Dots for Windows version 2.0

Copyright (c) 1991,1992,1993 by Ralph W. Whitfield, Jr. All Rights Reserved.


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Introduction
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"Dots for Windows" version 2.0 is a simple but addicting game for Windows
that allows for three sizes of playing fields. This game functions just
like the pencil and paper game that you played when you were young.

You play the computer in a territory collection game. The computer is not that
smart, but it is tough to beat if you're not careful.

This version (version 2.0) is an update to version 1.0 which was circulating
around in 1992 and the beginning of 1993. See the section later on changes from
version 1.0 to version 2.0.

Please take the time to read the comments on shareware located elsewhere
in this document. If you enjoy this game and find it useful, just drop
me a line at the address shown later. I do accept money, but let's be
real, how much would someone pay for this!

I am issuing this as shareware in order to find out how far it will roam.
Just drop me a line and let me know what you think. I do accept source code
for those who wish to share. I will trade the source for "Dots" when you
contact me.

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Requirements
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Microsoft Windows 3.0 or higher. Any Windows supported monitor.


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Installation
****************

Copy DOTS.EXE and DOTS.TXT into your Windows directory or anywhere you
like. Setup an application for "Dots" through Program Manager and your
ready to play.


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Overview
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"Dots for Windows" plays just like the pencil and paper game. You take
turns with the computer in selecting sides of boxes on the playing field.
When one of the boxes is completed, the person (human or computer) that
completed it will gain possession of that box and get another turn. That
players initial is automatically entered in the box.

Play continues until all of the boxes are filled and the game is over.


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Playing the game
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You select a side of a box by clicking on one corner then clicking on
the other. If it is not a valid move, "Dots" will tell you so, and you
then have a chance to try again. Valid moves are any side of the box,
but not the diagonals.


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Hints
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Keep an eye open for boxes with three complete sides. Avoid if at all
possible boxes with two sides complete.


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Menu choices
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FILE
ABOUT - About screen for "Dots for Windows" displaying copyright
information.

NEW GAME - Starts a new game with the current options.

SAVE - Opens a dialog box allowing you to save the current game.

OPEN - Opens a dialog box allowing to restore a previoulsy saved game.

EXIT - What else?

OPTIONS

BOARD SIZE - Opens a Pop-up offering you three choices for the playing field size:
5X5, 10X10, and 15X15.

PLAYER VS. PLAYER
PLAYER VS. COMPUTER - Who you are going to play, another person or the computer.
(You can only select one. Selecting one, de-selects the
other.)

MESSAGE ON ERROR
BEEP ON ERROR - Whether you get a Message Box if you make an invalid move,
or the computer just beeps at you. (Like Player Vs. Player,
these can only be selected one at a time.)

WHO STARTS FIRST - This brings up a Pop-up with three choices: Player 1,
Player 2, Random. Player 1 is always you, Player 2 is
either the computer or the other human opponent, and
Random means that the computer selects who gets to go
first.

SHOW OPPONENT MOVES - If this is selected, all of Player 2's moves are in BLUE
(if you have a color monitor) and all of your moves are
in BLACK. If this is not selected then only Player 2's
last move is in BLUE.

SAVE CONFIGURATION NOW - This saves to the DOTS.INI your current settings.


PLAYERS

CHANGE PLAYERS NAMES - Changes the player's names. If there is only one human,
(i.e. PLAYER VS. COMPUTER) then the dialog box will
only have a place for one name. If there are two
players, (i.e. PLAYER VS PLAYER) then there are places
for two names. The second player defaults to HUMAN2.
HELP

HOW TO PLAY - This file is displayed in NOTEPAD.

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Differences
between
Version 1.0
and
Version 2.0
*************

The computer opponent is smarter (not much, but it is smarter).

Added ability to save games and restore them.

Added switches for two player or one player game.

Added code to save configuration information to the file DOTS.INI in the program
directory.

Added switches for selecting whether the player 2 moves (regardless of whether
it is human or the computer) are shown in blue or just the last move is
shown in blue.

Added switches that toggle between showing a message box and a beep or only a beep
when you make an invalid move.

Added code to "shrink" or "grow" the window based on the board size.

Changed the score line from "Player 1...Player 2" to the players names.


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Trademarks
*************

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Borland C++ for Windows is a trademark of Borland International.


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Legal Stuff
*************

This program, "Dots for Windows", and any associated files, is
Copyright (c) 1991,1992,1993 by Ralph W. Whitfield, Jr. All rights reserved.

No warranties, written or implied are provided for. No liabilities
concerning the use of this software are to be assumed by the author
due to the result of using this software.

To register your copy of "Dots for Windows", send a post card or
E-MAIL to:

Ralph W. Whitfield, Jr.
130 Nottingham Rd.
Rainbow City, AL 35906

Compuserve: 73540,2276

Thank you for examining "Dots for Windows".

Ralph W. Whitfield, Jr. 05/10/93