                          Esterian Conquest Helper 
                                Release 1.8 

                            Copyright 1992,1993 
                             Just FUN Software 
                            All Rights Reserved 

  "Esterian Conquest" is a trademark of Griffith International.

  Read the Introduction, Installing and Running sections before using
  Esterian Conquest Helper. 



  INTRODUCTION 

  Esterian Conquest Helper is a set of programs used both online and
  offline with the BBS door game "Esterian Conquest" v1.50 published by
  Griffith International.  It uses pull down menus, windows, dialog boxes,
  a graphics galaxy map, and the mouse to simplify the entry of build and
  fleet orders and to automate the process of submitting these orders to
  Esterian Conquest.  Using this program will increase your enjoyment of
  Esterian Conquest and will significantly reduce the time you spend
  online with the game.
   
  The play of Esterian Conquest (EC) is generally broken into three
  phases.  The first phase (INPUT) involves going online with EC and
  getting current information from the data base.  The second phase
  (PROCESS) is done offline and involves analyzing the data and
  determining the build, fleet, and other orders to issue.  The third
  phase (OUTPUT) is the online process of submitting those orders to EC. 

  Esterian Conquest Helper (ECH) is also composed of the same three
  phases.  Each of these phases is initiated by starting a batch
  procedure.  These procedures are: 

  ECHIN.BAT - Performs the input phase by issuing commands to EC to
  collect the current information and saves this data in a data base file. 

  ECH.BAT - Performs the process phase.  This is the main program and the
  one where you interact with the program to determine build and fleet
  orders along with other command to EC.  Your orders are saved in the
  data base file.  Any monitor, with or without a mouse, can be used to
  enter orders.  An EGA or VGA monitor and the mouse are required to use
  the galaxy map feature. 

  ECHOUT.BAT - Performs the output phase by reading the data base file and
  issuing the commands to EC for the build, fleet and starbase orders you
  determined in the process phase. 

  The input and output phases are initiated from your communication
  program immediately after your have opened the door leading to Esterian
  Conquest.  The process phase is initiated offline and can be run
  directly from DOS or Windows. 

  Data files are included that allows you to examine at the main program
  before going online with Esterian Conquest.  Simply change to the
  directory created and enter ECHELP.  Create any orders you want but
  don't try to output these orders to EC.  When you're done experimenting
  and are ready to use ECH productively, begin with the first phase to
  input data relevant to your empire. 



  INSTALLING INSTRUCTIONS 

  Make a directory, \echelp, on your hard disk using the DOS mkdir
  command.  Use \echelp as the directory name or change the batch
  procedures accordingly.  Use the DOS copy command to copy the files to
  the directory or unzip the .ZIP file to the directory. 

  Copy the ECHIN.BAT and ECHOUT.BAT files to your communications program's
  directory.  Copy the ECH.BAT file to the root directory of your hard
  drive or create a Windows program item to start it.  Note: depending on
  your communication program, you may want to edit the last line of the
  ECHIN.BAT and ECHOUT.BAT files to change back to your communications
  program's directory rather than the root directory. 

  If your modem is connected to a COM port other than COM2, run the
  ECH.BAT procedure and change the COM port number in the "Control" menu.



  RUNNING INSTRUCTIONS 

  Run your communications program, login on to a BBS, and open the
  Esterian Conquest door.  When Esterian Conquest issues the "Display ANSI
  Colors ..." prompt do not respond.  Instead, shell to DOS from your
  communications program and enter ECHIN to start the input phase.  This
  phase require intervention only if there are new planets to name.  When
  it completes, log off from the BBS and exit from your communications
  program. 

  Run the process phase by entering ECH at the DOS prompt.  Use the screen
  listings, dialog boxes, and the graphics galaxy map to determine the
  build orders for your planets and the orders for your fleet and
  starbases.  You can press the F1 key to get help with the menu items.
  When you are satisfied with your orders quit the program.  The data base
  file with your orders is automatically saved when you quit. 

