Copyright TLC WordGame version 3.2 is Copyright (C) 1993-96 Terry Conkright. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Quickly TLC Word Game is a Windows 3.x program that has 3 games in one. The first is something like Scrabble and something like Upwords -- but a lot different than either. The second is a word search. The third is anagame. The game comes with a 26000 word English dictionary. There are 16 different sets of rules for play that the user selects. Registration is $10.00. Registered users may purchase an enhanced Engligh, French, Norwegian, Dutch, German, or Italian dictionary at $5 each. (Only the French dictionary has accented characters). WINDOWS VERSION To install the program Double-Click on SetUp.Exe from the File Manager. The program requires the following files: [Unique] TlcDic.DLL, WWrdGame.DLL, Anagram.DLL, WordGame.Exe, WordGame.Hlp, English.Lex, WordGame.Txt, [Shared] VBRun300.DLL, ThreeD.VBX [Installation only] SetUp.Exe, Install.Exe, Setup.Lst, SetUpKit.DLL, Ver.DLL This progam may be distributed freely when distributed for free in its complete uninstalled form. Except that the files named WordGame.LIC and WordGame.Lic_ must not be distributed. Association of Shareware Professional (ASP) Vendors, BBS's and clubs may charge a nominal distribution fee. Non-ASP distributors, BBS's, and clubs must secure specific permission prior to distribution. Individuals may distribute without asking permission if no fees are charged. General This disk contains a suite of word games. There is one for Windows and a different set for DOS. All three Windows programs are contained in the same executable file. Each of the games for DOS, however, are in separate executable programs. Install the Windows version by running Setup from File Manager. To install the DOS version, run DosSetup from the DOS prompt. The following documentation is applicable to both version. Differences are noted where differences exits. The first game, "Good, Better, Best", is something like scrabble and something like upwords but a lot different. The user select from a set of three skill levels and a set of 16 different build rules. The second game, "Word Search", is a typical word search type of program where the user can chose the board size. The third, "Anagame", provides a set of 5 to 9 letters; the user then makes as many words of those letters as (s)he can. These three programs use the same dictionary. DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT Users of TLC Word Game must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "TLC Word Game 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 result from the use of TLC Word Game." Main Window of Good, Better, Best The main window displays the game board, the player's active tiles, status of scores, tiles, and time; it also provides the menu functions necessary to navigate around in the game. The first text line under the menu bar shows whose turn it is. It also shows if the computer has passed its turn or built a word. If the computer built a word, that word is displayed in the text line -- Capital letters indicate letters that were already on the board. When it is the player's turn to move, the player can build a word from his active tiles by dragging the tiles onto the proper square or by selecting the square and typing the letter associated with the tile. After the word has been built, the player then must select the DONE option in the menu or press the RETURN (ENTER) key. If the word is accepted, it will be scored. If the word is not accepted, the program will return the tiles to the active tile bar and post a message. If you are sure that your selection was a correct word, add your word to the dictionary. Move the tiles into place and again select DONE. If you realize that you have made a mistake prior to selecting DONE, you may select UNDO to undo the previous play. If you can not find a word, you may pass your turn with or without an exchange of tiles. If you do not like a word that the computer used you can remove it from the dictionary. This will prevent the computer from using the word again, but you can not disallow a word once it is used. Setup Options To change the game option configuration, select ALT FN from the Main Window. This option can only be selected when it is your turn to play. The following items can be changed for Good, Better, Best. The other games disable the options that are not appropriate for the game. The speed at which the computer plays is dependent upon the computer characteristics and the amount of work that it is asked to do. Start with low settings for Hand Size, Board Size and level of play. If your computer handles the play fast enough to suit you increase the parameters slowly. Skill Level The computer attempts to play at 3 discrete skill levels. The Good level will search its memory until it finds a word that will be slightly better than the players current score. It will only use the specified time or less. The Better level will always use the allotted time and will find the best word that it can in that amount of time. The Best level will find the best possible word and can not be limited by time. First Move At the beginning of each session the player always has the First Move. If you want to let the computer move first, use the menu item ALT FP to pass your turn. If you want to play a series of games, you may set the "First Move" option for the current session. You may chose to move first every time, have the computer move first every time, or let the choice be randomly selected. Rules of the Game The human and computer play in turn. Play consists of building a word or combination of words. Each letter has a specific value.