Copyright: Copyright ©  Peter Richards
Citation: Copyright ©  Peter Richards


Contents
Welcome to WinShuffle  v1.6  © 1997 Peter Richards

        Introduction

WinShuffle

        What is WinShuffle

        How to play

Block Jigsaw.

        What is Block Jigsaw

        How to play

        How to play Alphabet and Number puzzles

        How to change the default bitmap

Features

        Toolbar

        Save and Restore a game

        Timer and sound

        What is Shareware                    License  agreement

        How to register                        Help on entering Registration code

        Version History                           Requirements.


Introduction to WinShuffle
 Introduction to WinShuffle                     © 1997 Peter Richards

Welcome to WinShuffle.  I hope these puzzles give you many hours of pleasure.

To help you with your blood pressure these puzzles have absolutely no stress attached to them and can be safely recommended to any age group!

Winshuffle is based on a very old puzzle known under various names. The object of WinShuffle is to reorder squares into their correct sequence. You are given 8 variations of the game to choose from, with three different square styles. You can use normal size or large squares for some of the game options.

WinShuffle is shareware.  This allows you to evaluate WinShuffle and only if you decide to keep it do you need to register. As an incentive to register I have included another puzzle, Block Jigsaw. This puzzle  allows you to treat most bitmaps as jigsaw "block" puzzles. When it successfully loads a bitmap, Block Jigsaw  will randomly set the pieces, your job, if you decide to take it, is to return the picture to normal. To help you, the right hand mouse button lets you view the original picture.

Alphabet Block Jigsaw and Number Block jigsaw  are for the very young. These puzzles allow a child to arrange the alphabet or  numbers in to their correct sequence. I hope they find them beneficial.

You can use any suitable 16  or  256 colour bitmaps.Please note 24bit colour bitmaps cannot be used.


How to play Winshuffle
How to play WinShuffle                              © 1997 Peter Richards

To start a game:

The instructions are for using the menu commands. To use the Toolbar see   Toolbar

1. Select the Style Options menu. Keyboard Alt + 0

Select the option by pressing the underlined key.

                                                            figure  1

     a.  Decide whether you want large(L) or normal(o) size squares

     b.  Decide the style squares you require. There are three styles, normal(N), ball(a) and button(B).

     c.  If you require the timer(T), click it on also.

     d.  The sound is on by default. To switch off, click the Sound(S) menu selection.

2.  Start the puzzle by selecting the Start menu then select one of the following:

                                                           figure  2

Keyboard   Alt + S  for the start menu. Select a puzzle by pressing the underlined key.

Note: You could also start a puzzle from the toolbar with the exception  of  7x7, 8x8,9x9 and 10x10 square sizes.  see Toolbar

For an  alphabet version select Alphabet.  Keyboard   Alt S + A. The rest of the puzzles are number based, starting with a small four by four up to a very large ten by ten puzzle.  From the keyboard   Alt S + 4  to  Alt S + 0.

Please note if you have selected the large square option only the alphabet, 4 x 4 and  5 x 5 versions will be available.

3. The random square array will appear.

    The example below is for a four square by four square WinShuffle puzzle.

                                          figure  3

4. How to move the squares

    You can only move the squares adjacent to the empty space. These squares can only be moved into the empty space thereby creating another empty space behind them. You can actually click a square in the same row or column which as the same effect as clicking the nearest one.

                                           figure  4

Move the mouse cursor over square you wish to move then click the left hand mouse button. In the figure four example above you can move seven, five, nineteen and fifteen into the empty space. Twelve, twenty two,thirteen and twenty one cannot be moved and the mouse click will have no effect.

5. When successful you will end up with the squares in the right sequence.

                                          figure 5

Figure 5 shows you the correct sequence. On the final successful move a message will appear letting you know  and requesting whether you require another game. If you answer yes it will be up to you to decide what the next puzzle will be.


How to play Block Jigsaw
How to play Block Jigsaw                               © 1997 Peter Richards

The instructions are for using the menu commands.  To use the Toolbar see   Toolbar

1. Select Style menu.   Keyboard  Alt S

                                                          Figure  1

Decide from Figure 1  whether you want the picture to contain large or normal blocks .

Keyboard:   Normal  Alt S + O,  Large  Alt S + L.

2. Select the Block Jigsaw Puzzle menu

Keyboard Alt  J.

                                                   Figure 2

3. From figure 2 you can select either:

A. the Default  bitmap

Keyboard  Alt B + D

Will select the Default bitmap. This will either be the default supplied at start up or a bitmap you have selected via the Default bitmap Dialog.

