
*** Software Visions
*** Information .TXT file
*** Revision 1.02


I. FTP

Software Visions now has files available via FTP! Access the following site:

FTP://users.aol.com/gjanson

to download the latest version upgrades for MegaZeux, and get other releases
from Software Visions. In the future, MegaZeux games from other sources may
be available here as well. Other sites contain files not held here, such as
the Weirdness series and Apocalypse Abyss. The locations of these files are
noted at the above FTP.


II. Mailing Lists

Software Visions currently has two Internet mailing lists availble-

  * MegaZeux Users Mailing List

        For MegaZeux fans, a frequent announcement of new MegaZeux games by
        Software Visions and other parties, as well as contest, product, and
        version announcements. Moderated posts by third-parties allowed.
        (send info to announce to gjanson@aol.com)

  * Software Visions Product Announcements

        A general announcement of new products and versions of products by
        Software Visions, as well as planned products with release dates.
        Will include FTP downloading info to obtain mentioned files.


III. Contacting Us

If you wish to contact us for any reason, we can be reached at any of the
following addresses. Feel free to offer suggestions and comments on our
current or future software products. Bug reports are always welcome.

Internet:        GJanson@earthlink.net
                 GJanson@aol.com
America On-Line: GJanson
Prodigy:         PJTK93B         (not checked often)
Phone:           (818) 249-1030  (only if E-Mail is not possible, please)
                  4:00-8:00 PST  (non-school hours)

U.S. Mail:       Software Visions
                 4875 Sunset Ave.
                 La Crescenta, CA
                       91214-3052


IV. Processing Your Order or Letter

Please note that your order may take some time to process, especially if
supplies are low. Please be patient, especially during holiday season when
mail may be slow. Allow a minimum of two weeks for your order to make it
here and back. Allow a minimum of three weeks during the holiday season.


V. Who We Are

Software Visions is not a huge company. We do not employ hundreds of people.
To be honest, Software Visions consists primarily of only one person. Me.
The same Greg Janson you make your checks out to. Although I am the head 
of the "company", I also have to write this lowly text file you are currently
reading. I do all the music, graphics, programming, and level design on all
the games I make. If you wonder why our releases aren't as often as other
major shareware companies, then now you know why. The only work I don't
usually do is testing and music interface programming.

This situation is (very) slowly improving- I'm happy to announce our first
product by someone OTHER than myself- Coolness! for ZZT was almost entirely
designed and written by Matt Williams, known as Spectrum12 on AOL.

With that out of the way, let's just say that I'd like to improve this
situation. The following "job" positions are always open-

* Programming-       C, C++, ASSEMBLY, Pascal
* Game Creation-     MEGAZEUX, Zzt (high quality)
* Music-             DIGITIZED or Midi
* Graphics-          VGA 256-color or better, or Ansi (for ads)
* Game Design/Story- RPG, Puzzle, Action, MULTI-PLAYER, INNOVATIVE, etc.
* Beta Testers

None of these positions are salaried. For some, such as Beta Testing, you'll
get little more than a "thank you" and a copy of the game. Others will get
a small one-time fee, or in the case of major work, percentage royalties from
game sales. I'd like to offer more, but as a single person working off very
limited funds, I can't. ALL people involved in a game will get credits.

VI. More About Me

Now you can have a little info about myself- Greg Janson, head of Software
Visions. Software Visions was "founded" on February 9, 1993, when Brian
Jacoby began work on an RPG game, eventually named "Quest For the Key".
Soon I joined in, and as we needed a company name, Software Visions was
suggested and accepted. Unfortunatley, as our group working on the game was
large in number and spread across the entire US, we relied on the Prodigy(sm)
communications service to do our work. Prodigy(sm) decided to raise it's
prices, and charge hourly fees. Software Visions as we knew it was no more.

I, being the originator of the company name, and the one who had the most
work under said name, "kept" the "company." Being a ZZT fan at this time,
and having recieved a couple of registrations of my ZZT games under the
company names "Cookie Factory" and "PrismWare", I converted them over to
the (much cooler) name Software Visions. I offered a package deal, made a
catalog and install utility, and sent them out to the world.

By now I was well known (unknownst to myself) and heralded as a great ZZT
game creator. To this date some still herald me as (one of) the greatest ZZT 
programmers ever, for my Code Red and Mission:Enigma titles especially. 
Over time I released more products. (Z-Cel, Z-Pal, Zeux, and Abyss) Then
came MegaZeux.

Coming from a ZZT programmer, MegaZeux (although seriously delayed) made
most ZZT fans giddy with happiness- Here was everything they'd ever wanted
in ZZT! Version 2.00 of MegaZeux, with yet more features, made them wild.

I'm currently working on many new products. (although I will not reveal most
at this time.) Software Visions really does mean Visions- Although they may
not use the latest graphics technology, all games try to push their supported
hardware to the limits. They use unorthodox and original game schemes, and
try to be interesting and intruiging. And we do NOT just "follow the 
industry." Graphics are NOT the top-most priority, and we do not plan on
making our own line of 3D games... we strive for originality and game play
over graphics and proven concepts.

Some product higlights- (no release dates set) 

 * MegaZeux Encyclopedia- (Public Domain) Tons of MegaZeux tricks and 
   utilities. Hopefully it will do for MegaZeux what ZZT Tools did for ZZT!  

 * Weirdness- A 10-chapter saga for MegaZeux. Chapter 1 is already released,
   and more are on the way. Eventual price of 5$ + 2$ S/H.

 * Quest For the Key- The RPG that started SV. I'm working in tons of plot
   twists, side plots, and secrets. Hopefully will be the IBM equivalent of
   Final Fantasy 3(tm) !

 * VGA Game Creation Systems- No names yet, but I'm working on a couple VGA
   game creation systems...

 * Much more cool stuff...

As you can see, it's a lot of work for me. I need help, so please read
section V if you have any computer skills to offer. I especially need help
with the MegaZeux Encyclopedia. I don't want to miss any major tricks!

Anyways, enjoy your Software Visions products and do call again! :)

V. Our Current Releases

A list of all of our current releases is available in our ORDER.FRM and in
our CATALOG.EXE, included with all orders.
