---------------------
WELCOME to WORD BLAST
---------------------

Thank you for choosing WORD BLAST. LeMonds Software hopes that
you have many hours of enjoyment playing the game and learning
new words.

-------------------
WHAT is WORD BLAST?
-------------------

WORD BLAST is an educational program designed to help
children enhance their vocabulary and spelling skills in
a fun computer game setting (adults enjoy the game too).
In WORD BLAST, the player tries to guess a word
letter-by-letter, like in the game of ‘hangman’. When a
letter is correctly guessed, it is displayed in its
positions in the word. However, if a letter is chosen
which does not belong in the word, then a segment of a
fuse leading to a bundle of dynamite ‘burns’. If the
word is completed before 10 incorrect letter guesses
have occurred, then the player receives an audio
compliment on a job well done. Otherwise, the dynamite
‘explodes’. In either case, the word and its definition
are displayed. However, children rarely lose the game
since the definition of the word may be displayed before
the fuse burns all the way down.

The game may be played either in the blast mode, which
involves the picture of the dynamite, or in the
vocabulary-builder mode, in which the definition of the
words is displayed at the outset. The latter playing mode
makes the game easier for younger children, and makes
WORD BLAST an ideal medium for helping to teach children
the meanings of the words on their weekly vocabulary lists.
A test may also be taken, in which the computer cycles
sequentially or randomly through a word list until all
the words in the list have been presented once to the player. 

Multiple words can be used in WORD BLAST. This creates some
interesting possibilities. For example, a word list could
contain the names of U.S. presidents, or the names of states
or state capitals. WORD BLAST comes with all three of these
word lists, plus a word list containing over 1700 words and
their definitions. Easy-to-use menus enable the user to create
new word lists or to modify existing ones.

Points are awarded for correctly guessing words, and the names
of the players with the top 10 high scores appear on a
scoreboard with trophies.

With WORD BLAST, learning vocabulary and spelling is a blast!

------------------------------------------
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for RUNNING WORD BLAST
------------------------------------------

	o) WINDOWS 95 Operating System
	o) 2 MB of free space on your hard drive.

-----------------------------
INSTALLING WORD BLAST is EASY
-----------------------------

The procedure for installing WORD BLAST on your computer is very
straightforward. If you have received WORD BLAST on a 3.5"
diskette, then there is a setup program on the diskette which
will guide you through the installation. If you obtained WORD
BLAST via an Internet download, then the installation is manual,
but is still very easy. Complete instructions for installing WORD
BLAST are given below for both cases.

A setup program is not provided in the ZIP file obtained over the
Internet since the size of the setup program is about twice as large
as the size of the compressed WORD BLAST files in the ZIP file.
Accordingly, the Internet download proceeds much faster without the
setup program.

-----------------
WORD BLAST FOLDER
-----------------

The installation instructions assume that WORD BLAST is to be
installed in the following folder:

	C:\Program Files\Word Blast 3.0

However, you are free to install the program in any new folder of
your choice.

-------------------------------------
INSTALLING WORD BLAST from a ZIP FILE
OBTAINED from an INTERNET DOWNLOAD
-------------------------------------

1) Unzip (decompress) the ZIP file wdblst10.zip using any standard
   file unzipping software (available on the Internet).

   Unzip the WORD BLAST files into the folder
	C:\Program Files\Word Blast 3.0

   If the unzipping utility has the option to "Use Folder Names",
   make sure that option is activated (checked) so that the correct
   sub-folders will be created within the WORD BLAST folder. 

2) Check to see that the WORD BLAST files which are in your new
   folder "C:\Program Files\Word Blast 3.0" match those shown in the
   "Packing List" below. In order for the program to work properly,
   the directory structure shown in the Packing List must be
   maintained, i.e. the folders "res" and "Word Lists" must be
   located in the folder in which you installed WORD BLAST, along
   with the WORD BLAST executable file WordBlast.exe.

   WORD BLAST is essentially installed at this point, and is ready
   to run. However, you should probably will want to create a
   short cut to the WORD BLAST executable on the Start menu or
   on the Desktop, as explained in the next step.

3) You may create a short-cut to the WORD BLAST executable in the
   Windows95 Start menu, enabling you to launch WORD BLAST from the
   Start menu when you wish to play the game.

   One way to do this is as follows: Open the folder
	C:\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
   Then, open the folder
	C:\Program Files\Word Blast 3.0
   Next, left-click on the WORD BLAST executable WordBlast.exe
   (the file with the "dynamite" icon), then with the cursor on the
   highlighted file, right-click and while holding the right mouse
   button, drag the file WordBlast.exe into the other folder (the
   start menu folder). Next, release the right mouse button, and a
   small menu will pop up. Left-click on "Create Shortcut Here" in
   that menu.

