
                   -= VGA Planets Assistant 3.51e =-
                Copyright (c) 1993-96 by Alex V. Ivlev


                         Some tasty features:


         100% backward compatibility with PLANETS.EXE by Tim Wisseman
         convenient user-friendly mouse-driven graphical interface
         numerous unique features that are unseen in other VGAP utilities
         works under MS-DOS or compatible, doesn't require Windows
         works very fast
         works on any 286 or better CPU, doesn't require Pentium
         works on any VGA-compatible video card, doesn't require SuperVGA
         requires only 300K of memory to run and uses the rest for
          even better performance
         maintains shareware/registered limitations of PLANETS.EXE and
          keeps registration information from Planets or WinPlan
         maintains password security
         keeps complete history of the game in a database and
          allows complete situation review of any game turn, regardless of
          how long ago it was - the whole game can be reviewed turn by turn
         keeps game score from all turns and builds a Power Graph
         keeps tracking of Priority Build Points
         ehnanced score display with score differences between any two
          turns of the game
         important incoming messages, VCRs and outgoing messages are stored
          in the database and can be reviewed later
         standalone database browsing (without other game data files)
         alternative starmap, ship list, weapon set and graphics support
         custom map size support
         wrapped map support (thoroidal universe model)
         dynamic (changing turn by turn) map support
         Explore Map support
         configurable display colors
         user-defined color profiles allow assigning different display
          colors to allies, enemies, neutrals and to every single race
         context-dependent on-line help system
         large map window with center, zoom, autoscroll and bookmark features
         compact, systematic and comprehensive information display
         color highlighting helps to warn players about possible problems,
          like overtaxing or fuel shortages
         prevents erroneous setting of impossible missions, like Lay Mines
          for a freighter or Tow for a 1-engine ship (Host config is used)
         can display incomplete planet and ship data
         keeps and displays all information about enemy and unowned planets
          that was ever available in game
         old and fresh planet data is displayed in different colors
         planet names or numbers are shown on the map
         mine fields are drawn on the map
         ion storms are drawn on the map
         wormholes are drawn on the map
         mine hits are drawn on the map
         ship explosions are drawn on the map
         meteor hits are drawn on the map
         planetary distress calls are drawn on the map
         any other important game events are drawn on the map
         various groups of objects can be shown or hidden on the map
         retrieves and displays all relevant information from Host messages
         Distance Mode allows measuring distance between any points on
          the map while just moving the mouse
         "on the fly" fuel consumption and E.T.A. calculation for ships
          with complicated fly route calculation ability
         planetary gravity usage in ship waypoint setting (manual or
          automatic)
         unlimited distance to waypoint
         convenient Move-Or-Type interface in cargo transfers, planetary
          builds, starbase upgrades and other places
         ship-to-ship torpedo and money transfers
         jettisoning of colonists is possible
         instant cargo unload feature
         load-and-build feature
         suppy selling in planet-to-ship cargo transfers
         group friendly code setting
         individual and group friendly code randomization
         unknown enemy ship recognition logic
         advanced ship construction featuring:
          * Host 3.2 specific ship function display
          * ship component characteristic tables
          * itemized bill
          * part-by-part construction mode (the old way)
          * all-in-one construction mode
          * cloning support
         automatic use of supplies to cover money shortages
         COMPLETE UNDO FEATURE: any changes can be undone
         can save changes without leaving the program
         advanced minefield calculator
         allows drawing on the map
         user-defined coloured map markers and labels (15 colours and
          6 shapes plus circles and lines)
         ship-bound markers and labels
         hyperjump circles drawing
         built-in report generator featuring:
          * multi-section report generation
          * customizable report forms
          * easy access to any game data
          * columnar data summing and differencing
         built-in message editor featuring:
          * unlimited number of outbound messages
          * easy-to-use text editor
          * color text highlighting
          * ability to edit or delete messages after they are sent
          * message saving to text file
          * advanced message loading from text file (any fragment of text)
          * message forwarding
          * message cross-posting to any number of players
          * universal messages
          * messages to host
          * team messages
          * quote-and-reply feature
          * VCR playback with PVCR support
          * instant display of mentioned battle outcome
          * instant search of mentioned object or location on the map
          * automatic search of object-related messages
          * inter-player game data interchange via special messages
         built-in combat simulator featuring:
          * 100% compatibility with Host and VCR.EXE
          * fast and nice combat graphics
          * combat sounds on PC speaker
          * ship-to-ship and ship-to-planet combat simulation
          * customizable battle parameters
          * real ships and planets from game can be used in simulation
          * left and right side ships can be swapped
          * Host 3.2 Fed Bonus, Engine-Shield Bonus and Anti-LeftWin support
          * adjustable combat playback speed
          * single step playback mode
          * battle results can be used in the next battle
          * last simulated battle can be re-viewed
          * more than 100 different battles in a row with the same combatants
          * INSTANT BATTLE RESULT
         uses actual Host/PHOST config settings from the current game
         supports unlimited number of ship targets
         Switch Race support - any of the 11 players can play any race
         extended missions support
         complete team play support including reading other players' data
          files, displaying whole team data on the same map, joint e-mail and
          VCR viewing and Team Message sending
         PHOST utility data support
         HULLFUNC.TXT standard support
         other small pleasant things <g>
         ...and this program is still FREE!
