RHS NIBBLES VERSION HISTORY
---------------------------

For more information about RHS Nibbles, see the disk text
file "Nibbles-RHS-ReadMe.txt" in the Nibbles game folder.


The original code in RHS Nibbles is copyrighted by:

   Computer Department
   Redwood High School
   395 Doherty Drive
   Larkspur, CA  94939

   www.RHSnibbles.com
   Nibbles@RHSnibbles.com

All rights reserved.

All other code segments and graphics are
copyrighted by their respective authors.



VERSION 5.5 (2-27-2006)
-----------------------
Modified some of the custom Nibbles icons and created several new icons
Added a menu bar option that allows players to check for newer versions of
   the program
Added code to the Nibbles program installer to associate finished game
   files (as well as custom level files, which cannot yet be created) with
   the Nibbles program and icons which, in most cases, allows players to
   start Nibbles by double-clicking on those files
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.5 BETA 3 (1-30-2006) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed the online location from which newer versions of Nibbles are
   detected and downloaded by the main Nibbles program and its separate
   utility applications (non-Redwood installations only)
Replaced all of the instances of "Nibbles@redwood.org" with
   "Nibbles@RHSnibbles.com"
Updated the "Tips of the Day" to reflect recent changes (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.5 BETA 2 (1-16-2006) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a menu bar option that allows players to request, through the Nibbles
   Web site, a code to enable the level preview mode for a limited period
   of time (non-Redwood installations only)
Enabled the use of a command line argument which, under most conditions,
   allows finished game files (and custom level files, which are not yet
   available) to be dragged and dropped onto the Nibbles program executable



VERSION 5.5 BETA 1 (1-9-2006) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a feature that allows a player to enable the level preview mode by
   entering a special code through the menu bar (non-Redwood installations
   only)
Fixed a problem that, under very specific conditions on level 6, could
   cause a door to close on the snake
Fixed a problem that, under very specific conditions on level 8, could
   cause the blocks to become "stuck" in their starting positions
Cleaned up and optimized the code for speed and efficiency



VERSION 5.4 (11-7-2005)
-----------------------
Updated the "Tips of the Day" to reflect recent changes (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.4 BETA 4 (10-31-2005) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added music to level 20
Added code to expand the methods by which the level preview mode can be
   enabled (Redwood installations only)
Added code that allows the "Player Settings" form to be automatically
   displayed on specific, predetermined dates (Redwood installations only)



VERSION 5.4 BETA 3 (10-24-2005) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 20) to the game (without music)
Added code for a level preview mode to allow players, under certain
   conditions, to "try out" all 20 game levels
Changed the availability of some of the menu bar options during replayed
   games



VERSION 5.4 BETA 2 (10-17-2005) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added music to level 19
Modified slightly some of the game level descriptions on the "Level
   Information" form
Changed slightly a few of the game level descriptions on the "Level
   Description" form



VERSION 5.4 BETA 1 (10-10-2005) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 19) to the game (without music)



VERSION 5.3 (5-30-2005)
-----------------------
Added music to levels 17 and 18
Fixed a problem that, under very specific conditions, could cause Nibbles
   to crash if a new game was started just as the snake was crashing during
   a one-player game
Modified the code to handle screen resolution changes for flat panel
   monitors that have been turned sideways
Changed the code so that the mouse pointer is moved to near the upper-right
   corner of the playing field only if the mouse pointer is actually on (or
   very near) the playing field when a snake starts moving
Fixed a problem that, under very specific conditions, could cause a game to
   be saved after the snake had crashed (Redwood installations only)
Added code to allow the mouse pointer to be visible over the playing field
   when the main game form loses focus
Updated the "Tips of the Day" to reflect recent changes (non-Redwood
   installations only)



VERSION 5.3 BETA 2 (5-9-2005) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 18) to the game (without music)



VERSION 5.3 BETA 1 (5-2-2005) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 17) to the game (without music)



VERSION 5.2 (11-29-2004)
------------------------
Added code to automatically make small adjustments to the speed of very
   long snakes during games that are being replayed using the highest speed
   on the replay slider (to improve game performance)
Added code that allows easier keyboard control of the replay slider
Modified slightly the format of the finished game disk files
Decreased the time that it takes to export and import finished game disk
   files
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.2 BETA 6 (11-15-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modified slightly the format of the finished game disk files
Changed the default name for exported and imported finished game disk files
Added "disk access" messages that are visible when larger finished game
   files (that take longer to save and load) are being exported or imported
Adjusted the positions of some of the buttons on the "Player Settings" and
   "About Nibbles" forms
Moved the game rules RichTextBox onto its own form



VERSION 5.2 BETA 5 (11-8-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Made slight changes to the appearance and positions of some of the controls
   on the replay panel
Decreased the number of ticks on the replay slider for levels 8 and 9
   (since those levels cannot handle the really fast snake speeds)
Adjusted the manner in which Nibbles transitions between the eight-tick and
   ten-tick replay sliders



