Game Killer/Game_Killer.bin/176.UHS.TXT

Text File | 1993-06-19 | 19KB | 374 lines

Universal Hint System
Revision 91a
Reader for MS-DOS, Version 1.50
  (June 19, 1993)


READ THIS FIRST
===============

This reader is shareware.  Under the shareware concept, you must register a
program if you like it and continue to use it.  Using a second UHS hint file
with this program is automatically defined as "continued use."  But you should
also register if you use a single hint file long enough to decide that you
like the UHS, or if you think that you would download a UHS file the next time
that you're stuck on a game.  If you do not like this program, you should stop
downloading or using UHS hint files and find other methods of getting hints
for your games.

The $10 registration is cheap, when you consider the price of the alternatives
to the UHS: multiple calls to 900 numbers, an official hint book, or posting
messages on CompuServe and similar services.  The UHS registration need only
be paid once, but you must pay by the hint or by the game if you use other
methods to get help.  Details on registering, as well as a list of benefits
that you'll get only as a registered user, are found at the bottom of this
documentation.

I have reduced the number of registration reminders in this version because I
feel that features available only to registered users, including a full
working version of the new TSR, are incentive enough to register.  I shouldn't
have to remind people to register.  If you like the UHS, you should register.
It really should be that simple.


Copyright Information
=====================

This program is copyright 1992-1993 by Jason Strautman.  All rights reserved.
Portions written and copyright 1992 by Robert Norton.  The Graphics
Interchange Format, used in some UHS files, is copyrighted by and a service
mark of CompuServe Incorporated.  Thanks to Jim Griebel for his GIFSLOW
program, which helped me with the GIF decoder used in this reader.

This program may be used only for evaluation purposes until it has been
registered.  Use of this program after initial use as described in the section
above, or use of the program with a registration code for which you did not
pay, is prohibited.


About the UHS
=============

I created the Universal Hint System (or UHS) to provide an alternative way
computer gamers to get hints when they are stuck on a game.  Rather than wait
for a reply to message requests, many gamers choose to use relatively
expensive hint books or 900 hint lines.  The UHS offers a large number of hint
files that cover many of the current and the classic games, all for the price
of a single registration fee.  UHS files were designed to be exchanged across
computer formats, so a file written on any computer can be uploaded and shared
with users of any other computer -- as long as an up-to-date reader is
available.  The files will also provide hints ranging from subtle clues to
outright answers.  You only see what you need to.

This is the second version of the UHS.  The first version, now called 88a, and
its accompanying programs were released in 1988.  This version, 91a, was
created in 1991, although the first batch of programs were delayed until 1992.
This new version offers improved hint options, the ability to include 16-color
pictures, and a new file structure that will make future revisions easier to
implement.  It has also given the UHS programmers an opportunity to update
each of the readers with more modern interfaces.


Loading the File
================

This UHS reader will not be enough to give you hints for a game.  If you do
not already have the hint file for the game that you need hints on, you should
download it from the proper library.  Hint files are not available for every
game on the market, so if you cannot find one, it may just be because no one
has written that particular file.  CompuServe users can find UHS files in
various LIBraries on The Gamers' Forum (GO GAMERS).  If you are not certain as
to how the game is classified or in which LIBrary the file would be found,
either ask a SysOp or specify a search in all LIBs, by using the command "LIST
/LIB:ALL /KEY:UHS,[game]" from any LIBrary.  Users of programs such as TAPCIS
or CIM should check the documentation of those programs for instructions on
performing the search.

America Online subscribers should look in the PC Games Forum, keywords "PC
GAMES" or "PGM".  There is a "Universal Hints" library for all UHS files.  You
can also use the "Software Search" command and specify "UHS" as a keyword to
find related files.

GEnie users should search in library 8 (Universal Hint Library) of the Games
Roundtable (SCORPIA).  You only need to specify the game title as a keyword;
all files in the library relate to the UHS.

Now that you have downloaded the file, make sure that it and this program are
in the same directory of your hard drive (or floppy).  Type "UHS", followed by
the name of the file (you may omit the .UHS extension) and hit ENTER.  For
example, to view KQ6.UHS, simply enter "UHS KQ6" and the file will be loaded.

You can also specify a filename within the program.  Either hit the F3 key or
click on the "F3 Open" option at the bottom of the screen.  (You will need to
have your mouse driver installed in order to use the mouse.)  If you want to
keep two files open at once, you will need a task switcher such as one found
in the DOS Shell of DOS 5.0.  A separate version of the UHS is also available
for Windows 3.x.  Check CompuServe, AOL, or GEnie for a copy.


The Interface
=============

Experienced computer users should find the interface fairly basic and may
want to skip this section of the documentation.  But for those who need the
help, there are a few basic things you might need to know.  To use the menus
at the top of the screen, click (press and release the mouse button when the
cursor is over the item) on one of the headings, and then click on the item
that you want to choose.  Or you can click and hold the mouse, releasing it
over the item.  Keyboard users should hold ALT while pressing the key for the
highlighted letter of the menu name.  Then press the key of the highlighted
letter on the menu item, or use the arrow keys and ENTER to select.  You can
also use the shortcut keys, either listed at the bottom of the screen or on
the right side of the menus.  For example, the shortcut key to close a window
is ESC.