For how to select a new default bitmap see Change Default bitmap.

B.  Load a bitmap from file.

b1.  A standard open file Dialog will appear.

b2.  Select a bitmap file and press OK button.

This flexibility allows you to pick any bitmap, not only from your hard disk but also from your floppy disk or CD ROM. A bitmap will have an extension file name of bmp, for example mybitmap.bmp. Microsoft Windows 95 will name the file under explorer as bitmap file

Note. Other picture formats are not allowed. Only filenames of 8 characters or less are allowed

b3. Select a bitmap.

Block Jigsaw will attempt to fill the window with the largest Jigsaw allowed. The smallest picture is three by three squares.

C. From the Recent bitmap files list.

Once you have played Block Jigsaw the bitmap file will appear under the File menu. To replay this Jigsaw just  select it from the menu.  Up to ten of your most recent bitmap files will appear here.

Keyboard  Alt F +  then a number from 1 to 10(max).

4.  A jumbled picture will now appear.

Tip.  You can see what the picture should look like at any time by clicking the right hand mouse button.

5. Click the left hand mouse button down on a block you wish to move and keeping the button pressed, drag the block to your new position, then release the button.

Notice the arrow cursor disappears and any mouse movement directly effects the block you have chosen. When you release the left hand mouse button the square you dragged will be transferred to the  new  position and the square it replaced will be transferred to the squares old position. You know where to drag the square by checking the original picture. This can be done by holding  the right hand mouse button down.

Tip.  After you have placed a number of blocks in the right place try clicking the right hand mouse button a number of times. You will notice that the correctly placed blocks will stand out from the other blocks. This will help you when the background, the sky for example, is hard to place.

6. You have completed the puzzle when the picture matches the original bitmap.

WinShuffle will let you know when this occurs.


What is Winshuffle
 What is WinShuffle                                      © 1997 Peter Richards

WinShuffle is a software version of a very old game known under various names.

WinShuffle consists of squares contained within a frame with one empty square. Using the empty square to move the other squares, you must arrange the squares into an ascending sequence with the last square empty(see Figure 2).

At the start of the game the squares are placed at random within the frame. (See Figure 1). You finish the puzzle when you have completed the sequence.(see Figure 2). You have the option of numbers or the  Alphabet.

For example.

Click Number 4 x 4 on the toolbar and a four by four  number array, randomly set, will appear, as in figure 1.

                                         figure 1

When you have finished the puzzle the sequence will look like figure 2.

                                          figure 2


What is Block Jigsaw
What is Block Jigsaw                                      © 1997 Peter Richards

 Block Jigsaw  is similar to a standard jigsaw except  the pieces are square blocks and cannot move outside the frame.

The objective of Block Jigsaw is to take a randomly arranged picture and move the squares back to their original position, thereby completing the picture. At any time you can click the right hand mouse button to see  the original picture.

You can use any suitable Microsoft Windows(TM) compatible bitmap in 16 or 256 colour. The picture squares are moved by dragging the pieces with the left hand mouse to any position within the frame.


Requirements.
Hardware Requirements.                         © 1997 Peter Richards

Minimum requirements:

  Windows 3.1 or higher.

  Mouse.

  Memory  8MB RAM. Windows 3.1 or  16MB for Windows 95.

  VGA Monitor/card.

  Hard Disk Space. approx. 1MB

Bitmap requirements

 16 colour  or 256 colour bitmaps.

 No minium size for version 1.1 and above.


Toolbar
             Click on the  parts of the Tool bar above where   [image]  appears.


How to play Alphabet and number puzzle
How to play alphabet and number puzzles     © 1997 Peter Richards

These two puzzles are for young children. Please read the help instructions before showing the child  how to play them.

The instructions are for using the menu commands. To use the Toolbar see   Toolbar

1. Select Options Style menu.  Keyboard  Alt + O.

                                                          figure 1

Decide from figure 1  whether you require the picture to contain large or normal blocks.

Keyboard:   Normal  Alt S + O,  Large  Alt S + L.

2. Select Block Jigsaw  then either  Number picture or Alphabet  picture.

Keyboard:  Alphabet Alt J + A,  Number  Alt J + N.

                                                   figure 2

3. For example,  select Alphabet picture.

Keyboard Alt J + A.

If you selected normal size figure 3 will be displayed.

