                        *********************************
                        *      User's Manual for:       *
                        * "Frog Man" Shareware ver. 1.1 *
                        *********************************
                                 Copyright 1997
                                 Saber Software
                                 P.O. Box 20405
                               Columbus, OH 43220
                                    2/22/1997
*******************************************************************************

Table of Contents

I.     Introduction

II.    System Requirements

III.   Installation

IV.    Playing Instructions

V.     Troubleshooting and Technical Support

VI.    Ordering Information

VII.   Credits

VIII.  Shareware Distribution

IV.    Disclaimers

**************************************************************************

I. Introduction

                Welcome to the fascinating world of Saber Software!
        Saber Software is dedicated to bringing you quality shareware
        at a fraction of the cost of most shareware titles. We hope
        you enjoy playing the shareware version of "Frog Man" and
        encourage you to register. By registering, you allow us to
        continue to provide you with quality entertainment for years
        to come.
                Before attempting to play this software, please take
        a few moments to familiarize yourself with the information 
        contained in this manual. This manual provides important 
        compatibility and installation information designed to get 
        "Frog Man" up and running quickly.

**************************************************************************

II. System Requirements

                "Frog Man" requires a MINIMUM of the following to
        operate correctly:

        - 386DX 33MHz Microprocessor based PC
        - 1 MByte free hard disk space
        - 400K free MSDOS memory
        - 8 bit SoundBlaster or compatible audio card
        - MSDOS 6.0 or later operating system

        Systems that do not meet these minimum requirements may produce
        inoperative or erratic gameplay. This software does not support
        PC Speaker sound. Systems without compatible sound cards will
        use the NOSOUND option.

**************************************************************************

III. Installation

                The shareware version of "Frog Man" does not contain
        a dedicated installation routine. Therefore, users will need to
        install all software manually under DOS or Windows. 

        DOS INSTALLATION - There are no special instructions for DOS 
        installation. Simply create an appropriately titled directory 
        and copy all "Frog Man" files to it. To RUN "Frog Man" change 
        to the directory containing the software and type "frog".
        
          Note: You MUST be in the specified directory containing
          the "Frog Man" software before typing "frog". "Frog Man" will 
          NOT run correctly using the MSDOS "path" environment variable.

        WINDOWS INSTALLATION - On most systems "Frog Man" may be launched
        directly from Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 platforms. 
        To install a new "Frog Man" icon in a program group use the
        following procedure:

        - Select the program group that you wish to contain the new
          "Frog Man" icon (for example: "Games")

        - Create a new program item by clicking first on FILE: and then
          on NEW:

        - Make sure "New Program Item" is selected (not "Program Group")
          and click on OK:
        
        - Type in the description as "Frog Man"

        - Click on BROWSE: and go to the directory containing the program 
          software

        - Select "frog.exe" 

        The shareware version of "Frog Man" provides a special icon that
        can be used to designate the game on the user's Windows desktop. 
        To use the special icon:

        - With the "Frog Man" software highlighted in the desktop click
          on FILE: and then on PROPERTIES:

        - Select CHANGE ICON:

        - You will now need to "Browse" to find the included icon. Go 
          to the directory containing the "Frog Man" software and click
          on the icon file: "frog.ico"

        - Select this icon by clicking on OK:

        - The new icon should now appear on the desktop

**************************************************************************

IV. Playing Instructions

        OBJECT OF THE GAME - The object of the game is to move Frog Man
        from the sidewalk at the bottom of the screen to the safety of
        the five "home" locations at the top of the screen. Each board
        is completed when all five "home" locations at the top of the
        screen are filled. The game ends when Frog Man has lost all of
        the allotted Frog Man lives.

