Copyright: Copyright ® 1997 By Randy Rasa
Citation: Copyright ® 1997 By Randy Rasa


Contents
Mount Sunflower

Getting Started

Introduction

How To Play

Auto Play

Revision History

Customization

Background Color

Card Back

Sound Options

Music

Advanced

Multi-Player Support

Statistics

Strategy

Structure Of INI File

Support

How To Contact The Author

Other Shareware By Randy Rasa

Future Features?

Registration

How To Register

What Is Kagi?

If you enjoy this game, please support it!

Mount Sunflower is Copyright © 1997-99 by Randy Rasa. All Rights Reserved.


Introduction To Mount Sunflower

Background

This is an original game, created by Randy Rasa.  The name "Mount Sunflower" comes about because the initial layout looks something like a mountain, but it's a rather short and dumpy little thing.  This brought to mind the highest point in the relatively flat state of Kansas, which is called Mt. Sunflower. Whoever named it must have had a sense of humor, because it's not much of a mountain.  In fact, it's hardly even a hill.  It's simply the highest point in the grasslands on the very western edge of the state, right on the Colorado line.

Like the peak from which it's named, the game of Mount Sunflower is not really that difficult of a climb.  Given sufficient patience and foresight, you'll conquer this mountain more often then not.  This is one of those games where you feel, even after losing, that if you'd only played your cards right, the game could have been won.

Requirements

•	Mount Sunflower is written with Visual Basic version 3.00, and requires the VBRUN300.DLL run-time library. This file may or may not have been distributed with this program. If not, the file is available on most Internet, BBS, and online services shareware collections, or should be available from wherever you obtained this software, or from the author.

•	This program requires Windows 3.0 or later.  It was developed under Windows 95, and has been tested under Windows 3.1, Windows 3.11, and Windows 95.

•	To utilize this program's multimedia sound, a sound card (or Microsoft's speaker driver) is required.  In addition, Windows 3.1 or later, or Windows 3.0 with the multimedia extensions, is required.

•	This program works best with at least four megabytes of RAM.

•	This program requires about 600K of disk space.

•	This program requires at least 640x480x16 video capability; 800x600x256 or higher is highly recommended.

•	You may wonder why I didn't write this program for Windows 95. There are several reasons.  First, the size penalty (at least using Visual Basic) would be immense.  I did some experimentation, and found that a small game written for VB4 would have required about 1.5M for all the files it needed.  Compare this to essentially the same game written with VB2 or 3 and I think you'll understand. Second, there's just not that much that Win95 brings to the party for card games, or at least for this particular game.  Most of the user-interface niceties that Win95 offers don't add much ease-of-use for a card game.  Third, card games, unlike say, databases or graphics editors, don't require huge amounts of memory, so being 32-bit doesn't mean much here. So, for the time being at least, this program is a 16-bit program.  If you really want to see a 32-bit version, let me know and I'll give it some consideration ...

Credits

•	Mount Sunflower was designed, written, and tested by Randy Rasa.

•	Mount Sunflower was written with Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows, version 3.0.

•	Mount Sunflower uses a modified version of QCARD.DLL, which is freeware by Stephen Murphy (70661.2461@compuserve.com).

•	This help file was written using RTFGEN, a freeware utility from Dave Baldwin (76327.53@compuserve.com).

•	The game graphics, icon, and sound are all based on stuff I found at various locations on the Internet.

Legalese

Mount Sunflower is shareware!  It is not freeware.  It is not public domain.

As shareware, you can play it, copy it, and give it away as you wish.  In fact, you are encouraged to distribute the program to friends, family, and strangers alike.  This includes distribution via the internet, world wide web, electronic bulletin board systems (BBS's), user's groups, CD-ROMs, and disk-distribution services. All that I ask is that the package remains unaltered and complete. Refer to the VENDINFO.DIZ file for detailed distribution information.

The registered version may not be distributed.

Standard Limited Warranty

This software is sold "as is", without any warranty as to performance or any other warranties whether expressed or implied.  Because of the vast number of possible hardware and software environments in which this software may be used, no warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is offered.  The user assumes the entire risk of using this program.  Any liability of the author will be limited to product replacement or the refund of the registration fee.