                                          figure 3

As you can see the alphabet has been jumbled,  your task is to put it in to the correct order.

You do this by dragging the individual alphabet pieces to their correct position.

To drag a piece:

1.  Placing the arrow cursor within the required piece, hold down the left hand mouse button.

The cursor will disappear and you will have direct control over the square. When you move the mouse the piece will move in unison with it.

2.  Move the piece to where you want it, then release the left hand mouse button.

3. The pieces will swap with one another.

At any time you can hold down the right hand mouse button to see what the alphabet puzzle should look like. This should give very young children confidence when playing the puzzle.

When finished the picture will look like figure 4:

                                     figure  4


Square buttons
Square style options. You have these three styles to choose from.


Large or Small squares
Large or normal squares option.


Sound button
Toggals the sound on and off.

Timer Information


Help button
Help button.  Takes you to the contents page of this help file.


Picture Puzzle popup
Starts Block Jigsaw.  Select any suitable bitmap from your file.


Stop button
Click button to stop the game. You will be given three options:

1) YES            Leave WinShuffle.

2) NO              Keep in and abandon game.

3) CANCEL.     Carry on with the game.


toolbar square popup
Winshuffle game options. Alphabet or number versions.


Alpha or number puzzle
Select either the alphabet puzzle or a number puzzle.


simple alphabet and number game
Alphabet or number puzzles.


Timer and sound
Timer and Sound information                        © 1997 Peter Richards

Timer

You can time each game by setting the timer option in Style/Options. This must be done before the start of a game as the menu option is disabled during the game.

When you have finished you will be given the number of seconds that as elapsed from the start.During the game a time update will be displayed at the top left hand frame surround. It will only be updated on each move you make.

Menu:  Select the Style Options menu. Keyboard Alt  0 + T  toggles timer.

Pause timer

If you wish to pause the game,  click the Stop button. The normal "Do you wish to continue" dialog will appear. just click the cancel button when you wish to continue and the timer will continue.

Sound

The sound is basic and consists of sound effects for WinShuffle square movements. The sound can be switched on or off  from the Toolbar or from the menu. No sound is required for the Block Jigsaw.

If you have sound it can be switched on/off during the game. The final status is saved for the next time.

Menu:  Select the Style Options menu. Keyboard Alt  0 + S  toggles the Sound.


What is Shareware
What is Shareware?

Shareware allows you to try the software and if you continue to use it you must register it. The licence normally allows a trial period after which you should delete the file if you do not wish to register it.

Shareware is a distribution method , it is not free or in the  public domain and  provides vital support to software authors.

What are you offering for registration?

The WinShuffle is complete, including online help, so I am offering another puzzle, Block Jigsaw, which has been combined with WinShuffle to allow you to use both within the one environment. Registration will also remove the registration reminder messages and  change the "unregistered" caption to registered. Your registration will allow you to use future versions.

Please see  How to register on how to register this software.

When you register you will receive a registration code. Please go to how to input registration code

topic for help on how to do this.

What are your  Licence and warranty terms?

For licence and warranty information please see vendinfo.diz  which is part of the software package.


Help on Registration
Help on updating the software with the registration code

This help topic is for help on entering the registration code not for actually registering. For help on registering this shareware product please  go to  How to register

If you have already registered the software, thank you very much.  All you have to do now is enter your name and the the registration code in the Edit boxes provided and then press the confirm registration button. If the code is correct the software will be updated. Once the code is stored successfully you will not be able to enter the dialog box again so please ensure your name is correctly entered.

                                  ****  Please keep your registration code safe.    ****

                    ****You might need it if you change your computer for example! ****

On selecting register code (Alt R) from the main menu a dialog box will appear.

Type in your name. Now double check that you are happy with it then TAB down to the next edit box.

Now type in the exact registration code you have been given.

If you are happy with your inputs click Confirm Registration ( Alt R).  If the registration code was successful you will be told and  there will be no further need to enter this dialog box. If unsuccessful you will be given a few more attempts before a forced exit back to the game takes place. You can of course return to the dialog box for another attempt.

Tip. If you are having problems check to ensure you have the correct Lower/Upper case settings.


favourite popup
Starts Block Jigsaw with the default picture. Feel free to change the default by renaming your bitmap with  your own one.

This has the file name winshuf3.bmp for 16 colours or winshuf4.bmp for 256 colours.


License
WinShuffle  License agreement                  © 1997 Peter Richards

This license agreement can also been seen in license.txt.

