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Second Guess Version 1.0 November 14, 1994 Nels Anderson 585 Edmands Road Framingham, MA 01701 U.S.A. FAX: 508-788-1363 BBS: 508-788-6951 CompuServe: 71020,2613 email: nels.anderson@xevious.com Second Guess is based on a game that is known by various names such as concentration solitaire and memory. There are a number of variations on this game with different playing and scoring rules and even multi-player versions. Second Guess includes all these variations; there are 72 different solitaire variants, plus it can be played as a multi-player game with two to four players, or as a two player game where the computer plays one of the sides. With so many variations, Second Guess is suitable for all age levels and for any player interest from casual to serious. Second Guess is an easy game to play, though obviously a good memory will be required to do well. You might want to just jump right into the game and start playing rather than reading all the instructions. The basic objective is to find matching pairs of tiles from the set of tiles displayed with their backs showing. Once you've mastered the basics you can take a look at the various options available and try those that interest you. The game has a help function built in which you can reference at any time. Second Guess is distributed as Shareware -- this allows you to try it before you buy it, but if you continue to use the game regularly you are expected to register. When you register, please let me know what version you have (it's in the corner of the game screen) and I'd also be interested to know where you got it from. Please, make sure you put your name and address on your letter! Or you can use the instant registration form in the file "orderfrm.txt". Just copy the file to your printer (you can do this with the DOS command "COPY ORDERFRM.TXT PRN"...that's all it takes!), fill it out, and mail it. If you're not familiar with the Shareware concept, please read the file "sharewre.txt". The registration is $16, for which I will send you a disk with the latest version. Or for $24 you can get the "deluxe" version which includes a copy of the latest version of the game in a binder with printed instructions. Either version also includes more tile sets and more background pictures. Shipping and handling is $2, or $4 for outside North America or for the deluxe version. Please note that all prices are in U.S. dollars. Also available: Additions Disk #1. This features additional tile sets and background images to add more variety to Second Guess. Additions Disk #1 is available for $6. Also available: custom backgrounds. Want to use a favorite photo as a background when playing? Custom scanned backgrounds are available for $6 each. Send your photo along with your order and include instructions on how you want the image cropped (unlike normal photos Second Guess backgrounds are approximately square). Your photo will be returned with your order along with a 256 color .PCX file version of it suitable for use with Second Guess. You can order by credit card 24 hours a day through a dedicated FAX line at 508-788-1363 (VISA and MasterCard accepted). Just FAX a filled out copy of the orderform. You can also order 24 hours a day on Xevious, the support BBS. Use your modem to dial 508-788-6951 and use the command CREDIT to order. If you live in the U.K. you can register through Nildram Software. Please print the file UKORDER.TXT for an order form all ready to go or just send #12.95 to: Nildram Software 82 Akeman Street Tring Herts HP23 6AF If you have any suggestions or discover any problems with the program you can reach me via the Xevious BBS (PCBoard) system (300 through 28800 bps v.34/v.32/HST, 8N1) at 508-788-6951. Leave a C)omment to the sysop to reach me. Xevious is the official support BBS for all my software and the latest versions are always available for downloading there. There is also a support conference for people to exchange game tips or ask questions. J)oin conference #31 and check out the latest tips. Also check B)ulletin #1 for the list of latest versions of all my software. You can also reach Xevious through RelayNet. If there's a RelayNet board in your area send a routed message to me at node XEVIOUS. The Shareware conference would be the best choice, but if that's not available try TPascal, Games or even Common. I'm also available through CompuServe's email system. Send email to me at 71020,2613. Or join me and many other Shareware authors in the Shareware forum (GO SHAREWARE). You can also email me at nels.anderson@xevious.com or 71020.2613@compuserve.com via Internet. VIDEO REQUIREMENTS: Second Guess runs in 640x480, 256 color graphics mode supported by most SuperVGA (SVGA) video cards. Any card that supports VESA 1.2 should work as well as many other SVGA cards. Most newer video cards support VESA 1.2. Some have this support built into the card while others require that a driver be loaded first. If the game does not run be sure to check your video card manual. If your card does not offer VESA 1.2 support you should check with the manufacturer to see if it can be updated as this mode has become the closest thing to a standard available and will no doubt prove useful in running many programs. One final possibility is to obtain one of the generic VESA drivers that are available through shareware channels. MEMORY REQUIREMENTS: Second Guess requires about 510k of conventional memory and about 1.0 meg of either expanded or extended memory. You must be running a memory manager such as HIMEM/EMM386 (which come with MS-DOS) or QEMM. A properly set up system using any memory manager should easily have more than 510k of conventional memory available. While the game will work with either expanded