SysOp's Arsenal

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EVENT HORIZONS - VOYAGER III ASTRONOMY PROGRAM ══════════════════════════════════════════════ VOYAGER III was created entirely by Event Horizons Staff V 2.0 - (c) 1994 James M. Maxey - All Rights Reserved Conceived, created, and directed by James M. Maxey Programming / Graphics : Jeff Butsch VOYAGER III AS SHAREWARE ════════════════════════ VOYAGER.EXE may be distributed freely, but if you use the program or associated files beyond a 10 day trial period, you are required to pay a registration fee of $35 US for a single user licence. Foreign orders please add $5 US for extra shipping and handling. See below for address. NETWORK AND MULTIUSER USE OF VOYAGER III ──────────────────────────────────────── Using VOYAGER III in a network environment requires a special written license. Schools or private and public agencies should contact Event Horizons, Inc if interested in using VOYAGER III beyond the 10 day free trial period. COMMERICAL STORE USE ──────────────────── Retail stores may use our VOYAGER III programs as in-house Demos for their computer systems and make single copies to INDIVIDUALS. This same documentation must be included in all copies. NOTE: CD-ROM, ShareWare and Mass-Market Distributors ──────────────────────────────────────────────────── If you wish to include any of our VOYAGER III files or programs with your CD-ROM diskettes you MUST obtain written permission from James Maxey of Event Horizons, Inc. You are NOT allowed to distribute any of our VOYAGER III files or programs without this written permission. Accordingly, you may not distribute VOYAGER III in any mass-market without written permission from same. If you register Voyager III we will send you free updates of VOYAGER.EXE as they become available, and you will have access to toll free 1-800 technical support and information for the program and modules. To register contact send payment along with your name and address to: EVENT HORIZONS, INC. Voyager III Department 311 Avenue B, Ste 209 Lake Oswego, OR 97034 BBS 1-800-GO-MODEM or 503-697-5100 Voice 1-503-697-7700 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── REQUIREMENTS ──────────── A 486 or 486 IBM or Compatible DOS system is required. However, for best results: o Use a 486 with at least 4MB of RAM o Have an EMS memory manager loaded o Use a mouse o Use a SoundBlaster audio card o Have SBFMDRV.COM loaded if you use a SoundBlaster _______________________________________________________________________ PROGRAMS AND MODULES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AS OF APRIL 27th, 1994 These files will have the ZIP extension when downloading to save you time during the download. They have been zipped with PKZIP ver 2.04g, which is available on most BBS's, including Event Horizons. VOYAGER.EXE ... The Main Program used to start Voyager III. VOYAGER.DOC ... Documentation for VOYAGER III - Also in program. This file is also enclosed in VOYAGER.EXE. V3INTRO.V3 .... This will greatly enhance the opening to VOYAGER III! UNIVPNL.V3 .... CONSOLE PANEL Module - required for other features. V3TRAV.V3 ..... Module for full space-flight sequence of USS ANDREA. JUPITER.VOY ... Mission Module Destination to Jupiter. JUP_01.MSH .... Mission Module to Jupiter's moon Io. Requires JUPITER.VOY M87.VOY ....... Travel to the largest known object in our universe. This is the galaxy known as M87. We're also planning a mission to the heart of this galaxy to explore black holes. XGALAXY.V3 .... Sequence of animations and information as you travel beyond our solar system. Very graphic and interesting. P_DESTR.V3 .... Self Destruct Module - Destroy your ship at your leisure with sound and 3D animation! (UNIVPNL.V3 Req.) This is a very interesting module you'll sure want to show your friends. Very impressive. Updates and modifications are in the form of much smaller files to download on Event Horizons BBS. _________________________________________________________________________ NOTES ABOUT VERSION 2.0 We changed from the use of SuperVGA graphics in favor of the compatibility, speed, and file sizes that VGA graphics provides. Therefore, modules previous to version 2.0 will not work with previous versions. The program now operates in 320x200x256 VGA with use of higher VGA resolution of 640x480x16 graphics mode in some areas. Version 2.0 is a fresh start with no patches from previous versions. All the previous files have been renamed with new file extensions so you shouldn't be able to run old modules with new ones. _________________________________________________________________________ (Most of this information is found while inside the VOYAGER III program). OVERVIEW VOYAGER III is a modularized educational and entertaining excursion into our universe. It allows passengers to explore many different and exciting areas. VOYAGER.EXE is the main vehicle which allows you to execute missions into our solar system and into deep space. Players may download or buy individual modules one at a time. This allows the program to be managed and complied more easily and the file size is reduced. The complexity of VOYAGER III increases dramatically as you obtain more modules. Another reason (the main reason) we created VOYAGER