icon to the far right). Here you may create and send E-mail messages to anyone who's Netcard you have.
You can also send E-mail to people on other networks, and for whom you do not have Netcards. Navigate to the Toolbar and select the E-mail Administrator (looks like a mailbox). At the bottom of the screen select 'Create Internet Card'. Enter the E-mail address in the appropriate field and click Okay. Click on Okay again to exit the Administrator. This address is now registered with your E-mail Administrator.
To send E-mail, click on the Text Editor icon and type your message. You can save, cut, and paste this like other text documents using the buttons along the right hand side of the notepad. To address the envelope click on the Mailbox icon. This will bring up an envelope. If you have a Netcard for an E-mail recipient and you do not see it in the address area of the envelope, scroll through the Netcards by clicking on the corner flap. Once you have the correct address, click on the postage stamp.
If you choose to Save E-mail, it is saved to your Briefcase, which is also on this accessories bar. Double-click on the Briefcase icon to access saved items.
You'll find an In Box on this bar where incoming E-mail messages are stored. If this box is flashing, you have an E-mail message. Click on the perforated flap to open your mail.
After opening mail, if you want to reply to your mail, click on the Envelope icon. After typing your reply (you can choose to include, or not include, the previous text) click on the Mailbox icon. This will bring up the envelope. Click on the stamp to send.
*Note* Unless you have selected it as an option with the E-mail Administrator, your incoming and outgoing mail will stay in it's respective box until you delete it by dragging the envelope to KiKi.
KiKi
To delete mail, or unwanted Netcards, drag the unwanted item to the lower right-hand corner of your computer screen. KiKi will appear to 'eat' your items.
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The Conference Rooms
Affectionately called Pubs, these are areas set aside within each game that allow players to sit down at a table and chat with each other. To access a Pub from the lobby, click on the Games door and choose a game category. Now click on the door of the game to enter that game's Pub.
If there are other players to communicate with in the Pub, you will see them seated at a table. Click on the table to sit down. The faces in the crystal balls are the personas of the other players seated at the table. To them your face also appears in a crystal ball. Begin typing a message and the message field appears. To send your message press <Enter>, and it will appear in the middle of the table.
If you want to send a private message click on the crystal ball of the player you wish to send the message to, then type and enter your message. To go back to public broadcast mode click once in the center of the table.
You can use the dragon on the right side of the table to scroll through the table conversation (but only the conversation you've been present for). Click on the tail to scroll back, the head to scroll forward.
* NOTE* To access Pub help, summon the Infobot by typing '/help'.
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Creating and Playing Games
Once you have entered the area of the game you wish to play you will see a new icon on the right of the Gold Bar. It will be the game icon for that particular game.
Some of the MPG-Net games are ongoing, and some of the games are create-and-play games...where a game is created with it's own set of parameters, and played to a conclusion (though not necessarily in one sitting). HELP for each of these games is available online in the Pub of that game. Click on the Help toolbar within each Pub for Help.
* Specific game Help information can also be found in the Library.
Click on the individual game icons to access how to Create and Run each one.
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Library
To download Game information, drag the selected text to your Briefcase. To read it, double-click on it, as you would with any saved file.