When the file is loaded, double-click on the item that you want to select, or
use the arrow keys to move through the choices and press the space bar or
ENTER.  Some windows have more choices than will fit inside the available
space.  If you are using a mouse, click on the arrows on the scroll bar at the
right of the window to display more choices.

Any window can be closed by hitting the ESC key.  You can also click on the
box in the upper-left corner of the window.  To zoom the window to fill the
entire screen, click on the button on the upper-right corner or hit F5.  And
to change to another window, either click on any portion of that window or hit
the F6 key to scroll through the available windows.  You can also use SHIFT-F6
to move through the windows in reverse order.  All four of these options are
also available from the "Windows" menu.

If you want to move a window, you can either click on the title bar and drag,
or hit CTRL-F5 and use the arrow keys to move the window around.  Hit ENTER
when finished.  To resize a window, either use the size "box" on the bottom
right corner or press CTRL-F5 and hold the CTRL key while pressing the arrow
keys, followed by ENTER to accept.

The "Tile" and "Cascade" options, also on the "Windows" menu, will re-arrange
the desktop so that all windows are displayed.  However, if too many windows
are on the screen, you will probably find that these commands make the windows
too small to be practical.


More on the Interface
=====================

Windows with hints in them will automatically zoom to the maximum space
available.  To display additional hints, either click on the "Show Another
Hint" button at the bottom of the window or press the RETURN key.

In case the display becomes cluttered with many windows, you can either use
the "Show Top Window" or "Clean Up" option from the "Windows" menu.  The first
option will simply bring the highest-level window (i.e., the first one that is
displayed upon loading a file) to the top of screen.  "Clean Up" will first
close all of the windows for a file, and then will re-open the file,
re-displaying the top window.

The "Help" menu provides information about the currently-loaded file and the
reader.  For files written in version 91a or higher, the "File Version"
information will bring up a window containing the format used to write the
file and information about the compiler used.  You should bring up this window
any time you are having problems with a file, to determine the cause of your
problem.  If the version reported is higher than 91a (such 92a, 92b, 93a,
etc.), first attempt to replace your reader with the most current version
before reporting a bug.

88a files do not include version information.  However, many files include a
few words from the author of the file or compiler that can be displayed by
going to the top window and selecting "A note from the author."  If there is
no such option, then you will have to check with the person who uploaded the
file for more details.


Hint Counting
=============

The reader will count the total number of hints in each question.  Both the
number of the current hint and the total number of hints are displayed inside
the button at the bottom of the screen, as in "Hint 1 of 5".  Clicking on this
button will still reveal the next hint.

If you want to disable the hint counting for any reason, click on the "Options
| Counting" menu item, and the counting will be turned off.  Click on this
menu item again to turn it back on.  Buttons currently on-screen will not be
affected by your selection.  Your preference will be saved for the next
session in a file called UHS.INI.  Unregistered users cannot disable hint
counting.


Print/Save Window
=================

If you want to print or save a copy of the contents of the current window,
select the appropriate item from the "Window" menu.  F4 is the hot key for
"Print", and CTRL-F4 is the hot key for "Save".  If you select the save
option, a file will be created with the same name as the hint file, except
the ".UHS" at the end is replaced with ".EXC".  For example, the contents of
any saved window from GOBLINS.UHS are placed in a filed called GOBLINS.EXC.
If the save file already exists, the contents of the window are appended to
that file.  The print option does not send a form feed character to the
printer.

In a hint window, only the hints that are currently displayed will be saved or
printed.  If you want to save all of the hints, you must first click on the
"Another Hint" button until all the hints have been displayed and then save
the contents of the window.


Verbose File Open
=================

If you do not remember a particular hint file's name, you can use the "File |
Verbose" option from the menu to locate it.  This option will bring up a list
box with all of the files in the current directory and include their version
numbers (88a or 91a) and title.  Double-click on any selection (or use the
space bar/ENTER and arrow keys as with all other list boxes) to open that
particular file.  Only one verbose file window can be open at the same time.

The "File | Change Dir" will change the current directory for use with the
Verbose file opening routine and the normal "File | Open" option.  Use the
arrow keys and ENTER key to change directories -- the space bar does *not*
work here -- or double-click on the directory you wish to change to.  The
"Revert" button will return you to the directory that you were in before
opening the dialog box.


Displaying Pictures
===================

Some files will contain pictures that the reader can display.  In order to
view any picture, you must have a EGA card in your system.  When a picture is
available, there will be a button in the window reminding you of this fact.
Click on this button, or hit the ENTER key, and the picture will be displayed.
You may stop the drawing routine with the ESC key.  Use any key to return to
the main display once the picture is completely drawn.  (You should hear a
beep from the internal speaker.)

If you either do not have a EGA display, or want to use another program to
print the picture, click on the "Export" button in the window.  A file named
UHSGIFxx.GIF will be placed in the same directory as the UHS file.  The "xx"
will be replaced by a number from 1 to 99.  You can then load the file into a
GIF viewing or printing program.  This feature is enabled only in the
registered version.