or extended memory, expanded is preferred as the game will run faster. If you are using QEMM you should not have to do anything as QEMM can allocate available memory as either expanded or extended. If using EMM386 make sure you have 1 meg of memory allocated as expanded for best operation. MOUSE USAGE: Second Guess can be played with either your keyboard or with a mouse. Most people will find a mouse easier. To be able to use a mouse you must have a mouse driver loaded before running the game. The driver should have come with your mouse when you bought it and installation instructions should have been included with the mouse documentation. In general, the mouse driver is either an .exe file that you can run at any time or a .sys file that is included in your "config.sys" file making it load when you boot your computer. Mouse drivers are frequently updated by manufacturers so if you have any problems with your mouse check to see if an updated driver is available. ***************************************************************************** * PLAYING THE GAME * ***************************************************************************** OBJECT The object of the game is to find matching pairs of tiles as quickly as possible. The tiles are placed on the playing surface face down so a good memory is required to make matches. Most variants favor fastest time in judging how well you do, though there are some variants where extra points are awarded for making multiple matches on one turn and here points are used for scoring. In the multiple player variants each player tries to make more matches on his turns than the other player(s) make. There are a number of variations on the scoring system. GENERAL You can end the game at any time by hitting the F10 key. You can also stop by using the mouse cursor to point to QUIT on the menu bar and clicking the mouse button. Other commands on the menu bar can also be clicked on using the mouse. If you prefer using the keyboard, each menu bar function can be accessing using a function key or by holding down the ALT key while pressing the letter key that is the first letter in the command you want (i.e., press ALT-H for the HELP command). Several menu items open up sub-menus. In the sub-menus either click on your choice with the mouse cursor, move the cursor with the arrow keys and select with the enter key, or type the number corresponding to your choice. A few of the most commonly used functions have keyboard shortcuts that are listed along with the function descriptions below. MOUSE PLAY SPECIFICS Second Guess can be played entirely with a mouse. Make your first guess by moving the mouse cursor (which looks like a pointing finger) over a tile and clicking the mouse button. The tile will flip over and remain displayed until you complete your move. Then make your second guess as before and it will also flip over. If you have a match, your score will be updated and the tiles will either disappear or remain face up depending on which option you've selected in the Master Setup menu. If the tiles you selected don't match they will remain displayed briefly and then flip back over. How long they remain face up can be set in the Master Setup menu. KEYBOARD PLAY SPECIFICS Second Guess also plays easily using just the keyboard. Use the arrow keys (make sure NUM LOCK is off) to position the finger over the tile you want to select and then hit either the enter key or space bar to flip it over. The first tile will remain face up until you complete your turn. Move the finger over your second guess and hit enter or space as before. If your two selections match, your score will be updated and the tiles will either disappear or remain face up depending on the option you selected in the Master Setup menu. If the two tiles don't match they will remain face up briefly and then automatically flip back over. You can set how long they remain face up with the Master Setup menu. SINGLE PLAYER GAME Second Guess can be played as a solitaire game with the computer providing the playing surface and all timing and scoring. There are a large number of playing options which vary the difficulty level greatly. At the easiest levels, using the small playing board, Second Guess is simple enough for young children while as the highest level it will be a challenge for anyone. See the section below on GAME OPTIONS for a description of all the different variations. All options apply to single and multiple player games. MULTIPLE PLAYER GAME Second Guess can be played by two to four players in addition to solitaire. In these variants players take turns trying to find matches with the highest final score (when all tiles have been matched) winning. The scoreboard on the right side of the screen shows each player's score and cumulative playing time. A red "lamp" will light next to the player who should be making his turn and his clock will be advancing as well. In case of ties the fastest time wins so making moves quickly is a good idea. Players can use both the mouse and keyboard to play. A single person can also play a two player game with the computer as the opponent. Game options and scoring are the same as if a human opponent was playing. To play against the computer just select that option from the Master Setup menu. GAME OPTIONS Second Guess has a large number of options, most of which are selected from the Master Setup menu. The Master Setup menu in turn is selected from the Option command on the main menu bar or directly by hitting ALT-S. Each option in the Master Setup menu is described below. Options can be selected with the mouse or the arrow keys. To select an option with the mouse click on the word or the button just to the left of the option description. The button will depress to show that