Introduction ------------ Brain Jam is a Windows solitaire game based on a rules described by Martin Gardiner in a Scientific American article many years ago. It will appeal to players who like challenging puzzles. In each of 1000 different hands, 52 cards are dealt face up. The player must move these cards into four build piles by following a simple set of rules. There is no luck involved - all hands are winnable. Fans call it extremely addictive - their loved ones would like to see it banned. For a selection of player comments, see the last part of this file. Installation ------------ Brain Jam will run only under Windows 3.x and compatible operating systems. It consists of the files BRAINJAM.EXE, BRAINJAM.HLP, and README.TXT. Copy these files to your hard disk. To install Brain Jam in Program Manager, select the File menu and then select New... In the dialog box that then appears select Program Item, then click on OK. In the Program Item Properties dialog box fill in the Command Line box with the full path of the BRAINJAM executable. For example, if you have copied Brain Jam to the C:\BRAINJAM directory, type C:\BRAINJAM\BRAINJAM.EXE into the Command Line box. In the Description box type Brain Jam. Then press OK. The Brain Jam icon should now appear in the currently selected program group. You may drag and drop this icon into any other program group if you wish. If you use a desktop manager other than Program Manager, please consult the documentation for that product. Once you have activated Brain Jam by double-clicking on its icon, select the Help menu for full instructions on using and registering Brain Jam. Brain Jam comes in shareware and commercial/registered versions. The version can be identified by clicking on the Help/About menu. Generally the shareware version may be redistributed while the commercial version may not; for further information consult the Legal Matters section in the online Help. Ordering and registration information can also be found in the online Help. Should you wish to contact us, please send email to one of: Internet: 72133.3027@compuserve.com Compuserve: 72133,3027 or write to: Brain Jam Publications P.O. Box 62024 1448 Lawrence Ave. East, #19 North York, Ontario Canada M4A 2W1 Version History --------------- 2.1 - fixes a resource leak 2.0 - all hands are winnable - the window background is the color determined in the Control Manager 1.9 - card faces are copied from Microsoft Solitaire, which must be resident in the WINDOWS directory. If Solitaire is not installed, a procedurally generated set of cards is used. - fixed a nasty bug that would crash some video drivers after winning a game or trying to exit the program. 1.8 - updated list of winnable games in the range 0-49 - solutions are kept in the file BRAINJAM.SOL instead of BRAINJAM.INI. If you are upgrading from a previous version, existing solutions will automatically be transferred from BRAINJAM.INI to BRAINJAM.SOL. It is recommended that you make a backup of the BRAINJAM.INI file before doing this transfer. If you have several old BRAINJAM.INI files you can merge their contents into BRAINJAM.SOL by following the procedure for each of the files: 1) rename the file to BRAINJAM.INI 2) load Brain Jam 3) unload Brain Jam Note that if this INI file contains solutions for games included in previously transferred files, shorter new solutions will replace the longer old ones. 1.7 - various bug fixes 1.6 - improved game selection and review, keyboard interface 1.5 - improved "Deal" function 1.4 - corrected problems with illegitimate game numbers 1.3 - first public release Fan Mail -------- The following is a compilation of unsolicited comments made by Brain Jam fans in North America and the United Kingdom. Brilliant game. I can feel my brain sweating! - RM, Florida My wife would like Brain Jam thrown into the River Thames as it is very compulsive playing. - PI, London Any more really tortuous games? - ICS, U.K. I think your Brain Jam game is terrific. - AGF, Florida There really ought to be a law against it ... what an insidious piece of software - I am surprised it hasn't brought about the total collapse of Western Civilization! ... super fun and *extremely* addictive. - JH, U.K. My wife has rapidly become an addict of your game. - BK, U.K. ... my wife is addicted to the game ... - MN, U.K. My wife complains that she is a Brain Jam widow! - P, U.K. Great game. One of the few that has stayed on the PC for more than a week. - RL, U.K. I've finally found a game that my father will play, so I thought I'd better register a copy for him. - AM, U.K. Thanks for a wonderfully addictive game. - CGP, Switzerland I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed playing your game. - JB, Maryland My wife is still crazy about it.. - RH The whole family is addicted to Brain Jam. - JP, London An excellent game! - TPH, U.K. I am almost sorry that I discovered it because I am a law student and it seems to interfere with my studies! - BT, California I have to admit a serious degree of addiction ... You certainly have a winner with Brain Jam! - BB, U.K. I think your game is by far the best card game going. - TB, FL A very good solitaire game. My compliments to the chef. - PL, Ontario