VERSION 5.2 BETA 4 (11-1-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Modified the format of the finished game disk files
Decreased the number of ticks on the replay slider for Windows 95, 98, and
   Me installations of the game (since those systems cannot handle the
   really fast snake speeds)
Implemented the replay game feature for levels 5, 8, and 9
Added menu bar options that, like the buttons on the replay panel, allow
   players to export and import finished games to and from hard disk drives
   and removable media
Added to the replay panel the name of the person who played the finished
   game being replayed (since it is possible to import another player's
   saved finished game), along with the date and time that the game was
   played (finished)



VERSION 5.2 BETA 3 (10-25-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added buttons to the replay panel that allow players to export and import
   finished games to and from hard disk drives and removable media so that
   they can be replayed at later times
Changed the manner in which players access the buttons that appear on the
   main game form after levels and games are completed so that players do
   not accidentally choose unwanted options
Added more options to, and rearranged the controls on, the replay panel
Changed the wording on the "Replay Game" button to "Replay Mode"
Made adjustments to the manner in which files and directories are handled
   when exporting and importing Nibbles data files
Added version information to the title bar of the main game form



VERSION 5.2 BETA 2 (10-18-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a "replay game" feature and a corresponding replay panel to the
   program that allows players to have games automatically played back
   after they have ended (for all levels except level 5, 8, and 9)
Modified some of the font colors on the search panel (Redwood installations
   only)
Made small adjustments to the routines that export and import the Nibbles
   high score list (non-Redwood installations only)



VERSION 5.2 BETA 1 (10-4-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed the location of the sound effects and level music disk files to
   help prevent occasional lag problems (Redwood installations only)
Changed the default sound and music settings to "Off"
Added a message box warning to the menu bar on the main game form and to
   the "Startup Game Settings" tab on the "Player Settings" form explaining
   that having the music and/or sound effects turned on can result in an
   occasional snake hesitation or lag



VERSION 5.1 (9-27-2004)
-----------------------
Fixed a problem that was preventing players from saving scores and game
   levels after completing level 1 (non-Redwood installations only)
Fixed a problem that was occasionally preventing Nibbles from properly
   detecting and downloading newer versions of the program (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Changed slightly the manner in which Nibbles detects newer versions of the
   program online (non-Redwood installations only)
Modified the game level startup procedures that take place whenever a
   player name is changed (non-Redwood installations only)
Added a "Save Game" menu bar option that allows a player to save a game and
   quit the program in a single step (Redwood installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.1 BETA (9-20-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Added congratulatory message boxes for players who earn or improve their
   high scores, but who are NOT on the high score list (Redwood
   installations only)
Modified slightly the order of some of the sub-sorts on the high score list
   (Redwood installations only)
Created an online scoreboard (for Redwood high scores only) and added an
   option to the menu bar that links to the new online high score list
Changed the positions of some of the menu bar options
Adjusted very slightly the positions of several of the scoreboard controls
   and the "snake" graphics on the scoreboard
Replaced the "Exit" button on the scoreboard with an "Online Scores" button
   that links to the new online high score list
Adjusted the captions, sizes, and positions of some of the buttons on the
   main game form
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.0 (8-16-2004)
-----------------------
Made adjustments to the size of the "About Nibbles" form and the positions
   of many of the controls on the form
Adjusted very slightly the size of the splash screen and its frame and the
   positions of some of the controls on the form
Made very slight adjustments to the size of the "Level Description" form
   and the positions of the controls on the form
Increased both the width and height of the "Web Site" form
Improved the manner in which Nibbles determines a player's username
   (Redwood installations only)
Lengthened slightly the "door open" (level 6) sound effect
Shortened slightly the "new game" sound effect
Faded the end of the "congratulations" sound effect
Eliminated the (right mouse button) context menu from the main game form
   (since it was rather impractical and was probably rarely used)
Fixed a problem that allowed certain player names to corrupt the player
   information disk text file (non-Redwood installations only)
Added code to restrict certain characters from being entered in certain
   parts of player names (non-Redwood installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.0 BETA 3 (7-26-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted the wording and spacing of the "High Score to Beat" captions on
   the main game form and changed slightly the manner in which the "High
   Score to Beat" is computed
Changed all of the "Level Description" boxes into a form and colorized it
Added options to the "Level Description" and "Player Settings" forms that
   allow players to turn off the display of the "Level Description" forms
Modified the wording, sizes, appearance, and availability of some of the
   captions, tabs, and frames on the "Player Settings" form
Made adjustments to many of the fonts and the font sizes used throughout
   the program
Rearranged many of the controls on, added some controls to, and adjusted
   very slightly the sizes of, the "Tip of the Day" and "Player Name Entry"
   forms (non-Redwood installations only)
Updated the "Tips of the Day" to reflect recent changes (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 5.0 BETA 2 (7-5-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Improved the manner in which Nibbles detects, handles, and repairs corrupt
   data in the player information disk text file to nearly eliminate the
   instances in which corrupt data are displayed on the scoreboard (Redwood
   installations only)
Made adjustments to the code controlling the loading and display of the
   colored banners at the top of the main game form (Redwood installations
   only)
Modified the code to decrease the number of times that the scoreboard is
   (unnecessarily) updated (Redwood installations only)
Changed the way that high score list entries of players are handled during
   the summer months of the years in which the players graduate (Redwood
   installations only)
Reduced the number of times that the player information disk text file is
   read from the Redwood server (Redwood installations only)
Adjusted the high score ranks associated with the banner and bullet colors
   (Redwood installations only)
Fixed a problem that, under very specific conditions, could cause Nibbles
   to crash during startup while reading data from the user information
   disk text file (Redwood installations only)
Modified the code so that, for a given player name search, multiple
   matching scoreboard entries are shown in order of their high scores
   (highest to lowest), instead of in alphabetical order (Redwood
   installations only)
Decreased the time that it takes to read and organize data from the user
   information disk text file (Redwood installations only)



