Thinkle version 1.1 ------------- Purpose ------- Thinkle is a small program that interprets scripts written in a very simple 'C-like' language. These scripts can be used to do any number of things, such as: a) generate ideas for short stories b) help you make up an interesting menu for a week's meals c) tell your fortune d) generate silly phrases and funny nonsense sentences e) stimulate your imagination, helping you create new inventions, artwork, games, or whatever The fundamental idea behind thinkle is to use random selection in a very structured way. The unexpected twists of chance combine with a meaningful base system to create thought provoking and unique results. Thinkle may be one of the few shareware programs you'll ever use where *I* might pay *you* to use it! See below for information about this. Using Thinkle ----------- Thinkle's command syntax is thinkle {file} Where {file} is a thinkle "script". For example, if you were to try the "menu" script that comes along with the program, you would type: thinkle menu Once you start the program, it will first try to read the script file and will give you error messages if the file contains any syntax errors. Assuming that's not the case, the next thing it will ask you for is a word to use to initialize the pseudo-random number generator. It uses this rather than the system clock so you can repeat a sequence (if you wish) by starting with the same word. Following this it will construct the first randomly replaced selection (determined by the script), and will display the key command options on the bottom of your screen. The options are (currently): a -- Get another (which causes it to generate another selection) d -- Toggle "debug" mode, which is a mode that (when debugging is enabled) will show you the results of each substitution as it is made). This is useful when you are constructing your own scripts. q -- Quit s -- Save the current selection. The first time you select this it will ask for a file name to save it in. If you select this again it will automatically append the selection to the end of the save file. Thinkle File Syntax ------------------- Thinkle scripts contain "comments" and "replacements". A comment can (presently) only be put in-between replacements, not within a replacement, and is contained in "/*" and "*/". For example: /* this is a comment */ A replacement looks like: : { } | { } | { } ... | { } ; In other words, there is a keyword, followed by a colon, followed by one or more replacement strings enclosed in curly brackets, and terminated by a semicolon. The must be alphanumeric. Each replacement string may cover multiple lines. There are some special characters to beware of in the replacement strings: "}" -- curly bracket (signifies the end of the replacement) "$" -- dollar sign (signifies a reference to another replacement) The first replacement of the script file is always the one that is used as the basis for all of the resulting entries that you see while running Thinkle. Here is a complete example Thinkle script: greeting: {$hi world!} ; hi: {Hello} | {Hi} | {Howdy} | {Yo!} | {Greetings} ; When you run Thinkle on the script, the possible results you will see are: "Hello world!" "Hi world!" "Howdy world!" "Yo! world!" "Greetings world!" Obviously, the more layers of replacements you have, and the more strings per replacement, the more possible outcomes you will get. Money Matters ------------- In order to encourage you to use Thinkle, I may give you $100 if you send me a Thinkle script that is significantly new or better than the ones I'm currently distributing with Thinkle. The constraints are: 1) It must be an original script or a significantly modified script that's better than the original. 2) You must give me permission, in writing, to freely distribute it without charge. (You must sign this.) 3) I will decide whether or not to include it in the Thinkle scripts that I distribute based upon all the other submissions and the space available. If I don't include it, I won't pay you the $100 reward. If I do include it, I will pay you! -> 4) Due to time constraints, I will only review scripts submitted by "registered" owners of Thinkle. -> 5) I cannot be responsible for returning disks or other material that you send me. 6) Please send 5 & 1/4 inch diskettes only (for now). You should register this shareware (as you should any) if you use it more than a few times. If you register, I will send you the most recent copy of the program, applications, and documentation. In order to register, please do one of the following: a) Send $22 to: Evan Lunde 18335 S.W. Broad Oak Ct Aloha, OR 97007 - or - b) Be the first person to copy this program onto a BBS system. (Please send enough info about the BBS and the location of the archive that I can verify that you did this.) - or - c) Send me original suggestions for how to improve Thinkle. This can be in the form of either bug reports or enhancement requests. If you are the first person to send me a suggestion, and if I decide to implement it, I will register you "for free". Copyright/License/Warranty -------------------------- This document and the program file THINKLE.EXE ("the software") are copyrighted by the author. The copyright owner hereby licenses you to: use the software; make as many copies of the program, scripts, and documentation as you wish; give such copies to anyone; and distribute the software and documentation via electronic means. There is no charge for any of the above. However, you are specifically prohibited from charging, or requesting donations, for any such copies, however made; and from distributing the software and/or documentation with commercial products without prior permission. An exception is granted to not-for-profit user's groups, which are authorized to charge a small fee (not to exceed $8) for materials, handling, postage, and general overhead. No copy of the software may be distributed or given away without this document; and this notice must not be removed. There is no warranty of any kind, and the copyright owner is not liable for damages of any kind. By using this software, you agree to this. The software and documentation are: Copyright (C) 1989 by Evan Lunde 18335 S.W. Broad Oak Ct Aloha, OR 97007