This document contains only a brief description of the product and its features, along with instructions for its installation. Quite detailed documentation is included in the archive, and can be read after installation.
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CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
INSTALLATION
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
SHAREWARE vs. REGISTERED VERSION
LIST OF SMARTBRIDGE NEEDED FILES
WHAT'S NEW
SOME TIPS
REGISTRATION and PAYMENT TERMS
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INTRODUCTION
============
SmartBridge is a new bridge program for Windows95 and Windows 3.1.
I tried to make a tool to learn bridge easily and with fun. Program gives hints, warns when bid is not the recommended one, and plays automatically, when requested.
This new improved version provides full PBN capabilities.
PBN stands for "Portable Bridge Notation" (PBN). PBN is based on "Portable Game Notation" (PGN), a standard for the representation of chess games. PBN has been designed with several pretty criteria in mind. PBN is an open, portable standard. It is publicly available for users and software developers. PBN is not subject to any copyrights. The PBN notation is straightforward and comprehensible. A human is able to read and write the PBN notation easily.
The PBN standard is based on textual files, instead of binary files. A lot of PBN data, including comment, are text strings.
This new version of SmartBridge is able to read and write PBN format V1.0 (.pbn files), as described by Tis Veugen (to whom I am grateful for the splendid work done, and from whom I borrowed the above text), in his "Standard Proposal Version".
Contact information:
Tis Veugen, Schubertlaan 2, 5583 XW Waalre
The Netherlands.
Homepage: http://www.IAEhv.nl/users/veugent
(you can find here also links to .pbn archives)
Email: veugent@IAEhv.nl
Telephone: +31.40.2218210
With SmartBridge it's now possible to observe bridge games, stored in .pbn files, for both the bidding and the playing phases, going ahead step-by-step, or automatically.
Most of the game related info (player names, teams, result, scores etc.) are shown, and can be edited when saving a new game. The loaded game can be either simply viewed, or you can bid and play, as for a randomly generated game. Moreover, all the games played using SmartBridge are saved in a <.pbn> file, and can be recalled later.
SmartBridge allows to play complete bridge rubbers, and tournments (duplicate). Duplicate is very instructive, since you bid and play, then the computer does the same, compares the results and gives you a score.
Bid is based on natural system (openings, overcalls, pre-empt bids, takeout doubles and penalty doubles, conventions among the most useful ones).
The Play of the hand allows the computer to play a good defense, and to reach most of the contracts.
The random hand dealer is probably the most amusing tool. It is very flexible: you can force the deal of balanced, unbalanced hands, hands with either singleton or void, fit and misfit, many or few high card points and so on. You can play hundreds of slams!
It is also possible to create own hands, both by Editor (an improved Editor is delivered with this version), and by modification of randomly generated hands. It is possible to use the File System to save/recall noteworthy hands, either in <.hnd> format or in <.pbn> format. Hands can be printed with standard diagrams.
If you are a bridge expert, and want to analyze difficult deals, I developed an interface between SmartBridge and GIB, which is the best playing program available on the Web. It can be run trasparently.
INSTALLATION
============
The program is packaged as a SMARTBRI.ZIP archive, containing:
Run SETUP.EXE. You will be asked to enter a folder to install from (e.g. A:\ if you install from floppy disk, otherwise the folder where you unzipped the downloaded archive), and a folder to install to (default is C:\SMBRIDGE).
Please note that:
1. All the needed programs are expanded in the SmartBridge directory, nothing is written outside ! (I don't want to risk crippling other applications)
2. So, you don't need an unistall function: simply delete the directory when tired of the program (sniff !)
3. If you want to save 200 KB disk space (is it really so precious ?) you can delete (but first try to rename only !) the Visual Basic files you already have in \Windows\System (PICCLIP.VBX, CMDIALOG.VBX, MCI.VBX, THREED.VBX, COMMDLG.DLL)
4. *** YOU NEED VBRUN300.DLL *** I don't distribute it. It is normally present in the Windows directory. If not, you can download it from the Web. For instance:
5. If you want to use GIB, you have to download it from the Web, <http://www.cirl.uoregon.edu/gib/>, and copy it to the SmartBridge directory.
Should the setup program fail (I hope not), you can install manually:
- make a directory (e.g. C:\SMBRIDGE)
- copy all the unzipped files in that directory
- rename EXTRACT.EX_ to EXTRACT.EXE
- execute EXTRACT.EXE
- the program EXTRACT.EXE will autoexpand (see below for the list)
- close the DOS application "extract" (when finished !)
