            ===============================================
                         Dynamic Gin (TM) 1.21
               16-bit Edition for Windows 3.1, NT and 95 
             Copyright 1996, 1997 by CyberSym Technologies
                          All rights reserved
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This file provides additional information about Dynamic Gin and its
installation. We recommend you read this file in its entirety. 


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Table of Contents
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1.  About Dynamic Gin Version 1.21
2.  How to Get Assistance
3.  System Requirements
4.  Installing Dynamic Gin
5.  Uninstalling Dynamic Gin
6.  Features in Dynamic Gin
7.  Dynamic Gin Version History
8.  Purchasing (Registering) Dynamic Gin
9.  Distributing Dynamic Gin
10. Learning to Play Gin Rummy
11. Configuring Dynamic Gin for More than One User
12. Using Background Images (Scenery) in Dynamic Gin
13. Running under Windows 95 or Windows NT
14. Changes in Dynamic Gin Statistics


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1.  About Dynamic Gin Version 1.21
=============================================================

Dynamic Gin is a computer version of the classic Gin Rummy card game.
It utilizes a dynamic learning procedure for computer play, which makes 
Dynamic Gin different from most other computer card games. The computer 
play is much less predictable and more like that of a human opponent. 

Dynamic Gin runs under Windows 3.1, Windows NT, and Windows 95. It is 
a fully-functional shareware program. You can play and evaluate Dynamic 
Gin free of charge for an evaluation period of 36 days or 30 sessions--
whichever lasts longer. (A session cannot exceed 24 hours.) After that 
time, play is inactivated and you must purchase Dynamic Gin if you wish 
to continue playing (see Purchasing (Registering) Dynamic Gin below).

New in Version 1.21:  

  - New options allow you to play to 500 points and select whether 
    Gin is required when the first upcard is an ace under the Oklahoma
    Gin variation.

  - A menu command has been added under the Play menu so you can watch
    the computer opponent's hand during play (a learning mode).   

  - Fixed one minor bug and updated some documentation.


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2.  How to get assistance
=============================================================

If you have difficulty installing or running Dynamic Gin, or if you 
have suggestions or comments about Dynamic Gin, please contact 
CyberSym Technologies at

Internet e-mail:        smartsym@cybersym.com
Compuserve mail:      	70621,3373
America Online mail:  	CyberSym
Regular Mail:    	P.O. Box 127, Providence, UT 84332 U.S.A.
Phone:           	1-801-753-8384

Check our Web site (http://www.cybersym.com) for the latest Dynamic
Gin version and information.  
 
Dynamic Gin is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware 
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware 
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-
related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly, 
ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a 
dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical 
support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 
545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or 
send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 
70007,3536. 


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3.  System Requirements
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Dynamic Gin requires an 80386 or better processor, a mouse, and Windows
3.1 or later. You need at least 2.6 Mbytes of free hard disk space to
install Dynamic Gin, and Dynamic Gin occupies about 2.2 Mbytes of hard 
disk space once it's installed. Dynamic Gin can run (with some 
limitations) on any VGA display. For best enjoyment of Dynamic Gin 
graphics, you should have a display that supports at least 256 colors. 


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4.  Installing Dynamic Gin
=============================================================

To install Dynamic Gin on your computer:

    1.  First locate the Dynamic Gin installation program DGSETUP.EXE. 
        If you are installing from a CyberSym Technologies installation 
        disk, make sure the disk is inserted in your disk drive. If you
        have obtained the Dynamic Gin installation package from some 
        other source (e.g. a shareware CD-ROM or an online forum), you 
        may need to decompress the package with a decompression utility 
        before you find DGSETUP.EXE.  
    2.  In Program Manager, select File, Run (if you are using Windows
        95, select Start, Run).
    3.  Type the full path for the DGSETUP.EXE file. (If you are 
        installing from an installation disk, this is A:\DGSETUP.EXE 
        where A is the letter of your disk drive).
    4.  Choose OK.
    5.  Follow the instructions on the screen. 

