                      Documentation for BBS*TRIS Door Game
                    (C)Copyright Robert Chambers, 1996-1997


WHAT IS BBS*TRIS?
BBS*TRIS  is a game in which falling game pieces must be maneuvered into place
to  form complete horizontal lines. Points are  awarded for each piece that is
placed  on the board, with more points  awarded each time a horizontal line is
completed.  Trick  pieces enabled by the  sysop  control the difficulty of the
game.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
386 or better processor
Requires ANSI graphics on the user's end
~165K memory

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FEATURES?
*  Optional activity log.
*  Bulletin generation.
*  Configureable game play options
*  Has a sysop chat mode.
*  Fossil aware.
*  No maintenance required.
*  Supports   standard   drop  files   such   as  DOOR.SYS  (PCBoard/GAP),
   DORINFO1.DEF, EXITINFO.BBS, CHAIN.TXT, etc.
*  Supports multiple nodes.

LIMITATIONS ON UNREGISTERED VERSION:
The  unregistered  version will only allow each  user to play 2 games per day.
You  must register the program to  eliminate this restriction. See the section
on registration below.

HOW DO I INSTALL IT:
This is simple, but you must follow these instructions. I am assuming that you
are already familiar with the steps required to install a door on your BBS. If
not,  I  would  suggest  that you read  your  manual  first. This doc will not
attempt to guide you through that.

Step  1) Unzip all files into a single directory of your choice.

Step  2)  Create a batch file that your BBS  will use to start the door. I use
        PCBoard, and my file looks something like this:

        @echo off
        cd\pcb\bbstris
        bbstris.exe c:\pcb\node1\door.sys /L
        IF "%INPCB"=="Y" EXIT
        %PCBDRIVE%
        %PCBDIR%
        board

        You  may call the file whatever you like, subject to restrictions that
        may  be enforced by your BBS  software. Mine is simply called BBSTRIS,
        with no .BAT extension. Again, consult your manual.

        A  little explanation of the startup batch  file is in order here. The
        second line simply changes to the directory where all of your BBS*TRIS
        Door program files are found. (Remember you put them there in Step 1.)
        The second line is the name of the door program, BBSTRIS.EXE, followed
        by  the  complete path to your drop  file  and the (optional) log file
        switch.  Notice that the drop file name is specified. If you are using
        PCBoard,  you  may also use the  PCBoard environment variables for the
        path to the drop file. Like this:

                        bbstris.exe %PCBDRIVE%%PCBDIR%\door.sys

        If you wish the program to log its activities, add "/L" after the path
        to  the  drop  file like this:

                        bbstris.exe %PCBDRIVE%%PCBDIR%\door.sys /L

        The program will create BBSTRIS.LOG which will contain information on
        door usage.  See the section below on "LOGGING ACTIVITY".

        Finally,   use   whatever  door   exiting   statements  your  software
        recommends. Your startup file will undoubtedly look different, but you
        get the general idea.


Step  3)
        Setup  your BBS software and configure  any door menus, etc. that give
        the user access.

Step  4)
        Edit  the sample configuration file to suit your tastes and save it as
        BBSTRIS.CFG.  It  is *CRITICAL* that this  file be named correctly and
        saved  in  the  game file directory.  Instructions  for  each line are
        contained in the sample file, SAMPLE.CFG. Note that you must specify a
        complete  path  and file name (without  the  extension) for the scores
        bulletin that will be created as the game is played.

Step  5)
        You're finished! That wasn't so bad after all.

PS-> Don't forget to advertise that you now have a new door on your system!


RUNNING LOCAL:
You can run the game in local mode if a drop file is in the program directory.
DORINFO1.DEF is included in the archive for this purpose. Just place it in the
door  program  file directory and execute  the program by running BBSTRIS.EXE.
You  should be able to leave this file  in your game directory with no problem
since  you  have defined the path to the  real drop file in your startup batch
file.  Note  that the user name in the  sample  drop file will be added in the
scores  bulletin.  Therefore you should only  run locally to initially try out
the game.  Reset the game using RESET.BAT prior to putting it online.

CUSTOMIZATION:

-  TITLE AND CHAMPION SCREENS
If  you want a new title screen you can  do it! Create a new screen using your
favorite  ANSI editor, and call it TITLE.ANS.  Leave enough room at the bottom
for  the additional registration text. It's *CRITICAL* that you name this file
correctly. This will also work with the CHAMP.ANS file (current score leader),
but  you will be restricted to the  same background color as the original. Try
it and you'll see what I mean here.

- INACTIVITY TIMEOUT AND MAXIMUM DOOR TIME
You  may specify the maximum time allowed in the door and the keyboard timeout
limit  by  editing DOOR.CFG. Instructions are in  this file and should be self
explanatory.  I  don't  recommend using a  maximum  door time. By limiting the
number of games a user can play each day you can more effectively manage this.
Your choice.

- LOGGING ACTIVITY
The program will provide logging of activity if the logging switch is included
in the startup command line in your batch file. For example:

                     bbstris.exe c:\pcb\node1\door.sys /L

will  cause  the  program  to record entry  and  exit  times  in a file called
BBSTRIS.LOG.  This  file can become lengthy if  the  door is used regularly. A
suggestion  is  to  enable  logging when  the  door  is initially installed to
monitor  its  use. After a period of time  you  may wish to disable logging or
trim the file occasionally (there are programs that will do this in an event).
Please  note  that the switch (/L) is case  specific and there must be a space
between it and the path to the drop file.

