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INSTRUCT.DOC
THE QUIZ GAME
Version 2.1
International Edition
Program by Michael Powell
Questions by Margret Powell
Copyright M & M Powell 1991, 1992
13 Barkly Street
Warrnambool
Victoria 3280
Australia
Tel: (055) 62 4241
Thank you for purchasing the ShareWare edition of THE QUIZ GAME
Version 2.1 (International Edition).
This file sets out full detail of how to install and run the
program, and the various functions available when the game is in
operation.
To print this file switch on your printer, ensure it is on-line,
make sure you have the A:> prompt on your screen and the distrib-
ution disk in drive A, then type: PRINTDOC at the command line.
SYSTEM AND OPERATING REQUIREMENTS
THE QUIZ GAME will run on any fully-IBM-compatible computer with
a minimum of 350K RAM (Random Access Memory) available for
program execution. The program supports all colour modes (by
default) and Hercules (by switch).
A hard-disk drive is recommended for best program execution, but
this ShareWare version can be run from the distribution disk. The
registered version can be run from its distribution disk only if
purchased in the 5.25" high-density floppy disk format. If
purchased in 3.5" (720K) or 5.25" (360K) disk distribution format
the programs must be installed onto a hard-disk drive before
execution is possible. The registered version of the game, when
installed, requires around 840K of disk space.
If you choose to run the ShareWare program from the distribution
disk (though this is not recommended) it should NOT be write-
protected as, otherwise, you will not be able to take advantage of
the savegame facility.
The Quiz Game - Page 2
INSTALLATION
Before proceeding either to play or to instal the programs
please ensure that you make a backup copy. The disk on which
this game is supplied is not copy-protected and DOS DISKCOPY
will assist in making a backup copy of this ShareWare distribut-
ion disk.
For ShareWare distribution the program files have been placed
onto the disk in their usual format and, unless otherwise advised
by your ShareWare distributor, do not need to be extracted from
archive files. To install on a hard-disk simply simply place the
floppy disk into the floppy disk-drive (usually drive A) and then
log to drive C, make any directory as you may desire to hold the
files (say, C:\QUIZ - the command from the root directory would
be MD QUIZ), move to that directory (CD\QUIZ) then command
transfer of the files (COPY A:*.* C:).
The following files are required to run the ShareWare version of
the game:
QUIZ.EXE The program executable files
SW-RES.001 ) The question bank file
SWRES001.MAP ) and its associated locations file
RANDATA.MAP ) Pseudo-random numbers used by the program
) to control the order in which questions
) are asked
All of the above files must be on the disk for the program to
run. The executable files for the ShareWare version of the game
are substantially identical to the registered version and have
not been modified in any way other than to provide for the
limited number of question banks which can be made available on a
360K disk and to provide for the display of a final screen giving
information about registration. As you periodically play the game
a number of savegame files may also appear in the directory.
These contain the information in regard past games which you
have chosen to save, and they may from time to time be deleted
from the directory if desired, though deleting any particular
file will - of course - prevent the particular saved game it
represents ever being restored.
After installation, put the distribution and backup disks away
for safety.
The Quiz Game - Page 3
STARTING THE PROGRAM
If you are playing the game from a floppy disk you should make
sure that the disk is not write-protected. Ensure that you are in
the directory containing the program files and type QUIZ
<RETURN>.
Switches
There are two switches which can be added to the command line call
to allow the program to run in Hercules mode and/or in quiet mode.
If you have a Hercules system add a space and the switch '-h' or
'/h':
QUIZ -h OR QUIZ /h
If you wish to run the program without sound effects use the
switch '-q' or '/q':
QUIZ -q OR QUIZ /q
The two switches may be combined in any order. Thus:
QUIZ -sq QUIZ -qs QUIZ /sq QUIZ /qs
all have the same effect, that is to start the program in Hercules
mode with sound effects off.
Once in the program, whether with sound effects on or off, the
alternative mode 'Sound On' or 'Sound Off' can be selected from
the Options Menu (see below).
