Universal Hint System
Revision 91a
Reader for Windows 3, Version 2.60
  (June 28, 1994)
 

1. Copyright Information
2. About the UHS
3. Loading the File (and where to find new UHS files)
4. Basic Interface Options
5. Advanced Interface Options
6. Shareware Information (how to register, what you get for registering)
7. Addresses (how to write to me)

 
1. Copyright Information
========================
 
This program and all related documentation are copyright 1992-1994 by Jason
Strautman.  All rights reserved.  Portions written and copyright 1992 by
Robert Norton.  The Graphics Interchange Format, used in some UHS files, is
copyrighted by and a service mark of CompuServe Incorporated.  Thanks to Jim
Griebel for his GIFSLOW program, which helped me with the GIF decoder used in
this reader, and to all of the beta testers of all of the UHS programs.

This program may be used only for evaluation purposes until it has been
registered.  Use of this program after initial use as described in the section
above, or use of the program with a registration code for which you did not
pay, is prohibited.  License information in this file is intended only as a
summary of policies contained in LICENSEW.DOC.

Some product names referenced in this documentation are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.


2. About the UHS
================
 
I created the Universal Hint System (or UHS) to provide computer gamers with
alternate method for getting hints when they are stuck on a game.  The UHS
offers a large number of hint files that cover many of the current and classic
games, all for the price of a single registration fee.  UHS files were
designed to be exchanged across computer formats, so a file written on any
computer can be uploaded and shared with users of any other computer -- as
long as an up-to-date reader is available.  The files will also provide hints
ranging from subtle clues to outright answers.  You only see what you need to.
 
This is the second version of the UHS.  The first version, now called 88a, and
its accompanying programs were released in 1988.  This version, 91a, was
created in 1991, although the first batch of programs was delayed until 1992.
This new version offers improved hint options, the ability to include 16-color
pictures, and a new file structure that will make future revisions easier to
implement.  The UHS 91a format was codesigned by Robert Norton.
 
 
3. Loading the File
===================
 
This UHS reader won't be enough to give you hints for a game.  If you do not
already have the hint file for the game that you need help with, you should
download it from the proper library.  Hint files aren't available for every
game on the market, so if you cannot find one, it may just be because no one
has written a file for that particular game.

America On-Line: Look in the PC Games Forum, keyword "PC GAMES" or "PGM".
There is a "Universal Hints" library for all UHS files.  You can also use the
"Software Search" command and specify "UHS" as a keyword to find related
files.

CompuServe: Users can find UHS files in various LIBraries on The Gamers' Forum
(GO GAMERS).  If you're not certain as to how the game is classified or in
which LIBrary the file would be found, either ask a SysOp or specify a search
in all LIBs, by using the command "LIST /LIB:ALL /KEY:UHS,[game]" from any
LIBrary.  Users of programs such as TAPCIS, OZCIS, or CIM should check the
documentation of those programs for instructions on performing the search.

Exec-PC BBS: A free file area for the UHS that all callers can access is
available on this BBS.  The main phone number is (414) 789-4210.

GEnie: Search in library 8 (Universal Hint Library) of the Games Roundtable
(SCORPIA).  You only need to specify the game title as a keyword; all files in
the library relate to the UHS.

Internet FTP: The FTP site ftp.gmd.de (directory /if-archive/solutions/uhs)
and its United States mirror wuarchive.wustl.edu (directory
/doc/misc/if-archive/solutions/uhs) should contain a complete collection of
new UHS files.  Check the on-line index (filename "Index") within those
directories to locate a particular hint file.

Software Creations BBS: Type "F 155" from the main menu to reach the UHS file
area.  Current phone numbers are

  (508) 368-2359  2400 baud Public Access
  (508) 368-7036  9600-16.8K Public Access
  (Additional numbers are available to BBS members)

Subscription: If none of the above methods work for you, or you'd just like a
more convenient way of getting new UHS files, you may get a subscription that
will provide you with all of the latest files about every two months via
postal mail.  The price of for six disks is just $18 per year.  See the
"Shareware Information" section at the bottom of this document for more
information.
 
Now that you have downloaded the file, make sure that it and this program are
in the same directory of your hard drive (or floppy).  Use Program Manager to
start UHSWIN.  Select "Run" from the "File" menu and then enter the path and
name of the program when prompted (as in "C:\UHS\UHSWIN.EXE").  If you want
to, you can also insert UHSWIN within a Program Manager group.  The "File |
New" option will let you add an icon to start the program.  See your Windows
documentation for more information.

Once you've loaded the UHS reader, select "Open" from the reader's "File"
menu.  You should find a familiar dialog box from which you can select the
file that you want to load.  The reader will open only one file at a time, but
if you need hints with multiple games, you can open multiple copies of the
reader.
 

4. Basic Interface Options
==========================

I've left this section in the UHSWIN documentation only to maintain some
symmetry between the documentation for the Windows and DOS versions.  UHSWIN
is a standard Windows program which follows basic conventions in its
interface.  If you need help handling basic tasks such as opening or closing
windows, please consult your Windows documentation for more help.
 
 
5. Advanced Interface Options
=============================
 
To display additional hints in a hint window, either click on the "Another
Hint" or "Hint xx of yy" button at the bottom of the window or press the ENTER
key.
 
If the display becomes cluttered with too many windows, you can use either the
"Show Top Window" or "Clean Up" option from the "Windows" menu.  The first
option will simply bring the highest-level window (i.e., the first one that is
displayed upon loading a file) to the top of screen.  "Clean Up" closes all
windows associated with the current file, except for the top window.
 