- now you can run SMBRIDGE.EXE and/or read SMART.HLP
- if all is OK, delete EXTRACT.EXE
- if you want, you can create shortcuts etc.
And now, I hope you enjoy the program.
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
==============================
The program needs at least a 486/33 MHz processor with 8 MB RAM.
The required disk space is around 5 MB.
The program was developed and tested on Windows'95, but should run on Windows 3.1.
SHAREWARE vs. REGISTERED VERSION
================================
If you are using the unregistered version of SmartBridge, I have granted you a limited license to try out the software to determine its appropriateness for your needs. This evaluation (or demo) version includes all features of the program, and is not crippled in any way.
There is practically only one major limit: evaluation version allows for 20 different random hands and 2 conditioned hands only (for each type of bias).
Registered version will allow you to generate different hands as you like (or as random number generator likes: I tried some hundreds, I expect some thousands; will you recognize one hand after 1000 ?) (Should someone detect a cycle, please tell me)
Other differences:
- no more displaying that you are evalauting the software
- registered version shows the registered user name in the opening screen
- GIB thinking time is limited to 10 seconds
- demo version allows only one "Edit hand" for run
- demo version allows only one "Modify hand" for run
- demo version allows only one "Load <.pbn> game" for run
- some <.pbn> tags are overwritten using the demo version
Once registered, you will receive a personalized code, to be stored in the file code.dat, that will remove the shareware messages and unlock the program. The code will make all future 2.xx versions fully functional.
After registration, all you have to do is download the latest version from the Web.
Please note that the above list is the comprehensive set of limitations associated with the shareware version of the product. I have not included bugs or poor performance in the shareware version as an incentive for you to register. I will do my best to improve the product with further releases that will hopefully overcome these limitations.
LIST OF SMARTBRIDGE NEEDED FILES
================================
SmartBridge directory must contain the following 59 files:
Scoring errors corrected: scores were always computed as vulnerable.
(reported by francesco_zek@rocketmail.com)
Bid errors corrected: it was possible to redouble partner; it was not always possible to double opponents.
(reported by francesco_zek@rocketmail.com)
Cue-bids have been introduced.
Rubber summary window improved.
Play summary window introduced.
Estimate window introduced.
If only one card remains in a suit, it is played automatically
(hint by mario.cucci@iol.it)
1.04
New graphic functions (several decks, desktop colors).
Takeback during play.
New .mid file
1.1
First market released version.
Automatic Setup program.
Uncompressed program information (readme.txt, file_id.diz).
Option window splits into 3 windows, and provides help.
It's possible to define up to 3 convention systems.
It's possible to associate convention systems and play styles to any line (2 lines for rubber, 4 lines for duplicate).
Much stronger card play with GIB (see TIPS).
Floating windows.
New .wav files (different voice, six more files).
2.0
Bug fixed: V1.1 didn't work with more than 64K colors
Bug fixed: V1.1 didn't find file <register.exe>
Many improvements to the bid, the play and the look and feel.
An improved Editor allows to input (and/or Modify) a given hand.
It's possible to bid and play manually a game from all positions (Human player = All).
All the played games are saved in the <smart.pbn> file.
It's possible to save a game in a user defined <.pbn> file.
It's possible to load a game from a <.pbn> file, and bid and play it.
It's possible to view a game loaded from a <.pbn> file.
Option window modified.
New Vulnerable sequence for duplicate (according to usual marking of boards).
TIPS
====
The program needs at least a 486 processor with 8 MB RAM. With slow processors/less RAM, starting requires to be patient (windows loading). Some graphics (card redrawing) can also be slow.
Best results with Pentium, 16 MB RAM, 64K colors and at least 800 x 600 resolution. With less resolution large cards should be used (Options - Large cards).
Several windows are opened and are floating on top of the main window. They are automatically positioned, but they can be moved not to hide cards. With higher resolution, windows can be arranged in a way to be all visible.
About audio, make sure that .wav and .mid channels are active, and at the correct volume. .wav files must be necessarily present. .mid files are optional. The program plays in sequence .mid files found in the directory.
A printer must be connected to have print-outs (you command it by Options - Print).
Current hand is always stored in hand.hnd file. In case of errors, please save the charged hand in a file (e.g.: copy hand.hnd bug1.hnd), in order to be able to reproduce the bad condition later, and send me the error report together with the hand.
