Copyright: ® Copyright 1993, 1995 by Michael J. Ahlers


Contents
 Block-Logic 4.00a  for Windows

Disclaimer          Copyright & Credits          BL History          Registration

How to Play Block-Logic

The Goal of the Game

The Menu Commands

Block-Logic's Game Screen

Terminology


Disclaimer

BLOCK-LOGIC IS SUPPLIED AS IS.  THE AUTHOR, MICHAEL J. AHLERS, DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.  THE AUTHOR, MICHAEL J. AHLERS, DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCEDENTAL, WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INDIRECT, INCEDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.  IN NO EVENT SHALL LIABILITY FOR ANY REASON AND UPON ANY CAUSE OF ACTION WHATSOEVER EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF BLOCK-LOGIC.


History
The History of Block-Logic

1976:  I created Block-Logic one day when I was sick and home from school.  I drew a 5x5 grid on a sheet of cardboard with arrows drawn in to indicate the rules (5x5 Standard) and played it using some pennies that I kept in a box under my bed.

1991:  I created the first computer version of Block-Logic.  It ran under DOS and was written in MS QuickBasic 4.5.

1993:

Block-Logic 1.50 for DOS:  I added mouse control, changed the color set from 2 (red & blue) to 10 colors (selected by Mary Ann McCarty) and recompiled to code using MS Visual Basic for DOS.

Block-Logic 1.00 for Windows:  Written in a single 24 hour session at the keyboard.  (Sleep is for sissies!)  Slow loading and a bit buggy.

Block-Logic 1.11 for Windows:  The first limited release that was relatively bug-free.  It used only the 5x5 grid with four rule sets and about two dozen pads.

Block-Logic 2.10 and 2.11 for Windows:  Reconstructed from scratch, these versions added the Chaos Theory rule set and the 6x6 and 7x7 grids.  Each of the grids was the full height of the screen and had its own version of the pad sets.

Block-Logic 3.00 for Windows:  The final limited release, it was again a complete ground-up reconstruction.  The grids were redrawn allowing a single pad set to be used for all three.  The pad set expanded to 300+ pads and were converted from individual icons and bitmaps to a single large bitmap.  Moving the bitmap to a secondary form decreased the time required to load the game.

Block-Logic 3.50 for Windows:  The first wide-spread public release, it introduced a number of upgrades and the code was streamlined.

1994: Block-Logic 3.50 for Windows appeared on the February issue of Metatec's NautilusCD.

1995:  Block-Logic 4.00a for Windows:  The current version.  The about box was altered and a few other cosmetic changes were made.  The major revisions included: moving the pad set bitmaps into a dynamic link library (decreasing the executable size and speeding up the load time), greatly improving the load custom pad dialog box, adding an initialization file to allow for storing a default startup pad set, adding the best scores table, and conversion of the help screen to standard hypertext format.


Copyright/Credits
Copyright and Credits

Block-Logic © Copyright 1993, 1995 by Michael J. Ahlers

Block-Logic is a trademark of Michael J. Ahlers.  All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Written by:  Michael J. Ahlers.

Beta-Testers:  John (Sentinel) Ahlers, Mike L. (Glom the Mighty) Burke, Charles W. (ChuckyBoy) Crisman, Mike Filsinger, Tom Gilchrist, Mark G. Klusman, Silvia Lesko, and Mary Ann (Lady Marion) McCarty.

Block-Logic was written using MS Visual Basic 3.00 Professional for Windows.  The pad set DLL was written using Borland Turbo Pascal 1.50 for Windows and the Resource Workshop.


Registration
Registering Block-Logic

Block-Logic is SHAREWARE.  As such it may be used for the purposes of evaluating it for a period of one month.  After this one month evaluation period, you should either become a registered owner or stop using it and remove all copies of it from your computer(s) as well as any backup copies on any storage media.

You may distribute this unregistered copy provided:

1.  You distribute all the files together and in their original unaltered form; and

2.  You do not receive any payment for this distribution other than the cost of the media it is distributed on.

To register Block-Logic, send a check or money order for $15 to:

Michael J. Ahlers

922 Fannin, Apt 103

Denton TX  76201

817/383-8624

along with a copy of BL-ORDER.TXT.  If this file is not available, please include your name, address, and size/type of disk.  (I would also be interested in knowing your system configuration, but this is optional).  Also if you have experienced any problems running BL please describe the problem in as much detail as possible.  The only known unresolved problem is that on certain hardware configurations, BL will not display properly in any screen mode other than 640x480.  As soon as a solution has been found all REGITERED users will receive an update.

As a registered owner of Block-Logic, you will receive the most recent version of the game (I keep looking for ways to improve it), more pads (407 seems like such a small number), be notified of all major future releases, and my thanks.  Registered users also receive a bonus game (BL Memory Block Game).

