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ง Jon Persky Games Presents ง
ง TARGET v. 2.1 ง
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PACKING LIST

TARGET.EXE - the executable program file.
TARGET.TXT - this text file.

If any of these files are altered or missing, please let me know!

REQUIREMENTS

Windows 3.x, VGA. I'm not sure if you can get by without at least a
386, you're free to try.

IMPORTANT: This program needs the file VBRUN100.DLL to operate. Please see
the Technical Notes section further in the file for details.

INSTALLATION

First, copy the three files that came with Target to your C:\WINDOWS
directory by using File Manager. Close File Manager and open your Games
group in Program Manager. Select File...New and click on Program Item. In
the Description box, type "Target". In the Command Line box, type
"\windows\target.exe". You don't need to worry about the rest; just click
OK. The icon will be there and you're ready to go!

OVERVIEW

TARGET is a dart-shooting game. You throw the dart by choosing one
of three shooting styles: Fast, Slow, or Underarm. The dartboard has four
rings. From outer to inner they are: Blue, yellow, green, and red is the
bullseye. Your goal is to accumulate the highest score you can in the number
of tries you specify. You can also choose the point values and the
probability for each ring on the dartboard.

HOW TO PLAY

You can use the default settings or choose your own from the Options
menu. Choose how many rounds you want to play from the Number of Turns
option. Then, choose the point values for each ring by selecting Options...
Point Values. The amount can be anywhere between 0 and 9999. Finally, you
can select the probability of each result with each style of shooting. You
can do this by selecting Options... Change Probablility. Then you will be
ready to play. To shoot, click on one of the three buttons on the right side
of the window. The chart below shows the default probabilities of each
result with each style of shooting. The numbers indicate percent of all
throws of each shooting style. Remember that you can change these figures
from the Options Menu.

Miss Blue Yellow Green Red

Fast Throw 50 2 2 2 44
Slow Throw 5 30 30 30 5
Underarm 20 20 20 20 20

While in motion, the area around the dart changes to the color of the ring
it is near to show the ring you would land on if the dart stopped there.

COMMANDS

Game Menu
New (F2): Starts a new game with your specified options.
Exit (^X): Quits Target.
About Target: Shareware info and other stuff.

Options Menu
Compute Best Throw (^C): Target will tell you the throw for your
probability and point settings that mathematically is
expected to get you the highest average score. If you get
a dialog box saying "No one particular throw is best," then
two or more throws will both or all give you the highest
expected per-throw score.
Number of Turns (^T): Select the number of darts you wish to throw.
Point Values (^V): Choose how many points each ring receives. (You cannot
set point values for a miss, this permanently remains at 0.)
Change Probability (^P): Set the probability figures for each type
of throw for each ring. Be sure to check your math to make
sure all the figures in each column add up to 100%.
Set to Default (^D): Set all parameters to their original settings
(10 turns, blue=10, yellow=20, green=30, red=50, and
probability as charted above.)
NOTE: Choosing a command from this menu will restart the game.

Help Menu - a dialog box that tells you to open this file.

STRATEGY & HINTS

Which button to choose? It all depends on the point settings and the
probability settings. I will show you the mathematics for the default
settings (10, 20, 30, 50 points, and the aforementioned probability
settings).

Fast Throw:
Score for throw Probability Score X probability
Miss 0 .50 0
Blue 10 .02 0.2
Yellow 20 .02 0.4
Green 30 .02 0.6
Red 50 .44 22
Average per-throw score (add up last column): 23.2

Slow Throw:
Score for throw Probability Score X probability
Miss 0 .05 0
Blue 10 .30 3
Yellow 20 .30 6
Green 30 .30 9
Red 50 .05 2.5
Average per-throw score (add up last column): 20.5

Underarm Throw:
Score for throw Probability Score X probability
Miss 0 .20 0
Blue 10 .20 2
Yellow 20 .20 4
Green 30 .20 6
Red 50 .20 10
Average per-throw score (add up last column): 22.0

Since I have made the defaults so that the bullseye is slightly out
of pattern with the rest of the colors, you can see that even though half
of the time you will miss the target altogether, the fast throw is your best
option. *New* in version 2.1, the computer will save you the trouble of
doing all this math. You can just press Ctrl + C and the computer will
inform you which throw is best for you.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Target was made on Microsoft Visual Basic v. 1.0. To work
effectively, the program MUST be accompanied by the file VBRUN100.DLL. You
should either receive the file with this program or separately from the
person or board you received this from. If not, please contact me via
CompuServe [70661,700] or by mail (see below for address) and I will upload or
or mail a disk (to minimize costs, I will send a low-density 5.25" disk,
please tell me if this is a problem) to you at no charge. Note:
VBRUN100.DLL is a large (270+ KB) file. You only need one copy of this file.
So if you have previously downloaded a Visual Basic application or have the
Visual Basic program, you can delete this file. However, you should have a
copy of this file in the same directory as the Target program.