How To Play Mount Sunflower

Getting Started

The game is begun by dealing twenty-eight cards to the tableau, arranged as seven stacks of four cards each.  The first and seventh stacks are dealt with three cards face down and one card face up; the second and sixth stacks are dealt with two cards down and two up; the third and fifth stacks are dealt with one down and three up, and the center stack has all cards face up.  The layout comes out looking something like this (this is hand #1, by the way):

The twenty-four remaining cards are set aside to form the stock.  Four foundation piles will be formed in the spaces marked "F" above.

Object

The object of the game is to arrange the cards into the four foundation suits, running from ace to king. The foundations may be placed in any order.

Moving Cards

The top card of each of the tableau stacks is always available for play onto one of the foundations, or onto another tableau.  Tableau piles are built downward, regardless of suit or color.

Blocks of cards may be moved from one tableau to another, provided that the cards are of the same suit, and in the proper order.

When spaces are created in the tableau, they may be filled with any card or block of cards.  As face-down cards are exposed, they are turned over and available for play.

In the example above, there are three immediate plays visible:

1.	The six of clubs may be moved onto the seven of clubs. This creates a block of two cards which can be moved together.

2.	Moving the six of clubs frees up the ace of diamonds, which can be immediately moved to a foundation.

3.	The queen and jack of diamonds are already in the proper order, and may be moved as a block.  They may be moved to either the king of diamonds or the king of clubs.  Moving them to the king of diamonds is preferable because that puts them in proper sequence to move the J-Q-K as a three-card block.

The Stock

When you have exhausted all the plays among the tableaus and foundations, click on the stock pile to deal another row of seven cards onto the tableau. Once again, make whatever moves are available to you, then click the stock pile to deal again.  This is done four times in all, with the last deal being only three cards, which are dealt to the first three tableau piles.

If the stock is empty, clicking it is equivalent to selecting the "New Hand" menu item.

Winning

If you manage to move all the cards to the foundations, you win!

Losing

If you come to an impasse, where no move moves are possible, select "New Hand" from the "Game" menu (or click on the empty stock) to abandon the current hand and start a new one.


Mount Sunflower Statistics

Statistics

The program keeps track of the following statistics for each player:

•	Number of games played

•	Number of games won

•	Winning percentage

•	Average score

•	Longest winning streak

•	Longest losing streak

Session Statistics

In addition to the overall statistics, the game also keep track of session statistics (i.e. your stats during the current game-playing session).  The session stats are displayed on the same screen as the overall game stats.

Clearing The Statistics

The statistics can be cleared by clicking on the "Clear Stats" button in the statistics dialog.  If you answer "yes" to the "Are you sure?" question, all statistics will be reset.

Improving Your Scores

For hints on improving your scores, refer to the strategy section.

The Author's Stats

At the time of this writing, my statistics are:

Games Played: 	1181

Games Won: 	734

Winning Percentage: 	62.15%

Average Score: 	35.28

My wife is also nuts about this game, even more more so than I.  Her statistics are:

Games Played: 	14657

Games Won: 	7914

Winning Percentage: 	53.99%

Average Score: 	31.44


Mount Sunflower Strategy

One of the nice things about this game is that most hands are winnable, or at least it seems that way.  Nearly every hand has a large number of possible courses of action.  Some hands seem to "play themselves", while others require a good amount of card-shifting.

You'll want to expose the face-down tableau cards as soon as you can.  The sooner you can get all cards into view the better.

Try to build the tableaus in "natural" order as much as possible.  This will not only make it easier to move whole stacks of cards to the foundations at once, but it will also make it much easier to re-arrange the cards within the tableau.

It's probably an obvious point, but make sure that you've made all possible foundation and tableau moves before dealing the next row of cards from the stock.  It's easy to get distracted by trying to anticipate what's coming next, so pay attention!

Finally, when you come down to the final three stock cards, remember that they'll be dealt to the first three tableau piles.  If there are any spaces in the tableau, try to free up the three left-most piles, so that the new cards won't cover any cards you might need later.


Multi-Player Support

Mount Sunflower can maintain statistics for up to ten players.  The player-selection dialog box lists the players and their statistics.  From there, you can edit player names, add new players, or remove players.

