Checkers v1.2
Copyright(c) 1999, Sven Boden
All Rights Reserved


Thank you for trying Checkers v1.2 for the Palm Pilot. The latest version
of this game can be found at www.palmgear.com and any of the larger palm 
pilot archives. The game can be registered at www.palmgear.com


1. Installation

As with all software installations, you should back up your Palm Pilot before 
installing new software. You are responsible for assuring that your pilot has 
been properly backed up before installation. Ensure you have enough free memory 
before attempting to install the program. Delete any previous versions of the 
program before installing this release. Use the standard Pilot installer to 
install the .prc to your Pilot.

2. Game play
Checkers is a pilot version of the well-known game of checkers/draughts. 
It has a competent Pilot opponent. Currently it can only play checkers 
by the official rules as defined by the "American Checker Federation" and 
the "British Draught Federation". This means e.g. that kings can't fly and 
men can only capture forward. The game supports 1 player games with a 
competent opponent especially at levels 3 and 4. 
The only difference between the evaluation and the registered version is that 
gameboards are not saved in the former version and that the evaluation 
version will expire after a while.

The exact rules that were implemented can be found at the following URLs:
	http://www.mcn.net/~jimloy/rules.html
	http://www.primenet.com/~krow/rules.htm


The menu options that are available:

    Commands
        New...
            Shows a dialog that can be used to start a new game. 

	    You can choose the player mode: You vs Pilot and Pilot vs You.
	    Notice that black always begins and that after the first game
            is played the colors are switched every round regardless of who
	    has won or last.

	    Furthermore you can specify the strength of the computer player
            here.           	

	    If you begin a new game while an old one is still in progress
	    this will be recorded as a draw. For the moment the counting 
	    rule is not implemented, you're the one that determines a 
	    draw (the pilot player will always oblige).
	   	
        Statistics...
            Shows statistics on the current streak of games. Who has won, lost
            how many games. These numbers are only reset when you press the 
	    reset button.

    Help
        About...
	    The mandatory about screen

  

3. Registration
---------------

This program is shareware. You will notice this fact whenever you start
Checkers 10 times. The shareware version won't also save your game when 
you exit the program. For the rest the registered and the evaluation version
are the same.

Registration can be done by contacting PalmGear H.Q. at

	www.palmgear.com

When you have registered with PalmGear H.Q. your email address and id 
information will be mailed to me. I will mail you the registration info for
the MS-DOS registration program. 

Allow 4 days for delivery of the key. Normally you should receive it within
48 hours, depending on the speed of processing.

You should note your registration key, as it will be required should
you wish to take advantage of future releases of the application, or if
your Pilot batteries fail.


4. Support
----------

Support for either an unregistered version or a registered
version of this product is neither offered, nor implied
in any way. However, we will do our best to answer any questions.

You are encouraged to email any problems and/or bugs to
sboden@crosswinds.net where registered users will be given 
resolution priority.


5. Disclaimer
-------------

Users of Checkers must accept this disclaimer of warranty: 
'Checkers 1.2' is supplied as is.  The author disclaims all 
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, 
the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. 
The author assume no liability for loss of data, damage, direct 
or consequential, which may result from the use of "Checkers 1.2".


6. History
----------

v1.2  10/07/1999: - Size reduction of 40%.
                  - Increase in thinking speed of 10 a 30%.
		  - Noticable improvement in AI module.
		  - Change in registration method as people found the
		    old way too cumbersome, and some had fear for viruses.

v1.1a 03/06/1999: - Error fixed in "copy protection". People with '.' and ','
		    could not be registered.

v1.1  01/06/1999: - First public release.

v1.0  10/04/1999: - First playable version.


7. Future
---------

I did not implement every feature that I thought of. What follows is a list of
not yet implemented features. Write me a mail to vote for the ones that 
you think should be incorporated in a next version or if you have other
ideas for future features:

* Allow for variations of the official rules as "men can jump backwards",
  "flying kings".

* Interruption: Be able to interrupt the computer player at all times. This was 
  not implemented yet since the computer player does not think too long. 
  Implementing it would make the thinking a little slower and some way of 
  interrupting the game would have to be devised: some sort of suspend/resume 
  command via the menu's. 

* Undo ability: This is implemented in the game (because of the algorithm for 
  the computer player), but it is not visible to the user. I found it unfair 
  towards the pilot. He can't undo your moves, can he?


8. Contacts
-----------

e-mail: sboden@crosswinds.net

Copyright(c) 1999,  Sven Boden
All Rights Reserved


9. Other games by the same author
---------------------------------

Connect 4:
	This game can be found at the following URL:
		http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=3221
	It's an implementation of the "Four in a row"/"Connect 4" game
        with a higly intelligent opponent.
