CryptaGram Help Index

How To ...

Play

Register	Contact the author

Add your own quotes

Get more quotes

Get Hints and help on a quote

Commands

Buttons

Game menu	Topics menu

Player menu

Background	Letterbar menu

Text menu

About menu

Help menu


 Game menu commands

The Game menu offers the following commands:

		Shortcut
Done	Quote has been solved, check to see if it is correct.	Alt G + D
Next	Starts a new quote.	Alt G + N
Restart	Clear all letters and begin this quote again.	Alt G + R
Give Up	OK, I give up. (The cost is 60 minutes...ouch!)	Alt G + G
Add Quotes	Add your own or  other people’s custom quotes.	Alt G + A
Pause	Pauses the game. No time penalty incurred.	Alt G + P
Exit	Exits CryptaGram	Alt G + X


How to Play
How to Play CryptaGram

First things first:

If this is the first time your copy of CryptaGram has been played,  you are prompted to enter a player’s name. Otherwise, the previous player’s name will be displayed in the window. You may choose that name, enter a new one (just start typing over the old name), or click on the down arrow next to the name box to see a list of people who have previously played the game. Choose one of these by double clicking on the name you wish to use.

Now what ?

The game window is now displayed, but there is no quote to solve. To start the game, click on the Next Quote button. This starts the timer and displays the scrambled quote.

The Object :

To solve the quote by decoding the scrambled letters as quickly as possible.

How do I do that ?

Look for letter patterns, punctuation (hyphens, apostrophes), the same  letter  ending many words, i.e. many words in English end with ‘E’ or ‘S’. Single letters could be ‘I’ or ‘A’ . Basically, you  make your best guess at the outset , building words as you go.

What buttons or keys do I use ?

To start a new quote, use the mouse to click on the Next Quote button.

To choose a letter to place in a rectangle on the playing screen, click any letter on the letter bar.

The letter you have just chosen is displayed until it is played.

To play a letter, move the cursor over any rectangle (under a scrambled letter), Click the left mouse button. The current chosen letter is now displayed in this rectangle, and in any other rectangle under the same scrambled letter (this sounds more complicated than it is: try it).

You can pause the game at any time by clicking on the Pause button.

I have solved the quote, now what do I do ?

When done,  click on the Done button.

If you have successfully solved the quote, the timer stops, a congratulatory sound is heard (assuming you have a sound card and the Sound  option is checked ‘on’), and a happy graphic is displayed.

If your quote is not correct, an appropriate sound is heard, a sad graphic is displayed. Keep trying, or Give Up

To ‘erase’ a letter from your answer:

To erase all instances of a letter in your answer, click on that letter’s depressed button on the letterbar .

How did I do ?

After completing a quote, your times can be displayed by choosing the Player menu ,  then choosing Stats.

What does the timer do ?

The timer is used to time how long you take to successfully complete a quote. It can be hidden or displayed, but not turned off.  When the game is paused, the timer is as well.

Neat stuff:

Backgrounds can be changed to any colour or from a select group of patterns. Click on Background menu and choose either Solid colours or patterns.

Text can be resized or changed from black to white by clicking on the Text menu, then choose a  colour, or the Size  option.

The text is sensitive to the window size. This means that if you enlarge or reduce the size of Cryptagram’ s window, the quote text will resize as well.

If you need assistance, you can invoke the helper.

If more help is needed solving a quote, right-click on any answer rectangle to display the correct letter. The cost is a time penalty of five minutes added to your game tiime.

New Stuff for version 1.5

When you register this game, you will have the ability to add your own quotes. Family members or friends can enter them for you, or  you can check out the CryptaGram web site to download other people’s Custom quotes. You are encouraged to E-mail  your custom.qot files to me (bpj@isn,net) where I will place them on the CryptaGram home page for any registered user to download. These should be available starting the summer ot 1999.

Under the Help menu are two ‘Frequency’ dialogs, which tell you how many of each letter is in the scrambled or unscrambled quote. I have had a number of requests for this, so here it is!  There is a penalty of 3 seconds for every second the Answer letter frequency dialog is opened.

The game can now be paused, allowing you to answer that phone, or answer any other call you might  get.....

A new topic : “Familiar’, of quotes you’ve probably heard before

If you wish not to play a quote, hitting the Next button before you choose a letter  will not cost  you a time penalty, as it did in previous versions.


Text Menu Commands

		Shortcut
Black	Changes  the scrambled and answer text to black..	Alt T + B
White	Changes the scrambled and answer  text to white.	Alt T + W
Bold or Regular	Changes the apparent thickness of the text.	Alt T + S
Size	Used to decrease or increase the text size.	Alt T + S


Text Sizing and Appearance

Text can be set to bold or regular , black or white, by checking the appropriate radio button.

Text can be resized by clicking on the handle, hold the mouse button down, and drag it to the left or right. A true representation of the text size as it changes is displayed.


