Portal© for Windows

Your window to a larger worldÔ

 

Introduction

 

Welcome to the world of text-based internet gaming.  It is a wonderful place where your imagination can soar with unparalleled freedom.  It is arguably, the most exciting and all-encompassing online interaction that has ever existed, and new advancements are made every day with it.  This telnet client is designed to give you the most advanced access to that world, and all the wonders and mysteries within.

 

This, and all related help files are designed for use with Portal© for Windows.  It includes all relative information for proper usage of the client to connect to different, online text-based games.  Online help for the rules and regulations regarding the actual games, themselves, can be accessed by typing “help” once you are connected to the server.  Game functions and other commands are accessible by typing “help” as well.  Other help information sources on the game will be clearly defined once they are made available to you (for example, guild help files and such).

 

There are many text-based types of connections out there.  MUDs, MUSHs, MOOs, etc.  Each different type appeals to a different type of person, and each has their unique pros and cons.  While Portal© can be used to connect to any and all types, we simply refer to the bulk of them as MUDs.  Thusly, you will see the word MUD used throughout the program and the help files, even though you could easily substitute it with MUSH, or MOO, etc.  One point to remember though, some advanced features are available only on Portal© enhanced MUDs.  These features will be indicated by an asterisk (*) when they are mentioned and discussed further as needed.

 

The client also allows connection to most any telnet port.  You can use it to connect to your server machines as well as your favorite MUD.

 

Also, if you run into issues, don't forget to check out the FAQ or Troubleshooting help files.

 

So adventurers, unsheathe your swords or strap on your laser blasters, for your journey has just begun…

 

 

Main Screen

This screen is the heart of the program.  Here is where you receive most messages and enter commands.  Access to the other screens is done through this screen.  The position and size of the main screen is saved with your character.  The main screen is described in more detail below.

 

Floater Screens

Floater screens are special windows that can remain onscreen, visible and active while the main screen is also active.  All floater screens are listed below, with a brief description for each.

 

Autotyper   The program’s integrated editor

Canvas   Displays the Portal© Canvas

Imagery   Displays custom and 3rd party images

System Messages   Allows you to view any retained system messages

Cartographer   Displays the mapping viewer/editor

Chat Monitor   The program’s integrated chat client

Tell Monitor   The program’s integrated conversation client

Room Monitor   The program’s integrated room display

 

Floater Screen Common Properties

·   All screen desktop positions and dimensions are saved with each character

·   All options within each floater screen are saved with each character

·   All can be chosen to remain on top of other windows or not

·   All can be “anchored” to the main screen and move around when it does

·   All can be retrieved to the screen home position (upper left corner) if lost off-screen

 

You can cycle through the active, usable floater screens by holding down the Ctrl key and pressing the Tab key.  The cycling follows the order in the floater screen list above.  If a screen is not active and showing (i.e. closed), it will not be included in the cycling.  To cycle through the screens in reverse order, hold down the Shift key in addition to the Ctrl key.

 

Also, when on any screen, you can bring up any other screen using the Floater Screen Hotkeys.  If any screen is closed at the time, using that screen’s Hotkey will open it.

 

Floater Screen Hotkeys

Esc          Sets focus on the Main Screen from any Floater Screen

Ctrl+Enter          Shows the Autotyper

Shift+Ctrl+N          Shows the Canvas

Shift+Ctrl+I          Shows the Imagery

Shift+Ctrl+M          Shows the System Messages Screen

Shift+Ctrl+G          Shows the Cartographer

Shift+Ctrl+C          Shows the Chat Monitor

Shift+Ctrl+T          Shows the Tell Monitor

 

Modal Screens

These are screens that affect the basic control and operation of the game settings.  When one of these screens is active, the rest of the program cannot be accessed.  Once you have finished work in one of these screens and closed it, the game is again at your fingertips.  Examples of these screens would be the aliases and macros screens.

 

The game still runs while a modal screen is active, as do all applicable events.

 

Screen Help

In most screens, you will see a small button with a yellow question mark.  This indicates that there is a help topic specific to that screen.  To access this help file, either click the button with the mouse pointer or press the F1 key.  Help accessed from the main screen brings up this file.

 

With some browsers, If help is already loaded, the help file might not be automatically redirected.  In this case, simply manually navigate using the links in the contents area on the left.