B R I D G E FROM SPECIAL K SOFTWARE release 2.7 - 1999 created by G.M.McKAY COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS: Any 486, pentium or better IBM compatible computer will successfully run this game as long as it can run Windows 95 and has over 8 Mb of memory. It will use any sound driver that your Windows has fitted (ie. a sound card or PC speaker driver). A mouse is required (as with all Windows activities). It works best if Windows has a standard screen resolution, such as 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, or 1280x1024. However, it can accommodate any resolution. You should have at least 256 colours in your Screen Color Palette. DISTRIBUTION: This copyrighted game is distributed under the SHAREWARE system which depends upon your support for on-going development. You are encouraged to freely copy and distribute this product unaltered to friends, business associates, bulletin boards and user groups. HOWEVER THIS PRODUCT IS NOT FREE! This is a beta release. That means that I am giving you the opportunity to see a pre-release copy. The only payment I ask for this is that you email me to tell me about bugs in the program, or improvements to the rules, options, style of play, or logic of play. This is the best way I can find out about what you want in the game. If you leave me your email address, I will let you know when the full release becomes available. INSTALLATION: BRIDGE is distributed in a form which makes installation easy for you. Like all Windows programs, its installation is more complex than DOS programs, but the SETUP.EXE utility takes care of all this for you. This way, it can ensure that you have the correct Windows System files that it needs to run properly, without you having to do any work. After installation, you should have these files in the '\program files\bridge' directory - BRIDGE.EXE - base program BRIDGE.HLP - Windows help file BRIDGE.TXT - ASCII text help file REGO.FRM - user registration form SCORES.BRG - game scores and set-up info GAME.BRG - saved game *.CRD - data files. In addition, it will make sure that you have a number of system operating files in your \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. If you received this software from a Bulletin Board or the Internet, it will be compressed into the one file, eg BRIDGE.ZIP. Before running the installation program you will need to decompress it. Create a temporary directory, eg C:\MYTEMP, and decompress all the files into it. The software is now ready to install, as if you had bought it on a floppy disk. Now start Windows, and run the SETUP.EXE program. The easiest way of doing this is choose "RUN" from Windows 'Start' Button, and type in the drive, directory, and SETUP.EXE name. Alternatively, you can run it from the File Explorer. The installation program prompts you to enter the directory name in which to store the files. The installation program does NOT interfere with any of your standard set-up eg, AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, *.INI, path. It places the icon to start the BRIDGE game in a group called "BRIDGE" that it creates in the 'Programs' menu on the 'Start' button. If you want, you can easily move this icon to a different group (by the usual method of dragging and dropping). If you registered a previous version that gave you life time registrations (like this one does), simply setup this Shareware program on top of the previous one (ie into the same directory). It will become registered. DO NOT delete the previous version first. If you created a temporary directory, eg C:\MYTEMP, you can now remove it. The total space that this program takes up on disk is about 3.8 Mbytes. If you run BRIDGE and find that it does not fill the whole screen, the answer is probably the screen resolution that you have chosen for Windows. You can change this via the Display icon in the Control Panel. It works best with standard resolutions, such as 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, or 1280x1024. However it supports most other resolutions. If it does not fill the whole screen, you can force it to use a particular resolution by including on the command line /RESOLUTION500x400. Adjust the numbers to make the game suit your screen. The command line is set by the 'properties' of the 'Bridge' shortcut. You will never want to do it, but you can delete the program, via the 'Add/Remove Programs' icon in the 'Control Panel' (use the 'START' button, then 'SETTINGS'). ************************************************************ If you have any problems with this program, whether installing it, or running it, please let me know. You can contact me on gmckay@dezzanet.net.au or Garry.McKay@akzonobel.com.au ************************************************************ VERSION 2.7: This program plays the enduringly popular card game of Bridge. Use Windows 95 to achieve the realistic atmosphere of a Bridge game with animation and sound. You can choose from different bidding conventions and styles of play. It has animation, and supports various screen resolutions and sound cards. Bidding and playing logic has been enhanced. It comes complete with a help file and on screen explanation of the bidding logic. So, is ideal for expert and beginner alike. REGISTRATION: - the latest, updated registered version (with even better card playing skills). - if you want it, for a small extra postage cost, I will include a registered copy of 500 Card Game For Windows 95 or Euchre Card Game From Special K. An additional incentive is that you can register this version and have registered versions for life! With this registered version you receive a key. Download any future shareware version from the Internet, or any other source, and you can turn it into a registered version! Yet another incentive to register is that the registered copy does not make you endure the initial "nuisance" screen when you run it. SPECIAL BONUS - The registered copy also has a much more pleasing picture as the background to the Main Menu (ie. you do not have to see me and my family). It also allows you to put in YOUR OWN background to this menu, so if you have a pleasing Bit Map Picture, or even a scanned-in picture of yourself, this can be in the background every time you run it. You can register by posting the registration form and a check to me, and choose to receive your registered version by mail, or receive it quicker by email (and pay $4.00 less). You can also register on line by credit card by visiting my homepage at http://www.dezzanet.net.au/~gmckay or http://www.geocities.com/heartland/forest/6379 or http://members.xoom.com/500cardgame . Dealer enquires are welcome. Corporate licenses are available. ____________________________________________________________________ BRIDGE FROM SPECIAL K Name: _________________________________ Date: ____/____/____ Address: _______________________________________________________ City: _______________________ State: _____ Code: __________ Country: _______________________ Version: _2.7_ Email address: ______________________________ My Copy From: ______________(if the Internet, what site) Windows ver: ______________ Floppy: __1.44MB__ registered copy of the latest version of BRIDGE.....$---- ($28) Postage & handling..................................$---- ($2 for email or $6 for post) options: registered copy of 500 CARD GAME FOR WINDOWS 95.....$---- ($3 if required) registered copy of EUCHRE CARD GAME FROM SPECIAL K..$---- ($3 if required) registered copy of RUMMY CARD GAME FROM SPECIAL K ..$---- ($3 if required) total $---- (at least $30 or $34) Send registered version by email or post: ________ I will be grateful for any suggestions, comments, or information on problems with the game you may have. ____________________________________________________________________ SEND THE FORM TO: G.M.McKAY 29 Melissa St. Strathmore Victoria , 3041 Australia ph 03-9379-7696 fax 03-9311-9141 gmckay@dezzanet.net.au Garry.McKay@akzonobel.com.au If you want to register on the Internet and pay by credit card, you can at http://www.getsoftware.com, or visit my home page at http://www.dezzanet.net.au/~gmckay or http://www.geocities.com/heartland/forest/6379 or http://members.xoom.com/500cardgame - - - - - - - - Enjoy this game, Garry McKay