Frequently Asked Questions
All
I see is a grey rectangle. Why doesn't the game start?
Carpet Golf 3-D requires a Web browser capable of running
Java applets. Such browsers include Microsoft
Internet Explorer version 3 or higher, and Netscape
Navigator version 3 or higher. This game will not run
on the WebTV browser device, nor on certain versions
of the America Online built-in browser.
How
do I play Carpet Golf 3-D through America Online?
Some versions of the America Online built-in browser
will not run Carpet Golf 3-D. To play the game, you may
need to use an external Web browser. Here's how:
Click
on one of the icons below to go to the Web site of Microsoft
or Netscape. From either of these Web sites, you can download
a free version of a Java-capable browser. Follow the instructions
to install the browser on your computer.
Once
you have installed the external browser, use it instead
of AOL's built-in browser. Just launch the external browser
any time you are connected to AOL.
Netscape
Navigator locks up when I try to play.
Under Windows 95, certain releases of Netscape Navigator
version 4 will randomly lock up the first time you try to
run a Java applet. Don't worry, though; Navigator will run
Java just fine on the second try. Just terminate
the locked-up program (by pressing CTRL + ALT + DELETE),
then launch Netscape again. When you try playing Carpet
Golf this time around, it ought to work.
The
game runs very slowly. What can I do to speed it up?
Carpet Golf 3-D runs best on computers with a Pentium 100
MHz processor or faster. The Web browser also has a major
impact on the speed of the game. Of the browsers I have
tested, I find that Microsoft
Internet Explorer version 4 gives the fastest performance
with Java applets.
Of
course, the game will run faster if you shut down all other
CPU-intensive tasks that may be running.
If
you have a slower computer or an older browser, you can
play a 2-D
version of Carpet Golf which is less demanding on your
computer.
What
is the difference between practice mode and tournament mode?
In tournament mode, you are limited to seven strokes per
hole; in practice mode, there is no limit.
In
practice mode, you can use cheat keys to repeatedly
play holes that are giving you trouble. Cheat keys include:
R -- Replay the hole from the beginning
P -- Go to the previous hole
N -- Go to the next hole
Note:
The cheat keys won't work until after you have clicked the
mouse for the first time in the applet window. This is Java
default behavior.
Can
I download this applet?
This applet is hosted by the America Online Web server,
which allows you to download the component files. You do
this by using a method called "anonymous FTP". To initiate
an FTP session, you start by modifying the information in
the "address" window of your browser. Right now, the address
says something like:
http://members.aol.com/edhobbs2/applets/cgolf3d/help.html#download
Change
the "http" to "ftp". Also make sure that the address specifies
a directory, and not a file. If the address ends in the
name of a file and/or a label (such as "/help.html#download"),
you must remove the file name, the label, and the associated
slash. The address will now look like:
ftp://members.aol.com/edhobbs2/applets/cgolf3d
After
you have changed the address line, press the ENTER key.
The AOL Web server will respond with a list of files in
the directory. Right-click on the names of the files to
download them.
If
you put this applet on your Web page, please include a link
to my Web site.
Depending
on your browser, you may be able to execute the applet offline,
by pointing the browser to the directory where you downloaded
the files. Please note that not all browsers will allow
you to execute Java applets from your local drive.
How
do I aim my shot?
When you click on the image of the golf course, an aiming
arrow will appear. The direction of the arrow indicates
the direction of the shot, and the size of the arrow indicates
the force. Press the SWING button to initiate the
shot.
The
ball doesn't go in the direction of the aiming arrow.
Try to release the SWING button when the red Aim
indicator is at the center of its range.
How
can I keep the ball from rolling back down the slopes?
Try hitting the ball at an angle to the slope; this gives
it a longer distance to slow down.