III in a modularized format is because of the large file size multimedia requires. Users may download the Bridge (VOYAGER.EXE) to get an idea of what it may look like. Then they may download Destinations or Missions, one at a time. This way the file size is smaller and you don't have to risk possibly aborting a large download. Updates to the program will be controlled with a PATCH program that compares the differences to the programs you download to updates and patches. This means an update may be extremely small in size. What you end up with is a an updated program so you can take advantage of improve- ments and updates without having to constantly download huge files over and over again. YOUR MISSION ════════════ You're at the helm of the Starship USS Andrea. You may voyage anywhere you wish, providing you have the Option Module needed to begin your voyage. To give the computer more destinations and missions, acquire new module files from Event Horizons BBS at 503 697-5100 or Voice information at 503 697-7700. As Voyager III grows, more Option Modules will be written and made available. You'll be able to journey to many places in the universe, including our solar system, our galaxy and to other galaxies, always using real images. Voyager III is not a cartoon. It's not a "shoot-em-up" game. However, in future missions we do plan on creating modules where you will have to achieve as specific task, battle aliens with your ships weapons. In other words, we plan on creating a full universe of missions you can both enjoy and learn about our exciting universe. The more option modules created and used with Voyager III, the more you'll be able to learn about the universe. REQUIREMENTS ═════════════ To run VOYAGER be sure that ALL files associated are in the same directory. It makes no difference which directory your files are in but they must all be there together. You must be using at least a 386 or 486 system that supports VGA video card and monitor. The program will run without extra RAM but it will be slow. We suggest you have at least 2 megs of RAM and use a memory manager such as QEMM386. If you use DOS 6.0 run MEMMAKER and use EMS option. Hard disk caching may improve performance. Try SMARTDRV or a similar disk caching program and see if you get a speed improvement. FOR SOUNDBLASTER (and 100% compatible) OWNERS: Be sure to your "BLASTER" environment variable is set. Look for a "SET BLASTER" line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Or type it at the DOS prompt. It usually looks like this but your setup may be different. SET BLASTER = A220 15 D1 T1 It's set up automatically when your Sound Blaster software is first installed. Soundblaster 16 ASP is fully supported! For background music, run SBFMDRV.COM before running VOYAGER.EXE. You may create a very (or more complex) batch file to load such as the following: SBFMDRV MOUSE SMARTDRV VOYAGER However, you may simply type VOYAGER from the directory where all your Voyager III files are located, to activate the program. KEYBOARD INPUT OPTIONS ══════════════════════ VOYAGER III was designed to run with a mouse. However, we've included Keyboard options for those who can not use a mouse. F1 - General help F2 - Specific help (for each screen) F3 - This list of keyboard equivalents F4 - Technical information about Voyager III F5 - Information about your PC setup F6 - Switch to the console view (if present) F7 - Activate the NAV-COM F8 - Activate the DATA SYSTEM (try this) F9 - About the Voyager III program F10 - Quit to DOS F11 - Added options (if present) SPACE - Toggle keyboard menu-option bar ENTER - Expanded view of the main viewport CONSOLE MODULE ══════════════ The CONSOLE is an option module now available for you to download. With your Console module, you have access to the Console instruments. These are additional modules you can download or buy that will add drama and detail to the bridge of your ship's console. The NAV-COM (center), and DATA-SYSTEM (left of center) are built-in, but other instruments are, again, plug-in modules. If you do not have the CONSOLE option modules, a small screen will display informing you of that fact. Once you download or order any of the option modules, they will automatically work once you place them in the same directory with your other VOYAGER III files. To operate, use your mouse and click on any of the console items. Keyboard options: SPACE - Display the functions menu bar ENTER - Display keyboard selections for the console items NAV-COM Keyboard options: ═════════════════════════ A - Listing of Available and Future Modules. D - Listing of Destinations available to use. M - Listing of Missions available to use. C - Cancel NAV-COM and return to Bridge View. PGUP - Page Up through listings. PgDn - Page Down through listings. Up Arrow - Manually select a mission. Dn Arrow - Manually select a mission. Enter - Enter selected mission into NAV-COM. Important technical information: SELECTING A DESTINATION OR MISSION ══════════════════════════════════ To select a destination, activate the NAV-COM (the centermost item on the ship's control panel) with the mouse or press F7. Each destination and mission is an Option Module which will need to be obtained by downloading it from Event Horizons or buy