VERSION 5.0 BETA 1 (6-14-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Freeware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Removed all of the Shareware code and registration forms from the program
   and the menu bar (to turn the game into Freeware) (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Changed slightly some of the wording on the splash screen and the "About
   Nibbles" form (non-Redwood installations only)
Adjusted the wording on the "Welcome" screen in the Nibbles program
   installer (non-Redwood installations only)
Adjusted very slightly the wording on the "Download" form (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Changed the wording on many of the message boxes throughout the program
Modified some of the wording on the "Level Information", "Point Scoring",
   and "Color Rank" forms
Widened very slightly the "Name" column on the scoreboard and made very
   slight adjustments to the positions of many of the scoreboard controls
Increased very slightly the width of the main game form and made very
   slight adjustments to the positions of many of the main game form
   controls
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.8 (5-17-2004)
-----------------------
Added music to levels 15 and 16
Replaced the music for level 7 (again) with the music from level 14
Changed the music for level 14
Normalized the volume level of the music for all of the game levels
Improved the quality of the music for all of the game levels (resulting in
   larger level music disk files) (non-Redwood installations only)
Changed the manner in which the obstacles are loaded for level 11
Adjusted the positions of some of the obstacles on level 6



VERSION 4.8 BETA 2 (4-19-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 16) to the game (without music) that uses the
   "portal" sound effect
Changed some of the game level descriptions on the "Level Information" form
Added code to make sure that the food is always made visible after a player
   crashes on level 9



VERSION 4.8 BETA 1 (4-5-2004) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 15) to the game (without music)
Replaced all of the instances of "Nibbles@redwoodhigh.org" with
   "Nibbles@redwood.org"
Adjusted very slightly the sizes and positions of some of the obstacles on
   some of the game levels



VERSION 4.7 (1-13-2003)
-----------------------
Added music to level 14
Added code that allows players to pause a game by pressing the ENTER key
Updated the "Tips of the Day" to reflect recent changes (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.7 BETA (12-2-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 14) to the game (without music)
Modified the code so that, after completing ALL of the game levels, the
   snake will grow by six body parts only until a new GAME is started
   (instead of until the program is restarted)
Made adjustments to the code controlling the movement of the food on
   level 5 for two-player games
Made adjustments to the code controlling the number of available pauses
Fixed a problem that caused the level-specific plaques on the main game
   form to be displayed in an inappropriate manner during some two-player
   games
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.6 (11-25-2002)
------------------------
Added music to level 13
Decreased slightly the size of the food on all levels (so that its width
   and height match the size of the snake body parts and obstacles)
Modified the code so that the level-specific plaques on the main game form
   are displayed with non-Redwood installations of the game so that ALL
   players will see a plaque for each level successfully completed
Added code that lets the level plaques serve as buttons that allow players
   to change levels (when appropriate)
Made adjustments to the manner in which snake crashes and explosions are
   handled on level 8
Added code to limit the number of times that a game can be paused using
   non-standard techniques
Changed slightly the manner in which the "hot key" (Ctrl+Z) functions
Updated the "Tips of the Day" to reflect recent changes (non-Redwood
   installations only)



VERSION 4.6 BETA 2 (11-11-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modified the food/obstacle colors and delay parameters for level 13
Changed the background for level 13
Added code to limit the number of game pauses that can be used in rapid
   succession during one-player games
Added a "Pauses Available" indicator to the main game form
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.6 BETA 1 (10-28-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a new level (level 13) to the game (without music)