NEW IN VERSION 2.1

Since version 2.0, I have added the Compute Best Throw feature.

SHAREWARE INFO

Target is Shareware. If you enjoy it, you should register
by sending $5 to:
Jonathan D. Persky
5 Oak Lane
Weston, CT 06883

Please include your name, address, and where you got your copy of Target.
If you register, you will receive a disk (please specify 3.5" or 5.25") of
the latest versions of all completed Jon Persky Games so far. The disk will
only contain one copy of the file VBRUN100.DLL.

You can also register electronically if you subscribe to CompuServe. Simply
type GO SWREG and search for registration #256. The registration fee will
appear on your CompuServe bill. If you register by this method, the fee will
be $6 instead of $5. This additional charge covers CompuServe's 15%
processing fee. However, you may find this method more convenient, as you
can include the fee on your CompuServe account and you don't have to bother
with sending cash or checks.

Please remember that the only way I receive compensation for my time and
effort is by your registration payment. Remember that you'll receive a disk
with the complete set of Jon Persky Games in exchange for your registration.
At the current time, the disk will include 6 games (see the "Won't You
Please Check Out" section below.) With shareware, disk, and postage costs,
this is a $32 value for your $5 registration! The good thing about shareware
is that the author and the user both benefit from it a great deal. And, if
you don't like the game, simply remove it from your hard disk and your only
cost is any charges associated with downloading the program. Also, you are
not required to pay registration for the games you receive upon registering
this game.

You may upload Target to bulletin boards in condensed or uncondensed format
or pass it to your friends provided you do so at no cost and you keep the
files TARGET.EXE and TARGET.TXT intact and unaltered. (Please check with
your bulletin board to see if it has a copy of VBRUN100.DLL, and if it
doesn't, please upload it separately.)

AND WON'T YOU PLEASE CHECK OUT...

As of September 1, 1992, these are all completed Jon Persky Games, with
the latest version number in parentheses and the program name in brackets.

1. What's My Number? (3.0) [WHATSMY#.EXE] Can you guess the computer's
secret number in as few turns as possible?
2. Switch (2.0) [SWITCH.EXE] 100's of combinations, only 2 solutions to
this challenging logic puzzle!
3. 23 Pickup (2.1) [23PICKUP.EXE] The game where you get to prove the
mechanical brain is not always smarter than the natural variety.
4. Target (2.1) [TARGET.EXE] Shoot for the bullseye in this fun
dart-shooting game. Which type of throw is best for you?
5. Number Crunch (2.0) [NOCRUNCH.EXE] Can your trigger finger beat the clock
and uncover the numbers in order? Based on the board game Numbers Up.
6. Jeopardy Scorekeeper (1.1) [JEOPKEEP.EXE] An accessory program that lets
you play along with the contestants on TV!

FEEDBACK

I'd love to chat. If you subscribe to CompuServe, E-Mail me at ID#
[70661,700]. Questions, comments, ideas, suggestions, criticism, or ideas
for new games would be appreciated. If you don't use CompuServe, you can
use the traditional mailbox method and send it to the address above. I'll be
sure to get back to you personally. I am 14 years old, a novice computer
programmer, and would like to learn all I can!
NOTE: I can also be reached at The Fine Blue Line BBS at (203) 226-3565.

P.S. PLEASE SPREAD THIS AROUND!!! Public domain software is the most popular
kind out there, and its essential purpose is to provide you with quality
entertainment for a low cost. Please do your best to upload this game to
all the bulletin boards you subscribe to, and pass it around to your
friends. It will make us all very happy <grin>! If enough people let me know
what they think, I'll feel motivated so I just might decide to put that
little world peace plan I've been conjuring up into action. :-)