PLAYING THE GAME
The program will first show an introductory screen and, after a
key-press, go on to load the main program. You will then be
offered the opportunity of entering players names (to a maximum
of 4) or restoring a previously saved game (press <ESCAPE> for
this option)
If there is no restore at this point you will then be asked
whether the timer is to be engaged and, if so, to select a time
delay in 5 second intervals from a minimum of 5 to a maximum of
30 seconds.
The next screen will ask for confirmation of your game setup to
that point and allow revision if desired. During later game-play
there are additional options to decrease the number of players,
turn off or reset the timer, and restore a saved game (see
'Options Menu' below).
The Quiz Game - Page 4
You will then be asked to select six question categories from
the twelve categories available: Entertainment, Famous People,
Food & Drink, Geography, History, Literature, Lucky Dip, Nature,
Science, Sport, Take A Chance and World Cities. The categories
chosen at this point will remain those to be played through-
out the ensuing game. They may be changed only if a new game is
started once the game now being commenced has been completed.
Any of the twelve categories can be mixed with any of the others
to make the six required for your game - select freely, but bear
in mind that 'Take A Chance' and 'Lucky Dip' each contain a
miscellany of questions which do not fall within the other ten
special categories. Use <CURSOR UP>, <CURSOR DOWN> and <RETURN>
to select from the list, or press the highlighted letter of the
category to be selected. The <HOME> and <PAGE UP> keys will take
you to the top of the list; the <END> and <PAGE DOWN> keys will
take you to the bottom of the list. If you make an error in
selection simply discard your selections when asked to confirm,
and then select again.
In the registered version of the game, once question categories
have been selected you are presented with a menu to allow
selection of the initial question bank for the game. The
twelve question categories are sub-divided into ten banks; this
ensures that each game can be different, regardless of whether
similar categories have been chosen. This screen is omitted
from the ShareWare version of the game which has one bank only
available for each category.
You will now move immediately to the main game screen. The
scorecard will be displayed at the top of the screen, together
with the first player's name indicated as the player to have
first selection. To the left of the scorecard there is a selector
box. The options in this box may be selected either by moving the
selector bar up and down using the cursor keys, or by pressing
the highlighted letter of the desired option. If this latter
method is used the selection will be completed immediately the
'hot-key' is pressed. If selection is made by moving the selector
bar then complete the selection by pressing <RETURN> whilst the
selector bar is on the desired category.
Once a category is selected an appropriate question is brought
from the question bank and is shown on the screen together
with four possible answers. Press the appropriate hot-key 1-4,
or use the cursor up and cursor down keys to sit on the desired
selection and press <RETURN>, to register your answer. If the
timer function has been selected when setting up the game time
will start to run from the time the question is displayed, and
The Quiz Game - Page 5
the timer will count the seconds backwards from the chosen time
allowance to '0'. If you do not answer before time is expired
the correct answer will be displayed and your score for that
category, if above nil, will be penalized.
Giving the correct answer will increase the player's score by 10
points and that player will be able to make a further selection.
A wrong answer will cause the player's score in the category to
be reduced by 5 points (unless that player has no score in the
category, when the 'nil' score will remain - scores do not go
below zero).
All player's scores in each category are displayed on-screen
throughout play, together with their total score. The game ends,
and a winner is declared, when one player reaches a point where
his or her total score reaches 500 or more and he or she has not
less than 80 points in all six of the categories. If only one
player is playing, termination remains the same but he or she is
not declared 'the winner', simply advised that a 'winning' score
has been achieved.
After the fanfare for the winner, the screen changes to show some
statistics for the game: for each player the total right and
wrong answers in each category and in total. In Version 2 this
statistics screen can also be accessed at intermediate points of
the game: see 'Options Menu' below.
Pressing a key will take you back to the main screen to decide
whether you wish to play again. If you do, then the number of
players and their names may be revised and a new question bank
category and a new question bank can be selected.