  Again run your communications program, login on to the BBS, and open the
  Esterian Conquest door.  When Esterian Conquest issues the "Display ANSI
  Colors ..." prompt do not respond.  Instead, shell to DOS from your
  communications program and now enter ECHOUT to start the output phase
  program.  This program will allow you to issue additional commands to EC
  in addition to the orders you entered into the process phase.  When this
  program completes, optionally log off from the BBS and exit from your
  communication program.  You may also run the input phase again at this
  time to insure your orders were correctly sent to Esterian Conquest. 

  IMPORTANT: If you are playing Esterian Conquest on more than one BBS,
  perform all three phases for a BBS before running any of the phases for
  another BBS. 

  The first time EC is accessed for a new game, the opening sequence of
  displayed text is somewhat different from all other times.  Begin a NEW
  game of EC without using ECH.  Just take it to the first MAIN COMMAND
  prompt and then quit the program.  Now you can restart the door leading
  to EC and run the ECHIN.BAT procedure.



  UPGRADE INSTRUCTIONS 

  If you are upgrading from an older release you can just unzip (or copy)
  all the files from the new release directly into the /echelp directory.
  Do this before you start the input phase.  You will not need to do
  anything else. 



  SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTED PRODUCT 

  Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before
  buying it.  A product distributed via shareware is not "free software".
  If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you are expected
  to register it with the author for a modest fee within 30 days of your
  initial usage.  You may register this product by mailing cash, check or
  a money order for $10.00 US to: 

                 Just FUN Software 
                 4790 Naniloa Dr. 
                 Salt Lake City, UT 84117-5547 

  Upon receipt of the registration fee, you will be mailed instructions to
  include your name in the program as the registered user.

  Please use the REGISTER.TXT file when registering.  This file may be
  printed using the DOS print command.  For example: 

                 print \echelp\register.txt 



  DISCLAIMER 

  Esterian Conquest Helper is supplied on an "as is" basis.  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 for the use of Esterian Conquest Helper. 



  COPYRIGHT 

  Copyright laws apply to both shareware and commercial software, and the
  copyright holder retains all rights, with the following exception.  The
  program, complete with the files discussed below, may be freely copied
  and distributed.  It is in fact encouraged.  If you like this program,
  please tell your fellow players about it and upload it to several BBSs. 



  FILES 

  This product is made up of the following files: 

  README.TXT - This file contains the information you are now reading. 
  README2.TXT - This file contains additional information.  Please read. 
  REGISTER.TXT - This file contains a printable registration form. 
  FILE_ID.DIZ - A description of this product. 

  ECHIN.BAT - The input phase batch file. 
  ECH.BAT - The process phase batch file. 
  ECHOUT.BAT - The output phase batch file.

  ECHELP.EXE - The process phase program file. 
  ECHINOUT.EXE - The input and output phases program file. 
  ECHELP.HLP - The context sensitive help text file. 
  ECHELP.ICO - A Windows 3.1 icon file for the process phase. 

  DATABASE.ECH & REPORT.ECH - These files contains sample data that can be
  used to experiment with the process phase (ECH.BAT). 


  This product may be distributed only when all the above files are
  included in the distribution. 



  RELEASE ACTIVITY 

  Release 1.0: December 1, 1992 - Initial release. 

  Release 1.1: December 22, 1992 - Fixed bugs related to message issued to
  all players, buffer overrun when transferring at 14.4K bps, and listing
  other empires when more than 19 players. 

  Release 1.2: January 5, 1993 - Changed method used to recognize mouse
  button action. 

  Release 1.3: February 1, 1993 - Handled problem during input phase
  assoicated with fewer than four fleets. 

  Release 1.4: February 12, 1993 - Fixed problem with communications
  software associated with modem and I/O cards using the 16550A UART. 

  Release 1.5: April 5, 1993 - Allowed for 200 Starbases. 

  Release 1.6: May 11, 1993 - Added latest version of communication
  software. 

  Release 1.7: June 5, 1993 - Added the 38,400 and 57,600 bps capability.

  Release 1.8: March 22, 1993 - Fixed bug in In/Out program. 


  Please continue by reading the README2.TXT file. 