GIB is a program developed by Matthew L. Ginsberg and uses techniques from artificial intelligence to build the world's first expert-level computer bridge player. GIB has successfully solved more deals than other competitors, providing evidence that its card play is at a level far superior to that of any other program.
SmartBridge uses GIB.exe, version 1.2.10, released 3/27/97; it is approximately 40% as fast as the production version. To play reasonably well, GIB requires a 100 MHz Pentium and at least 16MB of memory. In this configuration, GIB plays very well given at least 30 seconds per play. Since GIB takes time, you may want to stop it: if you press Claim, GIB ends its move (you must wait), then the hand is quickly completed (moves made by SmartBridge); if you press Deal or ReDeal, the hand is interrupted, and restarted with new or old deal (you must bid again).
GIB COPYRIGHT: Copyright in the GIB programs is by Just Write, Inc. Just Write retains all rights to the programs themselves. Permission is granted for use BUT NOT REDISTRIBUTION. Therefore SmartBridge only provides the interface. You must download the program from the Web (~121KB, http://www.cirl.uoregon.edu/gib/), and put it into the SmartBridge directory. Documentation is available also. A product is expected to be released in October '98. If the program is not present, SmartBridge plays according to own algorithms.
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT TERMS
==============================
SmartBridge is not a free program, but rather is distributed as Shareware for purposes of evaluation. This gives you the opportunity to evaluate SmartBridge as long as you need; if you like the product, want to use the full functions, and encourage further development, you should register it.
Registration is $25.
Registration can be done in the following ways:
I accept postal money orders, personal checks, bank checks, cash directly in the mail, for the following currencies and prices: (but such payments are at the sender's risk, I don't guarantee in case of loss):
program diskettes
ITL,italian lire 40.000 10.000
USD,US dollars 25 5
GBP,british pounds 15 5
FRF,french francs 160 40
DEM,deutch marks 50 10
(prices have been rounded to banknote values; for other currencies please refer to official exchange rates, e.g.: <http://www.trustnet.co.uk/xrates/rates0.html>, and round to the banknote higher value).
Print out the order form, fill it with all the required data, include it with your check or cash wrapped in paper to make it less obvious and send it to me.
If you have no time to go to bank, post office etc., or you don't live in Italy, the best way is to use Kagi Shareware Payment Processing Service.
This service handles the processing of the shareware fee. It accepts many different payment methods such as: US Check, Money Order, Cash (in many different currencies: Australian AUD, Austrian ATS, Belgian BEF, Canadian CAD, Danish DKK, French FRF, German DEM, Greek GRD, HongKong HKD, Irish IEP, Italian ITL, Japanese JPY, Dutch NLG, Norwegian NOK, Singaporean SGD, Spanish ESP, Swedish SEK, Swiss CHF, British GBP and American USD), credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diner's Club, Discover), First Virtual payments, and Invoice. Sensitive information, like credit card numbers, is encoded for better security.
Please use the REGISTER program packaged with the product, and follow the instructions in register.hlp. REGISTER program can also be run from SmartBridge starting window. For more information go to <http://www.kagi.com/> on the WEB, or send email to <support@kagi.com>.
In all the cases, I send the registration code after the transaction has been successfully completed (by e-mail this can require less than 3 days).
If you want floppy disks, I can ship them by mail, with additional 6$ fee for expenses.
If you have an e-mail address and you provide it with your order, then I will automatically send you notification on the availability of major new releases of SmartBridge, as they become available. If it is a version 1.xx upgrade, then your current registration will be accepted by the new software.
In any case, please fill in the following informations:
First name:
Last name:
Street:
Street number:
City:
[State:]
[Postal code:]
Country:
[Phone:]
[Fax:]
[e-mail:]
[x] standard price $25
[ ] additional charge for floppy disks $6
My address:
Francesco Barcio
Viale Abruzzo 154
66013 Chieti (CH)
Italy
My e-mail:
pes136k1@pe.nettuno.it
francesco@kagi.com
Another program from the author:
SmartPBNViewer, a powerful program to read ".pbn" (Portable Bridge Notation) files.
(see <http://www.IAEhv.nl/users/veugent> for details about the format)
No warranty is offered with the software.
This software and documentation are provided for evaluation only, on an "as is" basis. The author disclaims all warranties relating to this software, whether expressed or implied, including but not limited to any implied warranties of merchantabilitiy or fitness for a particular purpose. The author shall have no liabilty for any indirect, consequential, or incidental damage resulting from the use of the software.
