Little Computer People Quick-Start Guide LCP uses several commands which require you to press the Control key and a letter key. (Probably "Caps Lock" should be ON.): CTRL-F deliver Food CTRL-W fill Water tank CTRL-A ring alarm clock CTRL-D leave Dog's food CTRL-C phone call CTRL-P pet/hug You can, also, communicate via simple sentences, like Please light a fire and, you can play games with your computer person-- I guess you type in something like Please play a game Rubywand ________________________________________________________ Little Computer People Complete Guide from: Apple II TextFiles http://www.textfiles.com/apple/ ***************************************** * * * A COMPLETE OWNER'S GUIDE TO CARE OF * * * * AND COMMUNICATION WITH * * * * LITTLE COMPUTER PEOPLE * * * ***************************************** MAKING CONTACT Every time you follow the procedure outlined in this section of the guide you will begin a new research session with your Little Computer Person (hereafter referred to as your LCP). In your first session, you will be required to enter your name (as well as the date) for your research files. In all subsequent session, you will only be asked to enter the date. When entering the date, use the format MM/DD/YY. Thus, for example if you start a session on March 1, 1986, type: 03 01 86 and then press RETURN. The session number will appear below your name and will increase by "1" each time you start a new session with your LCP. To change the researcher's name, type: "logon, please" and then press RETURN. Select the program called "NAME CHANGER" by pressing "1" on the keyboard. Then follow the instructions at the top of the screen. MOVING IN If this is your first research session, your house will be empty when it appears on the screen. Most LCP's are quite shy and will not readily rush into a new situation. Therefore, it may take several minutes before they actually muster the courage to step inside the new home you're providing for them. On the other hand, LCP's are quite loyal. Once they have moved in, you can expect them to be in their home on subsequent sessions. They rarely move out. When an LCP enters the house for the first time, he will usually inspect the new home for anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. They he usually leaves to retrieve his belongings. He will probably return shortly with his suitcase. Most LCP's also bring their dog. DURING THE MOVE-IN SEQUENCE, KEYBOARD COMMANDS ARE NON-FUNCTIONING. HOW TO MAKE SURE THE LCP IS HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND TOTALLY AT HOME Although LCP's are basically quite independent, once they move into thmir new home they are, in a sense, living in your world. So they will need help in certain areas. To insure that your LCP is healthy, see that he always has food and water (The dog also needs food). Both hunger and dehydration can make LCP's sick (thy generally turn green and just lie in bed when they are sick). Also, because they tend to be quite active, they should not be allowed to sleep too much. They would much rather have your attention. The following is a list of keyboard commands to help you to take optimum care of your LCP: CARING FOR PHYSICAL NEEDS [CTRL] F - food is delivered to his front door [CTRL] W - fills the water tank (in the kitchen on the first floor). Each time you press W, approximately one glass of water is added to the tank. [CTRL] A - rings the alarm clock [CTRL] D - leaves dog food at the nront door. Your LCP will do the rest. CARING FOR EMOTIONAL NEED Addressing the physical needs of your LCP is relatively easy. Simply look to see if his supply of food and water is running low. Addressing his emotional needs, takes more sensitivity and careful study. First of all, you must be aware of his different moods. Their are four distinct moods for LCP's as identified by the expression on his face. Happy He's probably getting plenty of attention Content He's fine but could be better (see MOOD BOOSTERS) Sad He needs MOOD BOOSTING immediately Sick This happends when he has gone without food or water for a while MOOD BOOSTERS There are several ways to elevate the mood of your LCP. Some are more effective than others. [CTRL] C - a phone call Many LCP's enjoy receiving phone calls - unless they're constantly interrupted to the point of irritation. Who knows what they say or who they talk to. [CTRL] P - physical contact ("petting") - In order to pet your LCP, he must be sitting in his easy chair in the living room. To call him to to the chair, press [CTRL] P and he will know you want to pet him. [CTRL] R - leaves a record for his stereo at the front door PLAYING GAMES This is one of LCP's favorite pastimes, so naturally it makes them feel great. Usually, an LCP will allow you to make the game selection. He will knock on the glass of your TV or monitor to get your attention and ask you to select a game from the list at the top of the screen. Type in the number of the game you want to play. 1. CARD WAR This is the standard game of WAR where each player is dealt 26 cards. You both draw the top card from your pile. The LCP will show you his card first. To show your card press "A" as indicated by the command menu in the upper right corner of the screen. Whoever has the higher card wins the hand and both cards are added to the inner's stack. When a WAR occurs (both of you have cards of equal value showing), the LCP will deal 4 more cards to each of you face down. He will turn over his last card; press "A" to show your last card. Whoever has the higher card wins the hand and all of the cards on the table are added to his stack. After the last card dealt reveals another WAR, then 4 more cards are dealt to each hand and play continues as above until he WAR is broken. If at any time you wish to quit before either of you has won all 52 cards, just press "D". 2. ANAGRAMS The LCP wil be the one to think of the word and you will be the one to unscramble it. A scrambled version of the word he's thinking of appears in big type on the screen. You type in what you think is the correct word and he will tell you whether your guess is right or wrong. He'll let you guess 8 or 9 times before he tells you the word. If you need a hint, press "1" which will cause a letter to assume its correct place in the scrambled word. An LCP will not give you two hints in a row. 3. 5-CARD DRAW POKER Standard poker rules apply. You each start out with 200 poker chips as displayed at the top left of the screen. Your number of chips is below his. Bets are limited to 20 chips apiece. Press "A" to ANTE UP one poker chip. The LCP will deal you 5 cards (yours are face up) and ask if you want to bet any chips. Here are your choices: A - Bet one poker chip B - enters you bet C - lets you PASS if you don't want bet or CLEARS your bet if you decide to bet a different amount After you make a bet or pass, the LCP will either match your bet or pass. When the LCP asks if you want cards, press any combination of numbers from 1 to 5 (corresponding to the cards from left to right) on the keyboard to discard the cards that you don't want. Now press "A" to DRAW replacements or if you didn't want any, press "B" to stay. Your LCP then follows your steps himself. You now have the following above options (A,B, or C) to make another bet. At this point the LCP can raise his bet and gves you two choices: A - lets you match his bet. B - lets you fold, losing your bet. Choosing option A gives you three more choices: A - raise the bet even higher B - enters your raise C - stops betting for the hand and lays the carls down on the table to determine who has won. After each hand you have the option of quitting by pressing "D". RECREATION AND RELAXATION Most LCP's are very good at entertaining themselves. They are good pianists and can play compositions from classical to jazz. They also like collecting records. So give them records often to please them. LCP's also exercise frequently, enjoy playing with their computers, or sitting down in their easy chairs with the newspaper. You may even be able to talk them into building a fire in the fireplace (see KEYBOARD COMMUNICATION) KEYBOARD COMMUNICATION You communication with LCP's by typing sentences in the form of questions, suggestions, or requests. This will evoke a wide range of responses and reactions from the LCP. Here are a couple of suggested requests: Please type a letter to me Please light a fire LCP's are especially responsive to good manners. So remember to incorporate the words "please" and "thank you" into your requests. -END-