At the start of each game, the computer picks a word.  The object
of the game is to discover the computer's word by guessing words,
yourself.  The words that you guess, called the "guess words,"
and the computer's word must be in the computer's dictionary. 
Primarily in English, that dictionary has a few foreign words,
such as "nota" if they are in common use. (Unfamiliar words may
encourage you to check your own dictionary.)  

IN THIS ABBREVIATED GAME EACH WORD MUST CONTAIN THE LETTER 'A.'
SEE THE FILE 'ORDER.TXT' FOR THE FULL GAME. The dictionary holds
the 981 four-letter words that have no double letters and include
'a'.  When you enter a guess, the computer tells you how many
letters in your guess word -- in addition to 'a' -- are also in
the computer's word.  The count does not depend on the location
of the letters:  your fourth letter may be the computer's first. 
This count is the number of 'hits.'  Finding a word with three
hits (plus 'a') does not necessarily determine the word since the
same four letters may form more than one word, 'pats' and 'spat'
for example.  The computer will let you know when your guess is
right.  

Compete with yourself or with others by noting the number of
tries that you require to find the computer's word (reported
after your guess word matches the computer's word).

Two panels of results provide you with helpful information. The
center panel records your guess words with the number of hits for
each.  The right panel records the letters you have tried, in
order by letter; if the letter occurred in a word with no hits,
the computer shows that letter as "EXCLUDED."  You may be able to
exclude other letters through logic even though they are listed
just as "TRIED."

USE

The ZIP file includes three files: 4LETTERA.EXE, this
README_A.TXT, and ORDER.TXT. Operation is best if you unzip into
a folder on your hard drive.  ORDER.TXT gives ordering
information.  Double-click on 4LETTERA.EXE to start the game. 
Alternatively, create a short-cut from 4LETTERA.EXE and drag it
onto your desktop, to allow execution there.  The first use of
4LETTERA will create another file, USERECA.TXT, in the same
folder.  It will provide a record of use which you can read as a
text file, and its presence means that you skip the legalese
before each session.

Once you have started the game, you can click on 'HELP and RULES'
for more information.

Your first use of 4LETTERA will indicate that you accept the
following agreement.  

SOFTWARE LICENSE

This license is for personal use only. It grants the user  the
right to use the 4-letter-A word game (4LETTERA) on one or more
computers.  Distribution is allowed if all files are  included.   
No one may modify or patch the 4LETTERA files in any way.  No 
one may reverse-engineer or attempt to reverse-engineer the 
program.      

ABSENSE OF WARRANTY
      
PROVIDER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT.  SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, THE 
USER ASSUMES THE RISK OF PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY
SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.  IN NO EVENT WILL PROVIDER BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAGES FOR
LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS
INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR THE INABILITY
TO USE THIS PRODUCT.  

  Use of this product for any period of time constitutes your
acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents.

Copyright 2002 by D. C. Montgomery
All rights reserved.