The installation program allows you to choose the location where you 
want Dynamic Gin on your hard drive. The install program searches for 
any previous installation of Dynamic Gin 16-bit edition. If you have a 
previous installation, we recommend you install Dynamic Gin into the 
same location as the previous installation. You will automatically 
retain any Dynamic Gin registration that you had previously activated. 
You will also retain any player configurations you might have 
established under the previous installation (see "Configuring Dynamic 
Gin for More than One User"). 

If you install the new Dynamic Gin version into a different location 
and had previously registered Dynamic Gin, then you will need to 
activate the registration for the new Dynamic Gin installation. To do 
this, start the new version of Dynamic Gin, go to Options, Activate 
Registration, and enter the registered user name and user authorization 
code you received when you originally registered Dynamic Gin.

If you are running the Windows 95 shell interface (Windows 95 or NT 
4.0), be aware of the following installation issues.
  
a.  Do not install Dynamic Gin into a directory path longer than 66
    characters. This is necessary to keep Dynamic Gin compatible with
    earlier versions of Windows.

b.  Folders/subfolders created during installation do not appear in 
    the Windows Explorer until you select the View, Refresh option in 
    the Explorer.

c.  If you so choose, the installation program creates a program folder
    (of whatever name you choose) containing several icons. The folder 
    appears under Programs on the Start menu. However, in the Windows 
    95 shell interface, program folders don't automatically stay on 
    your desktop. If you want the Dynamic Gin folder to always appear 
    on your desktop (as opposed to just on the Start menu), follow 
    these instructions:

    --In the Explorer, find the folder (Dynamic Gin or whatever name
      you chose during installation) which is typically located inside 
      the Programs folder inside the Start Menu folder inside the 
      Windows folder.

    --Using the mouse secondary (right) button, drag the Dynamic Gin
      folder to your desktop.  

    --Release the folder and select Create Shortcut(s) Here on the
      popup menu that appears.

    --When the folder appears on your desktop, select the title
      underneath, and edit the text title to be whatever you want.

Once you have completed the installation, you do not need to keep the
DGSETUP.EXE installation program on your hard disk. It is however a 
good idea to keep a backup floppy disk copy of the Dynamic Gin
installation package (or the original installation disk), including 
DGSETUP.EXE.

During the installation process, the install program creates a file 
called INSTALL.LOG in the Dynamic Gin main directory. DO NOT move, 
edit, or delete this file if you ever intend to upgrade or uninstall 
Dynamic Gin.

When you first start Dynamic Gin after installation, under a few 
conditions, you may get a warning message about a "Dynamic Gin 
Backdrop Scenery Error". If so, Dynamic Gin runs with a default 
background after this message appears. In this case, you should either 
select Options, Scenery to load a backdrop scenery image, or you can 
check the Disable Scenery option under Options, Preferences to keep 
scenery off and disable this message in future sessions. 


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5.  Uninstalling Dynamic Gin
=============================================================

If for some reason, you wish to uninstall Dynamic Gin from your 
computer, do one of the following:

    Windows 3.1 or NT (3.51 or less):  If you created a Program Manager 
    group at installation, simply run the icon Uninstall Dynamic Gin.  
    Otherwise locate the file UNWISE.EXE in your main Dynamic Gin 
    directory and execute it. You can do this by double clicking on 
    the filename in File Manager. You can also execute the program 
    by entering the full path to this file in the dialog box that 
    pops up after you choose File, Run from Program Manager or 
    File Manager. Follow the instructions that appear on screen.

    Windows 95 or NT 4.0:  In control panel, double click on the 
    Add/Remove icon. When the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog 
    appears, select Dynamic Gin under the Install/Uninstall tab. Press 
    the Add/Remove button, and follow the instructions on the screen.
    (Close the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog when you are
    finished.)

Under a few conditions, the uninstall program may be unable to 
completely remove a Dynamic Gin installation. This can happen if you
manually added any files or subdirectories to the Dynamic Gin main 
directory or any of its subdirectories. In these situations, you can 
complete the uninstall process by manually deleting the Dynamic Gin 
main directory (and any files and/or subdirectories therein). You may 
also need to manually remove icons and the Dynamic Gin group or folder 
from Program Manager or the Start Menu in the Windows 95 shell 
interface.
      
