Spiele Spiele Spiele 1/spiele-spiele-spiele-topware.iso/spiele/top5062/read.doc

Text File | 1993-08-25 | 17KB | 334 lines

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   MODGO software is written by:   Alfred Knoepfle    and   Walter Knoepfle
                                   Merzhauserstr 2          Planeggerstr 15
                                   79100 Freiburg           82110 Germering
                                   Germany                  Germany
   Last update: 25-Aug-1993
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   MODGO is a software system for the game of GO. Start of development
   was in summer 1985. Since then component after component was added and
   further developed.
   The system is completely written in program language Modula-2.
   A single exe file in the beginning, the system is now splitted into a
   GO playing and a service program, and in more than a dozen of overlays
   as well as pattern files and a lot of game records.

   Since 1988 MODGO regularly attended the European Computer GO Champion-
   ships - with slowly increasing success - after several middle places
   the program took 2nd place in 1992 and in 1993.
   In 1991 MODGO also qualified for the Computer GO World Championship and
   reached 8th place in Singapure.

   By now MODGO playing strengh is somewhere between 12th and 18th Kyu,
   but an exact ranking is quit difficult, as MODGO is always ready with
   completely meaningless blunders.
   Therefore the system also has the additional name 'Star of Debacle'.

   Beside playing matches with MODGO, the system offers the following
   additional possibilities:
   - Input and editing of game records
   - Archiving of game records
   - Replay of stored game records
   - Read and write of internal MODGO format as well as Standard Format
   - Preparation and printing of diagrams - on several different printers
   - Modem connection for GO matches
   - Independent running demo matches with MODGO

   If You are interested in more details or in the latest MODGO
   software version  -  please contact Alfred or KS-Systemtechnik
   for more information.

   MODGO software system can be purchased by:

      Firma KS-Systemtechnik           Konto 4256731
      Hauptstrasse 43                  Sparkasse Hochschwarzwald
      79877 Friedenweiler 1            BLZ 68051004

   Please order in written form by transmitting amount to account given
   above. Give also desired floppy format (3.5 HD or 5.25 HD)

   Full version:  75,-DM plus 5,-DM postage+material
   Demo version:  10,-DM plus 5,-DM postage+material

   MODGO Demo Version has full graphic- and service functions as its
   disposal but generates just pseudo-random moves to create some
   appetite for the latest MODGO Full Version.
   (MODGO demo version is also available as shareware)
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   1) Contents of floppy:

   MODGO software consists of:                 (Total about 1.2 MBytes)
         Procedure "install.bat" to install MODGO software on hard disc
         Service program "servo.exe"
         GO playing program "modgo.exe"
         Additional move generating overlays for "modgo.exe"
         Subdirectory "gamepool" with ascii game history files
         Subdirectory "datapool" with binary pattern files


   2) Hardware requirements:

   MODGO software runs on IBM-PCs. Memory must be at least 512 KBytes,
   although overlay technics are used, to keep required memory small.
   MODGO software works with Hercules, CGA, EGA or VGA graphics cards.
   The most useful graphics mode is selected automatically by MODGO.
   When using MDA card, make sure that CONFIG.SYS contains
   "device = ansi.sys" for display of simple special-character graphics.


   3) Installation

   Installation on hard disc is highly recommended - but not required.
   It is desirable to install MODGO system on hard disc to conveniently
   (and much more quickly) use MODGO file and overlay handling.
   Use tool "install.bat" to install MODGO program system on hard disc.
   Just insert floppy disc and type <drive>:install without parameters
   to start the installation tool for on line help text. Installation
   is done from destination directory with command <drive>:install <drive>


   4) Running MODGO

   Executable GO program MODGO can be started by typing its name.
   MODGO can also be executed directly from floppy disc with command
   "a:modgo" but then You have to keep disc into driver, to properly
   handle not resident overlays. Overlays and pattern files are
   permanently used during play - and therefore need a lot of additional
   time when read from floppy.

   After loading is done, MODGO displays an empty GO board on screen and
   starts playing a match with default game conditions - which are:
   MODGO takes black stones against a human opponent, komi is 5.5 points,
   board size is 19x19, ChineseSST rules are applied.

   For 19x19 games MODGO full version uses approximately 7 - 15 minutes of
   'working' time on IBM-AT-486/50. There is a possiblity to interupt
   the match and save it on file "TMPSAVE.GO" at any time. The match can
   be restored from this file and be continued. By the way during match
   play this file is automatically updated = overwritten after every move
   for safety reasons.
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   4.1) MODGO play menu

   The following F-keys are supported in play menu for special functions:
   F1 - Menu     (Setup new game - or change game conditions)
   F2 - Pass     (Generate Pass Play)
   F3 - Quit     (Terminate program without save of match)
   F4 - Undo     (Undo last move pair)
   F5 - Intrpt   (Terminate program with save of match on file "TMPSAVE.GO")
   F6 - Resign   (If user wishes to resign the match)
   F7 - Force MODGO to resign, to quickly end already decided games.

