Blockbusters Game and Editor
Copyright Mr K.A. Tait
Exclusive to Goodman Enterprises
FILE NAME 'BLOCK.PRG' Blockbusters game is a replica of the TV
series game, with a few changes to make it more compatible for
use on a computer. Changes being that if both players are
unable to try and answer the question, the computer will choose
one of the contestants at random. If either contestant get a
question wrong, then the question cell go's to your opponent.
When the program is loaded you will be presented with a file
display box, simply choose the file you wish to load in.
Question files end in the letters .DAT. Only one question file
is supplied with the program, but you are able to construct more
question data files using the BLOCKBUSTERS EDITOR. STAN-
DARD.DAT, the file supplied with the program, follows the follo-
wing format, the answers to each of the questions start with a
capital letter, thereafter all the letters are in lower case.
The program automatically changes the first letter of the answer
you input, into upper case, therefore you may enter the answer
all in lower case. This may seem strange, especially as some
answers may be something like, O'Connor, and answering with
O'connor or o'connor looks funny, but I think in the long run
it is better to only use lower case, as this allows for faster
input, especially as you are under a time limit. I cannot of
course comment on the format of any question data, constructed
by someone else. All data blocks consist of 20 pages, each
with 20 questions and answers.
FILE NAME 'BLOCK_ED.PRG Blockbusters program started life with
all the questions and answers supplied within the main program,
after I had keyed in 20 pages, (400 questions and answers), I
started asking myself, where do I stop? To stop at that point,
or even after I had inserted many more questions, would mean
that that program would only have a limited life, anyone using
the program regularly would soon begin to remember the answers.
The idea to make the program modular was born, this in turn
gave birth to Blockbusters Editor. The program (Blockbuster
Editor), was never meant to be anything else than a very basic
editor, I ask you to keep this in mind should you use it. The
program is nothing fancy, but is equal to the task.
When loaded the program will present you with 5 options 1/ LOAD
FILE 2/ SAVE FILE 3/ CHANGE FILE 4/ WRITE FILE 5/ DELETE FILE
All the options speak for themself's. If while using WRITE
FILE, you decide to use another option, or if you load in a
partly written file, and then go into WRITE FILE mode, the
computer will automatically take you back to the point where you
left off. All data files for use with BLOCKBUSTERS PROGRAM
should conform to the following format. 1/ The completed data
file should be 20 pages long. 2/ There must be an answer
starting with 'B' in every page. 3/ There must not be more than
4 lines of text for the question, (low res) this is 160
characters, so it should be enough. 4/ The question must end in
a blank space. 5/ The first letter of each answer must start
with a capital letter Apart from the above you are free to
choose your own format, however it is a good idea to start each
question with. 'What 'letter'' and end with a question mark.
Also to keep all letter in the answer, after the first in lower
case. So come on, I expect it see Blockbuster data blocks on
different subjects, like Chess, Maths, Music etc.
Above all, have FUN with the programs.