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                      S T A C K F I V E
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      Creator:        Kenneth Jonsson

      Website:        https://kenjin.net/

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Sections in this manual:

  1. DESCRIPTION
  2. REQUIREMENTS
  3. INSTALLATION
  4. HOW TO RUN
  5. THE GAME
  6. LEGAL NOTICE
  7. DISCLAIMER


1. DESCRIPTION
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  StackFive is a 5-in-a-row TicTacToe game for Java 1.1/AWT or later.

  StackFive is MAILWARE. This means that if you like StackFive, feel free
  to let me know by sending a mail (the address is found above).


2. REQUIREMENTS
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  Java 1.1 or later must be installed. You can get a free Java runtime
  environment for several different computer platforms from SUN:

  http://java.sun.com
  
  If you have Internet Explorer 4 or later installed on a Windows system,
  you already have a sufficient Java runtime environment.


3. INSTALLATION
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  No need to install, just copy the complete StackFive directory/folder to
  where you want it.
  
  StackFive won't change/replace any of your system files or settings.


4. HOW TO RUN
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  To start StackFive, open a command-line interface (MSDOS-prompt in Windows
  systems), cd to the StackFive directory/folder and type this:
  
    java StackFive
  
  Or if you have Internet Explorer 4 or later installed on a Windows system:
  
    jview StackFive


5. THE GAME
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  The purpose of StackFive is to place 5 of your markers in a row -
  horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The first player to achieve this
  wins a game.
  
  The number of players is two: you versus StackFive.
  
  
  GENERAL INFORMATION:
  
  * Your marker is red, StackFive's is blue.
  
  * You and StackFive take turns to start.
  
  * A marker is set by clicking inside a square on the gameboard using any
    mouse button.
  
  * The winner of a game reveices one point.
  
  * If neither you nor StackFive will be able to place 5 markers in a row,
    the game is a draw and nobody receives a point.
  
  * If you stop a game, StackFive will win on walk-over.
  
  * The scores are saved for the next session. You can use the settings menu
    to reset them.
  
  * The message panel in the top of the window displays all kinds of info,
    such as whose turn it is to start.
  
  * For your entertainment, try the autoplay mode. Watch StackFive playing
    against itself.
  
  
  EXTRA GOODIES:
  
  * The number of squares on the gameboard can be changed in the settings
    menu, but only when no game is running (to avoid cheating).
  
  * The size of the squares on the gameboard can be changed in the settings
    menu, even when a game is running.
  
  * If you don't like fancy graphics, you can turn it off in the settings
    menu.
  
  * All settings can be saved for the next session. The default settings
    can be recovered.


6. LEGAL NOTICE
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  Kenneth Jonsson is the sole copyright owner of StackFive.
  
  You may:
  
    * Use StackFive for free for as long as you like.
    
    * Spread the StackFive archive as much as you like, as long as the
      content of the archive is unchanged.
    
    * Distribute StackFive on collection cdrom's and similar, but please
      let me know first.
  
  You may NOT:
  
    * Gain money by distributing or selling StackFive in ANY WAY unless
      you make an agreement with me first.
    
    * In any way modify StackFive.


7. DISCLAIMER
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  THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED AS-IS. IF IT CAUSES ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR COMPUTER
  OR YOURSELF, I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.
  
  I have thoroughly tested StackFive and haven't experienced any problems,
  but that's no guarantee.

  
--

Copyright (c) 1999 by Kenneth Jonsson