VERSION 4.5 (9-30-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Changed slightly the wording of the tooltips for the Nibbles banners
   (Redwood installations only)
Added code and graphics to display a level-specific plaque on the main game
   form for each game level that a player has completed (Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the "Special Thanks" box to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.5 BETA 4 (9-16-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added menu bar options that allow players to export and import high score
   lists to and from hard disk drives and removable media (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.5 BETA 3 (9-9-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a "Tip of the Day" feature (a form) to the program (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Changed the wording of some of the captions on the "Player Settings" form
Added a "General Program Settings" tab to the "Player Settings" form to
   allow players to save certain program preferences (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.5 BETA 2 (8-26-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expanded the game saving feature to games played on ALL levels in the
   one-player mode (Redwood installations only)
Adjusted slightly the positions of the blocks and the crash sensitivity of
   the snake on level 8



VERSION 4.5 BETA 1 (8-19-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a feature that allows a player (on level 5 or lower) to save an
   unfinished one-player game on the Redwood server, and then continue that
   game at a later time (Redwood installations only)
Changed the wording on some of the message boxes throughout the program



VERSION 4.4 (8-5-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Added a box to the Nibbles program installer that gives confirmation of a
   successful installation (non-Redwood installations only)
Made changes to ensure that the program shortcuts created by the Nibbles
   program installer are available to ALL users on computers with multiple
   accounts/profiles (non-Redwood installations only)
Made code modifications to decrease the amount of time that the splash
   screen is visible (non-Redwood installations only)
Modified the code so that players' FULL names (in mixed case) are now
   displayed on the scoreboard (Redwood installations only)
Modified the code to handle players with identical usernames and different
   graduation years from Redwood (Redwood installations only)
Modified the code to handle players who leave Redwood early (before
   graduating), leaving behind entries on the high score list (Redwood
   installations only)



VERSION 4.3 (6-26-2002)
-----------------------
Added a "Percent Completed" indicator to the "Download" form (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Made slight adjustments to the segments of code that automatically detect
   and download newer versions of the game (non-Redwood installations only)
Adjusted slightly the timing of the splash screen
Made slight modifications to the "Copy" form in the Nibbles program
   installer (non-Redwood installations only)



VERSION 4.3 BETA 3 (6-12-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replaced all of the instances of "http://redwoodhigh.org/nibbles/" with
   the newly registered domain "www.RHSnibbles.com"
Modified slightly the wording and sizes of the buttons on the "Shareware"
   form (non-Redwood installations only)
Made code adjustments so that, after a game ends, a player's score is not
   cleared until a new game is started
Added code to properly handle the (rare) situation where some needed .DLL
   files may be missing with some Windows 95 installations of the game
   (non-Redwood installations only)
Fixed a problem that prevented Nibbles from running in some countries



VERSION 4.3 BETA 2 (5-29-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added code to automatically detect (via the Internet) and inform the player
  of newer versions of the game (non-Redwood installations only)
Created separate utility applications (called from the main Nibbles
   program) that will automatically download and install newer versions of
   the game (if the player agrees) (non-Redwood installations only)
Added code to the Nibbles program installer to detect and inform the player
   of currently running versions of the game (non-Redwood installations
   only)
Added code that prevents Nibbles from being run while a newer version of
   the game is being downloaded (non-Redwood installations only)
Added two new level-specific sound effects ("door open" for level 6;
   "portal" for level 12) to the game
Added code that pauses the game if the player uses the right mouse button
   to bring up the context menu while a game is currently in progress



VERSION 4.3 BETA 1 (5-15-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortened the "new game" sound effect
Changed the music for level 7
Adjusted slightly the quality of the music for all of the game levels (to
   reduce the sizes of the level music disk files)
Modified the registration information on the splash screen (Redwood
   installations only)



VERSION 4.2 (5-6-2002)
----------------------
Changed the music for levels 10 and 12
Improved the quality of the music for all of the game levels (Redwood
   installations only)
Decreased the sizes of the level music disk files for all of the game
   levels (non-Redwood installations only)
Added code to determine when the speed of a solid-bodied snake (in the
   one-player mode) is being adversely affected by the player's computer's
   inability to redraw the solid snake body quickly enough after each move



VERSION 4.2 BETA 3 (4-22-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed the "new game" sound effect
Adjusted the timing of some of the sound effects
Modified the registration information on the splash screen (Redwood
   installations only)



VERSION 4.2 BETA 2 (4-15-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed the "congratulations" sound effect
Improved the quality of all of the sound effects
Changed the positions, keyboard shortcuts, and wording of some of the menu
   bar options
Added a "Cancel" button to the "Player Settings" form
Added code that pauses the game if the main game form loses focus due to
   another application becoming the "active" window
Fixed a problem that was causing the snakes in two-player games to slow
   down tremendously when they became very long



