Computer Puzzles Unlimited, Inc. 4053-C Tates Creek Road - Suite 184 Lexington, KY 40517 Welcome to the puzzling world of CPU. We sincerely hope that you like our puzzles and enjoy many hours of pleasure solving them. Minimum system requirements are an EGA/VGA color monitor. A hard disk is recommended but not required. IBM compatibility is also required, including the use of standard graphics processing. Third party and proprietary graphics systems (such as Tandy) may not work. RAM memory requirements vary according to the type of puzzle being solved, but the highest require only approximately 400k available. There are no known conflicts with any existing memory-resident programs. To install this shareware version of the software package, simply expand the files into a subdirectory. The subdirectory can be named anything you prefer, but ALL of the EXE and PUZ files must be present in the subdirectory. To run the program once it has been expanded, enter the name of the program control module, which is CPU, and then press Return. The control module must be used, and when loaded you will see the main menu, which is as follows: F1 Help - On-line help for the main module and general help for the overall package. F2 Solve Puzzles - This is what you use to select the type of puzzle to solve. F3 Install New Puzzles - This is used to install additional puzzles if you get more puzzles at a later time. Esc Exit Program - Returns you to DOS This shareware version contains the solving programs and 30 puzzles. These first 30 puzzles include one from each type, and the difficulties vary. This gives you an idea as to what we offer. We produce many of the same types of puzzles found in all the popular puzzle magazines and books, as well as many which are unique to CPU. With respect to the puzzles with which you may be familiar, we at CPU strive to improve upon the standard, making ours bigger and better whenever possible. All puzzle types are available in three levels of difficulty, but some puzzles are inherently difficult and cannot be made truly easy. Super Bowl A Word, Synograms, and Antograms can be particularly difficult, for example, because in each of these puzzles, you must unscramble anagrammed words up to 15 characters in length. For these types, even the easy category can be quite challenging. With some exceptions, the easy level of puzzles are fairly simple, and can be used as introductions to the puzzles. This is also a good choice for children as an educational device, as it allows individuals to challenge themselves to whatever extent they desire. No special knowledge of puzzles is required, and each type of puzzle has on-line help which explains the puzzle, describes how to proceed, and offers tips for solving. An additional feature unavailable with written forms of puzzles is the built-in solving assistance available within each puzzle. This assistance differs with each puzzle, but usually there are three levels of assistance available. This feature can be used when you get "stuck" and need help. For example, the assistance in a word puzzle might range from having the program give you a letter, or a whole word, or finishing the puzzle for you. In addition, all puzzle types which have only one correct solution have an option to show you any errors made thus far, but does not correct them for you. Another advantage of computerized puzzling is the ease in which you can correct mistakes. If you've ever solved a puzzle of any type on paper and ended up with a scribbled and erased mess, you'll appreciate the convenience of keeping your puzzle clean and still being able to "try out" possible answers, changing them if they prove to be incorrect. Still another convenient feature of our product is the ability to save your work, and then pick it up again at some later time. Some of the more difficult puzzles provide hours of fun all by themselves, but you may not have as much time as it would take to solve them in one sitting. Enclosed with this package is an order form, which shows all currently available types of puzzles. We are always expanding and adding more types of puzzles, including our own unique puzzles and CPU versions of standard puzzles, so this list changes frequently. You may order more puzzles at any time, which we provide in groups of thirty, and we also offer a subscription service which allows you to receive puzzles on a monthly basis at a discounted rate. With either method, print and use the order form provided to select the puzzle types and difficulty levels you prefer. Subscribers are also free to change their preferences each month as they desire. Even if your puzzle preferences remain the same, we will never send you the same puzzle twice, you always get unique, original high-quality puzzles. Compared to magazines, this is an excellent way to increase your puzzling pleasure, since you get to choose what puzzles you get each time. If you have a few particular favorites, you may have found you can't get enough of them in magazines because you can only get what they provide. We hope you also enjoy the ease and convenience of solving puzzles on your computer. We are always looking for new and unique puzzles, or variations on the old standards. If you have an idea, please let us know. Puzzle types currently under development include Tangle Words, Even Exchange, Locked In Words, Magic Squares, Word Solitaire, Figure Logic, Number Quilt, and Word Links. You are encouraged to pass this program along to others, so long as the files and documentation are transferred as a single package. You are not permitted to make printed copies of the puzzles. NOTICE - LICENSE AGREEMENT This software and all printed contents copyright 1991-1993 by Computer Puzzles Unlimited. Users of this software are not permitted to make copies of any portion without prior written agreement with CPU. CPU is not, in any event, liable for consequential damages, incidental damages, or any damages whatsoever resulting from the use or inability to use this product, including but not limited to loss or damage of equipment, data, information, profits, or other pecuniary loss. CPU will replace any software we provide which does not perform correctly. Please notify us of any malfunction or suspected malfunction.