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KS FiringSquad Editor v0.27 Software Suite, Open-BETA Readme
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Version 0.27, Open Beta. March 21st, 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1) OVERVIEW OF THE KS FSE v0.27 OPEN BETA SOFTWARE SUITE

2) VERSION HISTORY

3) INSTALLATION & SET UP:
3.1 Beginning the install
3.2 Uninstallation
3.3 System Requirements
3.4 Supported Mindsets
3.5 Recommended Mindsets

4) TROUBLESHOOTING

5) IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

6) END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT / SHAREWARE NOTICE

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1.0 KS FSE v0.27 PROJECT OVERVIEW
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Thank you for participating in the first open beta of the KS FiringSquad Editor software package!

We here on the development team wholeheartedly consider the KS FSE v0.27 to be the most powerful editorial-content generator program on the market today. There is no other program that we here on the development team know of, that can offer you the wide range of options and proficiencies that the KS FSE v0.27 possesses.

Article after article, the KS FSE v0.27 program has proved superiority in fashioning the most relevant, randomized, and stimulating game-industry related content! We believe that the KS FSE v0.27 is entirely unique in the world of content-generation programming, and hopefully, after seeing some of its initial production, you will agree with us. Thank you for being the part of the first wide release of this software!

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2.0 DEVELOPMENT / RELEASE HISTORY
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Here are some of the pertinent highlights of the 27 year development cycle of the latest release of the KS FSE:

KS FSE 0.01
-Released on April 29th, 1979.
-Development team at this point consisted of two veteran software architects: Kathleen Spiess and Jerry Spiess.

KS FSE 0.02
-Initial sound-interface developed.
-This version was very unstable.

KS FSE 0.03
-Stability problems fixed.

KS FSE 0.08
-Increased interactivity.

KS FSE 0.09d
-More bugs ironed out.
-Developmental milestone: KS FSE successfully interfaces with a HeathKit computer.

KS FSE 0.10

-Development of rudimentary hand/eye coordination skills begins
-KS FSE successfully interfaces with a Commodore 64
-Work on Primary Gaming Information Database (PDGI) begins

KS FSE 0.12

-Development of KS FSE 0.12 continues in small increments
-Secondary Gaming Subjective Experience Database (SGSE) begins
-Commodore 64 platform exhausted – project continues on a PC XT, 8mhz
-Development cycle ‘Secondary School’ implemented

KS FSE 0.14f

-Initial introduction to advanced communication technology is achieved through interfacing of KS FSE 0.14f with a 2400 baud PC modem
-Caffeine consumption increased 24.8%
-Massive additions to both PDGI and SGSE databases
-Comprehension algorithms upgraded

KS FSE 0.15

-Initial appearance of game-addiction bug
-Console Gaming code appended to databases
-Initial interfacing with the Internet

KS FSE 0.16

-Developmental landmark: First reasonable output of KS FSE: This came in the form of detrimental and somewhat demeaning comments concerning how “stooopidedly lame” Commander Keen – a popular game program of the time -- was, and these comments were placed by the KS FSE v0.16 program on various computer bulletin board systems (BBS) in the 604 (Vancouver) area.

KS FSE 0.18

-KS FSE is interfaced with Simon Fraser University’s Computer Science department
-Continued implementation of programming knowledge
-Game development algorithms enhanced

KS FSE 0.22

-KS FSE is interfaced with Simon Fraser University’s Department of English
-Communication algorithms updated

KS FSE 0.22-25

???? (records of this period have been destroyed in ah…uhh…a hard drive crash)

KS FSE 0.26

-‘Technical Communication’ content appended as an ancillary reference database

KS FSE 0.27 Open Beta Released!


