                         Trade Wars Helper 8.1 Commands

    The following are the introductory commands.  Commands are case
    sensitive.  That is, /k is different from /K. 

    /?   Displays a menu of all commands on a single screen.

    /a   Displays the Adjacent sectors to three levels with port or other
         status info.  A later page contains more details about the
         display generated by this command. * 

    /b   Displays the BBS file notes for review or editing.  There is one
         set of notes for each BBS data file.  Each is one page (20 lines)
         plus an additional page for every 1000 sectors in the TW universe. 

    /c   Displays the Configuration file notes for review or editing.  There
         is one configuration file for notes common to all games. 

    /d   Displays a single path with complete detail to a Destination sector
         from the current sector.  The destination sector is entered
         following the /, for example /23d.  Enter /330,23d to view the path
         from 330 to 23 when 330 is not current sector. 

    /e   Issues the command to Explore the closest unexplored sector.
         After you have explored most or all of the sectors, enter /0e to
         clear he explored status for each sector and thus begin a
         subsequent exploration of the universe.  The port and warp to
         information is not cleared. 

    /i   Displays the five closest Isolated sectors.  This is based on the
         known universe and unexplored sectors may warp to those listed.  An
         isolated sector has only one sector warping to it and warps only to
         that sector and is often referred to as a dead end sector.  Like
         many of the displays, this one show the path of sectors in columns.
         Read down, not across!  Enter /& for the next five closest isolated
         sectors. * 

    /k   Gets the sector and port information for all Known sectors using
         the Computer Interrogation Mode (CIM) of the Crai computer.  Use
         this command first to initialize the database (just once per BBS
         data file).  Since the CIM does not identify class 0 and 9 ports
         you will be prompted for those sector numbers.  Use /K to gather
         the same information including the class 0 and 0 ports without
         using the CIM for those sectors not already in the database. 

    /n   Allows entry of up to three Notation characters for the current
         sector.  For example an 'M' might indicate mines or 'P' a planet in
         the sector.  The notation characters are displayed with the other
         sector information.  Enter /N to search for sectors that match
         specific notation characters. * 

    /p   Displays the five closest sectors with a specified Port
         capability.  Enter /& for the next five sectors with the same
         capability. * 

    /q   Quits the TW Helper program without quitting Trade Wars itself.
         Normally you just enter 'q' to quit both TW and TW Helper.  In
         either case the database is saved to the disk file.    

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    /r   This command is used to Record the product percent and quantity
         available according to the interrogation mode of the Crai computer.
         Only the most significant digit of the percentage is displayed with
         the /x and /p command information.  100%% is shown as a colon.
         This information is optionally saved on the disk and because it is
         so volatile, this command is generally issued at the beginning of
         each session. 

    /t   This exceedingly useful command will negotiate a Trade on your
         behalf with the port in the current sector.  It assumes the holds
         are either empty or the most expensive product in them will be
         sold.  For the buy transaction the most expensive product is
         purchased when a port is selling multiple products or by entering
         /T (capitalized) the least expensive product will be purchased. 

         Entering a sector number after the /, for example /23t, initiates
         automatic cross trading between the sector specified and the
         current sector.  You must have product in your holds to sell at the
         specified sector before entering this command.  At the end of each
         trade, you will be given one second to halt the trading by pressing
         the SPACE BAR key.  In TW2002 version 2 automatic cross trading is
         available to registered users only. 

         If you have a ship equipped with a TransWarp Drive, and you specify
         a nonadjacent sector containing your fighters, the TransWarp Drive
         will be engaged.  Only Equipment and Organics can be traded.  Fuel
         Ore will be purchased to replenish the amount used.  If Fuel Ore is
         available to be bought at only one port, be sure to start with
         enough for a complete round trip.  TransWarp trading is available
         to registered users only. 

    /u   Displays the five closest Unexplored sectors in columns with
         their paths.  Enter /& for the next five closest unexplored
         sectors. * 

    /w   Displays information on the current sectors outgoing and incoming
         Warps.  Also shows total sectors explored and other data. * 

    /x   Displays the five closest sectors with cross trading ports in
         adjacent sectors.  This means you can trade back and forth between
         the ports.  Enter /& for the next five closest sectors with cross
         trading ports.  Multiple paths cause pairs to appear multiple
         times. *  

    /z   is used mainly in the multi-player Major BBS version to quickly 
         Zip out of the current sector.  TWHelper will first density scan
         and then move to one of the sectors whose density is less than the
         threshold set via an RTO.  The sector is chosen randomly with
         emphasis given to sectors with the most warps.  TWHelper will
         continue to zip out of sectors until the SPACE BAR is pressed.  For
         registered users a destination can be specified following the /,
         for example /23z, to zip to sector 23 while scanning along the way.

