The Infoclues Utility ===================== This small utility program converts a file of hints written in UHS (Universal Hints System) format to an Inform include file which produces these hints nicely in a hierarchy of menus. Simply call Main_Menu(); from somewhere in your game (e.g. when the player types "help"). The format of UHS as understood by Infoclues is slightly restricted but adequate for most purposes: [subject] Name of subject ...this line introduces a "subject", or item to appear in the main menu, and is followed by the submenu which appears when it is selected... [(not "hint")] Name of item ...this begins an item on the submenu. ...text... Any word other than "hint" in []s causes the text which follows to simply be printed when this item is selected. [hint] Name of hint >> First hint. Each hints can spill over many lines. >> Second hint. ... >> Last hint. Up to 24 subjects can hang off the main menu, and up to 24 off each sub-menu; if need be, menus are automatically converted into a first and second page. Quotation marks " are allowed in text (and Infoclues translates them into Inform-style ~ characters). Example: [subject] Balances [comment] What is Balances? Balances is a small game, from which this is a sample passage of UHS. [comment] Where can I find it? Try the "if-archive" at ftp.gmd.de. [subject] The Grasslands [hint] Is the hut empty? >> No. >> Take a closer look at the furniture. [hint] Does the horse want anything? >> He seems keener on the oats than you. >> Perhaps it would be better to say he lacks something. >> He lacks the means to help you escape. [hint] The box is locked. >> One way to open it would be to find a key. >> That's only one way, though. >> Since when did a mage need a key for a lock so puny? >> Not when a mage has a "rezrov" spell to hand. [hint] What's the burin for? >> Later use. >> Try typing "what is a burin". >> It's for writing names on the featureless white cubes.