Pirates Version 1                                     Today's Date: 3-18-91
Dated 4-20-88
Written by: Michael J. Wanta
User ID #73567,2132


PROGRAM INFORMATION
___________________

The program was written in Turbo Pascal version 3.0.  It requires a
Color Monitor and Color Graphics Adapter (CGA).  You must also have
DOS version 2.0 or greater.

Please ignore the comment in STARTPIR.COM regarding a 286 processor
running at 8 MHz, it is not needed.  The timing and speed of the
program may seem a little slow/quick depending on your processor and
its speed.

I am currently working on a newer version of the game.  It will be
written in Turbo Pascal version 6.0.  I will leave the hardware
requirements and general look the same, but improve upon the logic
and efficiency of the program.  Look for the improved version this
summer.

This is a Public Domain program.  I only ask that you distribute the
files as uploaded.  If you have any comments, complaints, suggestions,
or questions, please send me mail on CompuServe, User ID: 73567,2132.
I hope that you enjoy PIRATES.


FILES INCLUDED
______________


PIRATE.BAT    - Batch file that runs programs as intended.  Type PIRATE
                at the DOS prompt.

STARTPIR.COM  - Contains program information and instructions.  Type
                STARTPIR at the DOS prompt to run.

PIRATES.COM   - Game program.  Once you learn the contents of STARTPIR.COM,
              - you can type PIRATES at the DOS prompt to run the game.

SUB1.CHN      - A program needed by PIRATES.COM to run.

README.TXT    - This file.



QUICK START
___________

Type PIRATES at the DOS prompt, available command keys are "highlighted".


NORMAL START
____________

Type PIRATE at the DOS prompt.  Follow the instructions displayed.


PROBLEMS/BUGS/HINTS (noted as of 3-18-91)
_________________________________________

1. In COMBAT mode, it is best to press desired command keys repeatedly
   rather than to hold them down continuously.  This will keep the keyboard
   buffer from overflowing (when you hear an annoying high pitched beep).

2. Occasionally you will need to press desired commands twice to get them
   to work.  (ie., Q)uit to end combat mode or SHIFT-Q to quit the game.)

3. If your hit points drop below zero on an alien planet, you will not die
   until you beam up to your ship and plot a new course.

4. Entering non-digit characters as part of your gambling bet will end the
   game on a IO-ERROR.  Be careful, enter 0-9 only, then press enter!  Type
   "MODE co80" to clear your screen if this happens.

5. Sound cannot be turned off, sorry.

6. If you run PIRATE.BAT and are asked if you want to quit, the program
   will still run.  This will most likely give you an error message, but
   should not be a problem.