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XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX X X X X X X XXXX X XXXX X XXXX XXX XXX XXX X X X X X X X X X X X X X XX X XX X XXXX XXX X X XX X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXX X X X X XXX XXX U S E R S M A N A U L * CUTLASS ** *** **** ***** ********** *********** ***** **** *** ** SOFTWARE * Copyright (c) 1992 15127 N.E. 24th St. Suite #108 Redmond, WA 98052 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S INTRODUCTION......................................1 OVERVIEW..........................................1 REGISTRATION .....................................2 LICENSE AGREEMENT.................................3 GETTING STARTED...................................4 PLAYING A GAME Against the computer............................6 Against another person..........................7 HOW TO PLAY.......................................11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................14 Page -1- I. INTRODUCTION --------------- With the gaining in popularity of telecommunications a need has risen for games to allow competition amongst fellow users. 'TeleCards' was developed with this concept in mind. TeleCards is a set of 3 different card games that you can play either against the computer or a friend. To play another person all that is required are two IBM compatible PC's that are linked together by modem or with a NULL modem serial cable. The three games included are: Crazy Eights, Cribbage, and Gin Rummy. II. OVERVIEW ------------ Key features found in TeleCards include: * Built in answering and dialing capabilities. Therefore a communications program, such as PROCOMM, is not needed to run TeleCards. * The ability to send messages back and forth to your opponent while you are playing. * On-line help facilities. * A phone book file that contains both hardware specs and a list of up to 10 opponents with scores and dates called. * Ability to save and to restart games previously saved. * Use of different card back designs with the ability for users to create their own. * Support for COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4 and baud rates up to 19200. * The computer as an opponent Page -2- III. REGISTRATION ----------------- TeleCards is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to you for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide you with quality software without high prices, and yet to give us incentive to continue to develop new products. If you like TeleCards and continue to use it after a reasonable trial period, you must send a registration payment of $20.00 (U.S. funds). Please use the form on the following page. Remember that since TeleCards can be played bu two players, the fee can be split in half with each player paying only $10.00! If this is the case, please list both names when registering. Those who do register will receive the following: * A printed manual * A utility program to allow for baud rates up to 19200. * A utility program which allows users to create their own card back designs. * A Novell NetWare version of TeleCards. Expected availability 3/93. * All updates to the product free. Thank you for your support! TeleCards Registration Form MAIL TO: CUTLASS SOFTWARE 15127 N.E. 24th Street Suite #108 REDMOND, WA USA 98052 USER #1 NAME: ______________________________________ DATE: ___/___/___ ADDRESS:______________________________________ CITY: ______________________________________ STATE: ______________ ZIP: _________-_______ COUNTRY: _____________ PHONE: (____)____-________(in case there's a question about your order) USER #2 (Only use if dual registration) NAME: ______________________________________ DATE: ___/___/___ ADDRESS:______________________________________ CITY: ______________________________________ STATE: ______________ ZIP: _________-_______ COUNTRY: _____________ PHONE: (____)____-________(in case there's a question about your order) ___ Registration with 5 1/4 360k disk & printed documentation $20.00 (NOTE: If dual registration both users will receive complete package) International (except Canada) orders please add $3.50 for AIR shipping. Be sure to make payment in US funds ($) drawn on US Banks. Where did you obtain your copy of TeleCards ?: _______________________ AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $____________ **************************************** * Your support is greatly appreciated. * * * * Kevin T. Kohler * **************************************** Please allow 1-2 weeks delivery time Page -3- IV. LICENSE AGREEMENT --------------------- TeleCards and its documentation are copyrighted material. You are granted a license to use your copy of TeleCards only under the terms and conditions specified in this license agreement. TeleCards is a commercial software product. It is distributed as Shareware, which means that you may try the software before you pay for it. However, you must stop using TeleCards and remove it from your computer if you decide not to pay the license fee. You may freely copy TeleCards for personal use. You may also give copies of TeleCards to others if they also agree to the terms of this agreement. Users of TeleCards must accept this disclaimer of warranty: TeleCards IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE IS WITH YOU. I, Kevin Kohler, ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF TeleCards. Distributing TeleCards: ----------------------- Anyone distributing TeleCards for any kind of remuneration must first contact, Cutlass Software, at the address listed earlier for authorization. If you are going to distribute TeleCards in a compressed file, please use the name TCG10.??? (.ZIP, .ARC, .LZH, etc). Page -4- V. GETTING STARTED ------------------- System Requirements: ------------------- Before attempting to install TeleCards, be sure that your system meets all the requirements listed below: DOS 2.0 or higher 512k RAM Floppy or Hard Drive with 800K free EGA or VGA Hayes compatible modem (optional) Mouse (optional) Installation Process: --------------------- Please use the appropriate uncompressing program to place the distributed TeleCards files into a separate subdirectory. The following files should be present after installation: TC.COM program to start TeleCards TCEGA.EXE main program README.1ST introduction to TeleCards TCMANUAL.DOC TeleCards users manual TCCMNT.FRM TeleCards comment form RULES.DOC rules for Cribbage, Crazy Eights, Gin Rummy TCEGA.WND graphics file for TeleCards CRIBB.WND " " for Cribbage CRZY8.WND " " for Crazy Eights GNRMY.WND " " for Gin Rummy TCIMAGES.DAT " " for TeleCards CRIBB.HLP help file for Cribbage CRZY8.HLP " " for Crazy Eights GNRMY.HLP " for Gin Rummy CBACK.DAT text file listing card back designs DEFAULT.TCB default card back design SAMPLE3.TCB card back design SAMPLE4.TCB card back design SAMPLE5.TCB card back design SAMPLE6.TCB card back design SAMPLE7.TCB card back design SAMPLE8.TCB card back design SAMPLE9.TCB card back design SAMPLE10.TCB card back design SAMPLE11.TCB card back design SAMPLE12.TCB card back design SAMPLE13.TCB card back design SAMPLE14.TCB card back design SAMPLE15.TCB card back design SAMPLE16.TCB card back design Page -5- V. GETTING STARTED (cont.) Start-Up: --------- To start TeleCards log onto the subdirectory or drive to where the TeleCards files were installed and type: TC [options] The following options can be used: /i - Skip display of introduction screen. /k - Force use of keyboard. Mouse is default if present. /n - NON-HAYES compatible modem in use. If your modem does not support the following commands: ATDT or ATS0=, then use this switch. You will be prompted to enter the correct dialing or auto-answer command. ************************************************************ ** NOTE: When playing another person, DO NOT run ** ** TeleCards under Microsoft WINDOWS 3.x ** ************************************************************ Page -6- VI. PLAYING A GAME: AGAINST THE COMPUTER ------------------------------------------ When TeleCards is started it checks for a configuration file, TCPHONE.BOK, in the current directory. This file contains your name plus additional information to run TeleCards. If the file is not found it is then created. You are then prompted to enter your name. A maximum of twelve (12) characters is allowed. The next task is to select a card back design to use. TeleCards has several sample card back designs to choose from. To accept the design that is currently displayed, move the cursor to the 'Select' button and press ENTER if using a keyboard or for mouse users just click the left button. To view another design move the cursor to the 'Next' button. and press ENTER if using a keyboard or click the left mouse button. To exit the game at this point, move the cursor to the 'Exit' button. Once a card back is chosen you now have the opportunity of selecting a game to play. Choose from either Crazy Eights, Gin Rummy or Cribbage. However if you wish to restart a previously saved game, choose the 'Restart A Previous Game' option. When this is done TeleCards searches the current directory for any .TCG file. Only games that were saved while playing the computer are highlighted. From the 'Restart Game' screen, move the cursor to the appropriate game and press ENTER if using the keyboard or click the left mouse button. When no TCG files are found, a message 'NO SAVED GAME(S) FILE FOUND' is displayed to alert you to this fact. To exit and reselect a 'new' game to start, press the SPACE BAR if using the keyboard or click the right mouse button. Now refer to 'HOW TO PLAY' section for further details. Page -7- VI. PLAYING A GAME: AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON -------------------------------------------- Configuring Your System: ------------------------ When TeleCards is started it checks for a configuration file, TCPHONE.BOK, in the current directory. This file contains your modem parameters which are required to run TeleCards. If the file is not found it is then created. When this occurs, you are presented with a screen to select both the baud rate and communications port. COM1, COM2, COM3 and COM4 are supported, along with baud rates of 300, 1200 and 2400. To select your choices using the keyboard, use the UP/DOWN keys to highlight the desired selection and hit ENTER to accept. When using a mouse, just click the left button on the desired selection to accept. The last piece of information that is asked for is a modem command