Stack'Em! v2.0. 'Tetris' type DOOR game
for many BBS types by J & W Software.
NEW: SysOp configurable 'Rounds' play,
FOSSIL operation supported. Features
include: ANSI animation, Full Multi-Node
support, COM1-COM8 and IRQs 1-15
supported, DESQview aware, Easy setup
and no maintenance.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/ /
/ Stack'Em! /
/ Version 2.0 /
/ /
/ (c) Copyright 1992 /
/ All Rights Reserved /
/ J & W Software /
/ /
/ /
/ DOOR game for Wildcat!, PCBoard 14.x, RA/QBBS, GAP, /
/ SPITFIRE and other BBS software which uses door /
/ information files compatible with the above. /
/ /
/ /
/ Support BBS: /
/ Gulf Coast BBS /
/ (904) 563-2547 /
/ 1200 - 14400 HST/v.32bis /
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


INTRODUCTION
------------

Stack'Em! is a game where the player has to join different shaped
falling pieces together to form completed horizontal lines.
Scoring is based on how many pieces are played and number of lines
completed. Players compete for weekly high score as well as All
Time High Scorer.


FEATURES
--------

- ANSI Color and Mono screens with animation
- Full multi-node support
- Support for locked DTE up to 115K bps
- Support for COM1 through COM8 and IRQs 1 through 15
- FOSSIL support
- DESQview aware
- Easy installation and no maintenance


SETUP
-----

Setup is very simple. Create a directory and place the files
STACKEM.EXE and ST!SETUP.EXE in this directory.

Change to this directory and run ST!SETUP. A screen with several
fields will be displayed. There will be a box at the bottom of
the screen that will display help information for each field.
The following edit keys are allowed: HOME, END, BACKSPACE, LEFT
and RIGHT ARROW. Use the ENTER, UP and DOWN ARROW keys to move
between the different fields.

Each field is described below:

Name: The name of the person registering the program as it will be
displayed on the opening screen (when registered). This does not
necessarily have to be the SysOp, it could be the name of the user
who donated the registration fee.

BBS Name: The name of the BBS as it will be displayed on the
opening screen (when registered).

Key Number: If registered, enter your Key Number here. Until the
program is registered leave this field as all zeroes. See the
registration section below for more information about registering.

Allowable plays per day: The number of plays per day that will be
allowed. A value of 0 means unlimited plays per day.

Display 'Next Piece' [Y/N]: If 'Y', the next piece to be played
will be displayed to the player.

Use the 'Doughnut' piece [Y/N]: If 'Y', the large 'Doughnut'
shaped piece will be used. You may not want to use the 'Doughnut'
shaped piece if small children will be playing the game.

Doughnut







Penalty for Throw Away Piece command: Set this to the number of
points to subtract from the players score when they use the Throw
Away Piece command. If you choose to enable this command it is
recommended that this be set to a minimum of 500 points. A value
of 0 will disable the command not allowing it to be used.

Number of points per Round: Set this to the number of points you
wish to use in each round. At the end of each round, the screen
will be cleared of all pieces and random blocks will be placed at
the bottom of the screen. Each successive round will have more
blocks than the last. If you do not wish to use rounds, then enter
a value of 0.

Path and Name of ANSI Bulletin: Path and name for the ANSI (Color)
bulletin file. If left blank no file will be written.

Path and Name of ASCII Bulletin: Path and name for the ASCII (Non-
Color) bulletin file. If left blank no file will be written.

Use Internal or FOSSIL com routines [I/F]: The type of
communications support that should be used. Stack'Em! can use
either its own Internal communication routines or an installed
FOSSIL driver. For systems not using a FOSSIL driver, choose
Internal routines. The Internal communication routines support
COM1 through COM8 with IRQs of 1 through 15. For systems using a
FOSSIL driver, you may choose either the Internal or FOSSIL
routines.

Base Address (COM1 through COM8): If you are using the Internal
communication routines on ports other than COM1 or COM2 you must
enter the Base Address of the ports, in hex, for the ports you are
using. Note that the Base Address for COM1 and COM2 cannot be
changed.

IRQ (COM1 through COM8): If you are using the Internal
communication routines on ports other than COM1 or COM2 you must
enter the IRQ of the ports you are using. Note that the IRQs for
COM1 and COM2 cannot be changed.

After entering all of the information, press 'ESC'. ST!SETUP will
ask if you want to save the configuration file. If this is the
first time ST!SETUP has been run or you have previously run
ST!SETUP but changed some of the information, press 'Y'. This
will create or update the configuration file (STACKEM.CFG). It
will also create a STACKEM.SCO file if one does not exist. This is
the score file and is needed for the program to run.

ST!SETUP will then ask if you want to create the registration file
(STACKEM.REG). The registration file will be needed when the
program is registered, so you will need to answer 'Y' at least one
time for this file to be created. Please be sure all information
is correct as your 'Key Number' will be based on this information.

Consult your BBS manual regarding the creation of DOOR batch files
for your BBS. STACKEM.EXE must be started from the directory it
resides in for the game to function. The command line for calling
Stack'Em! is as follows:

STACKEM STACKEM.CFG 'Full path and name of BBS information file'

'Full path and name of BBS information file'

This will be the full path and filename of your BBS information
file. For example: C:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS. Stack'Em! uses this
filename to determine the BBS software which is being used as
follows:

CALLINFO.BBS (Wildcat 2.xx)
PCBOARD.SYS (PCBoard)
DOOR.SYS (GAP, Wildcat! 3.0 and other systems using DOOR.SYS)
SFDOORS.DAT (SPITFIRE)
DORINFOx.DEF (RA/QBBS/RBBS)

Please note that the DORINFOx.DEF file that RA/QBBS uses is not
fully compatible with RBBS. By default, Stack'Em! uses the RA/QBBS
DORINFOx.DEF format. If you are using the RBBS version of
DORINFOx.DEF, use the parameter "/RBBS" (without quotes) on the
command line in your calling batch file.