(See Scoring) Count The total score for a play is the sum of the value of each letter that is used in a new word created. Any word that is different than it was a the beginning of the play has each of its letters counted in the total score. Note: if the Dup flag is on, a new letter is not the same characters as the letter that it replaced. The game is over when neither player can create a new word. You can change the way a word can be built by setting any combination of four flags: Wrap, Stack, Groups, and Duplicates. Words wrap on the board This option allows a play to continue from the right side of the board to the left, or to continue from the bottom of the board to the top. Stacking the Tiles This option allows a player to change a tile that is already on the board. A player could change a word from RIGHT to LIGHT by placing an "L" over the "R". Any number of tiles can be changed on the same play. You could change HAS to THE. None of the original tiles need remain. Letters can only be played in one direction (Left to Right or Top to Bottom) in any single turn. Multiple groups of words This option allows a word to be formed that is completely disjointed from any other word or group of words currently on the board. A new word can be formed that is not part of a previous word. Duplicate letters This option allows a play to replace a letter in a word with the same letter. You could put a new T on top of an old T. The new T is a new letter and any word that used that letter is a different word. All new words count in the score. Font Size (Fixed size for DOS) The size of the font determines the size of the window display. The larger fonts can not be used with large boards and low resolution screens. For example, a board width of 20 is the max board size if a font size of 8.25 is selected on a 1024 X768 display and 5 is max board size for a font size of 18. The selected font size takes precedence and causes the board size to be diminished. Font sizes may be 8.25, 9.75, 12, 13.5, or 18. Font size of 12 is default. DOS font size is fixed which yield a max board width of 11 for EGA and 16 for VGA. Hand Size The hand size is the number of letters or tiles that are on the players' active board at one time. The smaller the hand size the faster the computer can play. The hand size is not allowed to be larger than the board size. Time Limit The amount of time allowed for the player and computer to make a move can be set in one minute intervals from 1 to 15 minutes. A time setting of 0 minutes means that there is no time limit. Skill level "Best" will not allow a time limit to be set. (Windows Version) Board Size The board size is variable from 8 x 8 to 20 x 20 but must always be square. (DOS Version has a smaller max - dependent on VGA vs EGA). The smaller the board size the faster the computer can play. If you select a large board size and a large font, the font takes precedence and will reduce the board size as necessary to fit on the screen. Player's Name The player may enter a name in the Player Name text box. This name is used in the main window to identify Tiles, Score, and specify whose turn it is to play. Any name of up to 20 characters may be entered. Choosing a lexicon The English dictionary that comes with the word game program is English.Lex. Users may purchase a more extensive English dictionary. English.Lex has approximately 26000 words. The expanded English dictionary contains in excess of 70000 words. The French.Lex dictionary contains approximately 54000 words. Users may purchase additional languages for 5 dollars per language. Available dictionaries are German, Dutch, Italian, and Norwegian (accent marks included only in French dictionaries). Number of Tiles The number of tiles or letters available in the game can be selected from the options. When a player discards tiles, the tiles are gone from the current game, they can not be reused later. When the tiles are used, the game is over. Save, Cancel, Default, Restore The Save and Cancel options terminate the "Set options session". Only the Save option uses the current options in future games. The Cancel and Restore options reset the options to the values found in the current INI file. The Default option resets the options to the values that were originally available. DOS version has only Save and Cancel options. Display of Score The score will be indicated or the score board as the previous accumulated score and the new score. For example: 0 + 5 will be displayed in the score rectangle after the first word is created with a score of 5. If the next word scored 10, then 5 + 10 will be displayed. Selecting a menu item This can be accomplished by pressing the ALT key and the key in the menu name that is underlined or by clicking the left mouse button on the menu name. Proper Square Words can be built from left to right or top to bottom. Words must be built in a linear sequence. A new word may contain letters from words that are already