string. This command is sometimes necessary to disable features that are ON by default. Two features that must be OFF for TeleCards to run correctly are data compression and error detection. To signify that NO special command is needed just hit ENTER. Refer to your modem users manual for specific command syntax. If the configuration file is found, a verification screen displays the settings saved previously. If no changes are to be made hit 'N' to continue. If you wish to modify any parameter then hit 'Y'. Page -8- VI. PLAYING A GAME: AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON (cont.) Validating Hardware: -------------------- TeleCards initializes and checks all communications equipment to verify it is working properly. If TeleCards is unable to open the comport an error message is displayed and the program exits back to DOS. The problem is mostly likely caused due to insufficient memory. TeleCards requires at least 512k free memory to run. Free additional memory and start TeleCards over. If your modem is not active, an error message is displayed listing three possible actions to take. One is to have TeleCards retry after you have powered on your modem. A second option is to press F1 to change your modem parameters, and the final option is to hit ESC to exit back to DOS. *********************************************************** *** NOTE: Your system MIGHT have to be rebooted if **** *** the modem cannot be initialized properly. **** *********************************************************** Selecting A Card Back Design: ----------------------------- TeleCards has several sample card back designs to choose from. To accept the design that is currently displayed, move the cursor to the 'Select' button and press ENTER if using a keyboard or for mouse users just click the left button. To view another design move the cursor to the 'Next' button. and press ENTER if using a keyboard or click the left mouse button. To exit the game at this point, move the cursor to the 'Exit' button. Page -9- VI. PLAYING A GAME: AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON (cont.) Determining Your Player Status: ------------------------------- A screen is displayed asking you to enter your 'Player Status'. Player status is defined as whether you are to be the player making the call or the player waiting to answer a call. If you enter an 'M', you will be dialing your opponents phone number. If instead you enter 'R', your modem will go into auto answer mode and will wait for a call from your opponent. This is necessary even if you a playing TeleCards via a direct link. Players must decide before starting TeleCards what their respective player status will be. Establishing A Connection With Your Opponent: --------------------------------------------- Placing A Call To Your Opponent =============================== If you are the person who is making the call you will be presented with a phone book screen. This screen lists each entry which consists of an opponents name, their phone number, date last time you played this opponent, the game played and the score. Each phone book entry can be changed. Use the F2 key to update the entry that is currently highlighted. Only the name and phone number fields can be altered. To make call to a particular opponent highlight that entry and hit ENTER or if using a mouse then just click the LEFT button. At this point a window will display the status of your call. Receiving A Call From Your Opponent =================================== If, on the other hand, you are the player who is to receive a call a screen is displayed presenting this fact. A message will appear when a connection has been made. If there is no call within five (5) minutes, then a timeout message is displayed. Then you are asked if you wish to keep waiting for a call. Press 'Y' if to continue, 'N' to exit back to DOS. Page -10- VI. PLAYING A GAME: AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON (cont.) Selecting Which Game To Play: ----------------------------- Once a valid connection is established between the two players, the player who called is given the opportunity to select the game that is to be played. While the opposing player has the ability to either accept or reject their opponent's selection. To make a selection move the cursor to the correct choice and hit ENTER or click the left mouse button. Your selection is then sent to your opponent for confirmation. To accept an opponent's selection, press the 'Y' key or press the 'N' key to reject it. Remember that both players MUST AGREE on a selection before that game is actually started. Starting A New Game =================== When selecting a game to play, choose from either Crazy Eights, Gin Rummy or Cribbage. After your opponent has accepted your selection the corresponding game is then started. Restarting A Game ================= When selecting a game to play, choose the 'Restart A Previous Game' option. When this is done, TeleCards searches first for a special file, TC_ABEND.TCG. This file was created when either a transmission or timeout error had occurred during a previous session. If located you are prompted to verify that this game is to be restarted. If the game found in TCG_ABEND.TCG was not restarted, you