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|D |5Fun 'n Games |D
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^C^1PUZZLE 15
^Cby
^CJohn T. Sargent

   This is a computerized implementation of the classic little "15" puzzle.  
You know, the one with little tiles with numbers from 1 to 15 inside a 4-by-4 
square.  The object is to slide them around until you get the numbers all in 
order.  This may sound simple, but it's a lot harder than it looks.  But don't 
give up; it's possible!

   One step toward getting the knack of solving this is to realize that 
sometimes it is necessary to partially disarrange sections which you've already
painstakingly placed in order, to get the remainder in place.  This is often 
the hardest part for anyone to grasp, but it is common to many problems of this 
sort, Rubik's Cube being another popular example.

   Another feature of this program:  I know it's a bit early for April Fool's 
Day, but I couldn't resist.  Half of the possible arrangements of numbers in 
this puzzle produce puzzles that are impossible to solve.  You can produce such
an arrangement by transposing two adjacent numbers from a solvable pattern.  
Of course, all arrangements normally given you by this program are solvable.  
But I've added a "Fool Your Friends" mode which is just the reverse:  all 
patterns are impossible to solve!  To get into this mode, press CTRL-F while 
prompted for a move; then, when you next select the option to start a new 
game, it will be set up in an impossible mode.  Pressing CTRL-N tells the 
program to make the next game normal, that is, solvable.  This way, you can 
take turns with a friend, always solving the puzzle on your turn while your 
friend doesn't get anywhere.  Note that both of these control characters only 
affect the following game; the one in progress is unaffected.  Warning: no 
confirmation is given of the mode you have selected, since that would give the 
trick away.  If you find you can't seem to solve the puzzle, maybe you've 
gotten into Fool mode by accident.

   Final note:  The arrow keys will work to move, whether or not NumLock is 
active.

   To run this program outside BIG BLUE DISK, type ^1PUZZLE15^0.  To start the 
program up in "Fool" mode from the start, type ^1PUZZLE15 F^0.

DISK FILES THIS PROGRAM USES:
^FPUZZLE15.EXE
^FBRUN30.EXE
^FRETURN30.EXE