        GAME CONTROLS - To make Frog Man jump, simply press the appropriate
        arrow key on the keyboard. Frog Man is only capable of jumping
        up, down, left, and right. Diagonal jumping is not allowed. 
                Each key press is stored in a special "jump buffer" until
        it can be executed. Each key press results in a single frog "jump".
        This allows you to enter specific jump patterns without waiting
        for exact timing. Beware! Once you've entered a jump you can't
        take it back! 
                To pause a game in progress, simply press the "Esc" key.
        Pausing the game returns you to the main menu. To restart a paused
        game select "Continue". To start over from a paused game select
        "Start".
                Moving highlighted menu items is accomplished with the
        arrow keys. To select a highlighted menu item press "Enter".
        Some menu items (for example SOUND ON/OFF in the "Options" menu)
        require the use of the left and right arrow keys. You can increment
        and decrement items by pressing right and left respectively.
        Finally, you may exit any menu at any time by pressing "Esc".

        GAME HAZARDS - There are many hazards that exist between you
        and your ultimate goal. Frog Man dies if any of the following occur:

          - Frog Man touches a snake
          - Frog Man is hit by a car or truck
          - Time (shown in the time/score field at the right of the 
            screen) expires
          - Frog man attempts to leave the right or left edges of the 
            screen
          - Frog man attempts to jump into a "home" that is currently
            occupied by Mr. Al E. Gator 
          - Frog Man jumps into the raging river
          - Frog Man attempts to jump into a "home" location that has
            already been filled

        GAME SCORING - Players receive points based on the following 
        point system:

          Jumping forward one row ...........................10 points
          Filling a Frog Man "home".........................100 points
                          + 5 points for each second left on the clock
          Eating a dragonfly................................200 points
          Completing a level...............................1000 points

        Additional Frog Man lives are awarded every 10,000 points. It
        is not possible to possess more than five lives at any time.

        GAME HINTS - The following hints are provided to help enhance
        game play:

          MR. AL E. GATOR - This reptile appears randomly in "home"
          locations at the most inopportune times! Although jumping
          into a "home" location that contains an alligator usually 
          results in death, there is a brief period of time when it 
          first appears that it is safe to do so. A good rule of thumb 
          is: "If you can see the gator's nostrils, don't jump in!". 
          This is also true when Mr. Al E. Gator is sinking.
        
          DRAGONFLY POINTS - Players can earn up to 1000 extra points 
          per level by trying to catch these tasty bugs. This is much 
          more than can be earned through speedy play.  

        GAME OPTIONS - The following options are available from the 
        options menu.
          
          SOUND ON/OFF - This option temporarily turns the sound on and
          off. Values are toggled using the left and right arrow keys.
          To save a particular sound state for future play, select
          "Save Options".

          STARTING LEVEL - This option allows players to start on any
          level. Advanced players can skip easier levels that may
          become tiresome. Novice players can jump directly to levels
          that they might otherwise never get to play! To save a starting
          level to be used in future play, select "Save Options".

          RESET HIGH SCORES - Registered users will be prompted to enter
          their initials if a high score is broken. The reset high scores
          option entitles registered users to clear the high score memory.
          Changes will take effect only if "Save Options" is selected
          or a new high score is set. 

          SAVE OPTIONS - This option allows system settings to be saved
          for future play. To select this option move the highlighted
          cursor to the save options row and press "Enter".

**************************************************************************

V. Troubleshooting and Technical Support

                The following information is provided in order to help
        users with game conflicts. There are no warranties expressed
        or implied by Saber Software for the shareware version of 
        "Frog Man". Although shareware users are not entitled to technical 
        support, Saber Software will ATTEMPT to help shareware users 
        resolve technical problems. Saber software reserves the right 
        to refuse technical assistance to shareware users.
        
                The following is a list of possible problems and solutions.
        Users encountering problems MUST attempt to resolve conflicts
        by using the following guidelines BEFORE contacting Saber Software 
        for help.

        SOUND DOES NOT PLAY - The routines for initializing the sound
        card rely on a correctly set BLASTER environment variable.
        If sound does not work at all, or the game states that no sound
        card was found, try checking the values stored in this variable.
        "Frog Man" retrieves the following three parameters from the 
        BLASTER environment variable:

        Ex:  BLASTER=A220 I5 D1   --> A:XXX represents sound port (220)
                                      I:X   represents sound IRQ  (5)
                                      D:X   represents low DMA channel (1)

        Erratic sound problems or system crashes may result if any of 
        these parameters are not set correctly. Consult the documentation
        provided with your specific sound card for information on 
        hardware configuration and setting the BLASTER environment variable.