An example of a batch file for PCBoard:

CD\STACKEM
STACKEM STACKEM.CFG C:\PCB\PCBOARD.SYS
CD\PCB
BOARD.BAT

An example of a batch file for RBBS using DORINFOx.DEF:

CD\STACKEM
STACKEM STACKEM.CFG C:\RBBS\DORINFO1.DEF /RBBS
CD\RBBS
BOARD.BAT


UPGRADING
---------

To upgrade from versions 1.5+, replace the old STACKEM.EXE and
ST!SETUP.EXE files with the new version 2.0 STACKEM.EXE and
ST!SETUP.EXE files and run ST!SETUP.

If you are using the RBBS version of DORINFOx.DEF, add the
parameter "/RBBS" (without quotes) to the command line in the
calling batch file.

To upgrade from earlier versions follow these steps:

1 - Replace the existing STACKEM.EXE with the new STACKEM.EXE.
2 - Delete your existing STACKEM.CFG.
3 - Delete your existing STACKEM.SCO.
4 - Run ST!SETUP to create the new STACKEM.CFG.
5 - Modify your batch file(s) for the new command line syntax.

Multiple configuration files are no longer necessary if running
multi-node.


ERRORS
------

Any errors which may occur will be written to the STACKEM.ERR
file. When possible, a descriptive error message will be written
to STACKEM.ERR with the exact cause of the error. If the error
cannot be resolved, call the support BBS (Gulf Coast BBS ) and
upload a copy of your STACKEM.CFG, STACKEM.SCO and STACKEM.ERR
files. This will allow us to more quickly determine the cause of
the error. All support is handled through the Gulf Coast BBS.


MULTI-NODES, NETWORKS, MULTI-TASKERS
------------------------------------

Stack'Em! has been developed in a networked environment. All
multi-node features have been thoroughly tested on multi-node sys-
tems using DESQview and Peer-To-Peer Local Area Networks. DOS 3.1+
full record and file locking is supported. Multiple configuration
files are NOT necessary when running on multi-node systems.

Stack'Em! is DESQview aware. It is automatically detected, screen
and keyboard I/O are "well behaved", and time slices are released
to other applications where appropriate. Stack'Em! has been tested
with 3 nodes running simultaneously under DESQview (all ports
locked at 38400) with no noticeable effect on other nodes.


MISCELLANEOUS
-------------

At the beginning of each week the score file will automatically
be cleared and last week's high scorer will be determined.

If you are using a high speed modem and have your com port LOCKED,
the program will not respond to keyboard input while your modem
buffer is full. This is normal.

Stack'Em! may be played from the DOS prompt by typing:

STACKEM STACKEM.CFG LOCAL

Note the user name is hard coded as 'SysOp' and the bulletins and
score file will not be updated. Also, play will not be limited to
the allowable plays per day set in ST!SETUP. This mode is only for
testing.

To turn on screen writing, if it is off, press any key.


REGISTRATION
------------

Registration is required if you choose to continue using this DOOR
program. After 60 days of running the program unregistered, the
score file will cease to be updated. However, the game will
continue to allow players to play. This should be long enough to
determine if the program meets your needs and is popular with your
users.

When registered, the '[UNREGISTERED COPY]' line will be replaced
with a 'Registered To:' message. This will show the Name and BBS
Name from the STACKEM.CFG file.

There are two ways to register.

* Mail order Registration *

If the STACKEM.REG form was not previously created, run ST!SETUP
and have it create STACKEM.REG. Check this file to insure the
information is correct. If it is not, re-run ST!SETUP and correct
any errors. Your Key Number is based on the information in this
file and must be correct for your Key Number to work. When done,
print the form to your printer. Send the completed STACKEM.REG
form along with your check, money order, VISA, MasterCard or
Discover credit card information for $15.00 (US) to:

J & W Software
9426 N. China Pink Way
Crystal River, FL 34428-9500

Your personalized Key Number will be sent to you promptly. When it
is received, run ST!SETUP and enter your Key number. Stack'Em!
will then be registered. No other action is necessary.


* Instant On-Line Registration *

You may register Stack'Em! with VISA, MasterCard or Discover and
receive your personalized Key Number instantly by calling the Gulf
Coast BBS, (904) 563-2547, and entering REGISTER at the main menu
prompt. You will need the Name and BBS Name exactly as it is
entered on lines 1 & 2 of ST!SETUP as well as your credit card
information to register. You might want to make note of this
information to speed your call. You will receive your Key Number
on that call.


WARRANTY & DISCLAIMER
---------------------

There are no warranties, express or implied, for unregistered
copies of Stack'Em!. The author will NOT be held liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damage resulting
from the use of this program. Your use of this program
constitutes your AGREEMENT to this disclaimer and your release of
the author from any form of liability.

Registered copies of Stack'Em! are warranted to perform as
described in this documentation. In the event Stack'Em! does
not perform as described, the author will elect to either rectify
the problem or refund the amount paid, provided notification is
received within 30 days of registration.


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