   Keys F1 to F6 can be used at any time. If MODGO is just working on its
   next move, key press action is noticed after generation process is
   finished. An empty-buffer routine ensures the latest key press action
   to be performed only, no queueing is supported.
   To work properly Key F7 must be pressed while MODGO is creating a move.

   When key F1 is used - matches under way are first saved on backup file
   "TMPSAVE.GO". After that, menu window is displayed for modification of
   playing mode and game condition parameters.
   F1 is especially useful, if any problems occure during match play,
   e.g. if electric power is switched off by accident. It is then possible
   to simply load and continue the match from backup file "TMPSAVE.GO".

   Some patience is required after use of F4, as MODGO then always will
   re-create all internal game informations from scratch. This needs some
   time - especially for games in late Yose.

   4.2) MODGO main menu

   Display areas in gray give on line help information, areas in blue
   contain input fields. For modifications of game condition parameters
   best use up and down cursor keys to switch between items and use left
   and right cursor keys to toggel within valid item values. Due to
   selected parameters some items may be fix or redundant and therefore
   not accessable.

   The following F-keys are supported in main menu:
   F1 - New game      (Start new game - with active game conditions)
   F2 - Continue game (Continue current game - with active game conditions)
   F3 - Quit          (Terminate program)
   F4 - Load game     (Load game history file up to any desired move)
   Active menu action is highlighted in green. ESC immediately starts it.

   When F4 is used - an additional input area allows selection of history
   files to be loaded. Besides MODGO internal ASCII game history format
   also Ishi Press Standard Format game records can be read.
   MODGO is looking for such files with default extension ".GO" in current
   directory and in subdirectories GAMEPOOL and ISHIPOOL - in that order.
   Toggeling through the list of found game files is done with up and down
   cursor keys. File selection can also be done by typing in path and file
   name of desired game history file.
   Combination of keys ALT+G provides default: GAMEPOOL\GAME, then just add
   desired number to complete input. Combination of keys ALT+I directly
   leads to default: ISHIPOOL\<1st entry>, then just toggel to desired file.
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   Key ENTER leads to loading of selected file. Success is indicated with
   a message highlighted in green - retrieved game condition parameters
   are displayed - then input desired move number to start playing with.

   Input or editing of game records can be done with playing option 1.
   Option 2 is for matches against the program.
   Playing options 3,4,5 let MODGO play against itself in different modes:
   3 - Performance of a single game. After end of game a prompt allows to
       save the game or to continue as desired.
   4 - Performance of games as endless loop. After end of game another game
       with same game conditions is performed. This is especially suited for
       demo purposes.
   5 - Performance of games as endless loop with automatic save of game
       histories.

   Moves and other User actions can generally be provoked by either string,
   cursor, function key or mouse input.

   As special feature Modem connection to another PC is possible: 8 data bit,
   1 stop bit, no parity is used. After installations on both PCs, games
   between software contestants are played without any further user inter-
   action. Just lay back, relax and watch the performance of the programs.
   (This is well tested with 'Nemesis' and 'Many Faces of Go' as opponents)

   4.3) MODGO save menu

   With Chinese SST rules MODGO will start Yose removals after occupation
   of last points in contest. This is because computer GO tournaments
   usually require removal of dead stones and groups at the end of the
   game to clarify the game result. With ChineseSST rules this makes no
   difference to the result. With simplified Japanese rules however MODGO
   will omitt Yose removals as this would imply a loss of points.

   After the regular end of a game with consecutive pass plays MODGO will
   provide the game result and a prompt weather to accept it or not.
   Captured but not removed stones on board are marked as dead with crosses.

   If result is obviously wrong (may be due to sad mis-interpretations in
   life&death questions) and therefore not acceptable - it is possible to
   resume game play to decide the problem by playing it out.