        GAME DOES NOT RUN IN WINDOWS - "Frog Man" uses programming techniques
        specifically designed for use in DOS. Although Frog Man has been
        successfully tested under some Windows platforms, it is not
        guaranteed to run under all Windows platforms. If the game does
        not seem to run correctly on your Windows system, try running it
        under DOS. Note that running the game from a DOS window is NOT
        the same as running the game directly from DOS! To run the game
        directly from DOS you will need to exit Windows completely. 
        Most Windows compatibility problems exist due to the manner
        in which Windows runs DOS programs using "Virtual 8086 Mode".
        Some incompatibilities can be avoided by running windows in
        standard instead of enhanced mode.

        GAME PRODUCES ERROR MESSAGES - "Frog Man" checks for the validity
        of several key files before loading. If you experience error
        messages during loading then your copy of "Frog Man" has probably
        been corrupted in some manner. Try reinstalling the game from
        disk or downloading a new copy from an internet FTP site.

        CONTACTING SABER SOFTWARE - Shareware users may contact Saber 
        Software by sending a detailed email message to SaberSware@aol.com.
        Saber Software will not provide technical support to shareware
        users over the phone! Saber software reserves the right to refuse 
        technical support to shareware users.

**************************************************************************

VI. Ordering Information

                To order the registered version of "Frog Man" print
        the included file "order.txt" and mail to:

                Saber Software
                P.O. Box 20405
                Columbus, OH 43220

        Be sure to fill in your name, address, and payment options 
        completely. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery. Saber Software
        is not responsible for lost or misguided mail.

        UNLIKE OTHER SHAREWARE COMPANIES... WE TRUST YOU!!!! - Saber
        Software understands the value of TRUST. Most shareware 
        companies expect you to mail out a check or money order to 
        some obscure P.O. box and then PRAY that  you get the software!
        These companies are basically saying "We don't trust you to send 
        us our money.. but you should trust us not to rip you off!!!!".
        Saber Software offers customers another choice in ordering: 
        "no-risk C.O.D.". Simply fill out the form in the file "order.txt",
        mark the square labeled "C.O.D.", and mail it to us. It's that easy!
        We will ship you a registered copy of "Frog Man" along with a
        bill for the appropriate amount. Once you receive the package  
        simply send payment in the form of check or money order.
                               WE TRUST YOU!!!

**************************************************************************

VII. Credits
        
        Programming/Graphics/Sound....................Matthew Slyh
        Game Design..................Matthew Slyh and D.P. Pindell
        Business......................................D.P. Pindell

**************************************************************************

VIII. Shareware Distribution

                This program is shareware. Users may distribute this 
        program by means of floppy disk or BBS/internet site only.
        For specific guidelines for distribution please see the
        file "vendor.doc". Vendors may not distribute this product
        in ANY form without the express written consent of Saber Software
        as outlined in the file "vendor.doc".

**************************************************************************

IX. Disclaimers 

                The shareware version of "Frog Man" is provided AS-IS.
        There are no warranties either expressed or implied by Saber
        Software for the use of this product. Users assume all risk 
        and responsibility for using and distributing this product. 
        Saber Software is not responsible for damages caused by the
        use of "Frog Man". Users are encouraged to check ALL software
        with a virus checking program before use. Saber Software reserves
        the right to deny technical support to shareware users. 

        "Sound Blaster" is a registered trademark of Creative Labs Inc.
        "Windows" is a registered trademark of Microsoft Inc. 
        "MS-DOS" is a registered trademark of Microsoft Inc.

        The characters in this product are fictional. Any similarities
        between Frog Man and any other frog, living or dead, is purely
        coincidental!

***************************************************************************