it is selected. Using the keyboard move the cursor around with the arrow keys and use either the enter key or space bar to select. When you have all options the way you want click on the OK button. Hitting the ESC key will abort immediately and hitting the HOME key will move the cursor to the OK button. The options you select are stored in a file called "guess.cfg" which is used each time the game is started up. Thus each time you play Second Guess will start with the exact same options you were using the last time you played. Master Setup Options: Sound On/Off: This option enables or disables sound effects during the game. Flip Time: This option lets you set the length of time that a pair of tiles remains displayed after you've selected them. Select the + symbol to increase the display time or the - symbol to decrease the time. The colored bar indicates the current time which can be varied from about 0 to 3 seconds. Board Size: Three board sizes are available to vary the difficulty of the game. The small board consists of only 16 tiles and is suitable even for small children. The medium size uses 36 tiles and the large size uses 72 tiles. Number Each Tile: This option works with the Board Size option to select the game difficulty. You can choose to have either two or four of each tile. With four of each tile there are several ways of finding matching pairs which makes playing easier even with the larger board sizes. Tiles Stay/Tiles Hide: This option selects what happens after a match has been made. You can choose to have the tiles disappear after a match or remain on the board displayed face up. Number of Players: You can select 1, 2, 3, or 4 players or 1 player versus computer. If you select 1 player versus computer you also can select how good a player the computer is. Computer skill is set by what percentage of tiles the computer remembers after they've once been turned over. Scoring: These options control whether time or points is favored in scoring the game and are used both for single and multiple player games. If "One Move Per Player" is selected each player gets one turn whether or not they make a match; this option favors speed in deciding a winner. If "Player Moves Until No Match" is selected a player's turn continues until he selects two tiles that are not a pair; this option favors points in deciding a winner. If "Player Moves Until No Match" is selected two additional scoring options are available. You can select either "1 Point Per Match" or "2 Points for 2nd Match". Choosing the latter allows for higher scores by rewarding players who can make a series of matches on a single turn. This option gives one point for the first match then two points for each additional match made on the same turn. Wild Cards: Turning this option on will include two wild cards on the playing board. Each wild card matches any other card (including the other wild card). When using this option you will usually end up with unplayable tiles at the end of the game. Bad Cards: Turning this option on will include two "lose turn" cards on the playing board. When one of these is selected that player's turn ends immediately. Wild cards do not match lose turn cards. COMMAND LINE OPTIONS The game options you want are usually chosen using the Master Setup menu and are reloaded each time you play from the "guess.cfg" configuration file. Most people will never need to use command line options. If you are not familiar with them you should avoid them and use the game's setup menus. If you want to you can override the last setup selections using command line options as follows: -2 use two of each tile -4 use four of each tile -b1 small (16 tile) board -b2 medium (36 tile) board -b3 large (72 tile) board -c play against the computer -f# tile flip time in 0.3 second increments (replace # with a number from 0 through 9) -h tiles hide after match -l lose turn (bad cards) allowed -w wild cards allowed -m multiple moves per turn allowed -x multiple points used for multiple matches -p# number of players (replace # with 1,2,3 or 4) -a animated tile removal effects off -s sound off You can also include the name of the tile set you want to use on the command line. Here are some examples: To play using a large board with sound off, use this command line: guess -b3 -s Note that the dashes are required and there must be a space between each option. To use the State Flags tile set (flagsusa.tl) and allow wild cards, use this command line: guess flagsusa.tl -w MENU BAR SELECTIONS Second Guess has a menu bar at the top of the screen to control all functions other than actual game play. Each menu item is described below: F1 or ALT-H - Help Several screens of helpful information on playing the game and on game options are available. You can move between the screens by clicking on the appropriate box: "NEXT" to advance to the next screen, "PREV" to go back a screen, and "QUIT" to exit help. F2 or ALT-I - Info Some basic information on Second Guess is displayed along with registration information and the author's address. Also displays the name of the artist who created the tile set currently in use, if known. F3 or ALT-F - File This opens up a sub-menu that gives access to files related to Second Guess as follows: New Game: This function ends the current game and starts a new one. You can use ALT-N as a shortcut to this function without going through the menus. Load Tiles: This function will load a new set of tiles. It will start by displaying all tile sets in the current directory (tile set files always end with the suffix .tl). You can move to other directories by using the "close" option to move up or by clicking on a directory name to move down. Load Picture: Normally Second Guess displays a plain black background behind the tiles on