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stoned comes in one self-contained executable.
However, it is client-server software and therefore you'll need to specify a bunch of parameters when you invoke
stoned.
Here is a list of the valid parameters and their meaning:
| Parameter |
Meaning |
Default |
Affects |
| -u name |
Specify the name of the player |
login |
Client |
| -v name |
Specify the name of the second player in single-client mode |
Value of -u |
Client |
| -h host |
Specify the host name of the server you want to connect to.
Only a client will be started that connects to the specified host.
If you do not specify the -h option a server will be started on your local machine.
Also a client will be started that connects to this local server unless you specify the -S option. |
localhost |
Client |
| -d level |
Specify th detail level of display. Can be 0, 1 or>1.
The bigger the number the more detailed (and time consuming) the display is.
Note that you can change the detail level while you are playing. |
255 |
Client |
| -W |
Start client in a sizable window. The initial size is 800x600 which is the
recommended minimum size. Of course you can make the window smaller,
but you might experience that the text output is skewed. |
Fullscreen display |
Client |
| -M |
Inhibit MIDI music. You might want to consider this because you don't have sound hardware
or the timidity package installed. Note that you can switch the music on and off while you are playing. |
Play music |
Client |
| -Q |
Inhibit sound effects. You might want to consider this because you don't have sound hardware |
Play sound effects |
Client |
| -S |
Start only a server. The server will wait for one or two clients to connect,
depending on the mode (single or multi client). |
Start server and client |
Client |
| -p port |
Specify the port number to be used for client-server communication. |
3537 |
Both |
| -o filename |
Specify the log file to be used. The server will additionally write all console output
to this file. |
No log file |
Server |
| -g filename |
Speify the file to open and continue saved game. |
Start a new game |
Server |
| -C |
Start server in multi client mode. The server will wait for two clients to connect.
If you omit the -C option the server will start in single client mode. |
Single client mode |
Server |
Here are some examples:
./stoned
This will start a local server in single client mode using port 3537. Additionally a client is started
that connects to the local server using the current login name for both players. Both music and sound
effects are enabled. A new game is started. No log file is used.
./stoned -u Joe -v Fred -p 4444
This will start a local server in single client mode using port 4444. Additionally a client is started
that connects to the local server with Joe playing against Fred. Both music and sound
effects are enabled. A new game is started. No log file is used.
./stoned -C -S
This will start a local server in multi client mode. No client is started.
./stoned -h srvr -M -Q
This will start only a client connecting to server srvr. Both music and sound
effects are disabled.
When the client comes up you will see the intro screen:
You will recognize some status text indicating what's going on while the client connects to the server.
You should hear some cool MIDI music right now! When the status text tell you so, you can press any key to
start the game. Then you should see the following screen:
Let's talk about the various parts of the display. In the top-left corner you see the results of the current game:
As you can see the two player names are identical! Which probably means stoned
was invoked without any arguments and 'udo' was the login name ... Further you can see that we are currently playing end 1
(no numbers in slot 1) and red has the last stone (the grey background in the first slot). The result of an end is updated as soon
as the end is complete. Then also the total scores are calculated.
In the bottom-left corner you see the last four messages from the server:
You should read the messages to find out what to do next. Well, there is nothing mor to say to that!
On the right-hand side you'll find the info window. This is maybe the most important window for you.
It shows the player name assiciated with this client at the top when in multi-client mode or else 'Single client' .
Below this, there is a 2D view of the area between the second hog line and the back line including all the stones.
And in the lower part you'll find the current stone number and some 'context sensitive' help of what you can do next.
But the most valuable thing is, you can use the info window as an aiming aid. Have your 'skip' place the broom by
clicking with the middle button of the mouse in the area between hog line and back line.
Your player will nearly automatically hit the green spot, asuming no 'curling' and 'sweeping'. Use the green dotted
line to decide whether your stone can pass a guard for instance. But we will discuss that when we talk about releasing the stones.
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