Letterbar Menu Commands

		Shortcut
Float	The letter bar is changed to a moveable/sizeable window.	Alt F + F
Park	The letterbar is returned to just over the text area.	Alt F + P

The letterbar is used to choose a letter to place somewhere in your answer. Once used, a letter button remains depressed. To erase a letter from your answer, click on that depressed letter button in this letter bar.

The bar can be dragged anywhere on the screen. (Click on the titlebar, hold down the mouse button and drag to desired position). It also be resized (Click on any edge of the sides or bottom of the letterbar, hold the button down, and drag the mouse to reshape the bar).

or


Sound

Use this option to turn the sound off and on. If checked, the sound is on.


Helper

Use this option to activate the helper,.

If checked, a graphic of a face appears.

When a letter is placed in an answer square, the helper will let you know if this is the correct letter or not.

Note: The cost of using the helper is 1 minute per letter.


Getting more help (or..how to cheat !)

There are three ways to get help if you are stuck:

1) 	To display the correct letter anywhere in the answer, place the mouse cursor in the answer rectangle and click the right button. Ok, it ‘s not really cheating,  look at it as a way of ..getting assistance.

Note: The penalty for this is three minutes added to your game time.

1) 	Use the Letter Frequencydialogs to tell you how many of each letter is in the scrambled quote and/or the answer.

Note: The penalty for this is three seconds for every second the answer dialog is open, is  added to your game time.

3)   Use the Helper which tells you when a letter is correct or incorrect.

Note: The cost of using the helper is 1 minute per letter.


How to View or Hide the Timer

Use this option to view or hide the timer. In the example below, the timer box is checked, signifying that the timer will be  displayed as soon as the next quote starts.

Note: the timer is active as soon as you start a new quote, whether  or not it is displayed.


Next command (Game menu or Next button)

Use this command to start the next quote.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Click the  ‘Next Quote’ button.

Keys:	Alt G  then  N


Give Up command (Game menu or Give Up button)

Use this command if you cannot solve the quote, and wish to see the answer.

Note:  A penalty of 60 minutes is added to your overall time.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Click the  ‘GiveUp’ button.

Keys:	Alt G  then  G


Add Quotes command (Game menu)

This command is only available to those who have purchased the Extended Version of CryptaGram.

Use this command to add your own custom quotes to play later. The play area of the game window is replaced by two edit boxes : one for the quote and one for an (optional) author. You can enter as many quotes as you wish: simply type in the text, an author if you so desire, then click on the Next Button. When done adding new quotes, push the Done button, which returns you to the game.

There are two simple rules to follow when entering your own quotes:

- no words can be longer than 25 characters

- there is a limit of 160 characters for the entire quote

You will be prompted with an error message if any  of these rules are  ‘broken’

Note: If you were playing the Custom topic quotes when you began adding new quotes, these new ones will not be playable till the next time you play this topic (you can choose another topic, then immediately choose the Custom topic to play these new quotes right away).

You can play your own quotes by choosing the Custom quote topic. For those who are interested in such things, these quotes are stored in the  file ‘Custom.qot’.

- Do not try to edit any  *.qot files. Doing so could cause the game to malfunction....or worse. The author will not be responsible for any events caused by altering any of the files used by CryptaGram


Restart command (Game menu or Give Up button)

Use this command to start over by erasing all the answer letters.

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Click the  ‘ReStart’ button.

Keys:	Alt G  then  R


Done command  (Game menu or Done button)

Use this command when the quote you have been working on is completed.

If your answer is correct, the timer will stop, and a sound and graphic  will both signal your success.

If incorrect, a sound and graphic will clearly indicate that fact. Continue, or  Give Up

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Click the Done button.

Keys:	Alt G  then  D


Player menu commands

The Player menu offers the following commands:

		Shortcut
New	Add a new player (up to a maximum of ten).	Alt P + N
Delete	Erase a player, usually to make room for another.	Alt P + D
Stats	Display the current player’s statistics.	Alt P + S


Topics menu commands

The topics menu choices are used to choose the current ‘topic’ or ‘theme’ of quotes to solve.

		Shortcut
Advice	Quotes which offer advice.	Alt T + A
Familiar	Quotes you have heard before	Alt T + F
Famous	Famous sayings of famous people.	Alt T + S
God	Quotes about God and religion.	Alt T + G
Humor	Funny expressions and jokes	Alt T + H
Kids	Quotes for young kids.	Alt T + K
Literature	Literary gems.	Alt T + L
Love	Quotes about love,marriage and romance.	Alt T + O
Random	A variety of quotes from no particular topic	Alt T + R
Wisdom	Pearls of wisdom.	Alt T + W
Custom	If you purchase the extended version, your own quotes go here.	Alt T + C


Background menu commands

The background menu choices offers the following commands, which allow you to alter the background of the game area.