   Now, in order to run WORD BLAST, simply left-click on the Start menu,
   then left-click on Programs, then left-click on WordBlast (you
   should also see the dynamite icon in the start menu).

------------------------------------------
INSTALLING WORD BLAST from a 3.5" Diskette
------------------------------------------

The SETUP PROGRAM
-----------------

Installation of WORD BLAST from a 3.5" diskette is very easy.
A complete SETUP program has been prepared to install the program
on your computer. The setup program guides you through the installation
process, and performs the following functions via on-screen displays
and menus:

1) Shows a WELCOME message.

2) Displays the license agreement and registration
   information (for users of the shareware version
   of the program).

3) Allows you to specify the name of the folder
   (directory) in which to install the WORD BLAST files
   (the default is "C:\Program Files\Word Blast 3.0").

4) Installs the WORD BLAST files.

5) Enters a "short-cut" to the WORD BLAST executable
   in your Start menu, under Start->Programs.

HOW to RUN the SETUP PROGRAM from a 3.5" DISKETTE
-------------------------------------------------

To install WORD BLAST from a 3.5" diskette, execute the
setup program A:\SETUP.EXE (this assumes that your floppy
disk drive is labeled "A") and follow the on-screen instructions.

For example, one way to invoke the setup program is as follows:

	1) Left-click on the Start Button in the taskbar
	2) Left-click on Run
	3) Enter A:\SETUP.EXE in the "Open" text field in the
	   Run menu
	4) Press OK in the Run Menu

The WORD BLAST setup program will begin to run. Follow the simple
on-screen instructions. The entire installation process takes only
a few minutes on most machines.

None of the files on the diskette need to be manually copied to your
drive. The setup program will copy all the files which are required
in order to run WORD BLAST on your computer.

---------------------
HOW to RUN WORD BLAST
---------------------

You can start WORD BLAST using the short-cut in your Start menu if
you created one, or using the one which was created for you if you
installed WORD BLAST via the setup program on the 3.5" diskette.

To run WORD BLAST, left-click Start, then left-click Programs, then
left-click Word Blast.

You can also run WORD BLAST by double-left-clicking directly on the
icon for the WORD BLAST executable, 

	C:\Program Files\Word Blast 3.0\WordBlast.exe

------------
PACKING LIST
------------

Following installation, you should find the following files on
your hard drive. Please note that all of the WORD BLAST program
files listed below must reside in the same folder in order for
the program to work properly.

You should have the following files in the WORD BLAST folder
(usually "C:\Program Files\Word Blast 3.0"):

EXECUTABLE FILE

	WordBlast.exe

HELP FILES

	WordBlast.cnt
	WordBlast.hlp

INFORMATION FILES

	README.txt
	What's New.txt
	File_ID.diz

WORD LISTS with DEFINITIONS

	Words.wds
	US Presidents.wds
	Tell Capitals Given States.wds
	Tell States Given Capitals.wds

WORD LISTS without DEFINITIONS

	Airport.wds
	Animals.wds
	Birds.wds
	Colors.wds
	Countries.wds
	Electronics.wds
	Flowers.wds
	Food.wds
	Rocks and Minerals.wds

SOUND FILES

	Blast.wav
	Congrats.wav
	Now In.wav
	First.wav
	Second.wav
	Third.wav

COMPLIMENT SOUND FILES

	WBC_Correct_Answer.wav
	WBC_Excellent.wav
	WBC_Fabulous.wav
	WBC_Good_Job.wav
	WBC_Great_Job.wav
	WBC_Nice_Job.wav
	WBC_Outstanding.wav
	WBC_Right.wav
	WBC_Super.wav
	WBC_Teriffic.wav
	WBC_You're_Right.wav
	WBC_Wonderful.wav

----------
WORD LISTS
----------

WORD BLAST comes with the word list "Words.wds", which contains
over 1700 words and their definitions, and twelve specialty word
lists, including US Presidents, States, and State Capitals.

----------------
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
----------------

WORD BLAST is protected by copyright law; it is not public
domain software.

-------------------------------
SHAREWARE VERSION of WORD BLAST
-------------------------------

This is the shareware version of WORD BLAST.

LeMonds Software is happy to grant you a limited license to
use the program for a period of up to 30 days in order to
evaluate the program before purchasing it. The shareware
version is a fully functional version of the program, in
which all features are operational. However, the shareware
version of WORD BLAST will run on your computer for only 30
days following installation.

