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.