
                   
                        The Database BUILDER for
                   Tome of Vast Knowledge, Version 1.06

                         README - Important Stuff

                        Last Updated September 1993
                           SpiderWebb Software
                   





                           Contents of This File
                           

        About the Database BUILDER .......................... 1

        Advisory ............................................ 2

        Definition of Shareware ............................. 3

        Trial Use License ................................... 4

        Purchasing the Database BUILDER ..................... 5

        Limited Warrant and Disclaimer of Warranty .......... 6

        Distribution License ................................ 7

 









                       
                       What is The Database Builder for
                         The TOME of VAST KNOWLEDGE?
                       

In March 1993, the TOME of VAST KNOWLEDGE, a sort of database manager for
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons was released.  Sadly, even though databases
comprising all the standard AD&D spells, monsters, magic items and many
other goodies had been collected, they could not be released because of
copyrights and TSR/SSI's unwillingness to sublicense third party developers.
Originally the TOME was released with a few public domain databases, and
was recieved fairly well. However, everyone agreed that the program would be
much more useful if only the OFFICIAL spell/monster/magic item databases
were available.

The Database BUILDER is a response to this demand. With this toolkit you can
build your own databases and integrate them into the TOME of VAST KNOWLEDGE.
If you don't have the TOME, then this toolkit will probably not be of much
practical use to you. Hopefully wherever you got this toolkit you can also
get the TOME.

Unlike the TOME, which can probably be run without ever reading the manual,
this toolkit should be used only after carefully reading the manual. An
additional word to the wise: KEEP A BACKUP of every database you work on,
that way if something bad happens you won't lose much of your work.




























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                                Advisory
                                


Some users of the Database BUILDER have observed that it is a program
which requires large amounts of RAM to operate (this is TRUE). Under
some circumstances it has been observed that memory resident programs
may cause problems with the behaviour of the BUILDER, a noted example
has been a screen saver which when activating somehow tampered with
memory enough to crash the BUILDER.

If the BUILDER appears to be funtioning in a fashion which appears
abnormal, try reducing the number of memory resident programs which
are loaded when the BUILDER is run.  If this fails to solve the problem,
contact technical support. As a last resort READ THE MANUAL and see if
you're doing everything correctly :-).


































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                         Definition of Shareware
                         

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it.
If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to
register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration
while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the
software to an updated program and a printed manual.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and retail software, and the copyright
holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below.
Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like retail authors, and
the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good
programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution.
The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software,
either to all and sundry or to a specific group.  For example, some authors
require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.

Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find
software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's retail or
Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you
can try before you buy. And because the overhead is lower, prices are lower
also. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.

Please show your support for shareware by registering the programs you
actually use and by passing them on to others.

Shareware is kept alive by YOUR support!




















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                            Trial Use License:
                            

  You may use the shareware version of Database BUILDER for The Tome of Vast
Knowledge for a 30 day trial period.  If you would like to continue to use
database BUILDER for The Tome of Vast Knowledge after the 30 day trial
period, you are required to purchase the BUILDER. Using this software after
the evaluation period has ended without registering is a violation of the
terms of this limited license.


  Licensee shall not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile,
disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed program
except as provided in this agreement.  Any such unauthorized use shall
result in immediate and automatic termination of this license.

  All rights not expressly granted here are reserved to SpiderWebb Software.























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       Purchasing the Database BUILDER & Why Would you want to:
       

  The $15.00 (Canadian Funds or the equivalent in U.S. Funds) registration
fee (plus tax where applicable) licenses one copy of the software for use
on one computer at a time.

  As a registered user, you will:

   -  Receive free technical support.

   -  Receive notification of significant upgrades to the Database BUILDER.

   -  Gain freedom from legal prosecution for copyright infringement arising
       form illegal use of this product.

   -  Support further development of this product.


                          
                          Method of Payment
                          

  Preferred method of payment is international or postal money order, (which
you should be able to get at your local bank/post office) or a check drawn
on a Canadian or U.S. bank (or a foreign bank with branches in Montreal).
Sending cash through the mail is risky and not encouraged (although if your
bank is gouging you for a money order this might be the cheapest way).

The file ORDER.FRM contains an order form which should be printed
out and mailed to SpiderWebb Software.

Make cheques or Money Orders payable to SpiderWebb Software.

















                                    5


                   
                   LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
                   

  THIS SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS (INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS
FOR USE) ARE PROVIDES "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. FURTHER,
SPIDERWEBB SOFTWARE, DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE, OR THE RESULTS OF USE, OF THE SOFTWARE
OR WRITTEN MATERIALS IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY,
CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND
PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU. IF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN
MATERIALS ARE DEFECTIVE YOU, AND NOT SPIDERWEBB SOFTWARE OR ITS DEALERS,
DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES, ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY
SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION.

  THE ABOVE IS THE ONLY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THAT IS MADE BY SPIDERWEBB SOFTWARE, ON
THIS SPIDERWEBB SOFTWARE PRODUCT. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE
GIVEN BY SPIDERWEBB SOFTWARE, ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES
SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY
AND YOU MAY NOT RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE. YOU MAY HAVE OTHER
RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

  NEITHER SPIDERWEBB SOFTWARE NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN
THE CREATION, PRODUCTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES
FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH
PRODUCT EVEN IF SPIDERWEBB SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.
 

                              
                              ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
                              

BY USING THE SHAREWARE VERSION OF THE TOME OF VAST KNOWLEDGE YOU ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, UNDERSTAND IT, AND AGREE TO BE
BOUND BY ITS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS. YOU ALSO AGREE THAT THE LIMITED WARRANTY
IS THE COMPLETE AND EXCLUSIVE STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND
SUPERSEDE ALL PROPOSALS OR PRIOR AGREEMENTS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AND ANY OTHER
COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE THE
LIMITED WARRANTY.
















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                 Distribution License for this Software
                 

  We are thrilled that you have chosen to evaluate the Tome of Vast
Knowledge.  You are encouraged to distribute this software to any and all
who are interested in obtaining a copy, including distributing it on BBS's
or shareware distribution libraries.


  SpiderWebb Software encourages you to freely copy and distribute the
shareware version of Database BUILDER for The Tome of Vast Knowledge
subject to the following restrictions:

  The Database BUILDER package is defined as containing all the
material listed in the FILES.DOC text file.  If any files listed in the
FILES.DOC text file, or the FILES.DOC file itself, are missing, then the
package is not complete and distribution is forbidden.  Please contact
us to obtain a complete package suitable for distribution.

   -  The Database builder package - including all related program
      files and documentation files - CANNOT be modified in any way and
      must be distributed as a complete package, without exception.

   -  You may charge a distribution fee for the package, but you must
      not represent in any way that you are selling the software itself.

   -  The PRINTED documentation may not be reproduced in whole or in
      part, using any means, without written permission from SpiderWebb
      Software.  In other words, the disk-based documentation may not
      be distributed in PRINTED (hardcopy) form.

   -  You shall not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile,
      disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed
      program except as provided in this agreement.  Any such unauthorized
      use shall result in immediate and automatic termination of this
      distribution license.

All rights not expressly granted here are reserved by SpiderWebb Software.




















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