VERSION 4.2 BETA 1 (4-8-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Made the "Player Settings" form and corresponding menu bar option available
   to non-Redwood installations of the game to give ALL players the ability
   to save certain game preferences
Replaced the player's username with "Program Status" on the "Player
   Settings" form (non-Redwood installations only)
Replaced the player's username with the player's graduation year from
   Redwood on the "Player Settings" form (Redwood installations only)
Changed the wording of some of the captions displayed on the "Player
   Settings" form
Increased the availability of the "Change Player" menu bar option
   (non-Redwood installations only)
Improved the code that detects corrupt data in the player information disk
   text file (non-Redwood installations only)
Added a menu bar option that allows players to remove the Nibbles program
   registration information from their computers (making the program
   Shareware again) (non-Redwood installations only)
Added a menu bar option that allows players to erase all of the entries
   (player names, player settings, high scores, and levels completed) from
   the player information disk text file (non-Redwood installations only)
Adjusted the wording on the "Welcome" screen in the Nibbles program
   installer (non-Redwood installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.1 (3-18-2002)
-----------------------
Added code that automatically turns OFF the Num Lock key on Windows NT,
   2000, and XP installations of the game (to fix responsiveness problems
   with some keyboards that affect the "Crazy" and "Insane" speeds)
Made small adjustments to the code controlling the doors on level 6
Made adjustments to the code controlling the explosions on level 8
Changed the availability of some of the menu bar options at certain times
Made adjustments to the timing and appearance of the "Game Over" indicator
   on the main game form
Modified slightly the copyright information on the splash screen



VERSION 4.1 BETA 3 (3-4-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added music to levels 10, 11, and 12
Changed some of the game level descriptions on the "Level Information" form



VERSION 4.1 BETA 2 (2-18-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorporated multimedia timers (for snake movement) into the game
Made adjustments so that the "Sluggish", "Leisurely", and"Brisk" speeds on
   Windows 95, 98, and Me installations of the game now match those same
   speeds on Windows NT, 2000, and XP installations of the game
Added code to improve the accuracy and consistency of the six snake speeds
   on all types of computers using the Windows NT, 2000, and XP operating
   systems
Made adjustments to the code that detects the presence of concurrently
   running applications and processes
Simplified the process for selecting a different game level on which to
   continue playing once a player has completed the highest level
Changed the keyboard shortcuts of some of the menu bar options
Changed the starting position of the red snake for two-player games on
   most of the game levels



VERSION 4.1 BETA 1 (2-4-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added three new levels (levels 10, 11, and 12) to the game (without music)
Modified slightly the appearance of the "Snake Speed" and "Game Level"
   indicators on the main game form
Adjusted slightly the sizes and positions of most of the obstacles on most
   of the game levels
Modified some of the code for, and some of the controls on, the "Player
   Settings" form to accomodate the increased number of game levels



VERSION 4.0 (1-22-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Modified the code that detects the presence of concurrently running
   applications and processes to work with ALL installations of the game
   (not just Redwood installations) and to work when played using the
   "Swift" speed (in addition to the "Crazy" and "Insane" speeds)
Improved the Shareware software registration name and code entry routines
   and the player name entry routine (non-Redwood installations only)
Reduced the instances in which the scoreboard appears when using many of
   the menu bar options
Simplified and increased the efficiency of the code used to collect the
   player search data, search for a specific player, and sort the
   scoreboard entries (Redwood installations only)
Simplified most of the code that is run while the splash screen is
   displayed
Modified the search engine code and the search panel to show the total
   number of matches found for each search name and the number of the
   specific match being displayed (Redwood installations only)
Modified the code so that, for a given player name search, multiple
   matching scoreboard entries are shown in alphabetical order by the
   players' last names (Redwood installations only)
Reduced the number of body parts (from five to four) by which the snake
   grows after eating food on levels 6 and 7 (to make it a little bit
   easier to complete those levels)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 4.0 BETA (1-9-2002) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Modified the code to save the highest level BEATEN by each player (instead
   of the highest level REACHED)
Added a "Levels Beaten" column to the scoreboard showing the number of
   game levels completed by each player on the high score list
Changed the "Highest Level Reached" to "Number of Levels Completed" on the
   "Player Settings" form (Redwood installations only)
Added an option that allows players to show the scoreboard entries sorted
   either by high score or by the highest level beaten
Added a "Grad Year" column to the scoreboard showing the graduation year
   from Redwood (or the title "Staff") for each player on the high score
   list (Redwood installations only)
Added an option that allows players to show the scoreboard entries sorted
   by graduation year from Redwood (Redwood installations only)
Added a "Find a User" button to the scoreboard and a corresponding search
   panel to the main game form that allows players to search the high
   score list for a specific player's username, first name, last name, or
   full name (Redwood installations only)
Modified the code to allow player names of unlimited length (the former
   limit was 12 characters) (Redwood installations only)
Changed the color of the scoreboard, widened it, slightly rearranged the
   information displayed on it, added some "snake" graphics to it, and
   widened the "Name" column
Changed the manner in which the game level advancement information is
   displayed to players after the completion of each level
Changed the color of the "Space Filled" indicator on the main game form
Modified slightly the manner in which player information is read from and
   saved to the player settings and player information disk text files
   (Redwood installations only)
Adjusted the manner in which the playing field space filled by snake body
   parts is calculated and displayed



