                       LordStat Bulletin Generator v1.7
                              By Jason Brown
                         Maintained by Donald Tidmore

                   Written in Borland Turbo Pascal 6.0
                For Legend of the Red Dragon by Michael Preslar
                       (Created by Seth Able Robinson)
                    (LORD is owned by Metropolis Gameport)

                         Version date: 11/02/2002



[LEGAL DISCLAIMER]

                         DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

            THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT
            WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY
            OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.  BECAUSE
            OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO
            WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR
            A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.  GOOD DATA PROCESSING
            PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED
            WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT.  THE USER
            MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM.  ANY
            LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO
            PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.

[INTRODUCTION]
I decided to write this for two reasons.  1) I needed the experience and
2) LORDBULL left in those color codes and made player's names look like
crap.  So, this one actually colorizes names right!  Plus, it has a built
in Setup program.  No messing with config files!  This release is as bug
free as I can make it, given I haven't found any bugs <G>.  Now on to the
rest of the document...
======================================================================


[FILE LIST]

  Files that should be in LORDST17.ZIP:

  File_ID.DIZ   : BBS Description File. (Lordstat.diz)
 *LORDSTAT.EXE  : The program!
  LORDSTAT.TXT  : This file you're reading!
                  RENAMED FROM LORDSTAT.DOC!
  LSB-CODE.TXT  : Info on RHP bulletins (Codes.txt)
  LSB_WHAT.TXT  : Revision history/what's new in this version.
                  Original name: Whatsnew.txt
  HOMEPAGE.URL  : Internet Shortcut to Jason Brown's homepage,
                  and to Donald Tidmore's homepage.
  KILLERS.RHP   : Example RHP bulletin - "Player Killers"
                  Shows: Name, Experience, Kills, and Weapon.
  STRENGTH.RHP  : Example RHP Bulletin #2 - "Strongest Players"
                  Shows: Name, HitMax, Strength, Defense, and Armour.
  ============================

  Files created by LORDSTAT.EXE in its directory:

 *LORDSTAT.CFG  : Configuration file.

  *=Needed for program to run.
======================================================================


[REQUIREMENTS]
A computer!
LORD version v3.15+.  Some functions may require version v3.25+ or v3.50+
  'IGMs Installed' bulletin (#11) requires LORD version 3.25+.
  (I'm unsure about exactly what stats are actually used in version 3.20
  or earlier... but I tested this program with v3.15a and v3.20a and it
  worked)
DOS version 3.1 or greater.
SHARE or multi-tasker installed for multi-node systems.
286 or greater processor
Memory!  Very little needed to run...

** Note 1:  Share.exe is not required for usage on systems using
Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000/NT, Windows ME, Windows XP;
or non-Microsoft O.S.'s such as OS/2 or Linux (assumed). **
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[UPGRADING]
From earlier than 1.3:
Copy the files in the zip over existing ones, then run LORDSTAT SETUP and
look around for things you need to enter, for example LORD's path, then
read the notes under 'From version 1.3' below.

From version 1.3:
Copy the files in the zip over your existing files, then setup the new
bulletins 10 and 11 (LORD v3.25+ only) under menu 1.
**Renegade users: If you plan on using these as System Bulletins, press
'P' at the main menu then select 'R' so that every 24th line will pause!**
**Wildcat! users: If you plan on using these as System Bulletins, press
'P' at the main menu then select 'W' so that every 24th line will pause!**

From version 1.4:
Copy the files in the zip over your existing files, then setup the new
bulletin 11 under menu 1. (LORD v3.25+ only).
**Renegade users: If you had setup version 1.4 to use pause codes, 1.5
will automatically choose Renegade codes.**
**Wildcat! users: If you plan on using these as System Bulletins, press
'P' at the main menu then select 'W' so that every 24th line will pause!**

From version 1.5:
No additional configurations needed, but you may want to add the RHP
bulletins.