    * For those commands marked with an asterisk, entering a sector number
    after the /, for example /23a, displays the data for the specified
    sector instead of the current sector.  If you run the program without
    being online, you must enter the sector number since there is no current
    sector. 
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    The following are the lower case advanced commands:

    /2e  Begin autoexploring.  Select Run Time Option 10 for details. 

    /f   Displays the paths to a destination sector from its nearest five
         sectors containing Fighters.  The paths are proceeded by the number
         of hops from the current sector to the fighters.  The destination
         sector is entered following the /, for example /23f.  This command
         is available to registered users only. 

    /g   Goes to the sector specified following the /, for example /23g.  A
         ship equipped with a scanner will density scan along the way and
         stop when the next sectors density is at or above a threshold value
         set via a Run Time Option (RTO).  You can manually enter that
         sector and then enter /g without the sector number to continue
         onward to the original destination.  Other RTOs specifies whether a
         fighter is deployed, if trading, stealing and/or robbing is to be
         done along the way and if unexplored sectors are to be holographic
         scanned.  This command is available to registered users. 

    /h   Used to Haul colonists, product, or shields from one planet to
         another.  You must be on the receiving planet with empty holds or
         room for the shields.  Enter the planet number following the /, for
         example, /3H to haul from planet 3 to the planet you are on.  Enter
         /3,223H to haul from planet 3 in sector 223 to the planet you are
         on when the planets are not in the same sector.  You will be
         prompted for what to haul and the production area.  The TransWarp
         Drive will be engaged if you have a ship so equipped and there are
         fighters at both sectors.  Start with enough Fuel Ore for a round
         trip.  It will be replenished at the originating planet.  This
         command is available to registered users only. 

    /l   This command is used, after the /r command, to Locate enemy forces.
         Enemy fighters in a sector block the Crai computer from providing
         the product percentages.  Thus sectors with blank product
         percentage values are the ones displayed.  Enter /& to locate the
         next five sectors containing enemy forces. 

    /s   This command is used to initiate the automatic Sell/Steal cycle.
         You must have product in your holds as this determines the number
         of holds and the product that is first sold and then swiped back.
         This cycle repeats until you are busted or you press the SPACE BAR
         key when prompted.  This command is available to registered users
         only.  When using the /s or /R commands, TW Helper keeps track of
         the ports where you have been busted.  These ports are displayed in
         red. 

         Entering a sector number after the /, for example /23s, initiates
         automatic sell/stealing cycle between the sector specified and the
         current sector.  This mode of the /s command is for TW2002 version
         2 and works much like automatic cross trading except product is
         swiped instead of being bought.  One difference is the /t command
         will buy as many holds of products as possible while the /s
         commands will only steal as many holds as have been sold.  In
         addition, if the product in the holds is being bought at both ports
         (best for both credits and experience), then only it will be sold
         and swiped back.  See last page for transporter stealing. 
               
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    /o   This command is used to enter the Run Time Options.  They are: 

    1.  The minimum and maximum product percentages at ports displayed with
    the /X, /x and /p commands.  Use the /r command first to bring the
    product percentages up to date.  The minimum is set to zero and the
    maximum to 100% at the beginning of each session. 

    2.  The turn at which the auto /t, /s and /R commands will halt their
    process.  This option is set to zero at the beginning of each session.

    3.  The cycle at which the /B, /C and /P commands will halt their
    process.  This option is set to 999 at the beginning of each session.

    4.  Used to turn on/off the inclusion of the Hops in the Deployed
    Fighter Scan.  This option is set off at the beginning of each session.

    5.  Used to turn off/on the haggling over the price during trading.
    This option is set on at the beginning of each session. 

    6.  Specifies when a single fighter is deployed for the /g amd /e
    commands.  This option is set to not deploy fighters at the beginning
    of each session. 

    7.  Used to turn on/off trading or stealing along the way when using the
    /g or /e commands.  This option is set off at the beginning of each
    session. 

    8.  The value at which the /g command will stop when the next sectors
    density is at or above this threshold. 

    9.  The value at which the /g command will stop when the next sectors
    NavHaz is at or above this threshold (for TW2002 version 2). 

    10.  Used to turn on/off the deploying/trading/scanning when using the
    /e command.  The previous four RTOs also apply to the /e command when
    on.  *** AUTO EXPLORING *** capability is discussed when you select this
    option.  Also refer to the /g command. 