the playing surface. You can, however, load a 256 color .PCX picture file as a background. Note, though, that Second Guess always uses the color palette required to display the playing tiles so the quality of the image displayed depends on how closely its color palette matches that used by the current tile set. Save Game: If you need to quit before finishing a game you can save it with this function. Any file name can be used for a saved game but the file will always have the suffix ".sav". Load Game: With this function you can reload any previously saved game. All files with a suffix of ".sav" will be displayed to choose from. View Doc File: With this function you can view the complete Second Guess documentation file or any other text file. A window will pop up with all files available for viewing. Select the file you want and the viewer will display it. You can then move through the file using the arrow keys, Page Up and Page Down keys, and the Home and End keys. The left and right mouse buttons can also be used to page up and down. Hit F1 for a list of the viewer command keys. Hit F2 to print the entire file being viewed. Hit F3 to print the current page being displayed. When done, hit the ESC key to exit the viewer. Print Order Form: Use this option to print an order form for Second Guess and other games by the same author. F4 or ALT-O - Options This opens up a sub-menu that gives access to Second Guess playing options as follows: Change Tile Back: Second Guess has a variety of different tile backs available. Move the cursor over the back you want and click to select a new tile back. Master Setup: This function opens up the Master Setup menu which is fully described in the Game Options section above. You can use ALT-S as a shortcut to this function without going through the menus. View High Scores: High scores are kept for solitaire games only. Choosing this function will display the current high scores list. Note that a separate list is kept for each variant of solitaire play and only the list matching the currently selected playing rules (from the Master Setup menu) is shown. To view a different list, first select the playing rules from the Master Setup menu. Clear High Scores: Choosing this function will delete all high score lists and erase the file where they are stored. Deleting the file "guess.scr" using normal DOS commands has the same effect. Shell To DOS: You can temporarily leave the game and return to DOS with this function. To return to the game, use the DOS command EXIT and the game will restart right where you left off. You can use ALT-X as a shortcut to this function without going through the menus. If this function appears not to work you probably have insufficient free memory. This feature is only available if you are not using digitized sound effects. Clear Background: If you have a background picture loaded and decide you'd prefer to go back to the plain black background use this function to clear the background. View Tile Set: Use this function to view the complete tile set currently in use. The playing board will be erased and all 36 tiles will be shown in its place. The name of the artist who drew the tiles will be displayed at the top of the screen, if known. Hit any key or click the mouse to return to the game. You can use ALT-V as a shortcut to this function without going through the menus. Animation Toggle: Normally when a match is found a special effect is used to remove the two tiles. Since this slows down the game a bit you can turn the animation off and on with this control. F10 or ALT-Q - Quit Choose this menu item to stop playing Second Guess. You'll be asked if you really meant to quit in case you chose this function by accident. ***************************************************************************** * MAKING YOUR OWN TILES * ***************************************************************************** If you feel artistic, you can create your own playing tiles for Second Guess. An editor utility called Tile Factory is included. To use, run the file "factory.exe" and for complete instructions see the file "factory.doc". ***************************************************************************** * INCLUDED FILES * ***************************************************************************** The following files are included in Second Guess: GUESS.EXE Second Guess program GUESS.DOC This file GUESS.TXT A brief description of Second Guess GUESS.HLP Text for online help function GUESS.GXL Sound/graphics library FACTORY.EXE Tile editing utility FACTORY.DOC Tile editor instructions FACTORY.HLP Text for Tile Factory online help function FACTORY.GXL Tile factory library files *.TL Various tile sets *.PCX Pictures for use as playing board backgrounds SHAREWRE.TXT Information on Shareware ORDERFRM.TXT Ready to print registration form UKORDER.TXT Registration form for UK residents VENDOR.TXT Distribution information for disk vendors, BBSes, etc. FILE_ID.DIZ Standard program description for BBS use You are free to pass this program along to friends, give it to user groups, upload to BBSes, etc. with the understanding that anyone who continues to use the game is required to register it. All these files MUST be included when distributing this program and you may not alter any of these files. If you archive the program for distribution through BBSes, please use the name GUESS10.ZIP (or .LZH, .PAK, etc. as appropriate). ***************************************************************************** * ADDITIONAL CREDITS * ***************************************************************************** The Second Guess title screen was drawn by Denise Tyler. Sounds effects were created and recorded by David Pabst. Tile sets are by a variety of artists as described below. All