DASH 1.2
			   Preseneted by Noddybox 97

You should find in the archive :

README			This file
Makefile		Simple bog standard make file for dash and spred.
dash.c			Main code
Xbit.[ch]		Library routines for easy X11 Xlib access
spred.c			Simple sprite editor
CLEVELS/*		Curses Level files.  See CLEVELS/README for info.
XLEVELS/*		X11 Level files.  See XLEVELS/README for info.
lib/*			Library files.  Used for hiscore table
GFX8/*			X11 Bitmap format files for use in 8x8 B&W version
GFX16/*			X11 Bitmap format files for use in 16x16 B&W version
GFX8COL/*		spred generated sprite files for use in 8x8 colour 
			version.
GFX16COL/*		spred generated sprite files for use in 16x16 colour 
			version.

Note that the reason the level files have been split into 2 directories (even
though currently in the distribution they have the same contents) is that the
curses mode does not give the same degree of control as the X11 version, so in
that mode certain levels could become very unplayable.


BUILD INSTRUCTIONS
------------------

Though written primarily on SunOS, this should work on most flavours of unix.
The only thing to look out for is to include the -DUSLEEP line in the makfile
if your system does not support the call 'usleep(int usec)'.  If your system
doesn't support select() either, the implementation of LocalUsleep() using
poll() is left as an exercise for the reader :-)  

Try and ignore any incompatible pointer warnings.  Unless they make it not
work... :-)


USAGE
-----

dash [switches]
-s          		Use small version
-b          		Use black and white sprites
-d delay    		usleep() by delay for fast servers (eg, 90000 on Sun4)
-l lev      		start from level lev
-c          		use curses on tty (not yet perfect)
-h          		Dump hi-score table


X11 KEYS
--------

Escape			Quit (from title page)
Cursor Keys		Move
SHIFT + Cursor Keys	Dig/Pick up/Push in direction
P			Pause
Space			Un-pause
Q			Suicide (for if you get stuck in a rockfall!)


CURSES KEYS
-----------

^C			Quit (from title page)
Cursor Keys		Move
A,D,W,X			Dig/Pick up/Push in direction
P			Pause
Space			Un-pause
Q			Suicide (for if you get stuck in a rockfall!)


INSTRUCTIONS
------------

The object of the game is to collect a certain number of gems (as indicated at
the top of the screen) and once collected make your way to the exit before the
time limit expires.

As you dig around the level to collect gems, boulders will fall as you dig the
ground out from under them.  Letting a boulder or gem fall on your head will
kill you.

As well as these basic mechanics they are extra objects that are waiting to
cause you trouble...

Butterflys	These move around empty spaces, and will explode into a number
		of gems if a boulder or gem is dropped on top of them.  Note
		that if they hit a wall, they like to turn to the right if
		at all possible...  This _could_ be handy to remember.

Chasers		They move slowly, but always towards you.  Getting touched by
		one of these ghosts is fatal!  They explode into a number of
		boulders if a boulder or gem falls on top of them.

Ameoba		This green blob grows outwards into any available space.  If
		sealed in (so it can grow no more) it will die and leave behind
		gems.  If it is allowed to grow too large it will also die,
		leaving behind boulders!

Filter		This swallows falling boulders and gems, and if there is space
		on the other side spits out a gem for a boulder and visa versa.

Rock switch	This switch swaps all the breakable walls and boulders around
		in the level.

Generators	There are 3 flavours of generators.  Rock generators will drop
		out a rock downwards if there is room, while butterfly and
		chaser generators produce the appropriate monster in all 4
		compass directions if there is room.

Exit		This is where you have to get too!!!  Make sure you can still
		get to it at the end of the level!


The line at the top of the screen contains :

SCORE   NO OF GEMS TO COLLECT   NO OF GEMS GOT   LIVES   TIME LEFT


NOTES
-----

dash switches off auto repeat to enhance the keyboard reading when run in X11
mode.  Auto repeat is re-enabled while the game is paused and when you exit
the game cleanly from the title page.

If you kill it mid-game, auto repeat will still be off.  It can be re-enabled
from the shell with 'xset r on'.



Have Fun.




email   ianc@noddybox.demon.co.uk
URL     http://www.noddybox.demon.co.uk


Release 1.2  	Wed Nov 12 11:21:21 GMT 1997