    11.  Used to turn on/off the stopping of a ship equipped with a
    Holographic Scanner at the sector immediately preceding the unexplored
    sector when the /e command is used and the unexplored sector not is
    adjacent. 

    12.  Used to turn on/off the holographic scanning of unexplored sectors
    not in the destination path when using the /g command. 

    13.  The psychic probe optimizing number.  If you have purchased a
    Psychic Probe, the program will optimize the experience points realized
    during the auto trading and auto sell/steal cycles.  This number is used
    to choose between maximizing experience points or making more successful
    trades.  After the first full cycle you will generally get 2 points
    trading and 2 or 5 points stealing. 

    14.  The rob factor which is multiplied by the experience points to
    determine the credits to rob when using the /R command.



                                 Page 4  
    15.  The threshold at which the /g and /e commands will auto rob a port
    selling equipment when the percentage is at or below this value.  Also
    used to set the number of days the drained status is retained for ports
    and to indicate if a port is to be robbed immediatly after buying equip-
    ment.  Based on these values, ports that are candidates for robbing will
    be announced.  These values can be set different for each BBS data file.

    16.  The number of attack fighters to be automatically used when enemy
    fighters are encountered while using the /g or /e commands.  The attack
    is made only if there are fewer enemy fighters. 

    17.  The number of fighters to deploy, their type and their mode when
    using the /F, /g or /e commands. 

    18.  The control option for issuing TW commands at startup or when
    leaving the Stardock or using the Transporter.  Generally only used in
    the Major BBS game.


    The following are the upper case advanced command. 

    /0B  This can be entered to change the busted status of a sector or to
         set all sectors to a not busted status.  The busted status is
         cleared when the games running time reaches multiples of 14 days
         and you play that day. 

    /B   This command is used to initiate the automatic Buying of product
         for a planet and/or selling of product from a planet.  Enter a
         sector number after the /, for example /23B, to specify the sector
         containing the port to use.  You must be on the planet with
         sufficient credits (if buying) and/or product in your holds (if
         selling) before entering the command.  The cycle repeats itself
         until you press the SPACE BAR key when prompted or the number of
         cycles set by an RTO has been reached.  See /P command for using
         TransWarp Drive.

    /C   This command is used to initiate the automatic Colonizing cycle.
         You must be on the planet you wish to populate.  The colonists are
         retrieved from Terra and distributed in the production area
         prompted for.  This sequence repeats itself until you press the
         SPACE BAR key when prompted or the number of cycles specified by a
         Run Time Option has been reached.  This command is available to
         registered users only. 

         Entering a sector number after the /, for example /23C, initiates
         TransWarp colonizing.  Again you must start on the planet to be
         populated and with enough Fuel Ore to complete a round trip.  The
         TransWarp drive will be engaged for the sector specified and Fuel
         Ore used will be replenished if available at a port in the sector.
         The Autopilot then will be used to move to sector 1 while the
         TransWarp drive will be engaged to return to the originating
         planet.  A fighter (or beacon if commissioned) must be in the
         sector specified and in the originating sector.  Fuel Ore will be
         replenished on the planet if it is not available at the sector.

    /D   Saves the database to the disk file and then shells to DOS. A
         mimimum of 45,000 bytes of memory must be available. 

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    /E   Launches an Ether Probe to a sector chosen randomly from those
         unexplored sectors that have no known warp path to them.  /1E
         launches an E-probe to a sector chosen randomly from those explored
         sectors considered to be isolated and not already visited during
         the current session.  /2E chooses a sector so the E-probe passes
         thru the most sectors not already visited during the current
         session.  Note that unexplored sectors may cause TW to select a
         significantly different path.  /3E launches E-probes to isolated
         sectors sequentially keeping track of the last sector probed so it
         will pick up at the same point later.  /6E and /7E are both used
         following the /U command (Universe Mapping Feature).  They chooses
         a sector so the E-probe passes thru the most unexplored sectors.
         The /k command must be used following /7E although it operates much
         faster overall.  All E-probe commands will continue to launch
         probes until there are none remaining, a probe is destroyed, or you
         press SPACE BAR when prompted.  Enter /0E to mark a sector as
         inaccess- ible for the /E commands.  Some orphan sectors have no
         other sectors warping to them and thus can never be accessed. 

    /F   Deploys Fighters based on RTO #16. 