To register after January 1, 1996, send a check or money order for $15 to:

Michael J. Ahlers

c/o Carroll & Martha Ahlers

5607 Frogdan Ct

Cincinnati, OH  45248-5007.

513/922-3553


Shipping List
Shipping List (Unregistered Version)

The following files were included with this version of Block-Logic:

(Note:  These files are © Copyright 1993, 1995 by Michael J. Ahlers)

BLWin400.Exe	The main program file.

This should be placed in Block-Logic's working directory.

BLPad400.DLL	The pad set library.

This should be placed in the Windows\System directory

or in Block-Logic's working directory.

BL400a.Hlp	The help file.

This should be placed in the Windows directory

or in Block-Logic's working directory.

XButton.Pad	A custom Pad.

OButton.Pad	Another custom Pad.

These should be placed in Block-Logic's working directory.

BL-Order.Txt	The order form for registering Block-Logic.

BL-Info.Txt	Information and Disclaimer.

FileID.DIZ	The program identification file.

The following file is a MS redistributable file that was included with this version of Block-Logic:

ThreeD.VBX	The 3D Tools Custom Control.

This should be placed either in the Windows\System

directory or in Block-Logic's working directory.

Note: This copy of ThreeD.VBX is dated 7/16/93

and is 64,432 bytes in size.  This is a newer

version than was included with VB 3.00 and

should be used (the version that was shipped

with VB was dated April 93).

The following MS redistributable file is required but was NOT included with this version of Block-Logic (it is widely available and should be located on most BBSs and FTP sites):

VBRun300.DLL	The MS Visual Basic Runtime Module.

This should be placed in the Windows\System directory.


Terminology
Terminology of Block-Logic

Custom Pad Set

Default Pad Set

Fixed Pad Set

Goal

Goal Pad

Mary Ann McCarty

Michael J. Ahlers

Moves

Pad

Pad Set

Random Pad Set

Rule

Rule Set


The Control Box:  It brings up the system menu and allows you to access the Task Manager.


The Minimize Button:  This allows you to minimize Block-Logic to an icon.


The Maximize Button:  This allows you to maximize Block-Logic to the size of the screen.


The Grid:  This is the playing field where the game takes places.  There are three sizes of grids (5x5, 6x6, and 7x7).  You can select the size of the grid on the Rule Set menu.


This button allows you to change which Best Scores Table you are viewing by switching to a different board (Grid).


This button allows you to change which Best Scores Table you are viewing by switching to a different rule set.


This button allows you to erase all scores from the Best Scores Table.


This box displays an alphabetical list of all custom pads in the current directory.


This box displays a portion of the directory structure of the current drive.  The current directory is highlighted.


This box displays the current drive.


This button loads the currently selected pads into the game, making them available for use through the Pad Set menu.


This button closes the Custom Pad Set dialog box without making any changes.


Use these buttons to select the two custom pads you wish to use.  Simply highlight the pad you want and click one of the buttons.  The pad will appear on the button face.  Repeat the process to select the second pad (or to reselect the first).  The pad selected with the button on the right will be the goal pad.


This menu choice accepts the currently selected pads and makes them the fixed pad set.  This set will be used until you restart Block-Logic or you select a different pad set from the Pad Set menu.


This menu choice closes the Fixed Pad Set dialog box without making any changes.


This menu choice brings up a brief description of the Fixed Pad Set dialog box.


The left side of this dialog box allows you to view any of the 400+ built-in pads included with Block-Logic.  The name of the pad appears beneath it and below the name is a scroll bar that you use to move through the 400+ pads.


The right side of this dialog box allows you to select the currently displayed pad (shown on the left side) as one of the pads to use in the game.  Simply click the arrow button when the pad you wish to use is displayed.  Note that the pad in the lower portion of this panel will always be the goal pad.


These are the "hotkeys" that can be used instead of choosing the item from the menu.

F2 = New Game

Del = Backup previous move

F4 = Start the present game over

and	F3 = display the Best Scores Table


Game--New:  This starts a new game of Block-Logic with the current board (Grid) and rule set.  If you are using random pad sets the pad set will change, otherwise the current one will be used.  [F2] is the "hotkey" for New.


Game--Backup:  This backs up the previous move.  Only the last move can be undone in this fashion.  [Del] is the "hotkey" for Backup.


Game--Start Over:  This restarts the current game with the current board (Grid), rule set and pad set.  There is no penalty for restarting a game.  [F4] is the "hotkey" for Start Over.


Game--Make Current Pad Set the Default:  This writes the current pad set to the initialization file.  Until this option is selected again, this pad set will be the default.  It will be the pad set used each time Block-Logic is started up and can be selected at any time by choosing it from the Pad Set menu.  Note that only the built-in Pads can be used for the Default set.