VERSION 3.7 (Released 12-10-2001)
---------------------------------
Added two more snake speeds to the game, for a total of six speeds (the
   three highest speeds are available only for Windows NT, 2000, and XP
   operating systems)
Changed the names of, and adjusted the timing of, the six snake speeds
Adjusted slightly the food point value associated with each snake speed
Eliminated the snake speed turbo boost (no longer needed after the above
   snake speed changes)
Rearranged and modified the information on the "Player Settings" form to
   match the above changes (Redwood installations only)
Added the current high score rank to the "Player Settings" form (Redwood
   installations only)
Modified the "Point Scoring" form to match the above changes
Changed the positions, keyboard shortcuts, and wording of some of the menu
   bar options
Added code to detect the presence of concurrently running applications and
   processes that are adversely affecting the (speed) performance of the
   game when played using the "Crazy" and "Insane" speeds in the one-player
   mode (Redwood installations only)
Added a context menu (for the right mouse button) to the main game form
Modified the Nibbles banner on the main game form (and on the Web site)
Added code and graphics to change the Nibbles banner on the main game form
   to a specific color based on a player's high score rank (Redwood
   installations only)
Added bullets to the scoreboard that change to specific colors based on the
   high score ranks of the players whose high score are being displayed
   (Redwood installations only)
Created a "Color Rank" form (Redwood installations only)
Added tooltips to a few of the controls throughout the program
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 3.7 BETA 2 (11-26-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Implemented a snake speed "turbo boost" option for each of the four snake
   speeds and added a "Turbo Boost" indicator to the main game form
   (Windows NT, 2000, and XP operating systems only)
Increased slightly the height of the main game form
Added a "Snake Speed" indicator to the main game form
Rearranged slightly and changed the font colors of some of the information
   displayed on the main game form
Added the default snake speed turbo boost setting to the "Player Settings"
   form and the player settings disk text file (Redwood installations only)
Rearranged the information on the "Player Settings" form (Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 3.7 BETA 1 (11-13-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added the default starting game level to the "Player Settings" form and the
   player settings disk text file (Redwood installations only)
Rearranged the information on the "Player Settings" form and changed the
   manner in which the settings are displayed to a player (Redwood
   installations only)
Modified the code so that the scoreboard is NOT displayed when the program
   is first started
Modified the code so that the level 1 description box IS displayed when the
   program is first started
Eliminated the code that made sure that the FIRST piece of food appearing
   on most game levels in two-player games was placed in the middle of the
   playing field (between the two snakes)
Added a "Special Thanks" button and box to the "About Nibbles" form
Removed some of the separator lines from the menu bar options
Added code that allows the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to be used with
   the Num Lock key turned ON (instead of always needing to be turned OFF)



VERSION 3.6 (11-7-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Changed the "Level Information" and "Point Scoring" boxes into forms
Made adjustments to various font spacing and form sizes, as well as some
   other minor changes, so that the game works well with the new Windows XP
   operating system
Added the Windows XP operating system name to the appropriate places in the
   program
Rearranged the information on the "About Nibbles" form
Added photos (some of which are "hidden") to the "About Nibbles" form
Eliminated the code that tried to make sure that a SINGLE player does not
   use the two-player mode (no longer needed since high scores and high
   levels are not saved in the two-player mode)
Made a slight adjustment to the snake movement and timing after a crash



VERSION 3.6 BETA 2 (10-31-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added the default starting snake body type to the "Player Settings" form
   and the player settings disk text file (Redwood installations only)
Changed slightly some of the wording on the "Player Settings" form (Redwood
   installations only)
Modified slightly the copyright information on the splash screen
Changed the Nibbles logos throughout the program to solid, 3-D images with
   transparent backgrounds
Changed the Nibbles icons throughout the program and installer to solid
   images with transparent backgrounds



VERSION 3.6 BETA 1 (10-24-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changed the appearance of the snake to a solid body where the individual
   body parts, including those at turns and at the tail, are joined
   together to form a seamless snake (one-player mode only)
Added a menu bar option that allows players to toggle between the dotted
   and solid style of snake body types (one-player mode only)
Reduced the sizes of some of the obstacles on level 7 (to make it a little
   bit easier to complete the level)
Adjusted slightly the sizes of the backgrounds for each of the nine game
   levels
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 3.5 (Released 10-19-2001)
---------------------------------
Added code to save (in the high score disk text file, now known as the
   player information disk text file) the highest level reached by each
   player so that when a player runs the program again he or she will be
   able to start new games at the higher levels (non-Redwood installations
   only)
Improved the encryption of the data in the player information disk text
   file (non-Redwood installations only)
Modified slightly the text on the "Player Name Entry" form
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes
Adjusted the wording on the "Welcome" screen in the Nibbles program
   installer (non-Redwood installations only)
Updated the Nibbles program installer to accomodate the file name change
   described above