- TRICK PIECES
There  are three trick pieces that can be  enabled or disabled in lines 5-7 of
BRAIN.CFG.  These pieces increase the difficulty of the game and can be set to
activate  at a certain score or can be disabled completely. See SAMPLE.CFG for
details.

MAINTENANCE:
There  is no maintenance! The game will run its own maintenance when the first
player  of  the day enters the game. A  score  bulletin is created each time a
game is completed. Both ansi and text versions (.ANS and .TXT) are created.

MULTINODE USE:
The  game is set up to run on  multiple nodes with multiple player access. You
should  follow your BBS software instructions  on setting up the startup batch
file for multiple nodes.

RESETTING THE GAME:
This has been made simple with the inclusion of RESET.BAT in the archive. This
batch  file  will  delete all files  generated  by the game (except bulletins,
which will be overwritten the next time the game is played).

Resetting  the game should never be necessary since the game maintains itself.
I  run a monthly contest and award the  high score leader a little more access
to  files,  etc.  This seems to encourage  game  play as well as a competitive
atmosphere. I reset the game monthly using RESET.BAT.

TROUBLE  SHOOTING:
In  the  event you have trouble maybe some  of  these tips will help you. This
list  is  not  very  long yet, but  will  be  added  to as information becomes
available.

1)  The  door  will not open at all.  It  looks like it tries, but immediately
shuts down and returns to the BBS.

-  This is almost certainly a sign that the startup file is not specifying the
correct  path  and/or file name of the  drop file. It's also possible that you
have  not  set the board up correctly and  the expected drop file is not being
created.  The  startup batch file must include  the full path and file name of
the  drop  file as an argument to  the executable, BBSTRIS.EXE. See the sample
startup file above.

2)  You  are using DOOR.SYS and the  door  keeps logging you out when entering
locally.

- If you are not using the long GAP version (51 lines) of DOOR.SYS then either
go  to  the long version or try  DORINFO1.DEF.

3)  The graphics don't behave exactly right (on the user's end) with the board
running under Windows 95.

-  If  you  experience problems with this  try  running the window either full
screen  or  in  the  foreground. This seems  to  solve  the problem if you are
running  the X00 fossil driver. You might also try switching to the BNU fossil
driver. This driver seems to work better with Win95.

4)  The program is slow on some nodes, and I'm running Windows 95.

-  As  far as I can tell this  is a problem with running multiple DOS sessions
under  Win95. Make sure your "Idle Sensitivity"  property for each node is all
the way to the left, and that all nodes are running full screen. This is about
the  only thing that will help, though  you may still experience slight delays
due to the intense interactivity of the program.

THE LEGAL STUFF:
Users of BBS*TRIS Door must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "BBS*TRIS Door
is  supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied,
including,  without  limitation,  the  warranties  of  merchantability  and of
fitness  for any purpose. The author  assumes no liability for damages, direct
or consequential, which may result from its use."

By  registering  you do NOT own this  software.  You have simply licensed it's
use.  You may use it on as many BBS  nodes as you wish, as long as these nodes
comprise  a single bulletin board system. You  may create as many instances of
the program as you wish, as long as they all reside on a single bulletin board
system.

You  are  encouraged  to  pass a copy  of  BBS*TRIS  along to your friends for
evaluation.  Please ask them to register their copy if they find that they can
use it. You may NOT pass along your registration code, however. This should go
without saying.

REGISTRATION :
This  is  not  freeware; it is shareware.  If  you  are not familiar with this
concept it means that you are allowed to try the software free of charge for a
period  of time not to exceed 30 days. At the end of this time you must either
register it or remove it from your system.

I  feel  that  the  time  invested in  writing  and  testing  the  program was
significant  enough  to justify a registration fee.  The cost is $15 U.S., and
payment  may be made via check drawn on  a United States bank. No credit cards
are accepted. I will take your cash, but you send it at your own risk.

To  register  fill  out REGISTER.FRM (included)  and  send it, along with your
check  or money order, to the address on  the form. I will respond to you with
your  registration  either  through U.S.  Postal  Service, Fidonet Netmail, or
Internet E-Mail. The choice is yours; just be sure to specify which you prefer
on the form.

When  you receive your registration code  manually edit BBSTRIS.CFG and change
the  first  two lines to your registered  name  and code number. Watch out for
spaces  at  the end of the registration  name;  this is a common problem. Also
remember that the registration name is space and case sensitive.

The  unregistered  version  will  only  support  2  games  per  day  per user.
Registration  will  remove this limitation  and  allow nearly unlimited games.
Registration will also entitle you to free lifetime upgrades.

There  will  be no automatic notification of  upgrades. You can always get the
latest  version  from my BBS, Tequilla  Sunrise,  at (504)-756-0383. Just type
FREE  at  the  main  menu prompt. There  is  no  charge  (except LD charges if
applicable) for the file or to become a member of the BBS.


TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
Technical support will be provided to both registered and non-registered users
to  the  best  of my ability.

You may reach me via the following:

Fidonet -              Robert Chambers@1:3800/49
Internet EMail -       chambers@premier.net
Tequilla Sunrise BBS - (504)-756-0383

MANY THANKS!:
Thanks to the faithful callers that kept playing, even when it didn't work.

And  to  Lee, who wishes I'd spend more  time with her, and less time with the
keyboard.