		Shortcut
Solid Colours	Choose a solid colour as the background.	Alt B + S
Patterns	Choose a pattern as the background.	Alt B + P


Buttons

Help is available about the following buttons:

Next Quote

Done

ReStart

Give Up

Helper

Sound

Timer

Letterbar


Help menu commands

The Help menu offers the following commands, which provide you assistance with this application:

Answer Letter Frequency	Displays the number of each letter there is in the answer. There is a 3 second penalty for every second this dialog is open.
Scrambled Letter Frequency	Displays the number of each letter there is in the scrambled quote.
General	Offers you an index to topics on which you can get help.
How to Play	Displays information on how to play.
How to Cheat	Displays information on how to cheat!


Answer and Scrambled Letter Frequency menu command

Use these menu commands to display how many of the answer or scrambled letters there are in the current quote.

		Shortcut
Answer Letter Frequency	Displays the number of answer letters in the  current quote. There is a 3-second-for-every second-this-dialog-is-showing penalty.	Alt H + A
Scrambled Letter Frequency	Displays the number of scrambled letters there are in the current quote. No penalty for using this.	Alt H + S


Pause command (Game menu or Pause button)

Use this command to pause the game

Shortcuts

Mouse:	Click the  ‘Pause’ button.

Keys:	Alt G  then  P


About menu commands

The About menu offers the following commands:

		Shortcut
About the author	Displays information about the programmer.	Alt A + U
About the program	Displays version, copyright and other information.	Alt A + A


File Exit command
Exit command (Game menu)

Use this command to end your CryptaGram session.

Shortcuts

Keys:	Alt G then X


Using Help command (Help menu)

Use this command for instructions about using Help.


Size command (System menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can size the active window with the arrow keys.

After the pointer changes to the four-headed arrow:

1.	Press one of the DIRECTION keys (left, right, up, or down arrow key) to move the pointer to the border you want to move.

2.	Press a DIRECTION key to move the border.

3.	Press ENTER when the window is the size you want.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Drag the size bars at the corners or edges of the window.


Move command (Control menu)

Use this command to display a four-headed arrow so you can move the active window or dialog box with the arrow keys.

Note:  This command is unavailable if you maximize the window.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+F7


System Minimize Command
Minimize command (application Control menu)

Use this command to reduce the CryptaGram window to an icon.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the minimize icon [image] on the title bar.

Keys:	ALT+F9


Maximize command (System menu)

Use this command to enlarge the active window to fill the available space.

Shortcut

Mouse:	Click the maximize icon [image] on the title bar; or double-click the title bar.

Keys:	CTRL+F10 enlarges a document window.


Restore command (Control menu)

Use this command to return the active window to its size and position before you chose the Maximize or Minimize command.


Switch to command (application Control menu)

Use this command to display a list of all open applications.  Use this "Task List" to switch to or close an application on the list.

Shortcut

Keys:	CTRL+ESC

Dialog Box Options

When you choose the Switch To command, you will be presented with a dialog box with the following options:

Task List

Select the application you want to switch to or close.

Switch To

Makes the selected application active.

End Task

Closes the selected application.

Cancel

Closes the Task List box.

Cascade

Arranges open applications so they overlap and you can see each title bar.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Tile

Arranges open applications into windows that do not overlap.  This option does not affect applications reduced to icons.

Arrange Icons

Arranges the icons of all minimized applications across the bottom of the screen.


How to Register

Why should I register ?

The main reason why you should register this program is not that this is shareware, but that by registering ,  you are supporting the production of such software. Where else can you try before you buy ? The concept of shareware is (as far as I know) unique to the software industry. For the price of a movie and a  popcorn, you get hours of enjoyment at no further cost to you, or anyone in your family. By sending in your registration , you are encouraging shareware programmers to keep producing quality programs, sold to you at a fraction of the cost charged by commercial vendors.

How much does it cost to register?

Only $10 in Canadian or American funds.

Details, I  want details:

Send your cheque or money order to:

B Jenkins

20 Silverwood Street

Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Canada

C1E 2A2

See REGISTER.DOC for a form and details.

It is located in the same directory as this program.

Thank you.


How to Contact the Author

E-Mail:	BPJ@ISN.NET

Web:	WWW.ISN.NET/~BPJ

Note: The ~ symbol is a tilde, located in the upper left corner of the keyboard.

I welcome your comments, suggestions and criticisms.

If you are having trouble with the game, or have found a ‘bug’, please drop me a note.

See REGISTER.DOC for more details.

It is located in the same directory as this program.

Thank you.


How to Get More Quotes

Simple:

Mail a cheque, cash, or money order  for $20  (Canadian or American funds) to the address below,

Mr. R Jenkins

20 Silverwood Street

Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Canada

C1E 2A2

or if you prefer, you may pay using most major credit cards by surfing to the CryptaGram home page (www.isn.net/~bpj).

Include your regular mail or E-mail address. Upon receipt of your payment, you will be sent  a password allowing you to download the extended version, which includes over 3000 quotes., as well as the ability to add your own quotes.

Look for extra custom quote packs on the CryptaGram homepage.

See REGISTER.DOC for a form and more details.

It is located in the same directory as this program.

(usually C;\Crypt)

Thank you.