Shareware Notice
================

This program is shareware.  If you continue to use it, you should send a
contribution of $10.  In return, I will send you a code to disable the
registration reminders.  The codes from the DOS and Windows versions are not
interchangeable; you should register each program separately if you keep both.
Please use the REGISTER.FRM text file included in this archive when sending in
your registration.  Make sure that you request the right registration; the
form includes options for both DOS and TSR registrations.

Anyone who sends me an extra $5 (or more) will receive a 3.5" disk (low-
density for now, but I may use high-density disks in the very near future)
with all of the latest files and an unregistered copy of the Windows reader to
try out.  As of this writing, there are about 60 different UHS hint files.
The disk also includes a program that will print out the complete contents of
any UHS file.  The decoder program is available only with the disk.

If you want a list of available files and the place where you found the UHS
does not frequently update its UHS files, you can send me a self-addressed
stamped envelope to me at the address below.  CIS and AOL subscribers do not
need to request a file list, as both these services should have the complete
collection of available UHS files.  Registered users may purchase disks with
the latest versions of UHSDOS, UHSTSR, and all of the files at any time for
$5.  Please give me your registration code with a request for an extra disk,
since the code is the easiest way to verify that you are registered.

Foreign users may register this program through CompuServe's shareware
registration service (GO SWREG).  The registration ID is #352.  I have added a
$2 service charge to pay for CompuServe's commission.  Disks will not be
mailed to anyone who registers through SWREG.  If you live outside the US and
want a copy of the files disk, please let me know before sending a check so I
can look into mailing costs.

Anyone who writes a complete UHS file that follows the guidelines included
with the compilers will be registered automatically for the DOS, TSR, and
Windows readers and will receive the files disk.  But you must check with me
before beginning the file to prevent duplication.  I will also send you the
authorization code that the compiler requires.

This program may be distributed on non-commercial BBS's, provided that this
archive is not modified, that no fee is charged for access to the UHS and
its related files, and that the BBS is open to the general public.  But
please send me a letter letting me know when the UHS has been uploaded to a
BBS.  I occasionally receive questions from users asking which BBS's carry the
UHS, but unless I hear from BBS sysops or members, I can't answer these
questions.  Anyone else wishing to distribute the UHS must receive prior
approval from me.


Special Thanks
==============

to Eliza J. Intino, CIS [76520,3252] and Leonardo Drago, CIS [70760,2061] for
testing this version of UHSDOS and all of the TSR beta testers.


Changes Since Version 1.00
==========================

1.50: Reminders to register the program have been reduced substantially.
      Writes directly to video memory for faster picture display.
      The program now searches in the same directory as UHS.EXE for UHS.INI
        and UHS_REG.TXT files for registered users to follow standards used in
        the TSR version.
      Fixes runtime error #104 that appeared when an invalid directory was
        specified.
      The register dialog box will now accept registration codes for the TSR
        reader.  The dialog box will automatically be filled with your name
        and code if you have already entered this data.
      The documentation has been updated to make note of the terminate and
        stay resident (TSR or "pop-up") version of the UHS reader.

1.40: YEAH!  Prettier "About UHS" and "About this Program" dialog boxes!
      The ENTER key (in addition to the space bar) can now be used to select
        an item in a list box.
      "Print", "Previous", and "Save" window commands added.
      All menu commands are disabled when not applicable.
      The "white square" bug that appeared in some registered copies has now
        been fixed.
      Arrows on scroll bars always move through choices one at a time. In
        previous versions, the arrows sometimes skipped through several items
        at a time with longer lists.
      "Windows | Close All" has been renamed "Clean Up" to more accurately
        reflect the option's purpose.
      Exit from program is now confirmed with a dialog box.
      Upper-right corner of screen displays registration status (name or
        "UNREGISTERED").

1.30: Counts the number of clues for each question.  Registered users
        can disable the count if they want to.
      Picture display is now about 25% faster than in previous versions.
      Verbose file open added.
      Several common errors are recognized and an appropriate text message is
        displayed in place of a simple error number.

1.20: Adds registration dialog box to make registration simpler.
      Removes the drop-to-DOS function for unregistered users.
      Corrects minor bugs in the picture display routine.  The border now
        will always be in black, and the first line of pixels is properly
        drawn.

1.10: Adds support for EGA systems while displaying pictures.
      Removes the run-time errors that sometimes appeared after a picture
        was displayed or after an invalid filename was entered.
      Reminders to register are displayed in different places.

1.01: Corrects an error that falsely reported that a file transfered through
        the XMODEM protocol was corrupt.


Jason Strautman
239 Redwood
San Antonio, TX  78209
CIS: [72337,2611]
  (Please leave messages in The Gamers' Forum -- GO GAMERS)
AOL: JStrautman
GEnie: J.STRAUTMAN
  (Note: I cannot guarantee that I will keep my GEnie account.  If you do not
  hear from me on GEnie, you should contact me by any of the other means
  listed above.)