VERSION 3.4 (Released 10-8-2001)
--------------------------------
Added a new sound effect ("pause game") to the game
Added code to create a "hot key" (Ctrl+Z) that, when pressed, both pauses
   a game (if one is in progress) and minimizes the main game form
Adjusted the positions, keyboard shortcuts, and wording of some of the
   menu bar options
Modified slightly the appearance of the "Player Settings" form (Redwood
   installations only)
Changed the code so that only the highest level reached by each player
   while in the ONE-player mode is saved in the player settings disk text
   file (Redwood installations only)
Adjusted the manner in which the player settings are saved to and read
   from the player settings disk text file (Redwood installations only)
Changed the organization of the game rules and the manner in which they
   are displayed to a player (from message boxes to a RichTextBox)
Reduced the number of points that a player loses when his or her snake
   crashes in the two-player mode
Adjusted the sensitivity of the code that tries to make sure that a SINGLE
   player does not use the two-player mode
Adjusted slightly the timing of the splash screen
Added code to detect the presence of concurrently running applications that
   are adversely affecting the (speed) performance of the game when played
   using the "Crazy Fast!" speed in the one-player mode (Redwood
   installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes
Added an UNinstaller to the Nibbles program installer (to automatically
   remove any existing installations of the game) (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Adjusted the wording on the "Welcome" screen in the Nibbles program
   installer (non-Redwood installations only)



VERSION 3.4 BETA (9-24-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Created a "Player Settings" form and corresponding menu bar option that
   allows players to save certain game preferences (Redwood installations
   only)
Added the default starting snake speed, default number of players, and
   default sound and music settings to the player settings disk text file
   (Redwood installations only)
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes
Modified slightly some of the forms and messages produced by the Nibbles
   program installer (non-Redwood installations only)



VERSION 3.3 (9-17-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Eliminated sound effects and music from Windows 95, 98, and Me
   installations of the game (since they appear to greatly decrease game
   performance on those systems, but work well with Windows 2000 and NT
   operating systems)
Added code to prevent occasional problems with high scores not being
   saved with Redwood installations of the game
Updated the credits on the "About Nibbles" form
Updated the game rules to reflect recent changes



VERSION 3.3 BETA (9-10-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Added music to each level of the game, with a different tune for each level
Added six sound effects to the game
Changed the rank display on the high score list so that multiple players
   with the same high score are shown as having the same rank
Right-aligned the scores shown on the high score list
Changed slightly the manner in which the "High Score to Beat" is computed
Added code to the Nibbles program installer so that saved high scores are
   not erased when the program is uninstalled and so that the desktop
   Nibbles game icon IS erased when the program is uninstalled (non-Redwood
   installations only)



VERSION 3.2 (8-13-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Increased the high score list from 10 to 999 players and added a
   scrollbar (Redwood installations only)
Added score and rank information to the congratulatory messages that
   appear for players who make and move up on the high score list
Created a player settings disk text file for each player (that is saved and
   regularly updated on the Redwood server) containing the full name and
   current high score for that player (Redwood installations only)
Added code to save (in the player settings disk text file) the highest
   level reached by each player so that when a player runs the program
   again he or she will be able to start new games at the higher levels
   (Redwood installations only)



VERSION 3.1 (Released 6-18-2001)
--------------------------------
Added a new level (level 9) to the game
Added a "Space Filled" indicator to the main game form
Made the score-related captions stay visible after each game
Adjusted slightly the timing of the splash screen
Modified the registration information on the splash screen, the
   "About Nibbles" form, and the main game form
Highlighted the rank, name, and score of the current player if he or
   she is on the high score list (Redwood installations only)



VERSION 3.0 (Released 6-4-2001)
-------------------------------
Increased the number of bonus points earned for completing ALL of the
   game levels and filling EVERY SINGLE space on any given level
Changed the code so that players are now required to advance through the
   game levels IN ORDER, even after completing all of the levels at least
   once (to prevent players from going back and forth between the same
   two levels to obtain a high score)
Increased the high score list from eight to ten players
Added the RANK of the "High Score to Beat" to the main game form and
   changed slightly the manner in which the "High Score to Beat" is
   computed
Added more specific congratulatory messages to players who make and move
   up on the high score list
Updated the game rules to reflect the addition of the two-player mode
   and other recent changes
Changed the color of the snake HEADS when the heads overlap each other in
   the two-player mode
Enabled the "X" (form close) box in the top-right corner of several of
   the game forms
Adjusted the sensitivity of the code that tries to make sure that a SINGLE
   player does not use the two-player mode
Greatly simplified, customized, and improved the appearance of the Nibbles
   program installer (non-Redwood installations only)
Modified the Nibbles program installer so that existing saved high scores
   are not erased when a newer version of the program is installed
   (non-Redwood installations only)
Added code to the Nibbles program installer so that a Nibbles game icon is
   put on a player's desktop during installation (non-Redwood installations
   only)