   The following F-keys are supported in save menu:
   F1 - Menu      (Setup new game - or change game conditions)
   F3 - Quit      (Terminate program without save of match)
   F4 - Save game (Save game history record on file)
   F5 - Intrpt    (Terminate program with save of match on file "TMPSAVE.GO")
   F6 - Start another game with same game conditions

   Finished games can be stored either in MODGO internal format or in Ishi
   Press Standard Format in MODGO GAMEPOOL or ISHIPOOL subdirectories.
   "GAMEPOOL" consists of a set of ASCII game history files - in MODGO
   internal format - with default names "GAMExxx.GO" (xxx = 001 - 999)
   "ISHIPOOL" is the same for standard format files - MODGO supports
   default names "ISHIxxx.GO", other names are of course also possible.
   Special save menu area gives You the possiblity to select format type
   (1st character of given string is checked) and to insert event string,
   names of players, current date and desired file name.
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   Stored game history files can be loaded again by MODGO at any time and
   be continued from any move. Replay and printing of stored games is done
   with program SERVO. To delete or rename game history files change to
   subdirectory GAMEPOOL and use DOS commands 'del' or 'rename'.


   5) Running SERVO

   Executable utility program SERVO can be started by typing its name.
   SERVO performs info display, game replay, print and edit utilities.

   For study and documentation reasons - replay of stored games and
   creation of hardcopy diagrams on various printer types can be done
   quit simply with SERVO.
   Besides MODGO internal ASCII game history format also properly
   prepared Ishi Press Standard Format game records can be read -
   just try out.
   (Files should contain key words for relevant game condition parameters)

   SERVO is menu based - the main menu just shows the list of sub menus.
   Sub menus are selected by typing in the corresponding sub menu number and
   confirmation with ENTER key. To change the current sub menu, first come
   back to main menu. To do this, use ENTER (without number) or ESC.

   Sub menu 1: Introduction texts
       Three sub menu branches give infos about MODGO system, the game of GO
       and a short description of the rules (Chinese SST and simplified
       Japanese). Just go through the texts by typing in the given numbers
       and confirm with ENTER. Skip pages with ENTER OR ESC.

   Sub menu 2: Demonstration games
       This sub menu gives the possiblity to replay 6 selected demo games
       from MODGO GAMEPOOL. Just select a game by typing the corresponding
       number and confirm with ENTER. After game replay is finished this
       sub menu is displayed again for selection of another demo game.

   Sub menu 3: Replay menu
       This sub menu gives the possiblity to replay any stored game from
       either MODGO GAMEPOOL or ISHIPOOL or any other file in supported
       game history formats.

       The following F-keys are supported in replay menu:
       F1 - Overviev          (Show content of game pool directories)
       F2 - Start replay mode (Fast, slow and replay on key is provided)
       F3 - Quit              (Return to main menu - same function as ESC)
       F4 - Load game         (Load game history file)

       Before starting replay mode with key F2, it is necessary to load a
       game into working buffers with key F4. Selection of file names and
       loading of files is done exactly the same way as with program MODGO.

   Sub menu 4: Print Utilities
       This sub menu gives the possiblity to create hardcopy diagrams of
       stored games from either MODGO GAMEPOOL or ISHIPOOL or any other
       file in supported game history formats.
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       The following F-keys are supported in print menu:
       F1 - Set print mode   (Select diagram interval mode)
       F2 - Select printer   (Select type of printer and printing mode)
       F3 - Quit             (Return to main menu - same function as ESC)
       F4 - Load game        (Load game history file)

       Print mode can be:
       - Diagrams of selected move intervals
       - Diagram sequences of fixed interval lenghts (e.g. every 100 moves)
       - Alpanumerical lists of move coordinates - complete game.

       Supported printers include:
       Epson, NEC, HP-Laserjet, Siemens  and compatibles

       Printing mode can be ONLINE or OFFLINE. If ONLINE diagrams are printed
       directly via centronics interface (PRN) if printer is ready for action.
       If OFFLINE, binary diagram files (with names DIA001.PIC, DIA002.PIC,
       ..., DIAxxx.PIC - ascending numbers) are created on hard disc. These
       files can later be printed with DOS command 'print'.
       OFFLINE mode is to be recommended for larger numbers of diagrams as
       much faster than ONLINE mode.

       Active modes are displayed at right side below MODGO logo. They are
       also stored in configuration file "PRT.CFG" for convenient use in
       next SERVO session.

       After selection of active modes and loading of desired game file
       input of move interval parameters due to selected print mode is
       required. Creation of binary diagram files is indicated with its
       current file name. Use ESC to return to selection of next file or
       to return to main menu.

   Sub menu 5: Edit Utilities
       MODGO has the capability to play joseki and pattern moves, retrieved
       from binary DATAPOOL pattern files. Such pattern files are to be
       prepared/modified with services from SERVO edit utlility sub menu.

       Listed tools are by now in experimental state only - partly offline
       - or realized as overlays - or tbc = to be coded!
       As the handling of these tools is still not very sophisticated they
       are missing 'for the time being' in MODGO full version.

   Sub menu 6: Termination
       To end a SERVO session select main menu point 6 or just use ESC.
       This immediately terminates the program.