ordering it with your credit card. To get a close-up view of the ship's control panel, click on it with the mouse or press F6. (This option requires that you first have the module file "UNIVPNL.V3"). Option Modules are available on Event Horizons. (see F9). In addition, more options are (and will be) available inside the control panel to increase your control of the USS Andrea. DATA-SYSTEM ═══════════ The Information Panel will allow you to view objects near your mission and display information about your destination from the ship's computer data banks. Click on the main viewport for an expanded view of the planetary or celestial object near your ship. VIEWING OPTIONS ═══════════════ Destinations and Missions contain information screens and specific information. View them by selecting the Data-System, found on the CONSOLE PANEL, just right of center. Use the SPACEBAR or right mouse button for general menu-bar or F-key options. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS ══════════════════ This is the next update of VOYAGER III, version 2.0. If (when) you find bugs you'll be able to patch or update the program without having to download the same program again. Patch files will be much smaller in size for any VOYAGER III product. If you downloaded VOYAGER III, you'll be able to download the patch quickly and easily. Technical assistance is available by calling 800-536-7700 or 503 697-7700, 9am to 5pm pacific time zone, weekdays only. Or you may leave the technical report on the BBS. If you do have a problem please write it down right away so you don't forget. If you experience problems when usng HI-COLOR video cards, set you video card to use 256 color settings instead of 16 or 24 bit settings. If your computer experiences problems we've found it's best to reboot to avoid lockups. When in doubt, reboot to not only freshen memory but to clear Soundblaster settings. TECH SERVICE FOR REGISTERED USERS ================================= EVENT HORIZONS, INC. Voice 503-697-7700 - For registered owners 800 536-7700 BBS 1-800-GO-MODEM or 503-697-5100 Be ready to tell tech service the following: * Exactly where you were when the problem appeared. * Which module was loaded * What you were doing. * What the error message said (very important). * What error line/code or file was involved (very important). * What kind of computer, graphics card, memory manager and video card you are using. SPECIFIC HELP - NAV-COM ═══════════════════════ To activate the NAV-COM click on the center item on the ship's console. Select a mission by using your mouse, or by using the UP and DOWN arrow keys and the ENTER key to select. The NAV-COM is your main navigation computer. It provides you with a listing of all available missions and destinations. To select a mission, select any Destination or Mission on your NAV-COM screen. Click on it with your mouse. You can also use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select a mission, when you find a mission that interests you, just select it and press enter. A list of planned future missions is listed just below the NAV-COM screen. This is just a list. Obtain these missions from us once they are available. _________________________________________________________________________ EVENT HORIZONS BBS ══════════════════ 1-800-GO-MODEM or 503-697-5100 or call your local EVENT HORIZONS, INC. 311 Avenue B, Suite 209, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034. Voice numbers for ordering with credit card: 800-536-7700 or 503 697-7700 COPYRIGHT NOTICE ════════════════ See the information at the top of this document regarding program registration. The main Voyager Program (VOYAGER.ZIP) must contain this same documentation unaltered or modified. You are not allowed to in- clude other notices or advertisements or other files inside the VOYAGER.ZIP file. If you notice files being modified or changed please contact Event Horizons. VOYAGER III and all associated files and options modules are copyrighted software and may not be altered or modified in any manner. Our desire for Voyager III is to offer hundreds of hours of educational entertainment and appreciation of our vast universe. And just because it's educational does not mean it has to be dull. This is why we created the modularized concept. We have plans to create a vastly larger CD-ROM version of Voyager III sometime in late 1994. OPTION MODULES ══════════════ By acquiring new Option Modules you can add to the number of possible destinations in the universe, and you can greatly enhance the features of Voyager III. The program will increase dramatically in complexity. A list of planned modules is listed in the NAV-COM Screen. Options Modules are always available on Event Horizons BBS for Subscribers to download or buy our Mail Order Service. Call 503 697-7700 or 800 536-7700 for credit card orders. See below. ORDERS ═══════ Please call 800-536-7700 or 503 697-7700 for orders and cost of option modules. Or download new Option Modules from our BBS at 503 697-5100. Updates and patches to Voyager III and it's modules are also available on the BBS. If you have problems with this program please download updates and patches on Event Horizons and report the bug at the number above. Thank you for trying VOYAGER III.