     
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6.  Features in Dynamic Gin
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Dynamic Gin offers the following features:

a.  Variations. You can select from three different variations of Gin
    Rummy: Simple Gin, Standard (knock) Gin, and Oklahoma Gin. You
    can also select the number of points to play to in a Gin Rummy
    game.

b.  Learning. Dynamic Gin adapts and improves as it plays against a
    human opponent. This makes the game less predictable and more
    interesting than most other computer card games. You can choose
    from four different starting difficulty levels.

c.  Cardbacks. You can select from eight cardbacks. You can also have 
    Dynamic Gin choose randomly from among the eight cardbacks for
    each new Gin Rummy game.

d.  Dealing/Sorting. You can choose traditional Gin Rummy dealing (10 
    cards per player with passing at the start of play) or Eleven/Ten 
    dealing (first player in a hand receives 11 cards and must discard
    or knock at the start of play). Dynamic Gin also offers menu 
    commands and optional configuration options to sort your hand by 
    suit or by ascending or descending card face value.

e.  Resume. You can resume an unfinished game from the previous
    session. You can also configure Dynamic Gin to automatically
    resume any unfinished game from the previous session.

f.  Button Bar Configuration. You can choose the location you prefer
    for the button bar, or you can get rid of the button bar altogether.

g.  Background Scenery. Dynamic Gin can display a bitmap image as the
    background behind the cards.

h.  User Configurations. You can set up separate configurations for 
    different people who play Dynamic Gin at different times on the 
    same computer. (See "Configuring Dynamic Gin for More than One 
    User" below.)


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7.  Dynamic Gin Version History
=============================================================

1.00:  Initial release.

1.05:  Added 4th (expert) difficulty level, options for automatic 
       sorting of hands, and optional eleven/ten dealing method. 
       Made minor documentation changes.

1.06:  Fixed several minor bugs. "Sort by face value after deal" 
       preference is now retained between sessions. Scenery now loads 
       correctly under Windows 95 High Color (16-bit) display mode. 
       Selection of non-standard sizes for certain Windows 95 interface 
       objects no longer causes a truncated Dynamic Gin window.

1.10:  Added more extensive play statistics, including game point 
       totals for both user and computer in each Gin variation. 
       Improved loading performance and made several user interface 
       enhancements. Fixed two very rare internal bugs. Added 
       installation support for Windows NT 4.0. Documented toll-free 
       order number for customers in the USA or Canada.

1.14:  Added context menus (right mouse button) for taking cards, 
       discarding cards, and knocking. Also added support for taking
       the upcard or stock card by single (or double) clicking. Revised 
       menu and button bar organization to make clearer the distinction 
       between starting another hand and starting a new game. Added 
       options to sort your cards by face value in either ascending
       or descending order. Implemented a list of laid off cards that 
       appears at the end of any hand where there are lay offs.
       Introduced measures to skirt a system-dependent problem that 
       caused some users to occasionally see incorrect card images.
 
1.17:  Improved the overall learning rate, and slightly increased the 
       competitiveness for the expert difficulty level. Fixed several
       very rare or minor bugs. Made minor user interface enhancements.
       Dynamic Gin now gives a warning prompt if you start a new game
       while an existing game is in progress.    

1.21:  Added an option to play to 500 points. Under the Oklahoma Gin 
       variation, added an option to require Gin whenever the first 
       upcard in a hand is an ace. Introduced a menu command making
       it possible to watch the computer opponent's hand (as a learning
       mode) during play. Made minor documentation changes and fixed 
       one minor internal bug.