    /G   Displays a Graphical view of the current sector and the adjacent
         sectors to any level.  The mouse or keyboard can be used to select
         several options shown in the boxes on the screen.  The capitalized
         letter is the hot key for keyboard entry.  The items with + and -
         signs can be increased/decreased by clicking on the left or right
         portion of the box or entering the letter in upper case or lower
         case.  You can also click on a sector in the map to display its
         adjacent sectors.  A sector other than the current sector is
         specified following the /, for example /23G.  Enter /330,23G to
         view the graphical path from 330 to 23.  After using commands that
         list the five closest sectors (/x, /p, /f, etc.) you can enter /G
         and then click on the +Sector- box to graphically view the sectors.
         Isolated sectors are shown as double circles.  Major Space Lanes
         are shown as a thick blue line.  Unregistered usage is limited. 

    /H   This command is used to initiate the automatic Heisting of product
         for a planet.  Enter a sector number after the /, for example /23H,
         to specify the sector containing the port to use.  The cycle
         repeats itself until you press the SPACE BAR key when prompted or
         the number of cycles set by an RTO has been reached.  See /P
         command for using TransWarp Drive.  This command is available to
         registered users only. 

    /I   Shows a report of deeply Isolated sectors (tunnels to dead ends).
         Enter the depth factor following the /, for example /1I, /2I, /3I
         etc.  An * indicates the sector is part of a longer tunnel.  By
         entering /G afterward and clicking on the +Sector- box you can
         graphically view each tunnel.  This command is available to
         registered users only. 

    /L   Used to Lower population Levels to 999, 988, and 994 respectively
         or until the holds are filled.  These are the minimum values to
         produce the maximum number of fighters on a planet in a version
         1.03 game.  /1L lowers the population level to zero by jettisoning
         the colonists and repeating the cycle.  You must be on the planet
         before entering this command.   

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    /M   Used to merge another traders database into your own.  The data
         merged is the port type, warp to sectors, and if being saved, the
         product percentage and quantities.  Merged sectors are shown in
         brown.  Enter /0M to remove the merged data.  This command is
         available to registered users only. 

    /N   Used to search for sectors that match specific notation characters
         entered with the /n command.

    /O   Displays the paths to the five closest Oneway outgoing warps.
         Enter /& for the next five closest oneway warps. 

    /P   This command is used to initiate the automatic purchase of
         Planetary shields from the nearest class 0 or 9 port.  You must be
         on the planet to receive the shields with ample credits on the
         ship.  The process repeats itself until you press the SPACE BAR key
         when prompted or the number of cycles specified by a Run Time
         Option has been reached.  Entering a number after the /, for
         example /23P, initiates TransWarp purchasing.  Again you must start
         on the planet and with enough Fuel Ore to complete a round trip.
         The TransWarp drive will be engaged for the sector specified, and
         if not already there, the Autopilot then will be used to move to
         the nearest class 0 or 9 port.  The sector specified must have one
         of your fighter (or beacon if commissioned) in it and another in
         the originating sector.  Fuel Ore will be replenished on the
         planet.  This command is available to registered users only. 

    /Q   Used to Quash mines by launching a mine disruptor into a specified
         sector.  The sector number is specified following the /, for
         example /23Q.  The process repeats until you press SPACE BAR when
         prompted, all the mines are destroyed, or all disruptors are
         exhausted. 

    /R   Used to initiate the automatic Rob credits cycle.  The rob
         factor RTO is multiplied by the experience points to determine the
         credits to rob.  Entering the TW I command first will insure TWH is
         using the most recent experience points.  In version 1.03 the cycle
         repeats until busted or you press the SPACE BAR key when prompted.
         When using this command, TWH keeps track of the last time you
         robbed the port, were busted at the port and when the port is
         drained of credits.  Entering a sector number following the /
         initiates automatic robbing between the sector specified and the
         current sector using the TransWarp Drive if appropriate.  Refer to
         last page for discussion on using the Transporter.  This command is
         available to registered users only.  Hint: use RTO 1 to set a low
         maximum percentage and then the /X or /p commands to locate sectors
         with ports that have sold most of their product. 

    /U   Used to initiate the Universe Mapping feature.  This feature is  
         fully discussed in the DOCMAPER.TXT file. 

    /V   Creates the TWVIEW and/or TWASSIST data file(s).  The directory
         path(s) must be specified with the configuration options.  /1V
         creates only the TWVIEW .FTR file and/or the non CIM portion of the
         TWASSIST file.  /2V creates only the TWVIEW .SCT file and/or the
         CIM sector portion of the TWASSIST file.  /3V creates only the
         TWVIEW .PRT file and/or the CIM port portion for TWASSIST. 

                                 Page 7  
    X    Request the entry of subcommands to display the five closest
         specialized trading pairs which includes nonadjacent cross trading
         pairs, transwarp trading pairs, triple trading pairs and other
         combinations.  Enter /& to display the next five closest
         specialized trading pairs.  This command is available to registered
         users only. 