The first time you run the program, you'll be asked for your name, which the program will use for player number 1.

To add a player at a later time, pick the "Select Player" item from the "Game" menu,  then click "Add" and enter the new player's name.


How To Contact The Author

Your comments, criticisms, suggestions (and of course, registrations) are always welcome.  If you think of something that would make the game better, I'd like to hear it!

This program has been thoroughly tested and debugged, but with the wide range of hardware and software that Windows supports, problems are always possible. If you're having any difficulties with this game, please let me know about it, and I'll do my very best to help. Please describe the problem in as much detail as you can, and include information about your computer's configuration.

The latest version of this game, as well as the author's other shareware offerings, are available from:

World Wide Web

http://www.solitairecentral.com

Internet E-Mail

support@solitairecentral.com

Snail Mail

Randy Rasa

18215 Troost

Olathe, KS 66062-9208

If the addresses above are no longer in service, your best bet is to do an Internet search using one of the search engines.  Search for "randy rasa", and I'll be there somewhere ...

Phone support is not available at this time.


Shareware By Randy Rasa

If you enjoy Mount Sunflower, these are sure to tickle your fancy as well. At the time of this writing, my other games include:

Poker Patience Pack

A collection of seven poker-related solitaire card games for  Windows 95/98/NT. Includes Poker Squares, Poker Shuffle,  Poker Elimination, Poker Puzzle, Poker Columns, Poker Holdem,  and Poker Yacht.  Full-featured, with undo, user-configurable colors and wallpaper, statistics, sound, and an extensive context-sensitive help system.

Get it at ... http://www.solitairecentral.com/pokerpak.html.

Chinese Solitaire

This is a great new game, suggested by a user, that combines the best elements of "Klondike" (probably the world's most popular solitaire) and "Scorpion" (a game that offers tremendous opportunity for skillful play).  Chinese Solitaire includes full statistics, an "easy" mode, autoplay, selectable card backs and colors, great graphics, and excellent sound.  A highly addictive game!

Get it at ... http://www.solitairecentral.com/cs.html.

Idiot's Delight

This is a Windows version of the classic game included in Solitaire Suite, also commonly known as "Aces Up".  This version includes all new rule variations, which make the game much more of a strategic challenge. This game also features great graphics, multimedia sound and music, full statistics, extensive online help, as well as new convenient features such as undo, hand save/restore.

Get it at ... http://www.solitairecentral.com/id.html.

Four Seasons

A solitaire card game for Windows, also known as "Corner Card" and "Vanishing Cross".  This is a very full-featured game, with multimedia sound, undo, a high-score list, and challenge scoring.

Get it at ... http://www.solitairecentral.com/fs.html.

Solitaire Suite

This is a collection of seven classic solitaires, including Calculation, Concentration, Idiot's Delight, Midnight Oil, Monte Carlo, Osmosis, and Royal Cotillion.  Feature-packed and easy to play, this is a very popular collection.  Requires EGA or VGA and a mouse.

Get it at ... http://www.solitairecentral.com/ss.html.

Simple Pleasures

This is a collection of eight new solitaires, all in a smooth and elegant program.  All of the best features of Solitaire Suite, plus a few more.  A new favorite!  Requires EGA or VGA and a mouse.

Get it at ... http://www.solitairecentral.com/sp.html.

Pyramid Deluxe

This is a SuperVGA version of the classic solitaire card game, featuring 640x480x256 graphics, hint mode, undo, demo mode, and full scoring statistics for up to ten players.  Requires 386, SuperVGA and a mouse.

Get it at ... http://www.solitairecentral.com/pd.html.

More great games are in the works!


How To Register
How To Register Mount Sunflower

Registration Requirement

Mount Sunflower is shareware.  You may freely evaluate it for a reasonable period (30 days).  If you continue to use it beyond the evaluation period, you must register it.

Registration Benefits

When you register you will receive the following:

•	A registration code good for all future updates of Mount Sunflower.  This code will allow you to convert current and future shareware versions to registered versions, getting rid of the opening reminder screen in the process.  Unlike some commercial apps, you are not stuck in an endless cycle of expensive upgrades.  With  Mount Sunflower, you register once, and that's it. What this essentially means is: Free Updates!