=============================================================
8.  Purchasing (Registering) Dynamic Gin
=============================================================

When you purchase Dynamic Gin, we send you a unique set of 
registration keys (codes). Your registration keys are valid for major 
version 1 of Dynamic Gin (any and all minor versions or revisions). 
Once you enter these keys into Dynamic Gin (under the Options, Activate 
Registration menu command), you will no longer be bothered by shareware 
evaluation notices in Dynamic Gin. You also receive a Registered 
License to use major version 1 of Dynamic Gin (see the file LICENSE.TXT 
or the Dynamic Gin License Agreement topic in the Dynamic Gin on-line 
help). Under the terms of this license, you can use either or both the 
16-bit (Windows 3.1, NT, and 95) or 32-bit (Windows 95 and NT 4.0) 
editions of major version 1 of Dynamic Gin. You can also have copies of 
Dynamic Gin on more than one of your computers, as long as only one 
copy is run at any given time. You are entitled to download and use any 
minor version revisions of major version 1 of Dynamic Gin. You also 
receive free technical support for as long as CyberSym Technologies 
continues to distribute Dynamic Gin (or a minimum of 90 days).

To purchase (register) Dynamic Gin, select the Purchase Dynamic Gin 
button on the dialog that appears when evaluating Dynamic Gin, or
pull down the Options menu in Dynamic Gin and select Purchase Dynamic 
Gin. Follow the instructions for ordering. There are a variety of 
options for ordering by phone, regular mail, on-line mail, or the
internet with payment by check or charge card. You can also find 
ordering information in the ORDER.TXT file.


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9.  Distributing Dynamic Gin
=============================================================

You are encouraged to pass a copy of Dynamic Gin along to your friends 
for evaluation (subject to the terms in the license agreement--see 
either LICENSE.TXT, the VENDINFO.DIZ file, or the Dynamic Gin License 
Agreement topic in the Dynamic Gin on-line help). Please encourage them 
to purchase (register) their copy if they find they can use it.

Distributors or vendors wishing to distribute Dynamic Gin should refer 
to the accompanying VENDINFO.DIZ file.


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10.  Learning to Play Gin Rummy
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If you've never played Gin Rummy, it's not hard to learn. The Dynamic
Gin on-line help contains descriptions of the object of the game, 
rules, terminology, and scoring. (Remember that in Help, you can click 
on any highlighted (colored, underlined) text at any time to jump to 
that topic.) You can probably also figure out how to play without 
using Help if you watch the instructions on the Dynamic Gin status 
bar.

Dynamic Gin follows Hoyle's rules in which aces rank low, and sequences
are not allowed to go round the corner (wrap from high to low). Many 
people who play Simple Gin ignore the normal rules about passing at the 
beginning of a hand. If you're not familiar with passing, pay close 
attention to the Dynamic Gin status bar and/or look at the discussion 
of passing in Dynamic Gin Help. Alternatively, you might want to try 
playing with the Eleven/Ten dealing method.

There are a number of different variations of Gin Rummy. The variation
many people know is Simple Gin. Dynamic Gin includes two other
variations: Standard Gin and Oklahoma Gin. Simple Gin is probably the
easiest variation to learn, but we recommend you try all the
variations. Scoring in Standard and Oklahoma Gin is more complex 
because you can lay off cards and undercut. This is described in the 
online help. 

Make sure you understand the difference between a "hand" of Gin Rummy 
and a "game". A game consists of several hands played until one player 
or the other accumulates enough points to finish (usually 100). You can 
start a new game at the end of each hand, but the computer will not 
keep track of scores in statistics. To have the computer keep track of
statistics and running point totals, make sure you start the next hand
instead of a new game whenever one hand is over and the game isn't 
finished. 


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11.  Configuring Dynamic Gin for More than One User
=============================================================

In many cases, different people are likely to play Dynamic Gin at
different times on the same computer (e.g., a family home computer).
This can pose some problems. Over time, Dynamic Gin adapts to the
style and skill of its human opponent. This feature distinguishes
Dynamic Gin from most other computer card games. This may not work so
well when there are different players with different abilities and
styles. Also the ability to resume (or automatically resume) previous
games isn't very appropriate with multiple users. To solve these
problems, Dynamic Gin allows you to set up a separate player 
configuration for each different player. 

Every player configuration has its own subdirectory with the name of 
the player. The player can then arrange the Dynamic Gin user 
interface as they desire. They can resume their own previously 
unfinished games, and they can play whatever Dynamic Gin variation and 
difficulty level they prefer. 