these sets are included with the registered version of the game, but only a sampling with the unregistered version in order to save space (and download time for BBS users). Additional tile sets are also available separately; please see order form (ORDERFRM.TXT file). GUESS.TL Nels Anderson (Default--playing cards) FLAGSUSA.TL Nels Anderson (US state flags) FLAGSEUR.TL Nels Anderson (European country flags) MEDIEVAL.TL Nels Anderson (medieval times theme) OLDWEST.TL Tom Boothby (old west theme) SHIPS.TL Tom Boothby (sailing ships) BLAZONS.TL George Chisholm (shields with heraldry symbols) MAHJ1956.TL George Chisholm (Mah Jongg tiles) ABODES.TL Don Hewitt (houses and other buildings) AQUAFISH.TL Don Hewitt (aquarium/tropical fish) ALFYBETA.TL G.D. van Nortwick (fanciful rustic Victorian letters) SAINTS.TL Charlotte Massey-Crouch (religious theme--saints) ***************************************************************************** * REGISTRATION * ***************************************************************************** Please remember that Second Guess is not free software. As with all Shareware you are expected to purchase it after you've given it a reasonable trial. The registration price for Second Guess is $16, which includes a disk with the latest version plus additional tile sets and .PCX pictures for backgrounds. Please note that all prices are in U.S. dollars. A "deluxe" version of Second Guess is also available. This includes a storage case, printed manual plus the registered version of the game as described above. This version is available for $24. Custom backgrounds are available for $6. Send your photo with cropping instructions and it will be returned along with a 256 color .PCX file version suitable for use as a Second Guess background image. Additions Disk #1 is also available. This adds more tile sets and background images for use with Second Guess. Additions Disk #1 is available for $6. Please include shipping as follows: $2 for standard version within North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) $4 for standard version outside North America $4 for deluxe version anywhere Please note that your total shipping cost for your entire order will always be either $2 or $4. If you live in the U.K. you can register through Nildram Software. Please print the file UKORDER.TXT for an order form all ready to go or just send #12.95 to: Nildram Software 82 Akeman Street Tring Herts HP23 6AF ***************************************************************************** * DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY * ***************************************************************************** This software is sold "as is", without any warranty as to performance or any other warranties whether expressed or implied. Because of the many hardware and software environments into which this program may be used, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered. The user must assume the entire risk of using the program. Any liability of the seller will be limited exclusively to product replacement or the refund of the registration fee. ***************************************************************************** * ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS * ***************************************************************************** This software is produced by Nels Anderson who is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442, USA or send a CompuServe message via email to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. FAX: 616-788-2765. _______ ____|__ | (R) --| | |------------------- | ____|__ | Association of | | |_| Shareware |__| o | Professionals -----| | |--------------------- |___|___| MEMBER ***************************************************************************** * AVAILABLE SOFTWARE * ***************************************************************************** Other software which I've either written or contributed to: MAHJONGG: Solitaire game played with Chinese tiles. Supports VGA, EGA and Hercules graphics; mouse optional. See reviews in December 1988 "PCWorld" and April 1989 "Compute!". Uses the same tile sets as Tile Match. TMATCH Tile Match is similar to Second Guess, but supports standard EGA and VGA graphics instead of SuperVGA. It uses the same tile sets as Mah Jongg solitaire. CIPHER: A word puzzle game involving solving quotations that have been encrypted. Runs in EGA or VGA graphics mode with or without a mouse, or in text mode. CIPHWN: Cipher for Windows. All the features of regular CIPHER but runs under the Microsoft Windows 3.x environment. EGATREK: Space strategy battle game, using full EGA graphics, based on the classic minicomputer game. Winner of Public Brand Software's 1988 software contest. SHOOT: "Shooting Gallery" tests your aim and reflexes in a number of different rounds of shooting. Uses MCGA graphics mode for 256 colors and and also requires a mouse. See review in "PC Magazine" vol. 9 #20. SUPERFLY: An action game using hi-res EGA/VGA graphics. Chase the flies and other insects through twenty different rounds. Includes three levels of difficulty, hall of fame, shell to DOS, etc. Keyboard/joystick/mouse supported. See review in "PC Magazine" vol. 10 #17. BASSTOUR: (Written by Dick Olsen). Game that simulates a fishing tournament, including rod and lure selection. Runs in EGA/CGA/MCGA/Hercules graphics modes. Uses many of the utilities from MOUSTOOL. Do not order this game from me; for more information contact: Richard Olsen, 68 Hartwell Avenue, Littleton, MA 01460. BASSMAP: Companion program for BassTour which allows lakes to be created or modified. EGA and CGA versions included. Requires BassTour or Bass Class. - - - - - Second Guess is copyright (c) 1994 by Nels Anderson. All rights reserved.