From version 1.6:
Overwrite previous files in LordStat directory with contents of
LORDST17.ZIP file.  Re-run LORDSTAT Setup, and verify that all of
your old settings are correct.
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[INSTALLATION]
Ok, simple.  Put LORDSTAT.EXE in a directory.  On the command line, type
'LORDSTAT SETUP'.  LordStat is not case-sensitive.  You could type 'SeTuP'
and it won't care.  Setup your LORD dir by pressing 'L' and then typing
the directory name in (full path needed).  Then setup the bulletins you
want by pressing '1' and then the number of the bulletin.  For number 1,
you will have to press Enter, too.  Be careful when entering paths in, and
be sure they're right.  LordStat will remove the extension if you type one
in.  When entering a RHP bulletin, you will first give the RHP filename,
then the path.

**Note: Bulletin 10 works best with LORD 3.50+ but will work will all
other compatible versions, and bulletin 11 is for version 3.25+!**

**Renegade users: If you plan on using these as System Bulletins, press
'P' at the main menu then select 'R' so that every 24th line will pause!**

**Wildcat! users: If you plan on using these as System Bulletins, press
'P' at the main menu then select 'W' so that every 24th line will pause!**

Then exit to the main menu, and select install to your Lord Start-Up file
(Letter 'I').  Then type in your start batch's name.  Alternatively, you can
install LordStat to the batch file yourself.  Just put the line
'<PATH TO LORDSTAT>\LORDSTAT.EXE' at the end of your LORD Start-Up batch file.
Here's an example batch (LORD v3.25+) for you:

START.BAT Listing:

@echo off
cd e:\ra\doors\lord
REM ^ Set this to your LORD path!  (And delete the REM part...)
cd E:\RA\DOORS\LORD\IGME
IGME.EXE MAINT
cd E:\RA\DOORS\LORD
LORDBOOT.EXE %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
CALL LSS%1.BAT
event
E:\RA\DOORS\LORD\LORDSTAT.EXE

For LORD v3.5, make sure LordStat is after the ':RealDone' line, for
example:

<REST OF BATCH FILE>

:DONE
IF EXIST INFO.%1 DEL INFO.%1
IF EXIST DO%1.BAT DEL DO%1.BAT

:REALDONE
event
E:\RA\DOORS\LORD\LORDSTAT.EXE

Lastly, make sure you setup a menu for the bulletins (unless you use them
as System Bulletins)!

**Note: LordStat.Cfg is NOT a text file.  You can't edit it.  You have to
use the setup program to configure LordStat.**
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[USING IT]
LordStat will run automatically after LORD, that is, if you followed the
installation.  That's it.  You don't have to do anything else to it.
LordStat will work as long as its run from the directory LordStat.Cfg is
in, even if its used like 'E:\Ra\Doors\Lord\Stuff\LordStat.Exe'.
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[UNINSTALLING]
Awww... Why?  But, if you must, you can just delete the line 'LORDSTAT'
from your LORD start-up file.  Or, type 'LORDSTAT SETUP', and at the main
menu, press 'U'.  Continue like you did when installing LordStat and tell
it what file you used.  That's it!
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[REGISTRATION]
None!  This is FREEWARE!  I would like your input for more bulletins,
though.  The program has spaces for 17, but there's only 11!  Plus, give
me any reports of bugs, or if you would like to see your BBS software's
pause codes supported.  I need to know!  Reach me at:

Email :  jmbrown@pcisys.net

SnailMail:  Jason Brown - LordStat v1.7
            606 Erie Rd.
            Colorado Springs, CO  80910-3309
            USA (only needed if writing from another country)

Send your ideas in, folks!  Be sure to include your version number.

** For version 1.7 support, send messages to Donald Tidmore
   - ktidmore@bellsouth.net or donald.tidmore@usa.net.

SnailMail:  Donald Tidmore
            RE: LordStat v1.7
            1111 Berenice Street
            Tuscumbia, Alabama  35674-3503
            USA (only needed if writing from another country)
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[DISTRIBUTION SITES]
Check out these Internet sites!

FTP:  None used by Jason Brown.
WWW: http://www.pcisys.net/~jmbrown/
My World Wide Web page includes links to other pages, like Seth Able's!

