--------------------------
MUD Equipment Database 3.0
--------------------------

Description:

	Makes equipment items and descriptions for MUD games 
	searchable for quick description reference.

Installation:

	Run setup.exe  Be sure that ALL files are in the same folder.

	The VB6 runtime files needed for this program can be found at
	this URL:  http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/win95/dll.html

Status:
	
	Freeware - This program may be freely distrubuted as long
		   as it is in whole.  This readme.txt file must 
		   be with the program.


Credits:

	Programmed by Jonathan Almarez (jalmarez@hotmail.com)
	Concept by Stephen Foster
	Beta testing and added database by Laodis
	Some added items by Sud

History:

	Created and Released version 1.0 on March 1, 2000

	March 2, 2000 - Fixed search so that it is no longer 
			case sensitive.
			
		      - Changed the window type so that you 
			can now alt-tab to the screen.

		      - Fixed it so that after a search is 
			done the first records' description
			is displayed.

		Release of version 1.0.1

	March 3, 2000 - Fixed some bugs with inserting files 
			to the database.

		      - Changed the look and feel to the 
			interface.

		      - Added a feature for editing and 
			deleting items in database.

		      - Added a feature for changing 
			the colors in the screen.

		Release of version 2.0

	March 6, 2000 - Fixed Maximize screen to full window

		      - Description can now use returns and new lines

		Release of version 2.1
	
	May 1-6, 2000 - Fixed Major bugs to screen resizing

		      - Fixed bug for some item deleting problems

		      - Fixed bug of crashing when choosing an item to
			edit with nothing selected

		      - Added tool tip viewing for item names

		      - Added list and description box resizing

		      - Fixed bug of not showing all items searched if
			the items title was partially capitalized

		      - Fixed bug of inserting items in a filtered 
			search and erasing those items in the orginal
			database that were not in the filtered search.

		      - Added multiple database avaliablility

		      - Added Downloading of databases from internet

		      - Added search option filter of items or
			descriptions or both

		Release of version 3.0

----------------------------
How to add items from a file
----------------------------

To update items you must download the latest database update 
from the web site (http://www1.icomnet.net/~cgi/MUD) or you 
can get more items yourself from somewhere else.

!IMPORTANT!
This program will only read a file if it has this format
(Included is the file insert.txt this file is an example of 
items in this format):

item title 
description
description
description

item title 
description

The first line of the text file must be the title of the item, 
the next line or lines will be the description (which could be 
as long or as many lines as you like.)  The next line MUST be 
blank!  That is how the program knows when the next item will 
begin.  Then again, the item title.  Each item must have at 
least one description line.

!NOTE!
Some items might have titles with apostrophizes " ' " or an "a" 
in front of the title name.  The program will take this off.
Included is the file insert.txt this file is an example of 
items in this format.

Example:

'a club'
This is a very cool weapon

The program will take off the apostrophizes at the beginning and 
the end and it will remove the "a ", so that what's left is 
the "club".  This also works with "some", "an" or "the".

Once the program enters in these items from the file it's in 
there for good.  Unless you go in and remove the item from the 
database.txt file.

---------------------
The database.txt file
---------------------

This file has the following format:

title
description
title
description
.
.
. and so on

The first line of the file will be the first item title.  The 
next line will be the description for that item.  Then the 
next line another item title and then the next line will be 
the description for that item, and so on and so on.  I think 
you got the picture of how it works.  This file can be edited 
with wordpad if you need to.  It's a very simple database.
Also you will find the pipe character "|" inserted in the
descriptions.  This pipe is a flag for a cariage return
character for easier viewing of descriptions.

---------------------
Creating a new database
---------------------

To create a new database you need to go to the Database menu
and select the Current Database item.  In the lower left hand
side of the screen you will see a picture of a file cabinat.
Click the picture to add a new database.  It will ask you for 
a name for the database.  Please make the name less then 20
characters and do not use symbols.  Your database will be
listed in the current database pop down list.  To switch to 
your new database simply select it in the list and hit ok.

---------------------
Downloading a database update
---------------------

First you must be connected to the internet.  Begin by going
to the Database menu option and selecting the Download
Database Update item.  Hit the connect button to connect to 
the server and download the list of database avaliable for
download.  Once the list has been FULLY downloaded, select
your choice and hit Download.  Please wait because this may
take a while.  After it has finished select a database to 
add the new database update into. then hit ok.  Once that is
FINISHED then select the Show All button to see all that have
been added.





For more information, newer database updates or recent versions
view the web site at:  http://www1.icomnet.net/~cgi/MUD
-----------------------------------------------------------
All contents is Copyrighted by Jonathan Almarez in 2000.
This program is freeware and can be distributed as you please as 
long as this readme file is present.
