Universal Hint System
Revision 95a
README File for MS-DOS Reader, Version 3.00
  (June 7, 1995)


1. READ THIS FIRST
2. Archive Contents
3. Quick Start Instructions


READ THIS FIRST
===============
Due to an extremely low registration rate on the UHS readers, and after much
consideration of the available options, I've reached a point that I've tried
to avoid ever since I developed the UHS -- partially denying hints to those
who have not registered their UHS reader.  With the release of this reader,
portions of some new hint files will be accessible only by registered users.
This change will also be noted in the descriptions for these files on all of
the major distribution sites, and in the UHS files themselves.

As the download counts of UHS files and the numbers of users of UHS have
increased over the past few years, people seem to be thinking that the scope
and support of the UHS itself must have increased as well.  Unfortunately,
nothing could be further from the truth.  The reality is that the current
level of registrations barely cover the direct costs of running the UHS, and
far from make up for the income that I and other programmers have given up in
order to support this project.  The same is even more true of file authors,
who are not compensated for their work because of the low registration rates.

While use of the UHS has expanded, I have been unable to keep pace with the
increased demand for new hint files that is being placed on it.  Not only is
it hard to attract new authors, because I cannot give them incentives to write
hints, but I am also losing some of the old hint authors who have gone on to
paying jobs or simply become tired of volunteering to support the UHS.  With
increased registration, the UHS will be able to grow and provide a higher
level of support than it has before.

I encourage all who use the UHS to pay their fair share -- neither the work
that goes into the UHS nor the alternatives that would remain without the UHS
are free.  I hope that increased registrations will allow me to provide the
quality, quantity, and speed of hints that both you and I would like to see.
In addition, sending in your registration now will insure that your flow of
hints will remain as uninterrupted as possible; your personal registration
code will enable all the hints in every UHS file.

Help us to help you get the most from every game!

---  Jason Strautman
     Universal Hint System


Archive Contents
================

The following files should be included in this archive:

READMEUH.TXT   This file
UHS.EXE        Executable for stand-alone DOS reader, version 3.00
UHS.TXT        Documentation file for UHS.EXE
VENDOR.DOC     Information for distributors (disk vendors and BBS operators)
LICENSE.DOC    License information
NEW_300.TXT    Lists changes in UHS.EXE since version 3.00
FILE_ID.DIZ    Description for BBS sysops
REGUHS.FRM     Registration form

There is no TSR version of this program.  I have stopped upgrading the TSR
reader that had been included with previous versions due to a general lack of
interest from most users (including those who had once registered the TSR).
Please feel free to contact me if you'd like me to bring back the TSR.


Quick Start Instructions
========================

Find a UHS hint file -- the place where you found this reader can tell you how
to get one (see UHS.TXT if you're on a commercial on-line service such as
CompuServe for instructions).  Copy your hint file into the same directory as
the files in this archive.  Use the DOS COPY command to do so.  Type the
following at the DOS prompt (substituting C:\UHS with the directory where
UHS.EXE is located):

  COPY *.UHS C:\UHS

The instructions above assume that you already have a .UHS hint file and that
it's in the same directory that you're currently using.  Normally, when you
download files, the program that you use will place all downloads in the same
directory.  If you can't find a .UHS hint file in the current directory, look
in your download directory, type the letter of its drive, use the CD command
to move to that directory, and then copy the hint file to your UHS directory,
as follows.  Change the first two lines to match the download directory for
your communications software.

  C:
  CD\AOL\DOWNLOAD
  COPY *.UHS C:\UHS

Some hint files may be compressed when you receive them; if so, you will need
to uncompress them and repeat the previous instructions.  The place where you
found your hint files should be able to tell you how to uncompress them.

Now you should be ready to start the UHS reader.  Type the following commands,
replacing "T7G" with the name of the .UHS file that you're using

  C:
  CD\UHS
  UHS T7G