Email: jmbrown@pcisys.net -OR- farlander@mailandnews.com
--------------------------------------------------------

Current distribution sites update --
contact information for co-author:
----------------------------------
FTP:      ftp://ftp.lordlegacy.org/lordlegacy/igms/
WWW #1:   http://www.lordlegacy.org/camelot/menusets.htm
          Castle Camelot LORD Menusets Page
          (Also covers Miscellaneous LORD Utility files.)

Download URL:  http://www.lordlegacy.org/camelot/LordApps/

Fidonet:  http://www.filegate.net/camelot/lordfile/
          Camelot LordNews FDN.

Fidonet Mail:  use 1:123/450, and post to LORD Echo.  If writing
          using my name, address messages to Donald Tidmore.

Email:    ktidmore@bellsouth.net - OR- donald.tidmore@usa.net
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[OTHER PRODUCTS]
Here is the other LORD stuff that I've done!

The L.O.R.D. Cavern v1.5  - IGM for LORD 3.25+ - 12 different random
(CAVE15.ZIP)       actions, great comm routines (works on several
                   systems other IGMs won't), intro ANSI, and some
                   really rare happenings!  The Random Happening
                   Program (RHP) language lets you make your own random
                   happenings!  Now allows sysop handles.  Node 0 and
                   DigiBoard support, comm routines refined.  Freeware,
                   as of v1.4.  Now includes built-in limits on rewards
                   and penalties, to reduce its impact on LORD's "fair
                   play" doctrine.  Includes some brand new random
                   actions, All new riddles and questions for the Troll
                   and Riddler.  And much more.

The L.O.R.D. Cavern RHP Set #1 - 5 RHP programs for The L.O.R.D. Cavern!
(CAVERHP1.ZIP)              The Lost City of Darborne, The Waterfall, The
                            Old Magician, The Diamond Mine, and The
                            Canyon.  v1.3a+ (some require v1.3c+).

The L.O.R.D. Cavern RHP Set #2 - 5 MORE RHP programs for The L.O.R.D.
(CAVERHP2.ZIP)              Cavern!  The Bats, The Flower Patch, A Random
                            Hobbit, The Mushroom Patch, and The Cavern
                            Women.  All written by users!  v1.3b+ (some
                            require v1.3c+).

LordStat v1.7 - Bulletin generator for LORD 3.15+ - 11 different bulletins
(LORDST17.ZIP)  to spice up your LORD game!  Helps users to pick and
                choose who to attack, and tells who is the best warrior in
                the Realm!  Now also tells users where others are in the
                Realm, sleeping in the Inn, Field, or in an IGM!  New
                bulletin lists the installed IGMs!  Lets you not use any
                of the bulletins you don't want to, and has an easy to use
                built in SETUP program!  Now has the ability to have custom
                bulletins made!  Includes Renegade, Wildcat! and
                RemoteAccess pause code support.  Freeware.

The Outlands Tavern v1.4 - IGM for LORD 3.50+ - Great IGM for LORD!  Lets
(OUTS14.ZIP)       users talk and PARTY!  Best of all, users can stay
                   overnight in the Tavern, for a fee, and be safer than in
                   LORD's Inn!  There's still a chance someone might get
                   them!  New BackRoom will spice up the stay and includes
                   support for BADWORDS.DAT!  Also has RHP support!
                   Freeware.   Restored Taste Punch event. Added defensive
                   skill technique usage to Player Fights.

The Gateway v1.1 - IGM for LORD 3.25+ - This neat-o IGM will allow
(GATE11.ZIP)       you to run RHP scripts like they were normal IGMs
                   (well, sort of).  Freeware.

RHPTest v1.2     - Utility program for RHP Script writers to use in
(RHPTST12.ZIP)     testing their Scripts outside of the LORD IGM
                   they are written for.  Allows some evaluation of
                   how they work without your having to start playing
                   a LORD game session.
--------------------------------------------------

Stones! v1.2 - A LORD2 IGM by Jason Brown.  Support and development was
    taken over in June 2002 by Max Larivee.  Contact Max at
    fieldsoft@hotmail.com with any questions about Stones! v1.20.
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[CLOSING]
Nothing really to say this time, so on with the thanks:

Thanks to Mathias of The Gathering BBS for helping!  He basically beta-tests
this for me, and he gave me the idea to sort the bulletins differently for
each one.  Sorting them all by experience just didn't make sense...