The commands for creating, removing, or switching player configurations 
are located on the Options menu in Dynamic Gin. You can have as many 
as 24 different player configurations (in addition to the default 
configuration). A splash dialog box appears at the time you start 
Dynamic Gin if there are player configurations from which to choose. 
As soon as you select the configuration you want from the list on the 
dialog box, Dynamic Gin finishes loading. If you want to change 
configurations while Dynamic Gin is running, you can use the Switch 
Player Configuration command on the Options menu.  

Each configuration requires some extra hard disk space. The required 
extra space ranges from about 60,000 bytes to as much as 600,000 bytes 
on some computers with high color displays. For a typical computer with
a 256 color display, each configuration requires about 290,000 bytes.


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12.  Using Background Images (Scenery) in Dynamic Gin
=============================================================

Dynamic Gin can display bitmap images (scenery) as a background for the
cards. This creates a stunning game interface and contributes to the
pleasure and relaxation of playing Dynamic Gin. Dynamic Gin comes with
one 16 color image (COLLAGE.BMP) and one 256 color image 
(SUNSET.BMP). Dynamic Gin. Scenery images work best with displays 
that support 256 colors or more. 

In addition to the two images that come with Dynamic Gin, CyberSym
Technologies has assembled collections of additional images. You can
find these collections on many online services, bulletin boards, and
shareware CD's. Look for the names DGIMGA.ZIP (256-color) and 
DGIMGB.ZIP (16-color). You are free to obtain and use these images,
subject to their enclosed copyrights. We can also ship disk copies of 
these collections to you for a small media charge (see ORDER.TXT or 
instructions for purchasing Dynamic Gin in the Dynamic Gin on-line 
help). 

Dynamic Gin also allows you to use your own bitmap images as scenery. 
For more information, see the description of the Options, Scenery menu 
command in Dynamic Gin Help.

If your computer is short on hard disk space or RAM, you may wish not
to display scenery images. You can disable scenery entirely in Dynamic
Gin by selecting Options, Preferences and checking the Disable Scenery
box in the dialog box. This option takes effect the next time you
start Dynamic Gin.   

Occasionally you may encounter problems with scenery in Dynamic Gin.
These problems result from inconsistencies in the standards for Windows
bitmap files. Problems typically arise when you change the color 
resolution of your system. Simply reselect scenery to resolve the
problem.  

If you have a 256 color system and you're using a 256 color bitmap for
your Windows desktop, you may see some minor degradation of scenery
image quality in Dynamic Gin. This is an unfortunate but normal 
consequence of the way Windows handles color palettes. You can get rid
of this problem by switching to a higher color resolution (16K colors, 
32K colors, or higher) for your system.


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13.  Running under Windows 95 or Windows NT
=============================================================

This is a 16-bit edition of Dynamic Gin. It runs on Windows 95 and
Windows NT, as well as Windows 3.1. However, if you are using Windows
95 or Windows NT, be aware of two restrictions. Dynamic Gin does not
support long filenames or overall path names longer than 80 characters.
This is only likely to be an issue when selecting bitmap scenery images
under Options, Scenery.


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14.  Changes in Dynamic Gin Statistics
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Prior to version 1.10, Dynamic Gin kept statistics on the best score
for user and computer in each Gin Rummy variation. It also kept the 
aggregate total number of games won in ALL variations for user and 
computer. Starting in version 1.10, Dynamic Gin now keeps the total 
number of points, the number of games won, and the best score for user 
and computer in EACH individual Gin Rummy variation.  

If you are upgrading from a version earlier than 1.10, the new 
statistics window will initially reflect the best scores in different 
variations based on play in your old version. It will NOT show number 
of games won or total points from play in your old version. (The 
DYNGIN.INI file [Statistics] category does however retain the old
aggregate totals for games won under the keys UserWins and 
ComputerWins.) Since in the new window only the best scores really 
reflect earlier play, you may want to initially reset statistics just 
to keep things consistent in the new statistics window.   