For the definition of shareware click here: What is Shareware

Help on registrating click here: Help on registrating

LICENSE TERMS APPLICABLE TO USE AND DISTRIBUTION

WinShuffle and all associated documention are copyrighted products

of Peter Richards and are protected by English copyright law,1988,

and US law and also by international treaty provisions.

WinShuffle is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge

to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your

friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of

another system. If you find this program useful and find that you

are using WinShuffle and continue to use WinShuffle after a reasonable

trial period, you must make a registration payment.(see order.txt or

help file for exact price)

The registration fee will license one copy for use on any one

computer at any one time.

Commercial users of WinShuffle must register and pay for their

copies of WinShuffle within 30 days of first use or their license

is withdrawn.  Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting

Peter Richards.

LIMITED DISTRIBUTION LICENCE

Permission is granted to any individual or business to distribute

WinShuffle, provided they convey a complete and unaltered copy of the

entire package and provided they claim no ownership.

The attached VENINFO data record is hereby incorporated by reference.

Any distribution satisfying all the distribution requirements expressed

in that data record is hereby authorised.

To register .see how to register.

Beta Version License additions

In addition to the shareware version,beta versions should not be distributed to

anyone not authorized by the copyright holder, Peter Richards.


How to register
How to order  WinShuffle                         © 1997 Peter Richards

You can order this product  via Credit Card with  PsL, USA.

The Fax/Email button above will allow you to fill a order (FaxOrder.txt) using Fax, Email or Post and the  Order button (Order.txt) will do the same but has information on WEB and Phone ordering.

For non credit card orders click Order button and see last page. (Order.txt)

Order via the World Wide Web:

        Go to http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/RichardsPJ

Click  Order button  for more information.

Compuserve Orders

Compuserve users can register WinShuffle via GO CIS:SWREG and

quote number SWREG #15621.

I will send you an Email with a registration code that will remove

the registration reminders etc.

Support and queries

If you have any queries about the programme you can get in touch with me at my EMail address

                           RichardsPJ@compuserve.com

or you can write to me at

                                   Mr Peter Richards

                                   P.O  Box 3929

                                   Bishop's Stortford

                                   England

                                   CM22  6JN


Change Default bitmap
Change Default bitmap                                 © 1997 Peter Richards

On selecting Change Default bitmap, the Dialog below will appear.

Keyboard  Alt  B + C.

 Fig 1

Important!  Only use ABSOLUTE path names.

For example do not use  ../myBMDir/MyPict.bmp. Instead put the full path and file name ie: C:\myBMPDir\MyPict.bmp.

The Browse buttons take you to a standard file dialog. Selecting a bitmap will place its path and filename into the Edit box, thereby eliminating any mistakes.

There are two default bitmaps, the correct one is automatically selected by WinShuffle. If  your setup is for 256 or greater colours then you only need worry about the 256 default and visa versa for 16 colour users.  As you might expect 16 colour  bitmap pictures are very limited.

Default Button.

Keyboard Alt D.

The default button will reset both defaults to the original default bitmaps, winshuf3.bmp(256) and winshuf4(16).


Version History
Version History                                          © 1997 Peter Richards

1.5v   Improvements.    1st September 1997.

A .Removed WinShuffle limitations from Block Jigsaw.

A1   Block Jigsaw can now be up to  16 squares wide by 15 high.

A2   The minimum requirements for the selected bitmap have been removed but the minimum display size is    3 by 3 .

B  Will try to fit Block jigsaw to window size. (up to above limits)

C  Added Change Default Dialog so user can change default easily.

D. Replaced cursor with actual square animation.

E. Save and restore game option.  Including restoring timer.

1.6v  Improvements       8th September  1997

A  Non sound computers will only have a "No sound card" error message once.


Save and Restore a game
Save and Restore a game                           © 1997 Peter Richards

WinShuffle can save a game, to be played back at a later time.

Saving a game.

Mouse

  Select File then Save Game from the Main Menu..

Keyboard

   Alt F + S.

After saving the game you will then be offered the standard exit choice.  Click Cancel to continue playing or YES to clear the game ready to start a new one. No will exit WinShuffle.

Note. The previously saved game will be lost.

Restoring a game

Mouse

 Select File then Restore Game from the Main Menu.

Keyboard

  Alt F + R

The game will now be restored including the timer if present during the saved game.

Note. You cannot restore a game during a current game.

Changing the screen resolution.

If you save a game in a high resolution and then change to a lower resolution,  the restored game might not fit on the new lower resolution screen.