now have the opportunity to specify which game type is to be restarted. From the 'Restart Game' screen, move the cursor to the appropriate game and press ENTER if using the keyboard or click the left mouse button. TeleCards will check both your computer plus your opponent's to find the corresponding game file for the type you have selected. If found then TeleCards verifies that your current opponent's name matches with that which was saved previously. If the names DO NOT match, then this game cannot be restarted. A message, 'NO SAVED GAME FILE FOUND' is displayed to alert you to this fact. To exit and reselect a 'new' game to start, press the SPACE BAR if using the keyboard or click the right mouse button. Page -11- VII. HOW TO PLAY ---------------- Selecting A Card To Play ------------------------ To select a card to play place the cursor, a finger pointing up, on the card and hit ENTER. If you are using a mouse, just click the left button. To confirm your selection, you must hit ENTER or mouse click a 2nd time. To obtain cards from either the discard or draw piles move the cursor to the appropriate stack and press ENTER or click the left mouse button. The card is automatically added to your hand. At any point during play, a menu of options is available by either clicking the right button (for mouse users) or hitting the SPACE BAR (keyboard users). *********************************************************** *** NOTE: During the course of the game you will see a ** *** yellow/redish bar move across the screen. This ** *** is to indicate that your computer is still ** *** active while you wait for your opponent to ** *** make a move. ** *********************************************************** Accessing The Help Facilities: ------------------------------ Pressing the F1 key or selecting 'View General Help Window' from the Options Menu Window will produce a help window displaying general information. Pressing the F5 key or selecting 'View How To Play Window' from the Option Menu Window will produce a help window displaying specific rules for the game currently being played. Use the UP/DOWN, PGUP/PGDN keys to scroll text. If you are using the mouse, clicking on the UP or DOWN arrows will also scroll text in that window. To exit a help window just hit the ESC key. For mouse users, you can either click the right button or click on the dash in the upper left hand corner of the window. Page -12- VII. HOW TO PLAY (cont.) The 'Chat' Feature: ------------------- To send messages to your opponent press the F2 key or select 'Send Message To Opponent' from the Options Menu Window. When this is done a window is displayed which allows you to enter the text of your message. Messages can be up to 40 characters in length. Hit ENTER to send the message or ESC to exit back to game. When your opponent sends a message a window is displayed with the message just received. It will be displayed for approximately 5 seconds or until either the mouse is clicked or a key is pressed. Sorting Cards In Your Hand: --------------------------- To sort the cards in your hand press the F3 key or select 'Sort Cards' from the Options Menu Window. When this is done a window appears asking whether to sort by RANK or by SUIT. This option is ONLY valid when it is your turn. Hit ESC or click right mouse button to exit without sorting. Displaying The Current Score: ----------------------------- To see the score of the game press the F4 key or select 'View Current Score' from the Options Menu Window. When this is done a scoreboard screen appears. Press the SPACE BAR or click the mouse to return back to game. Page -13- VII. HOW TO PLAY (cont.) Quitting TeleCards: ------------------ Press the ESC key or select 'Quit Game' from the Options Menu Window. This will bring up a window asking you to confirm your decision. Selecting 'YES' will exit you back to DOS. However, if you are quitting before the end of a completed game a window appears asking you whether to save this game or not. Saving Games: ============= TeleCards has the ability to save a game and restart it at a later time. When either player quits before the end of a game, you are questioned if you wish save that game. Note, a player can ONLY save 1 game for each type: i.e. Crazy Eights, Cribbage or Gin Rummy. If a transmission or timeout error occurs TeleCards saves the game automatically to a special file, TC_ABEND.TCG. Controlling Delay in Displays: ------------------------------ Anytime when a message window is displayed it can be removed quickly by either clicking a mouse button or hitting a key. Doing this will speed up the play of TeleCards. Page -14- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ---------------- Portions (c) Copyright Genus Microprogramming, Inc. 1988-1990. All rights reserved. Portions (c) Copyright MetaGraphics Software Corporation, Scotts Valley, CA. MCOMM5 async routines by Mike Dumdei, Texarkana, TX. Card images created and licensed from TEGL Systems Corporation, Vancouver, BC, Canada. All rights reserved. 'TeleCards' was written in C, using Microsoft's C 6.0 to create the .EXE file. A special thanks, John Manning, for coming up with the term 'TeleCards' and to Fred Waldenburger who helped with various design aspects of TeleCards.