Game--Exit:  This exits Block-Logic and returns you to Windows.


Pad Set--Random:  This selects two pads at random from the 400+ built-in pads.  Each time a new game is started the pads will be randomly reassigned.  [F7] is the "hotkey" for Random pad sets.


Pad Set--Custom:  This selects the custom pad set, if one has been loaded (from the Game menu).  [F9] is the "hotkey" for the Custom pad set.


Pad Set--Default:  This selects the default pad set (if none has been selected, the Pennies pad set will be used).  [F11] is the "hotkey" for the Default pad set.


BL Main Screen
Block-Logic's Main Screen

This is a sample of what Block- Logic's main screen looks like.  Click on any area of the screen to get more information.


Main Menu
The Main Menu Commands

Game Menu Commands

Rule Set Menu Commands

Pad Set Menu Commands

Help Menu Commands

Contents


Game Menu
Game Menu Commands

New

Backup

Start Over

Best Scores Table

Exit

Contents          Main Screen          Main Menu


Rule Set Menu
Rule Set Menu Commands

5x5 Board

6x6 Board

7x7 Board

Contents          Main Screen          Main Menu


Pad Set Menu
Pad Set Menu Commands

Fixed Pad Set

Random Pad Set

Custom Pad Set

Default Pad Set

Load Custom Pad Set

Make Current Pad Set the Default

Contents          Main Screen          Main Menu


Help Menu
Help Menu Commands

How to Play

The Goal of the Game

About Block-Logic 4.00

Contents          Main Screen          Main Menu


Best Scores Table

This is an example of Block-Logic's best scores table.  Click on either of the left two buttons or the rightmost button for an explanation of their use.  Click the Done button when you are finished.


Load Custom Pads dialog box

This dialog box allows you to load custom pads for use in Block-Logic.  Click on an area of the dialog box for an explanation of its use.  Click here to return to the Pad Menu.


These are the "hotkeys" that can be used instead of choosing the item from the menu.

F5 = Fixed Pad Set

F7 = Random Pad Set

F9 = Custom Pad Set

and	F11 = Default Pad Set


Fixed Pad Set dialog box

This dialog box allows you to choose fixed pads to use in the game.  This dialog box can be opened by using the "hotkey" [F5].  Click on an area of the dialog box for an explanation of its use.  Click here to return to the Pad Set Menu.


Rule Set--5x5 Board Menu
Rule Set--5x5 Board  Menu Commands

Standard

Reversed

Mirrored

Mirrored Reversed

Chaos Theory


Rule Set--6x6 Board Menu
Rule Set--6x6 Board Menu Commands

Standard

Reversed

Mirrored

Mirrored Reversed

Chaos Theory


Rule Set--7x7 Board Menu
Rule Set--7x7 Board Menu Commands

Standard

Reversed

Mirrored

Mirrored Reversed


How to Play

Block-Logic presents you with a grid, 5x5, 6x6, or 7x7, filled with 2-sided playing pieces known as pads.  You attempt to flip all the pads to match the goal pad.  To do this simply click on a pad.  It will flip, as will one to four other pads somewhere on the board.

General Tips:	Watch for regular and/or geometric patterns.

Sometimes you have to increase the number of pads that are

wrong to get them all to the goal side.

You can control the level of difficulty by choosing which sized grid to use, which rule set to use, and even which pad set to use (similar, low contrast, and mirror-image pad sets can make it much more difficult to see what's going on).

Specific Tips:	Hints are available for each individual rule set (see the

Rule Set menu commands).


The goal of Block-Logic is to flip all the pads to match the goal pad.  However, each time you flip a pad, others flip as well.  Some (vague) hints are available (see How to Play or the Rule Set menu).


About Block-Logic
About Block-Logic 4.00

See also: Copyright & Credits, Disclaimer, the History of Block-Logic, and Registration.


These are the "hotkeys" that can be used instead of choosing the item from the menu:

F1 = Help--Contents...

and	Ctrl+A = About Block-Logic


This starts a new game on the 5x5 board using the Standard rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 5x5 board using the Reverse rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 5x5 board using the Mirrored rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 5x5 board using the Mirrored Reversed rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 5x5 board using the Chaos Theory rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 6x6 board using the Standard rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 6x6 board using the Reversed rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 6x6 board using the Mirrored rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 6x6 board using the Mirrored Reversed rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 6x6 board using the Chaos Theory rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 7x7 board using the Standard rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 7x7 board using the Reversed rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 7x7 board using the Mirrored rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 7x7 board using the Mirrored Reversed rule set.  (Hint)


This starts a new game on the 7x7 board using the Chaos Theory rule set.  (Hint)


Start with the outside and work inward.