The "Help" menu provides information about the currently-loaded file and the
reader.  For files written in version 91a or higher, the "File Version"
information brings up a window containing the format used to write the file
and information about the compiler used.  You should view this window any time
you are having problems with a file, to determine the cause of your problem.
If the version reported is higher than 91a (such 94a, 94b, 95a, etc.), first
attempt to replace your reader with the most current version before reporting
a bug.
 
88a files don't include version information.  However, many files include a
few words from the author of the file or compiler that can be displayed by
going to the top window and selecting "A note from the author."  If there is
no such option, then you will have to check with the person who uploaded the
file for more details.

5a. Hint Counting
-----------------

The reader will count the total number of hints in each question.  Both the
number of the current hint and the total number of hints are displayed inside
the button at the bottom of the window, as in "Hint 1 of 5".  Clicking on this
button will reveal the next hint just as the "Another Hint" button does.

If you want to disable the hint counting for any reason, click on the "Options
| Counting" menu item, and the counting will be turned off.  Click on this
menu item again to turn it back on.  Buttons currently on-screen will not be
affected by your selection.  Your preference will be saved in your WIN.INI
file for future sessions.

5b. Print/Save Window
---------------------

If you want to print or save a copy of the contents of the current window,
select the appropriate item from the "Window" menu.  If you select the save
option, a file will be created with the same name as the hint file, except the
".UHS" at the end is replaced with ".EXC".  For example, the contents of any
saved window from GOBLINS.UHS are placed in a file called GOBLINS.EXC.  If the
save file already exists, the contents of the window are appended to the
current file.

In a hint window, only the hints that are currently displayed will be saved or
printed.  If you want to save (or print) all of the hints in a question, you
must first click on the "Another Hint" button until all the hints have been
displayed and then save (or print) the contents of the window.

If the current window contains a picture, the window's contents will be saved
into a file named UHSGIFxx.GIF in the same directory as the UHS file.  This
file can then be displayed or printed from any graphics program that can read
standard GIF files.

5c. Verbose File Open
---------------------

If you don't remember a particular hint file's name, you can use the "File |
Verbose" option from the menu to locate it.  This option will bring up a list
box with all of the files in the current directory, their version numbers (88a
or 91a), and titles.  Double-click on any selection as with all other list
boxes to open that particular file.  Only one verbose file window can be open
at the same time.

The current directory is the same directory that was last used by UHSWIN --
either the start-up directory specified in the program's properties under
Program Manager or the directory of the last accessed hint file.  To change
the current directory within the program, select "Open" from the "File" menu
and change directories.  Instead of opening a file, hit the "Cancel" button on
the dialog box.  The directory you have selected will be saved as the current
directory, even though you have not loaded a new file.

5d. Changing Fonts
------------------

You can change the font used in most of the windows in UHSWIN by selecting
"Font..." from the "Options" menu.  Select any of the available fonts on your
system from the dialog box.  Your font preferences will be saved for future
sessions of UHSWIN via the WIN.INI file.
 
 
6. Shareware Information
========================
 
This program is shareware.  If you continue to use it, you should send a
contribution of $10.  In return, I will send you a code to disable the
registration reminders.  The codes from the DOS and Windows versions are not
interchangeable; you should register each program separately if you keep both.
Please use the REGUHS.WRI file included in this archive or the form generated
by the "Print Registration Form" option when sending in your registration.
Make sure that you request the right registration; the form includes options
for Windows and DOS registrations.

Anyone who sends me an extra $5 (or more) will receive a high-density 3.5"
disk with all of the latest files, unregistered copies of the DOS and TSR
readers to try out, and the newest Windows reader.  As of this writing, there
are more than 90 different UHS hint files.  The disk also includes a program
that will print out the complete contents of any UHS file; the decoder program
is available only with the disk.

I am now also offering a year-long subscription of files disks to registered
users.  For $18, you will receive one disk with your registration of the
complete set of hint files and readers, and five additional disks over the
course of a year with all of the new hints and updated readers.  Disks will be
sent at intervals of roughly 2 months apart, but the exact dates of updates
may depend on the availability of new files (which in turns depends on the
availability of new games).

Please note that the primary purpose of subscriptions is to save you the
trouble of seeking out and downloading new files -- hints are not sent earlier
to subscribers than they are to the major on-line services.  Subscriptions are
currently available only to those who have US addresses, but others interested
in receiving subscriptions should contact me at any of the addresses below in
case of any changes in this policy.

If you want a list of available files and the place where you found the UHS
does not frequently update its UHS files, you can send a self-addressed
stamped envelope to me at the address below.  Registered users may purchase
disks with the latest versions of all of the PC readers and hint files at any
time for $5.  Please give me your registration code with a request for an
extra disk, since the code is the easiest way to verify that you are
registered.

Foreign users may register this program through CompuServe's shareware
registration service (GO SWREG).  The registration ID is #988.  I have added a
$2 service charge to pay for CompuServe's commission.  Disks will not be
mailed to anyone who registers through SWREG.  If you live outside of the US
and Canada and want a copy of the files disk, please mail your registration
and add $3 to cover extra shipping and handling costs.  Payment will be
accepted ONLY IN US DOLLARS.

Anyone who writes a complete UHS file that follows the guidelines included
with the compilers will be registered automatically for the DOS, TSR, and
Windows readers and will receive the files disk.  But you must check with me
before beginning the file to prevent duplication and to get the authorization
code that the compiler requires.


7. Addresses
============
 
Jason Strautman
P.O. Box 391481
Cambridge, MA  02139-0015
America On-Line: JStrautman
CompuServe: [72337,2611]
GEnie: J.STRAUTMAN
Internet: jstrautman@aol.com