VERSION 3.0 BETA 3 (5-29-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extensively modified the code controlling the movement of the food on
   level 5, the doors on level 6, and the blocks on level 8 to improve game
   performance on those levels
Expanded and revised the two-player game statistics
Eliminated the two-player option that gave players the choice of resetting
   scores between rounds (no longer needed after the above change)
Adjusted slightly the height of the main game form
Made most of the game forms moveable
Made sure the FIRST piece of food appearing on most game levels in
   two-player games is placed in the middle of the playing field (between
   the two snakes)



VERSION 3.0 BETA 2 (5-21-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added win/lose messages and game statistics to the two-player mode
Reduced the number of points (from 100 to 50) that a player loses when his
   or her snake crashes in the two-player mode
Adjusted slightly the colors of the snakes in the two-player mode
Added an option that gives players in the two-player mode a choice of
   whether or not the scores are reset between rounds
Changed (doubled) the number of points needed to complete the game levels
   in the two-player mode
Adjusted the length of time that the explosion remains on the screen
   when a snake in the two-player mode crashes
Added code to help ensure that a SINGLE player does not use the two-player
   mode (to get to higher levels)



VERSION 3.0 BETA 1 (5-14-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added a (single computer) two-player (two snakes) option to the game
Changed the look of the "Player Name Entry" form and included a pulldown
   menu of previous player names from which players can choose (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Modified the custom Nibbles icon
Added the custom Nibbles icon to the top of the main game form



VERSION 2.2 (Released 5-11-2001)
--------------------------------
Adjusted the points needed to complete most of the game levels
For the "Medium" speed, increased the point value for food eaten from
   10 to 15 points
For the "Fast" speed, increased the point value for food eaten from
   25 to 30 points
Added a "Food Needed to Finish This Level" display to the main game form
Moved the "Pause Game" menu bar option from "Edit" to "File"
Reduced the size of the game-ending explosion



VERSION 2.1 (Released 5-7-2001)
-------------------------------
Made the "About Nibbles" box a separate form
Created a revision history disk text file accessible from the "About
   Nibbles" form
Expanded and updated the Nibbles ReadMe disk text file
Added a "Change Player" option to the menu bar (non-Redwood installations
   only)
Revised the look of the "Shareware" form (non-Redwood installations only)
Made slight modifications to the splash screen
Modified slightly the "Change Player" box (non-Redwood installations only)



VERSION 2.0 (Released 5-1-2001)
-------------------------------
Added levels 2 through 8 to the game
Added a "Game Level" indicator to the main game form
Changed the shape of the food from square to round
Disallowed players from changing snake speeds during a game level
Changed the playing field border color from black to white
Added "Point Scoring" and "Level Information" to the "Help" menu
Increased the high score list from five to eight players
Set up the high score list to show a player's name only ONCE in the list
Changed the snake speeds and corresponding points earned
Displayed the "Points Needed to Get to Next Level" on the main game form
Added code that allows players to repeat a game level (with a NON-reset
   snake) instead of advancing to the next level
Set up snake body parts to be added to the BACK of the snake (instead of
   the middle, which was causing snake growth delays)
Added a player confirmation box before starting a new game or exiting the
   program if a game is currently in progress
Added bonus points for completing all of the game levels
Added bonus points for filling an entire game level
Added code to wait for a player (direction key) keypress before resuming a
   game after it is unpaused and the scoreboard is removed
Added a splash screen to the program
Made a custom icon for the game
Added code to move the mouse pointer off of the playing field (to near the
   upper-right corner of the main game form) when a snake starts moving
Added Shareware code and registration forms to the program and in the
   menu bar (non-Redwood installations only)
Added registration information to the "About Nibbles" box
Created a "Web Site" form and added options to the menu bar that link to
   both the online Nibbles Web site and the online Nibbles Bug Reporting
   Web page
Eliminated the "Crazy Fast!" speed from Windows 95, 98, and Me
   installations of the game (since that speed only works with Windows 2000
   and NT operating systems)
Added code to wait for a player keypress before clearing the playing field
   at the end of a game
Added the player's name to bottom of the main game form
Encrypted the high score disk text file
Set up an auto-extractor and installer for the program (non-Redwood
   installations only)
Cleaned up and optimized the code for speed and efficiency



VERSION 1.0 (3-1-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Made the background of the game-ending explosion transparent
Changed the color of the food from red to yellow
Expanded the "Rules of the Game" boxes
Added more information to the "About Nibbles" box
Added a five-player high score list
Added the "High Score to Beat" to the main game form
Fixed problems with the snake not being able to make sharp, quick turns



VERSION 1.0 BETA (1-19-2001) (Redwood only; not released as Shareware)