Stars! V2.0b Shareware Version

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What's Stars! all about?
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Stars! is the only full-blown interstellar strategy game for Microsoft
Windows that's fast-paced and simple to play while allowing you to carry out
complex and clever strategies. You'll build starships, discover and colonize
new planets, research new technologies, manage the essential elements of
world economies, defend your empire and (no guarantees here) destroy all
your enemies. One or more people can play, on a single machine, across a
network, over modems, email or computer bulletin boards.  Complex computer
players are available for both single and multi player games.

A tutorial and an extensive help file will get you up to speed in no time.
To begin the tutorial, start Stars!, press the New Game button and select
Begin Tutorial.

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Stars! Highlights
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   - 6 Different interlocking research categories with 26 Tech
     Levels each! (Shareware version is limited to level 10)
   - Up to 16 players!
   - 30 fully configurable unique ship hulls to build custom ships!
   - Extended orders for ship movement allowing automation of menial
     tasks!
   - 4 Different levels of Computer players!
   - 35 different race attributes to tune a race!
   - Customizable races! (Registered version only)
   - Configurable battle plans!

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How do I setup Stars!?
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1) Create an new folder (directory) for Stars! on a hard drive.
2) Name the new folder Stars!.
3) Copy or download stars!2b.zip to the new folder.
4) Run "pkunzip stars!2b.zip" in the Stars! folder.

The installation is complete. The Explorer should now show the 
following files in the Stars! folder:

   stars!2b.zip -- the Stars! 2.0b shareware zip file
   License.txt  -- legal stuff
   Order.txt    -- Stars! registration and order form 
   Read20a.txt  -- 2.0a release notes
   Read20b.txt  -- 2.0b release notes
   Readme.txt   -- 2.0 general info
   Readme20.txt -- 2.0 release notes
   Stars!.exe   -- Stars! program
   Stars!.hlp   -- Stars! online help

   * keep the Stars! program and help files in the same folder

Create a Program Manager or desktop icon for STARS!.EXE and you're
ready to go.

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What are the system requirements for running Stars!?
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Operating Systems Supported:
   Microsoft Windows 3.11, and 3.11 WFW
   Microsoft Windows NT
   Microsoft Windows 95

Memory requirements:
   4MB RAM
   8MB is preferred

Disk space requirement:
   6MB for program and help files

Video display:
   Color displays only
   800x600x256 or better is strongly recommended
   640 by 480 is playable but cramped
   16 color mode decreases image clarity

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How do I order the full version of Stars!?
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Stars! 2.0b can be ordered by phone, mail or over the internet.

Our internet distributor is:
WebMap Internet Services
http://www.webmap.com/stars!
orders@webmap.com

Our global mail order distributor is:
Star Crossed Software
38451 Harrington Road
Lebanon, OR 97355
Phone: (503) 451-1635
M-F 9am - 5pm PST
Read ORDER.TXT for more info.

Our mail order distributor in Europe is:
Firma STC
Auess. Grossweidenmuehlstr. 8
90419 Nuernberg
Germany
Call or email for pricing.
phone: 0911-3 937 937
email: ba161@fim.uini-erlangen.de@internet or 100412,3266@compuserve.com

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What is shareware software all about?
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This version of Stars! is Shareware.  You can evaluate this product for up
to 30 days without obligation; however, if you plan to continue using it
after 30 days, you must register.

Millions of computer users have found shareware to be the safest and most
risk-free way to buy software.  Independent shareware authors, like
Ultimate Software, allow computer users to try out a program before buying
it.  Computer users can obtain a shareware copy of Stars! (or other
shareware programs) for no-charge from a BBS or a friend, or for a small
charge from a shareware disk vendor, retail store or flea market.  If you
find a shareware program to be useful and plan to continue using it after an
evaluation period, then you are required to register it with the program's
author.  This will entitle you to receive the latest full-featured version
of Stars!