-------------------
REGISTER WORD BLAST
-------------------

Your shareware copy of WORD BLAST may be registered by
obtaining a registration code and entering it via the
Registration Information command in the Register menu.

Registration of WORD BLAST affords you continued, unlimited
use of the program beyond the 30-day evaluation period on
the computer(s) on which you register the program. Please
submit payment for the appropriate registration fee for
WORD BLAST to LeMonds Software (the cost for registering
WORD BLAST is listed below). Upon receipt of the 
registration fee, LeMonds Software will promptly send you
a registration code which will enable WORD BLAST to run
beyond the 30-day evaluation period on your computer(s).

To register WORD BLAST, press the Enter Registration Code
button in the Registration Information menu, enter the 
registration code in the text field in the menu, the press 
Enter. Your copy of WORD BLAST will then be registered and 
will work beyond the 30-day evaluation period.

-----------------------
SINGLE COMPUTER LICENSE
-----------------------

A single computer license grants the licensee the right to
install and use the program on a single computer. The
license may be transferred to another computer which is owned
by the licensee at any time as long as the WORD BLAST program
is completely uninstalled from the computer on which it was 
previously licensed.

The cost of a single computer license is:

	$15.00	for a registration code via U.S. mail or e-mail

	Please add $5.00 if you wish to receive a copy of the program
	on 3.5" diskettes (not necessary if you have downloaded the
	program from the Internet).

--------------
SCHOOL LICENSE
--------------

A school license grants a single school the right to use
WORD BLAST on any of the computers in the school, as long
as the school is part of a local school district, as
opposed to a statewide or nationwide group of schools.

The cost of a school license is  $50.00.

Please add $5.00 if you wish to receive a copy of the program
on 3.5" diskettes (not necessary if you have downloaded the
program from the Internet).

-----------------------
SCHOOL DISTRICT LICENSE
-----------------------

A special license may be obtained for a school district.
That license permits WORD BLAST to be used on any computer
in any school within the school district. A representative
of a school district should contact LeMonds Software at 
the address shown below to negotiate a fee for such a 
license. The fee, which will depend on the size of the 
district, provides a low-cost method for using WORD BLAST 
in all of the schools throughout the district.

--------------------------
HOW to REGISTER WORD BLAST
--------------------------

Please send a check or money order for the appropriate
amount for the type(s) of license(s) which you request to 
LeMonds Software at:

		LeMonds Software
		1 Fox Glen Ct.
		Clifton Park, NY  12065

Upon receipt of your remittance, LeMonds Software will send
a registration code for each license type, and any diskettes
ordered.

--------------------------
DISTRIBUTION of WORD BLAST
--------------------------

Please feel free to distribute your shareware copy of 
WORD BLAST for the purpose of EVALUATION only, as long as you
have not modified any of the WORD BLAST files in any way.

You may NOT give or sell your WORD BLAST registration code to any 
other party.

------------
LEGAL NOTICE
------------

LeMonds Software has gone to great lengths to design 
WORD BLAST so that it will operate in a proper, safe, and
robust manner on the computer(s) on which it is intended to 
operate. However, LeMonds Software is not responsible for any 
damage which the WORD BLAST program may do to any software 
or hardware on any computer system.

LeMonds Software disclaims all warranties relating to this 
software whether express or implied, including but not 
limited to any implied warranties of merchantability and 
fitness for a particular purpose, and all such warranties 
are expressly and specifically disclaimed.  Neither LeMonds
Software nor anyone else who has been involved in the 
creation, production, or delivery of this software shall 
be liable for any indirect, consequential, or incidental 
damages arising out of the use or inability to use such 
software even if the author has been advised of the 
possibility of such damages or claims.  In no event shall 
the author's liability for any damages ever exceed the 
price paid for the license to use the software, regardless 
of the form of claim, the person using the software bears 
all risks as to the quality and performance of the software.
Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of 
liability for consequential or incidental damages, so the 
above limitation may not apply to you.

Use of this product for any period of time constitutes
your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its
contents.

-------------------------------
HOW to CONTACT LeMONDS SOFTWARE
-------------------------------

Please feel free to send comments about WORD BLAST, including
suggestions for improving the game, to:

	LeMonds Software
	1 Fox Glen Ct.
	Clifton Park, NY  12065

or send e-mail to:

	lemonds@worldnet.att.net

Thank you for choosing WORD BLAST. Enjoy the game!

Sincerely,

LeMonds Software