•	If you provide me with your Internet e-mail address, you'll receive notification of updated versions and new releases.

•	The opening reminder and nag screens will be disabled.

•	The legal license to use the program beyond the initial 30-day evaluation period.

•	Finally, you'll receive the peace of mind of knowing that you've done the right thing, you'll be supporting the shareware process that made this game possible, and you'll encourage me to write more games in the future.

How To Register

In order to make registration fast and easy, I've contracted with a shareware registration service called Kagi.  They accept payments in cash (from many countries), checks (drawn on a US bank), money orders, credit cards, and an online form of payment called "First Virtual".

 Register Online, Using Your Web Browser

Go to http://order.kagi.com/?2Y6 and enter your credit card number. This is a secure web server, which means that the credit card information you enter is encrypted and secured against unauthorized use. You will be e-mailed the registration code within 48 hours.

 Register By E-Mail

Click the "Register..." button in the about box, or select "Register..." from the "Help" menu. This will launch the Kagi Register program.  Fill in the requested information, select a payment option, and e-mail the resulting form to "sales@kagi.com".  You will receive your registration code within 1-3 days.  (Please note that your credit card number is sent in an encrypted form, and is not human-readable.  In other words, it's safe.)

 Register By Fax

Click the "Register..." button in the about box, or select "Register..." from the "Help" menu. This will launch the Kagi Register program.  Fill in the requested information, select a payment option, and fax the resulting form to "+1 510 652 6589".  You will receive your registration code within 4-8 days.

 Register By Snail Mail

Click the "Register..." button in the about box, or select "Register..." from the "Help" menu. This will launch the Kagi Register program.  Fill in the requested information, select a payment option, and mail the resulting form to the address shown on the registration form. You will receive your registration code within 4-8 days, plus mailing time.

 Register By Telephone

Call Kagi at +1 510-658-5244 and place your order by phone. Be sure to tell them the name of the program(s) you're registering, as well as, of course, your name, address, e-mail address, and payment info.

If you don't have an e-mail address, you can request that a postcard containing the registration information be mailed to you.  This costs an extra $1.00, and of course increases the processing time.

Remember, shareware is user-supported software.  If you use it, please register.

Your support is appreciated!


About Box
Mount Sunflower "About" Box

This dialog box is displayed each time you run the program (in the shareware version) or if you select the "Help-About ..." menu item. Once you have registered, received your code, and entered it, this box will no longer be displayed automatically each time you run the game.

You can click on the "Enter Registration Code..." button to enter your registration code, or on the "Register..." button to print a registration form.


Mount Sunflower Revision History

This program is an ongoing development.  New versions will be released as necessary, to add or improve features, correct problems, address user concerns, or add requested features.  Once the program is mature, updates will generally be released every six months or so.

v1.20 	01/01/99

•	Added support for multi-player statistics.

•	Added an optional scroll bar for play at low video resolutions.

•	Added support for winning and losing streak statistics.

•	Added two new card backs.

•	Added "Poker Patience Pack" info to help file.

v1.10 	06/12/98

•	Added a right-click pop-up menu, containing commonly-used features for quick access.

•	Added a ten-level "Undo" feature.

•	Added "Hand Save" and "Hand Restore" features.

•	Added the ability to change screen background color while a game is in progress.

•	Added the ability to change the card back while a game is in progress.

•	Fixed a few minor typos in various dialogs.

•	Fixed problem where the game would crash if the stock was double-clicked.

•	Fixed problem where clicking the right mouse button while dragging cards would cause cards to become misplaced.

•	Spiffed up the "Win" dialog.

•	Removed "Un-Register" option.

•	Added new "Idiot's Delight" info to help file.

•	Updated contact info.

v1.02 	10/18/97

•	Double-clicking a card is equivalent to right-clicking it -- that is, the game attempts to move it to a foundation.

•	Modified dialog backgrounds so they follow system color settings.

•	Added "session statistics" feature.

•	Added Kagi registration information.

•	Changed from VBRUN200.DLL to VBRUN300.DLL.

•	Added new FoxFire 13 info to help file.

•	Decreased minimum size of main game window slightly to better fit on a Win95 640x480 screen without overlapping the taskbar.