on the board, but each new letter must be placed on the board in the sequential order that the letter appears in the word. Dragging a Letter The "dragging" process requires you to place the mouse cursor over the desired tile, click and hold the left mouse button, move the mouse (thus dragging the letter) to the desired board position, and then release the mouse button. The board position that will be used is the one that has the focus box (a dotted line around the square). Menu Item Help The help menu can be used to access: Help on Help -- a file provided by Microsoft to teach people how to use a help file. (Windows Only) About -- a copyright notice. Rules -- access to quick review of the way the game is played. Score -- a table showing how each character is scored. How to Count the score A 1 B 2 C 2 D 2 E 1 F 3 G 3 H 3 I 2 J 4 K 3 L 1 M 2 N 1 O 2 P 4 Q 4 R 1 S 1 T 1 U 3 V 4 W 4 X 4 Y 3 Z 4 Each of the following characters are worth: 1 Point -- A, E, L, N, R, S, T 2 Points -- B, C, D, I, M, O 3 Points -- F, G, H, K, U, Y 4 Points -- J, P, Q, V, W, X, Z The availability of a letter is inversely proportional to the value. There are 4 chances in 10 of getting a 1 point character, 3 in 10 for 2 point characters, 2 in 10 for 3 point characters and 1 chance in 10 for a 4 point character. The probability of getting an specific letter is roughly based on the distribution of letters in English words. Each letter that constitutes a part of each new word causes all of the letters in the new words to contribute to the score. Rules determine the way each word can be built. Menu Item Beep (Windows only) Beep -- Turns on/off the beep used to signal the end of the computers play or 15 sec left of the player. Menu Item Dictionary Dictionary -- Provides access to the window that allows you to modify the usable word list. Menu Item Exchange Exchange -- Toggles the option for a player to exchange tiles rather than playing. If the menu item is checked, the exchange option is on and a player must then click on the tiles that are to be discarded. When all desired tiles have been selected, chose done to continue play. Menu Item Load Load -- Allows a player to reload a saved game and continue play of that game. Menu Item New New -- Allows a player to start a new game with new options. The new options are saved for later. Menu Item Pass Turn Pass -- A player can pass the turn without discarding tiles any time desired. It is important to note that if the computer then passes the game is over. Menu Item Save Game Save -- The game can be saved in its current state. That game is then terminated but can be restarted by selecting the Load option. Menu Item Exit Exit -- Terminates the program. Menu Item Undo Undo -- Each time undo is select the prior letter played is removed. Nothing happens if no letter has been played since the last time "Done" was selected. Menu Item Done Done -- Indicates the player has finished the turn and is ready for the computer to play. This option is used following a play or an exchange. Modifying the Lexicon The lexicon can be modified by adding and or deleting words. Select ALT FD from the main menu. The window allows you to search the lexicon for a word, if it is present then you may delete the word, if the word is not in the lexicon then you may add it. The command buttons are only active when the command is allowed. Since you can not add or delete a word until it has been found, initially only the find and cancel buttons are active. The cancel button is always accessible from the ESCAPE key. The most likely command button is "Default" and can be activated by pressing the RETURN key. Once in the lexicon modification window, you stay in the window until the ESCAPE key or cancel button is pressed. Main Window of Word Search The main window displays the game board, status of scores, words left, and time; it also provides the menu functions necessary to navigate around in the game. A second window which shows the words to be found is displayed to the left. Select one of the words by clicking on the first letter of the word and then clicking on the last letter of the word. If you do not have a mouse, move the highlight using the arrow keys to the first letter and select ALT+B; move the highlight to the last character and select ALT+D. (DOS version uses Space Bar to signal the beginning and ending of a word.) The word is accepted if it is in the word list and it will be scored by adding its length to the current score. Main Window of Anagram The main window displays the game board, status of score, words possible, and time; it also provides the menu functions necessary to navigate around in the game. Type a word into the text box and press return. If the word is in the dictionary and uses the available letters the word is added to the list of good words. If the word is already in the list, the computer will BEEP. If the word is not in the dictionary or if it uses letters which are not in the selection, a message will be posted to this effect. Words can be made from only the letters shown in the selected list. If only 1 L appears in the list then only one L can be used in a word. When you have done as many as you can, press ALT+D. (DOS Press ALT+FD). The final score is based on the number of words available, the number found, and the time required to find them.