Universal Hint System
Revision 95a
README File for UHSWIN & UHSDOS, Version 3.10
  (October 30, 1995)


1. Read Me First
2. Archive Contents
3. Quick Start Instructions
4. Windows 95 Compatibility


Read Me First
=============
Starting with this version, the UHS readers for DOS and Windows have been
combined into one distribution package and are also treated as one product
for the purposes of registration.  There are a few reasons for this.  First
of all, much of the documentation and support files for the two programs
have become increasingly similar in recent versions, and distributing the
programs as one eliminates duplication.  Also, as Windows and Windows 95
are being used by more and more gamers, the demand for a single product has
been increasing.  By having the two products combined, you can try both and
use the one(s) that best suit your needs and preferences.

Please note that separate DOS and Windows registrations will no longer be
accepted.  The new registration fee (now $20 for both instead of $10 each)
is due primarily to the increased costs of supporting the UHS and is not
just a straight sum of the individual reader prices.  However, those who
have already registered either a UHS reader for DOS or Windows in the past
will be able to use their old registration codes for the new 3.1 version of
the UHS reader on the platform they registered (i.e., a code for UHSDOS
works with the new DOS version but not the new Windows version) or may
upgrade to the combined distribution for the $10 difference in registration
fees.

Portions of some new hint files will be accessible only by registered
users.  Sending in your registration now will insure that your flow of hints
will remain as uninterrupted as possible; your personal registration code
will enable all the hints in every UHS file.  In addition, your
registration fee will help to support future development on the UHS, both
in terms of a greater flow of new hint files and upgrades to the readers.
Although the recent policy of denying some hints to unregistered users has
helped to increase registrations, it is still extremely difficult to
attract and compensate new file authors given the current level of
revenues.

At the present time, UHS hint files are being provided by people's
volunteer efforts.  Although I am trying my best to live up to the demand
for new hint files, I don't have the resources to do much more than what I
am doing now.  I would like to be able to expand coverage in UHS files, both
in terms of more features (more graphics, more maps, etc.) and more titles
and genres of games, but I can only do so with the help from others, funded
by your registrations.

Jason Strautman
Universal Hint System


Archive Contents
================

The following files should be included in this archive:

READMEUH.TXT   This file
UHSWIN.EXE     Executable for UHS Reader for Windows 3.x/95, version 3.10
UHSDOS.EXE     Executable for UHS Reader for DOS, version 3.10
UHS.TXT        Documentation file for UHSWIN and UHSDOS
UHSWIN.HLP     Windows Help file for UHSWIN
VENDOR.DOC     Information for distributors (disk vendors and BBS operators)
LICENSE.DOC    License information
NEW_310.TXT    Lists changes in UHSWIN.EXE/UHSDOS.EXE since version 1.00
FILE_ID.DIZ    Description for BBS sysops
REGUHS1.WRI    Registration form, page 1 (Windows Write format)
REGUHS2.WRI    Registration form, page 2 (Windows Write format)
REGUHS.FRM     Registration form (ASCII format)


Quick Start Instructions 
========================

Find a UHS hint file -- the place where you found this reader can tell you
how to get one (see UHS.TXT if you're on a commercial on-line service such
as CompuServe for instructions).  Copy your hint file into the same
directory as the files in this archive.  Use the DOS COPY command to do so.
Type the following at the DOS prompt (substituting C:\UHS with the
directory where the readers are located):

  COPY *.UHS C:\UHS

The instructions above assume that you already have a .UHS hint file and
that it's in the same directory that you're currently using.  Normally,
when you download files, the program that you use will place all downloads
in the same directory.  If you can't find a .UHS hint file in the current
directory, look in your download directory, type the letter of its drive,
use the CD command to move to that directory, and then copy the hint file
to your UHS directory, as follows.  Change the first two lines to match the
download directory for your communications software.

  C:
  CD\AOL\DOWNLOAD
  COPY *.UHS C:\UHS

Some hint files may be compressed when you receive them; if so, you will
need to uncompress them and repeat the previous instructions.  The place
where you found your hint files should be able to tell you how to
uncompress them.

Now you should be ready to start the UHS reader.  Follow these
instructions:

Windows 3.x:
------------
* If you're not in Windows, start it by typing WIN at the DOS prompt.
* Switch to either Program Manager or File Manager.
* Select "Run" from the "File" menu of either program.
* Enter C:\UHS\UHSWIN.EXE followed by the name of the hint file when asked
  for a "command line," as in "C:\UHS\UHSWIN.EXE C:\UHS\BIT.UHS".

Windows 95:
-----------
* Select the "Run" option at the bottom of the Start Menu.
* Enter C:\UHS\UHSWIN.EXE followed by the name of the hint file, as in
  "C:\UHS\UHSWIN.EXE C:\UHS\BIT.UHS".

Also, after you've run the reader for the first times, it can automatically
associate all .UHS files with it (just answer "Yes" at the first dialog
box).  After that, when you use the File Manager under Windows 3.x or the
Explorer under Windows 95, you only need to double-click on a file, and it
will automatically be loaded into the reader.

DOS
---
Type the following commands, replacing "BIT" with the name of the .UHS file
that you're using.

  C:
  CD\UHS
  UHSDOS BIT


Windows 95 Compatibility
========================

Even before Microsoft released Windows 95, I received a fair number of
questions asking if UHSWIN was compatible with Win 95 or if I was planning
on releasing a Win 95 version of UHSWIN.  As far as I have been able to
tell, this version of UHSWIN is fully compatible with Windows 95, and you
should be able to use it under Win 95 exactly as you would under Windows
3.1.  I've also tried to upgrade the appearance of UHSWIN to make it look
more like Windows 95 applications.  But I do not plan on writing a version
of UHSWIN specifically for Win 95 in the near future.  At this time, the
overhead of distributing a third UHS reader far outweighs the benefits of
Win 95-specific code.  Should I eventually write a Win 95 reader, however,
it will be distributed along with the present UHSWIN and UHSDOS and use the
same registration codes.

Also, I have made a few small changes to UHSDOS to help improve its ability
to run under a Windows 95 DOS shell, as noted in the version histories.