•	Fixed bug where attempting to maximize the application when running under Win95 at 640x480 screen resolution would crash program.

•	Added alternate icons to MTSUN.DLL.

v1.01 	06/01/97

•	Initial release had wrong sound files included; fixed.

•	Added clickable e-mail and web page links to "About" dialog.

•	Modified registration form to allow e-mail delivery of registration code(s).

v1.00 	05/24/97

•	Initial release.

v0.70 	02/20/97

•	Beta #3.

v0.60 	01/23/97

•	Beta #2.

v0.50 	12/11/96

•	Beta #1.

v0.00 	11/30/96

•	Started development.


Mount Sunflower Registration Dialog

Here's where you enter the registration code you will receive as a registered user of Mount Sunflower.  Once you enter the correct code, you need never see the shareware reminder screen again.

Note: In the registered version, the "Register ..." menu item will be changed to "Un-Register", which will allow you to convert the game back into an un-registered version, for easy copying to friends ...


The Future Of Mount Sunflower

Here are some ideas I have in mind for future versions of Mount Sunflower:

•	Alternate scoring schemes, perhaps a timed mode.

If you have an idea that you think will make the game better, please let me know!


The Structure of the INI File

The file MT_SUN.INI is used to save information about the program, so that it can be recalled the next time the program is run.  This file is stored in the same directory as the rest of the Mount Sunflower files, and may be deleted if you want to start "fresh".

Although it is not recommeded that you edit the contents of this file, here is its structure, in case you are adventurous:

[Startup]

WindowState = state of Mount Sunflower window (0 = normal, 2 = maximized)

Width = width of Mount Sunflower window, in twips

Height = height of Mount Sunflower window, in twips

Left = position of left edge of Mount Sunflower window, in twips

Top = position of top edge of Mount Sunflower window, in twips

[Options]

Card Back = which card back design should be used (0-5)

Background Color = main game window background color (Red/Green/Blue (0x000000-0xFFFFFF) -- in decimal)

Sound Enable = sound effects may be either disabled (0) or enabled (1)

Music Enable = background music may be either disabled (0) or enabled (1)

ScrollBar = enable or disable the scroll bar

[Statistics]

GamesPlayed = total number of games played

GamesWon = total number of games won

TotalScore = total score

WinningStreak = longest winning streak

LosingStreak = longest losing streak

TotalGamesPlayed = Total number of games played by all players

Of course, if you play with the values in the [Statistics] section, that means you're a cheater.  And cheaters never win.  You know that, don't you?  Don't you???


End-Of-Hand Dialog

This dialog box appears automatically at the end of a hand, and allows you to either begin another game, exit the program, or view the statistics.  Pressing 'Esc' will deal another hand.


'Win' Dialog

This dialog box appears when you win a game, and allows you to view your statistics, play another hand, or quit the game.


'Lose' Dialog

This dialog asks "Are you sure you want to give up on this hand?".

Select "Yes, Deal A New Hand" to abandon the current hand and randomly deal another.

Select "No, Keep Playing" to return to the hand in progress.

Select "Display Statistics ..." to display your current stats.

Select "Quit The Game" to conceed the current hand and exit the application.


'Quit' Dialog

This dialog asks "Are you sure you want to quit while a hand is in progress?".

Select "Yes, Exit Now" to forfeit the current hand and exit the program.

Select "No, Keep Playing" to return to the hand in progress.

Select "Display Statistics ..." to display your current stats.


Exit

Select the "Exit" item from the "Game" menu to exit the program.  You may also press Alt-F4, Ctrl-X, double-click the control box, or click the "close window" button (in Windows 95). If a hand is in progress, you'll first be asked if you want to abandon the current hand.


New Hand

The "New Hand" menu item is used to deal a new hand at random.  If a hand is in progress, you'll first be asked if you want to abandon the current hand.


Select Hand

The "Select Hand" dialog allows you to select a specific hand from among 999999 different games. If a hand is in progress, you'll first be asked if you want to abandon the current hand.


Redeal Hand

The "Redeal Hand" menu item is used to re-play the current new hand.  You'll first be asked if you want to abandon the current hand.


