Backgammon v2.0
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copyright 1997 Stand Alone, Inc.

NOTE: This software is for Newton 2.0 Newtons ONLY. To use Backgammon on 
a Newton 100, 110, 120/1.3, or Original MessagePad, please download 
version 1.2 of Backgammon.

* What's it do?
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	Backgammon for the Newton plays exactly as the board game.  
Backgammon can be played agains a friend or against the Newton, or you 
can watch the Newton play itself.
		

* What's in this archive?
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	There is one Newton software package and one text file in
this archive. They are:
	* Backgammon.txt	document you're now reading. 'Nuff said.
	* Backgammon.pkg	software package you'll install on your Newton.

* Installing Backgammon
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	First off, you must get the Backgammon software package onto your
Newton. You can do this using the Newton Connection Utility (for Mac or
Windows), the Newton Package Downloader, or the Newton Backup
Utility. See the documentaion with each of these for more
information on installing packages with them.

* How To Play
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	If you know how to play the game, you only need to read the first section. Otherwise read this entire section and follow along with the 'help' command in Backgammon via the 'i' button.

To roll a die tap on the "Roll" button at the bottom of the screen.
To double the game tap on the doubling cube in the center of the screen.
To see what dice you can still use tap on one of the two dice. If the dice are in the way you can drag them around the board.

To move a piece you can:
1) tap on a piece (it will turn grey) and tap on the pieces destination.
2) Tap and hold on a piece, then drag it to its destination.
3) Tap on the piece's destination (you can only do this if there are no pieces on the destination point.)
4) tap on the piece's destination, if that piece is in jail.

To Undo a mistake, tap the 'undo' button. This will take you back to the last die rolled.

Preferences:
Tap the 'i' button, then tap prefs.

Player options:
	- Human or Newton player
	- Style: for Newton players - How the Newton plays - there are 6 styles.
	- Level: how good the Newton is - there are 10 levels.

Game: Backgammon or snake - this option adjusts the setup of the initial board

Tap to end turn: If this is checked, you must tap on the screen to end your turn,  otherwise the turn is ended immediatly after your last move (which can not be undone!)

Stats:
Tap the 'i' button, then tap stats.

How to Play:
(The same directions can be found on the online help, complete with diagrams)

	Backgammon consists of a board, 30 men, 15 of each color, a doubling cube and dice. The object of Backgammon is to move all of your pieces around the board, from your opponent's home board to his outer board, to your outer board and then to your innerboard. Once all of your pieces are on you inner board you start the process of removing pices from the board, or "Bearing off". To Start the game press the "New" button at the bottom of the screen. You and your opponent will then roll a die. (Tap the dice at the top of the screen). The 
player who rolled the higher die goes first using what each player rolled as
his or her roll. The dice are always thrown on the 'right' side of the board. If the dice thrown are a tie, you throw the dice again. 

	Let us examine what would happen if Black throws a 5 and White throws a 6. White must move a 5:6. He can move one man 5 and another 6 points or one man a full 11 points. If the player chooses to move 11 points bear in mind it is moving 2 moves. White will move his first man a six and then a five. White moves the runner from Blacks 1 point. 

	When a player has two or more men on a point he "owns" that point. This being the case the opponent may not touch down or land on this point. White could not move the 5:6 5 and then 6 since the Black's 6 point is blocked. A prime is made when a player makes 6 consecutive points. An opponent can not move past a prime, since there is nothing higher on a die than a 6. 

	A single man on a point is called a "Blot". Black has a blot on B8. If white rolls a 1:4 he may hit the blot. If this happens black must place his point on the bar. If you have a man on the bar you must move this piece before any others. If you can not move this piece you must forfiet your turn. 

	If a 6:4 is thrown, the six may not be used because white controls the point. The 4 may be used though and then the 6 may be used elsewhere. If a player owns all 6 of his home points he has a "closed board". Black has a closed board, so white must forfiet his turn since he can not enter off of the bar. 

	If a player rolls doubles, i.e. 6:6 or 2:2, the player is entitles to move 4 moves instead of 2. 

	To win the game a player must remove all of his pieces. To do this he first must get all of his pieces into his home board. If Black rolls a 3:4 he may remove the pieces on his 4 and 3 point. 

Rules of Movement: 
	1.  You must make all possible moves. 
	2.  The higher move must be played if only one move can be made. 

The Doubling Cube:
	A player can raise the stakes of the game. He or she offers this to the other player. The other player may forfiet the game or continue to play at the raised stakes. If later in the game the other player decides to double, he may do so making the same offer. 

	If a player loses without bearing off any pieces off of the board the score is doubled. This is known as a Gammon. If a player loses with a piece still on his home six points or on the bar the game is tripled. This is a Backgammon.

* Registering Backgammon
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	You have a 30 day trial period in which to examine Backgammon, 
during which it will function fully. Should you wish to register, 
you'll need to do one of the following:

	* Call us and pay using Visa or Mastercard. We can give you a 
		password right over the phone: instant gratification!  (773) 477-2492.

	* Send us a check for $25.00 to the address below.
		
	* Using CompuServe, GO SWREG #6830.
	
	However you register, PLEASE be sure to include an email address
(it's not vital, but it will result in MUCH speedier service) and 
your name, as entered in the Owner Info section of your Newton. 
This is used to generate the password we send you to unlock Backgammon, 
so it has to be exact.

	Once you register, you will receive a password from us. You may enter the password in Backgammon via the 'i' button.

* Contacting us
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	If you have any questions regarding Backgammon, or any other Stand 
Alone Newton application, please don't hesitate to contact us:

	Email:
		internet: 	info@standalone.com (<-- preferred)
		AOL: 		Std Alone
		CompuServe:	76342,3057
		
	Phone:
		Voice: 		(773) 477-2492
		Fax:		(773) 477-2579
		
	Regular Mail:
		Stand Alone
		3171 N. Hudson, Suite 1
		Chicago, IL, 60657, USA

	World Wide Web:
		http://www.standalone.com/newton		

* Version History
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2.0	Feb 1, 1997	First public release.

2.1 Nov 11, 1997 Added greyscale support for 2.1 OS