Internet Successors, version 1.7

LICENSE: The license governing your use of Internet Successors is
contained in the file license.html


TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Installation Instructions
3. Starting Up
4. Playing the Game
5. Communicating with Your Opponent
6. Map Display Notes
7. Saving Games
8. Taking Back Moves
9. Program Errors
10. What's New in Version 1.7

1. INTRODUCTION

Internet Successors is a Java program that enables two
players to play GMT Games' Successors live over the
Internet.  All of the rules of the game are enforced, enabling
quick real-time play.

2. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

In order to use Internet Successors, you must have the Java
Runtime Environment (JRE) installed on your computer.

If you don't have the JRE, you can download the latest version at:

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4/download.html

Once you've got the file, open it, and a self-installer will
handle the rest.

Once you have the JRE installed, create a folder anywhere you like
(for the purposes of this example, we will use C:\suclib).  Unpack
the contents of this zip file into that folder.

Once the zip file has been unpacked, go into the folder and find
the "suc.bat" file (if your computer hides file extension names,
it might simply say "suc").  Double click on the file, and the program
should start!

Windows 7 users: if the above does not work, try clicking on "sucwin7.bat".

If that doesn't work, try opening up a DOS screen.  Make it so
C:\suclib is your working directory, and type:

java -Xmx256M -cp . suc

If that doesn't work, you may be using an older version of the JRE.
Try one of the following commands instead:

jre -Xmx256M -cp . suc
    or
jre -Xmx256M -cp c:\suclib suc


3. STARTING UP

As soon as you start up the program, a window will open up.  You will
be asked whether you would like to start a new game, or load an
existing game.  Select the appropriate option (it is better if only one
player loads his saved game; there may be problems otherwise).

Next, you will be asked if you would like to be the client or
the server.  One player must serve, and the other must be the
client.  Select the role you would like to choose.

If neither player is able to serve, there is an additional option
of using a neutral third party server.  If this option is being
used, each player selects it and types the IP Address of the third
party server.

The client will be prompted to type in the "IP Address" of the server.
An IP address always consists of four numbers (no more than 3 digits)
seperated by periods (ex: 128.6.192.24).  The server should communicate
this information to the client (by phone, Internet chat, or perhaps even
e-mail).  The client should then type in the IP Address in the text
field provided, and press <Enter>.

Note that the IP address displayed by the program may not necessarily
be correct.  Most users that are on a local network or are using a router
will not have the proper IP displayed; instead they have what is called
a "local IP" address.  In order to serve in this situation, you need
to "forward" all traffic for port 2222 (that's the port number used by
all Wargameroom.com programs) to that specific local IP.  On my router
(Netgear), this is done with a feature called "port forwarding," and I
haven't had to reset it since I first adjusted it.

Anyway, once you have adjusted your network settings to forward the
info, you must communicate your routers main IP to the client, and
that is the IP he should enter.  There are many ways to find out your
global IP; the way I do it is visit a website like http://whatismyip.com
that immediately displays one's correct IP:

If everything's correct, the program should proceed.  The server will
be asked to choose sides.  He can either specify who will play which side
or have the program randomly assign the sides.

At that point, the cards are dealt, the map appears, and the game begins!


4.  PLAYING THE GAME

Hopefully most things will be self-explainitory; generally you are
prompted to check boxes and push buttons labeled with the appropriate
commands you'd like to give.  Note that, when selecting countries on
the board, you may always select them by clicking on the country itself
(sometimes, you will be given checkboxes as well).

Right clicking on a country will show a text display of the contents
of that country.

Other than the "Quit and Save" feature found in the file menu, the
term "quit" is generally used to allow you to back out of what
you're doing.  The program will generally let you take back anything
that hasn't been "covered" by a die roll or by a decision by your
opponent.


5. COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR OPPONENT

Once you are connected with your opponent, you may sent chat messages
to him by typing on the bottom line of the program window.


6. MAP DISPLAY NOTES

You can change map magnification, make other customizations to the map
display, and display various information such as card text by using the
menu items at the top of the window.


7.  SAVING GAMES

You must exit the program in order to save the game.  You can do this
from the "File" menu in the upper left hand corner of the map display.
Select "Quit and Save," and you will exit the program and be prompted
to enter the name you would like to give to the file.


8.  TAKING BACK MOVES

If, for any reason, players wish to take back a move, a "save file" can
be generated, with which you can reconnect, reload, and resume play from
a recent previous spot in the game.  To use this option, go to the "File"
menu and select "Quit and Save (takeback feature)."

This option is only available to the player who currently is currently
being prompted for a game decision.  The other player will also get a
saved game on his end, but that save file will not be "turned back."
If you wish to resume from the previous spot, only the player generating
the takeback feature should load his saved game.


9.  PROGRAM ERRORS

Please report all programming errors to Bruce Wigdor at brucewig@hotmail.com.

An attached copy of the save file (sucsave.wgr is the default name) that shows
the problem is frequently a big help, unless the problem is a simple observation.


10.  WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 1.7

Fixed crash in minor general placement loop
Fixed requirements for naval interception
PCs placed with Ops get removed when action is Quit