"If anything can go wrong, it will." --Ed Murphy


Start with the center and work outward.

"The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinion." --James Russell Lowell


Start with the outside and work inward.  Note that the pads that are effected are the ones that would be effected on the Standard rule set if you had clicked the pad on the opposite side of the board from the one you did click.

"Give me a place to stand and I will move the world." --Archimedes


Start with the center and work outward.  Note that the pads that are effected are the ones that would be effected on the Reversed rule set if you had clicked the pad on the opposite side of the board from the one you did click.

"The human race stinks." --William Faulkner


There is no regular pattern to this rule set.  There may not even be a solution.  The only certainty is that each pad effects itself and four other pads, possibly including itself again (and again, and again . . .).  It is also possible for one pad to effect another more than once.  Try clicking each pad to find out what it effects.

"Rule #1: There are no rules.  Rule #2: When in doubt, refer to Rule #1."


Start with the outside and work inward.

"There are times when one would like to hang the whole human race, and finish the farce." --Samuel Langhorne Clemens


Start with the center and work outward.

"The history of the Sword is the history of humanity." --Sir Richard Francis Burton


Start with the outside and work inward.  Note that the pads that are effected are the ones that would be effected on the Standard rule set if you had clicked the pad on the opposite side of the board from the one you did click.

"Hang on, help is on its way." --The Little River Band


Start with the center and work outward.  Note that the pads that are effected are the ones that would be effected on the Reversed rule set if you had clicked the pad on the opposite side of the board from the one you did click.

"Banish me from Eden when you will, but first let me eat of the tree of Knowledge." --Robert G. Ingersoll


There is no regular pattern to this rule set.  There may not even be a solution.  The only certainty is that each pad effects itself and four other pads, possibly including itself again (and again, and again . . .).  It is also possible for one pad to effect another more than once.  Try clicking each pad to find out what it effects.

"God does not play dice." --Albert Einstein


Start with the outside ring, then the center and work outward.

"Only the paranoid survive." --Andrew Grove of INTEL


Start with the outside and work inward.

"Chance favors the trained mind." --Louis Pasteur


Start with the outside ring, then the center and work outward.  Note that the pads that are effected are the ones that would be effected on the Standard rule set if you had clicked the pad on the opposite side of the board from the one you did click.

"I am still learning." --Michelangelo


Start with the outside and work inward.  Note that the pads that are effected are the ones that would be effected on the Reversed rule set if you had clicked the pad on the opposite side of the board from the one you did click.

"There is no problem so complex that it can not be solved by a sufficient application of explosives." --unknown


There is no regular pattern to this rule set.  There may not even be a solution.  The only certainty is that each pad effects itself and four other pads, possibly including itself again (and again, and again . . .).  It is also possible for one pad to effect another more than once.  Try clicking each pad to find out what it effects.

"The plain fact is that there are no conclusions." --Sir James Jeans


The goal of the game is to flip all the pads to match the goal pad.  For easy reference, the goal pad and its name are displayed in the upper right-hand corner of the game screen.


To provide you with some way to measure your skill against previous games or against other people, the game keeps track of the number of moves that you make.  This is displayed on the right-hand side of the game screen.


This is the name of the set of rules currently in use.  For easy reference, it is displayed on the right-hand side of the game screen.


This is the name of the set of pads from which the two current pads are drawn.

eg.	Random - the two pads were selected randomly by the computer and

come from different pad sets.

User-defined - the two pads were selected using the Fixed Pad Set

dialog box and come from different pad sets.

Custom - the two pads were loaded using the Load Custom Pad Set

dialog box and are not from the 400+ built-in pads.

Default - the two pads were selected as the default start-up pad set and

were not assigned a name.

(other) - the two pads are from the same pad set, either a built-in one or

the user-defined default one.


The creator and author of Block-Logic.

"Hullo."


Michael's fiance.  Believed to be a stomach in human guise.

"Rumble!"


A playing piece.  Two pads together are called a pad set and act as if they are two sides of a coin.


A statement dictating what effect clicking on one pad will have on other pads.  For example: In the 5x5 Standard rule set, clicking on the pad in the upper left-hand corner will flip it, the pad to the right of it, the pad below it, and the pad diagonally down and to the right of it.


The pad that you are attempting to flip all the pads on the board to match.


Pads that are randomly selected by the computer and change every time a new game is started.


Pads that are selected by the user and remain in use until a different set is selected or until Block-Logic is restarted.


Pads that have been selected as the default pad set and will be used every time that Block-Logic is restarted.


Pads that are loaded from external files.  Custom pads are standard Windows icon files that have been saved with a PAD extension.