Select Card Back

This dialog allows you to select from one of six card back designs (shown on the current background color, so you get a sense of how they'll look in the game). The currently-selected card back will be highlighted with a dashed line. Click on a new card back to select it, then click the "OK" button to accept the selection and save it to the INI file, or "Cancel" to exit the dialog without changing the card back.


Background Color
Select Background Color

This dialog allows you to select a background color for the main game screen. You can select the color in two ways:

1.	Select one of the 16 "standard" colors, or

2.	Use the Red, Green, and Blue scroll bars to adjust the colors in fine increments.

Either way, the selected color will be shown in the large color box.  Depending on your video card and its settings, you may not be able to select all colors and/or dithering may occur.

Once you've found a color you like, click the "OK" button to accept the selection and save it to the INI file, or "Cancel" to abandon your changes.


AutoPlay

Click on the "Step" button to move a single card automaticically from the tableau to the foundations.

Click on the "Auto" button to automaticically move all possible cards from the tableau to the foundations.

If no foundation moves are available, the "Step" and "Auto" buttons will be disabled.


Refresh Screen

This menu item causes the screen to be refreshed if, for whatever reason, it should become garbled.


Sound Effects

Use the "Sound Effects" menu item to enable or disable sound effects in the game. If sound effects are enabled, a checkmark will appear next to the menu item. If no check mark appears, then sounds are disabled.

The default sound files are:

•	"Card" Sound - MT_CARD.WAV

•	"Lock" Sound - MT_LOCK.WAV

•	"Shuffle" Sound - MT_SHUF.WAV

•	"Win" Sound - MT_WIN.WAV

•	"Lose" Sound - MT_LOSE.WAV

If you'd like to use different sounds, name your files as those above, and place them in the Mount Sunflower directory.


Music

Use the "Music" menu item to enable or disable background music.  If music is enabled, a checkmark will appear next to the menu item.  If no check mark appears, then music is disabled.

The default music file is "MT_MUSIC.MID".  If you'd like the game to play a different MIDI file, name it "MT_MUSIC.MID" and place it in the Mount Sunflower directory.


Nag Screen

If you've been playing the game for more than 30 days, or have played more than 50 hands, you'll be reminded every ten games to register to program, and given an opportunity to fill out and print the registertion form.

Once you register, you won't see this nag screen again.


What is Kagi?

Kagi is a an established and well-respected registration service used by  hundreds of shareware authors worldwide.  All payment for this game are processed thru Kagi.  This allows me to easily accept all major credit cards, and to accept orders via the web, e-mail, fax, and phone, as well as the traditional snail-mail approach. Here's a short description of the service, written by Kagi's president:

What Is Kagi?

Kagi is a shareware payment processing service that makes it  easy for people to pay shareware fees and saves shareware authors from  handling payment processing.  Shareware is software that someone writes  and is widely distributed on the Internet and BBSes.  People download  the software and try it.  If they like it they pay a shareware fee for  it's use.  We handle the processing of that shareware fee.  Here's how  we do it.

How does the payment processing work?

We provide shareware authors with a small registration program that they  bundle with their software.  When a person wishes to pay for their  shareware they run the registration program and fill in the form that it  presents.  They enter their name, email, postal address, and the  shareware they wish to pay for.  The form accepts many different payment  methods such as: US Check, Money Order, Cash (in many different  currencies), Visa, Mastercard, American Express, First Virtual, and  Invoice (to be given to their accounts payable department).  They either  email the data generated by the registration program or they print it  and send it via postal mail or fax.  Sensitive information, like credit  card numbers, is encoded for better security.  Each payer receives an  email reply and at the once a month the shareware authors receive a  single payment from Kagi.

What are the advantages to this system?

Payers like this service because it makes it easy to pay their shareware  fees and shareware authors like the service because more people tend to  pay when it is easy to do so.  Non-USA shareware authors and payers like  the service because it eliminates all the currency conversion issues  such as how a payer in Finland would pay an author in Australia.   Another benefit of the service is that shareware authors can concentrate  on what they do best, writing software, rather than spending time  processing payments.

The above is just a short summary of Kagi Shareware.  We offer many  services to meet the needs of our shareware authors and are always open  to suggestions.  For more information go to <http://www.kagi.com/> on  the WEB, or send email to <support@kagi.com>.

Kee Nethery

kee@kagi.com