THE OPTIONS MENU
The Options Menu is always available from the Selection Menu by
pressing <ESCAPE>. It permits a number of useful in-game
functions to be performed: Once this menu has been called up the
items available on it may be selected by pressing the hot-key as
highlighted in the menu option, or by using the cursor keys to
move the highlighted bar to rest on the desired selection and
pressing <RETURN>.
Save Game
Up to five saves may be made, either of a single game in progress
or of separate games played. The saves are not individually
identifiable except by their numbers, 1 - 5, so you should keep
some external record of each game which has been saved. If there
are savegame files on the disk then the program will identify
The Quiz Game - Page 6
these by placing a star against each savegame selection which is
already occupied. All five selections are available for use, but
you will be prompted to confirm that you wish to overwrite any
existing savegame if its file is selected for re-use. Once over-
written, the game originally stored at that location will be
irrecoverable. If you should happen to select the savegame option
in error, or change your mind, select 'Don't Save' and you will
be returned to the game.
Restore Game
The Restore Game option is the necessary reverse procedure to the
Save-Game option. You should take care in using it during any
game in progress as it will, once a prior savegame is selected
for re-installation, immediately overwrite any game in progress,
which will then be irrecoverable. The Restore Game option will
only offer for restoration games which actually exist on disk. If
no previous saves have been made then activating the option will
simply produce a message that there are no saved games to
restore. As previously mentioned, the Restore Game option is also
available at the very outset of the game when the prompt for the
number of players is given.
View Statistics
The game statistics screen can be called up directly from the
Options Menu. Simply select this option and the full statistics
for the current game will be displayed. Press a key to go back to
the game in progress.
Retire Player
As it is sometimes inconvenient for a player to continue a game,
especially if it becomes extended, this option is provided to
allow early retirement. Once the option is selected, a further
small screen will pop up to ask which player is to be retired.
Select a name, or select 'Leave All' to return to the game with
all players remaining in play. The option will not respond when
there is only one player.
Reset Timer
The timer may be turned off, turned on, or the time-delay reset
by using this option. Once selected, further windows will open to
allow these functions to be accomplished.
The Quiz Game - Page 7
Turn Sound On/Turn Sound Off
This is a 'toggle' command, and will simply turn sound off or on
as appropriate. This selection can be made regardless of whether
the program was started with the '-q' or '/q' (quiet mode)
switch.
End Game
If this option is selected a further window will open to allow
you to confirm that you really do wish to quit. If confirmed, the
program will immediately terminate.
Return to Game
The final option on the menu simply returns you to the game. Use
it if you have changed your mind as to making an alternative
selection, or if the Options Menu was called up accidentally.
QUESTION CATEGORIES AND QUESTION BANKS
In the ShareWare version of the game each of the twelve question
categories has one question bank, all questions being contained
in a single resource file. In the registered version there are
two resource files to allow a total of ten banks per question
category. Players have an initial choice as to which categories
are to be used for a particular game, and which bank within that
category is to be in use from time to time during the game.
As each bank contains only a limited number of questions
the bank being played will inevitably be exhausted. When this
happens a window will open and the players will be advised that
the bank requires either replacement or a reshuffle. As there
is only one bank in each category available on the ShareWare
version of the game, the option to select a new bank when the
present bank is exhausted is not relevant, and the program will
automatically reshuffle the questions at that point.
SOME FINAL WORDS...
We hope that you enjoy playing this game and we will be
interested to hear your comments at any time. If you do enjoy
the game, please consider the benefits of registration. The
registered version of THE QUIZ GAME is available for immediate
supply at only A$28.90 (within Australia) or A$33.50 (for orders
from overseas), these prices including media, postage and packing.
The Quiz Game - Page 8
Now to the legal matters ----- sorry, but it is essential......