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3.0 INSTALATION AND SETUP
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3.1 To begin the installation of the KS FSE v0.27 Open Beta
a) Go to www.firingsquad.com
b) Go to Round 3 – Editor’s Challenge² Round
c) Find mblog entries from “kevinSpiess”
d) Read entries
e) Contemplate entries

3.2 Uninstallation
a) Turn off computer.
b) Sit somewhere.
c) Maybe watch TV.
d) Attempt to stop thinking about KS FSE v0.27 content

3.3 Minimum System Requirements

You must have the following in order to run the KS FSE v0.27 program:
-A personal computer with internet access
-Electricity
-A sense of humor
-Memory capacity of 3 seconds or more
-A beverage

3.4 Supported Mindsets

-Recreational gamer, versions 1932 through 2000
-Hardcore gamer, OS Series
-Hardcore gamer, GenX Series
-Hardcore gamer, GenY Series
-Hardcore gamer, Gen? Series
-Technology enthusiast, Non-nerd
-Technology enthusiast, Somewhat-nerd
-Technology enthusiast, Unreasonable-nerd
-Technology enthusiast, Mega-nerd
-OpenMind, Version 1+

Note, as March 2007, the following mindsets are no longer supported by the KS FSE V0.27, Open Beta:

-Illiterates
-Mac users
-Sea Gypsies
-Transtemporal space-nazis

3.5 Recommended Mindsets

You can get the most performance out of the KS FSE V0.27 with the following mindsets:
-NexGen, Hardcore Gamer 8800 GTX
[more to be listed]


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4.0 TROUBLESHOOTING
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***NOTE***: KS FSE 0.27 Beta REQUIRES at least 64 ML of coffee (preferably with cream) for reasonable performance! Do NOT attempt to operate KS FSE 0.27 if this requirement is not met! SERIOUS system damage may result!

Problem: KS FSE 0.27 Beta does not write on topics I like.
Possible solutions:
A)Adapt your likes to whatever KS FSE 0.27 Beta produces.
B)Problem may be addressed in future versions.
C)Send pertinent feedback to the development team.

Problem: KS FSE 0.27 Beta produces nice graphs, but with flawed benchmarks.
Possible solution: Download “sorryaboutthat-wonthappenagain0.3c.rar” hotfix.

Problem: KS FSE 0.27 Beta does not seem to space out an article properly.
Possible solution:
1a) ‘Copy’ article from screen.
1b) ‘Paste’ article to Notepad, or Microsoft Word
1c) Manually input carriage returns
1d) Reread article
2) Fuggaha'bout it
3) Check for a relevant hotfix.

Problem: KS FSE 0.27 Beta output appears garbled.
Possible solution:
a)Check to see that your monitor is not upside down.
b)Double check to see that your system has at least the required “rudimentary game knowledge” and “interest in this stuff” databases
c)Your system may be infected with a serious virus, such as SARS

Problem: KS FSE 0.27 Beta does not respond to my comments.
Possible solution:
a)Request content assessment from a system administrator
b)Write more comments, demanding satisfaction.
c)KS FSE 0.27 Beta may be bogged down with fighting elves on WOW or something – try again later.


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5.0 IMPROVING PERFORMANCE
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KS FSE V0.27’s performance may vary, from system to system. However, the following actions may lead to an increase in performance:
1) Bribe of exceptional computer hardware (Intel Core Duo 2, etc)
2) Helpful criticism or pointers
3) Links, and/or advertising
4) Compliments


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6.0 END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT /SHAREWARE NOTICE
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By opening and initializing this software package you have legally complied with the following declaration: AS OF MARCH 21, 2007, THE KS CORPORATION CAN NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISUSE OF THE KS FSE V0.27 PROGRAM, NOR FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT THIS PROGRAM MAY CAUSE TO YOUR PRECONCEIVED CONCEPTIONS OF GAME JOURNALISM. YOU USE THIS SOFTWARE AT YOUR OWN RISK! THIS SOFTWARE IS RELEASED ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO GUARANTEES, SUGGESTED OR IMPLIED, ON THE PRODUCTION OR MANUFACTURE OF STANDARD CONTENT.

Important note from the development team:

KS FSE 0.27 Open Beta is shareware. The development team relies on your continued support -- if you found this software useful, please vote for it! The continued development of the KS FSE 0.27 Open Beta software suite has relied on the generosity of previous project supporters – please continue this support, and help the project.

Watch for new releases.