Thanks to Seth Able Robinson for writing LORD and releasing the
PLAYER.DAT structure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------


[REVISIONS - 06/29/2002 - 11/01/2002 ]
* Notes by maintainer Donald Tidmore:
* Worked on program update, mostly spell-checking and learning how
  program worked, in July-September 2002.  Finished update in
  November 2002.
* Program supports RHP Script files that use either @DEFENCE@ or
  @DEFENSE@ codes for accessing LORD's Defense Points stat.
* Added new example .RHP Bulletin "Strongest Players" - Strength.rhp.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

* Notes on Bulletins List #2.
=============================
  It displays user-created .RHP Bulletins.  To configure one, you type
  in the filename (ex. Killers.RHP), then the subdirectory path and
  filename (ex. c:\lord\lordstat\killers).  Then the next time LORDSTAT
  is run, it creates/updates the configured Bulletins.  The format for
  the standard bulletins, like Player Rankings, is fixed by the program.
  The format for a .RHP bulletin is chosen by the file's creator.
  The screen will best handle up to five columns.  The choices that can
  be used to create your bulletins are as follows.  All are Code names,
  and are upper-case:

  NAME, EXPERIENCE, KILLS, CHARM, LEVEL, GOLD, BANK, KIDS, LAYS,
  ALLGOLD, WEAPON, ARMOUR, DEFENSE, STRENGTH, HITPOINTS, HITMAX,
  MASTERED, and GEMS.

  Notes:  WEAPON/ARMOUR - displays name of Weapon/Armour.
  ALLGOLD - displays Gold in hand + Gold in Bank.
======================================================================

[TO DO Later:]
* Figure out how to let users install program and only have to
  enter their directory path once for creation/setup of the Bulletins.
  Not high priority, but will see if it can be done.

* Whenever LORD/x for Linux O.S. and LORD/32 for 32-bit Windows O.S.'s
  become publicly available, as to any differences in how add-on LORD
  programs access their player data, LordStat *MAY* be updated and
  converted to run directly under Linux/Windows as a 32-bit program.

As of November 2002, LORD/x is available in its second public beta.
Lord/32 has NOT been released in a beta to anyone yet.  To obtain
a copy of Lord/x beta, contact Michael Preslar at this email
address:  mike@lordlegacy.org .
---------------------------------------------------------------------

{CREDITS, BETA TESTER INFO}
Thanks to Michael Everett, Gary Hartzell, Gordon Lewicky, and
Charlie Wardick for their assistance in beta testing updated
versions in summer 2002.

Special thanks to Charlie Wardick for lessons in learning PASCAL again,
learning how to use Turbo Pascal, and learning LORD programming.

Special thanks to Gordon Lewicky for identifying reason for IGM not
properly generating truly random numbers for determining which IGM
event is executed.  Note that the faster the CPU is, the player will
still see some events occur more than others, or perhaps consecutively.
=====================================================

BBS Testers info:
------------------
1) Gordon Lewicky - Email: glewicky@dowco.com.  Sysop Milkyway
   !:153/307,  Milky Way, 1;153/307;  or Fidonet 1:153/0.
   Sysop of Milkyway BBS. in British Columbia, Canada.

2) Michael Everett - Email: sysop@bobobbs.net.
   Sysop of Bobo's BBS.  http://www.bobobbs.net, telnet://bobobbs.net

3) Paul Koukos - Email:  444@hellasbbs.com
   Sysop of Hellas BBS.   http://hellasbbs.com, telnet://hellasbbs.com

4) Gary Hartzell.  Email: gary.hartzell@verizon.net.
5) Charlie Wardick:  Email: chasware@cox.net, Phoenix, Arizona.

Thanks to Michael Preslar for keeping LORD alive through v4.06
and v4.07 beta.
--------------------------------------------------------------

[END]  11/02/2002.