    The following discusses the /a command and color coding:

    The /a command shows adjacent sectors to three levels.  It is generally
    used by unregistered users while the /G command is used by registered
    users.

    The first level is the sectors adjacent to the current sector.  These
    are displayed across the top row.

    The second level is the sectors adjacent to the top row of sectors.
    These are displayed in the columns below the top row of sectors.

    The third level is the sectors adjacent to the column sectors.  These
    are displayed in the rows to the right of the column sectors.

    The color coding and status abbreviations are as follows: 

    Red - An unexplored sector (une) or a port where you've been busted. 
    Brown - A sector with info merged from another trader. 
    Magenta - An explored empty sector (emt). 
    Yellow - A sector with ports (BBS, SBS, etc). 
    Green - A sector with a class 0 port (000). 
    Blue - A sector with a class 9 port (999). 
    Gray - A sector marked as avoided. 
    Cyan - A cross trading sector or the notation characters. 

    A sector with a status of 'pre' was previously displayed.  Enter the /a
    command a second time to display the data for those sectors not shown
    because of the limited screen width.

          
    The following are general points to be aware of: 

    Trade Wars Helper waits for selected text sequences before proceeding.
    Line noise or unforeseen circumstances may get TW Helper out of sequence
    with Trade Wars itself and thus cause indefinite waits.  If it appears
    the program is not responding, press the ESC key several times or the
    ESC and ENTER keys until some request is displayed. 

    An attempt is made to keep track of the last product purchased.  This
    info is displayed with the current sector information in the lower right
    corner.  Under certain conditions this information will not be accurate
    (i.e. when you start but don't consummate a trade.) The TW I command can
    be issued to correct this information.  This anomaly doesn't occur when
    using the /t command. 


          
                            Page 8  
    Repetitive process are generally terminated by pressing the SPACE BAR
    key when prompted.  You can also press the SPACE BAR key prior to the
    message which will halt the process at the next "Command" prompt from
    Trade Wars.

    After using an E-probe or Holographic Scanner TW Helper will issue
    commands to gather warp to and port information.  If you interrupt this
    process by pressing the SPACE BAR key the next probe or scan will
    process the missed sectors.  Otherwise you should do the /k or /K
    command soon afterward so TWHelper is up-to-date.  Interrupting is
    generally only done in the interactive Major BBS game.  There is no
    message displayed to remind you of this interrupt capability. 

    When you issue the TW X command to transport, TW Helper will auto-
    matically issue the TW I command afterward so it is up-to-date on the
    current sector and ship you are using. 

    TW Helper learns of avoided sectors from the opening 'Hazardous Sector'
    display and when you issue the TW Computers X command.  If you add to or
    clear the avoided sectors, do the TW Computers X command afterward to
    bring TW Helper up-to-date. 

    TW Helper learns which sectors contain fighters from the TW g command or
    when you use the /F command or when it automatically deploys fighters.
    If you use the TW f command to deploy fighters then do the TW g command
    afterward to bring TW Helper up-to-date.

    If you spend the night in a citadel, leave the citadel and planet so TW
    Helper can issue the commands to gather its initializing information
    before entering planet oriented commands like /h, /B, /C, /H, and /P. 

    Use the Page Up key to view Trade Wars text that has been scrolled off
    the top of the screen.  The Page Down, Up Arrow, Down Arrow, Home and
    End keys can also be used to view text in the scroll back buffer.
    Function keys 1 and 2 can be used to Save and Restore the current
    contents of the scroll back buffer. 

    When using the TransWarp Drive for auto trading or colonizing, you
    normally start with enough Fuel Ore to complete a round trip.  If you
    interrupt the process by pressing the SPACE BAR key (when prompted), you
    can restart the command without replenishing the Fuel Ore. 

    To initiate Triple Trading have two products in your holds to start with
    and be at the right combination of ports.  For example be at a SSB port
    with Fuel Ore and Organics and /t to a BBS port to involve all three
    product at each port to gain more experience points.  A Psychic Probe is
    recommended. 

    For the /s and /R commands transporting between ships and then stealing
    or robbing is done by entering the commands like /2,9s or /2,9R where
    the 2 and the 9 can be any ship numbers from the Transport list of
    ships.  Transporting to the leading ship number is done first followed
    by the sell/steal or robbing sequence.  The ships can have no or
    different passwords which will only need to be entered for the first
    cycle.  When stealing both ships must have the same product in their
    holds, thus the ports must both be buying that product.


                                Page 9 