DISCLAIMER
Though every care has been taken in developing and preparing
these programs, and in assembling the questions and checking
their answers, we (the authors) undertake no responsibility for
any damage or loss caused by the use of these programs however
this may be caused, nor do we undertake that every answer is
correct
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
All parts of this program, including question banks, are
copyright and may not be further reproduced, copied or
distributed without the prior consent in writing of the copyright
holders. The purchaser by his or her purchase obtains no
proprietary right in the program, but is hereby licensed to use
the program at will and to make one backup copy for security
purposes only to be used should the program as supplied become
damaged or otherwise non-operational. The purchaser may resell
the original copy of this program but must then destroy any
backup copy made. Subsequent purchasers are licensed in terms
identical to those expressed above in respect of the original
purchaser.
ABOUT FURTHER DISTRIBUTION
We invite you to use this program and copy it freely for your
friends, acquaintances and co-workers so that they may try it too
and, hopefully, pass it on to others. However, this licence is
given only on the basis that all programs, data files and inform-
ation files contained on this disk must be copied and the copy
distributed must thus be in all respects identical in its content
to this copy as supplied. Copying and/or distributing the content
of this disk and/or any individual program thereon except as
permitted by this licence is prohibited except with our express
agreement.
The Quiz Game - Page 9
REVISION HISTORY
Version 1: First Release (July 1991)
Limited colour resolution. Data storage method imposed strict
limits on total character count in question plus all answers;
this required some questions and/or answers to be in abridged
format. Separate data files used for each question bank and for
each question bank and for pseudo-randoms. Total questions avail-
able 3,000 in ten banks of 300 and total of six categories. In
operation, correct answer made to flash for short period when
wrong answer given/out of time.
Version 2: Second Release (April 1992)
Full colour introduced, with command line switching for Hercules,
MGA screens. Extensive use of pop-up windows. Statistics screen
made available mid-game instead of only when game completed.
Selection menus, hot-keys, save game, restore game and retire
player introduced. Timer able to be turned on/off or reset
mid-game. Question banks extended to provide 6,000 questions in
twelve question categories each sub-divided internally into 10
sub-categories (or banks). New data storage system developed to
reduce number of files required to run program and avoid
necessity of question/answer abridgment. Correct answer displayed
in separate window on incorrect answer/out of time.
Version 2.1: Third Release (August 1992)
Question banks modified to allow separate Australian and Inter-
national Editions to be released. Command line switching and
internal (Options Menu) selection to allow operation in quiet
mode. Some internal odds-and-ends to allow better memory usage.
ORDER.DOC
O R D E R F O R M [211109]
To: M. & M. Powell Date____/____/____
13 Barkly Street
WARRNAMBOOL Vic 3280
Australia
From: Name __________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________
City _____________________
State/Country ____________ Postcode/Zipcode___________
Please supply: --- PRICE ---
(Australian dollars)
Australia/NZ Overseas
"The Quiz Game" (Version 2.1)
(or later version if available)
International Edition $ 28.90 33.50
Please specify: [ ] - 2 x 5 1/4" 360K disks (compressed *)
[ ] - 5 1/4" 1.2Mb disk (ready to run)
[ ] - 3 1/2" 720K disk (compressed *)
(* automatic transfer/decompression to hard disk)
-- F E E D B A C K (appreciated but not essential)-----------
I learned about "The Quiz Game" from:
[ ] - Shareware Library [ ] - Friend
[ ] - Computer Club [ ] - Magazine
[ ] - BBS [ ] - Other
Comments: ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
I have a problem to report: __________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #3921
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
DESCRIP SHT 327 8-01-92
DESCRIPT LNG 903 8-01-92
INSTRUCT DOC 21007 8-01-92
PRINTDOC BAT 344 8-01-92
QUIZ EXE 175996 8-01-92
RANDATA MAP 12000 8-01-92
SW-RES 001 61473 8-01-92
SWRES001 MAP 2400 8-01-92
ORDER DOC 2097 8-01-92
GO BAT 36 8-11-93 3:12p
SHOW EXE 2040 9-12-88 10:48a
11 file(s) 278623 bytes
37888 bytes free