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COUPON.TXT                  Doc. Rev. 2.01                   Feb. 7th, 1997
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            A DOS Program for Creating ASCII Affection Coupons
                       The third Hugware program from

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           .__)(_)|  | (_)(_|(_.[ )  .__)(_)|  |  \/\/ (_][  (/,


Opening Blurb
-------------
	Thank-you for downloading Cuddle Coupons, the third software
release from Softouch Software.  Unlike Softouch's first two offerings,
Cuddle Coupons is not a VGA screen show program, but an ASCII-based
program for generating ASCII notes of affection.  These notes can then
be printed off or sent via e-mail.
	Cuddle Coupons interfaces with the ASCII font program Figlet to
provide the text graphics.  Figlet (which is copyrighted by it's
respective authors) is included in the zip file, along with several of
its smaller fonts.

Release 2.01
------------
	You will note we are no longer at rev. 1.0 of the program.  What
are the improvements in this release?  Namely, the ability to make the 
coupon a Valentine, the ability to use one of nine ASCII pictures in the
card, and the addition of two more border types.  Due to lack of time,
and wanting to get this release out in time for Valentine's day, I was
not able to incorporate/get working everything I had planned to.  As time
permits, I will be adding a lot more border types to choose from, and
the ability to specify borders and ASCII pictures in external files not
included with the program.

Unarchiving the Program
-----------------------
	The zip file for this program contains a directory structure,
with Figlet and the ASCII pictures being placed in a subdirectories of
the program directory.  You must use the -d option of PKUNZIP for the 
directory to be created.  If you do not use this option, and Figlet and
the pictures unzip in the same directory as the rest of the program, you
must make a directory called FIGLET and move FIGLET.EXE and all the files
with a .FLF extension into it.  Then create a directory called ASCII and
move all the files with no extension there.  If this is not done, the main
program will be unable to generate the graphic fonts or use pictures.

Running the Program
-------------------
	To begin the program, type GO.  The program must be run from
the batch file in order to work properly.  The opening screen will be 
displayed, and then the program will start.  The user is asked whether
the coupon is a regular coupon, or a Valentine.  Next, the options for
which Figlet font to use are listed (examples of each are provided) and
what type of affection the coupon is for.  If the user chooses to use an
ASCII picture, the nine presently available are listed and the user is
prompted to choose one (see the file ASCII.TXT to see what each picture
looks like).  Next, you specify who the coupon is from, and choose the
type of border to use.  The coupon is then automatically generated and
saved in the file COUPON.LUV, which can be viewed with any text
editor, or by typing VIEW at the prompt.

Hugware?
--------
	Cuddle Coupons is Hugware.  This means that to register 
your copy of the program, you must simply find someone and give them 
a hug.   Users are encouraged to register their copies as many times 
as they like.   :)

Archive Files
-------------
	The following files should be included in the ZIP file:
 Main Directory:
   ASCII.TXT     -  text file showing the ASCII pictures presently available
   COUPON.TXT    -  this text file
   README.BAT    -  batch file to view this document
   GO.BAT        -  batch file to run the program 
   COUPON.EXE    -  Cuddle Coupons main program (Version 2.0)
   VIEW.BAT      -  batch file to view the last coupon made
 Figlet Subdirectory:
   FIGLET.EXE    -  Figlet program for ASCII fonts
   *.FLF         -  Figlet fonts (ten included)
 ASCII Subdirectory:
   nine files, each containing an ASCII picture

System Requirements
-------------------
	To tell the truth, I'm not entirely sure.  (Can you tell I'm
new at this?)  The program is text based, so it should run on any
monitor that supports 80x25 text mode.  Colour is preferred but not
necessary.  Several temporary files are created during the course of
generating the final coupon, but these are small and are deleted at the
end.  As long as there is about 30k or 40k of free disk space, there
should not be a problem.

Future Enhancements
-------------------
	As time permits (which it rarely does) I hope to add several
more features to this program.  These would likely include:
 - more border options (including user specified)
 - ability to use your own ASCII pictures
 - more Figlet fonts
 
Who is Softouch Software?
-------------------------
	At the moment, the CEO of Softouch Software is Sir Isle the 
Armourless, a KiTA of CuddleLand from 1994 (who still hopes to find the
time someday to return to the place that gave him birth).  Sir Isle
is also the head programmer (only programmer, actually), document
writer, and idea co-ordinator.  In other words, he is, or should I say,
I am the staff (though my close friend the Hug Junkie does lend important
hugs and moral support).  As time permits (and ideas come), I will be
adding new software titles to Softouch's line of hugware.  I have ideas
for several at the moment (like an ASCII banner program), but to find
out what they are, you'll have to keep an eye on the Softouch Software
homepage.

Contacting Softouch Software
----------------------------
	The official Softouch Software homepage resides at

              http://www.grfn.org/~sir_isle/softouch.shtml

Here you will be able to find the latest programs and revisions of
Softouch's products.  If you wish to make suggestions for possible
improvements, new programs, or just say hello and let me know what you
thought, you can write to me at

                        Sir_Isle@grfn.org

	That's all for now.  Keep an eye out for upcoming software
releases, and have a great day.
	*hugs*
		Sir Isle
		CEO, Softouch Software

Revision History
----------------
17/01/97 - Initial release of Cuddle Coupons (rev. 1.0)
03/02/97 - new version released in time for Valentine's Day (rev. 2.0)
07/02/97 - new version released with Valentine's Day border (rev. 2.01)
