Frequently Asked Questions
about WinBowl

Q - When I try to install the 16-bit version, I get a message saying that it can't decompress the files. What's up?

A - The install program for the 16-bit version (WinBowl 3.0) needs to be located in a folder or directory that does not have any long filenames in the path. For example, if you try to run the installation from C:/Downloaded Files, you will get this error since "Downloaded Files" is a long file name. Make sure you run the installation from a folder with only short names in the path (8 characters or less).

Q - I thought WinBowl was a league management program.

A - There is another shareware program called WinBowl available on the internet which is league management software for 10-pin bowling leagues. It is written by another individual and you will have go to that site to find it. Click here to go there.

Q - I downloaded version 3.2 and the post-shot animations are neat - but they stop appearing after 3 strikes in a row. What's wrong?

A - The animation files take up extra space and make the download longer, so only the only animations included in the downlaod package is for a spare, strike, double, turkey and converted split.

Additional animation files will soon be available to download and add to your game. I am also working on a program which will allow you to make your own post-shot animations. More details to come.

Q - Can I play Winbowl against my friends over the internet?

A - Not yet. I am working on making that available in a future release.

Q - The dates in the Hall of Fame don't display correctly in my version. Is this a Y2k bug?

A - Kind of. The 16-bit version (3.0) has a display problem with the year 2000. It shows the short year as 100, so a date of May 15, 2000 is displayed as 5/15/100. This is just a labelling error and the underlying data 'knows' it is actually the year 2000. The only fix for this is to download the 32-bit version which displays the dates properly, e.g 5/15/2000.

Q - It says that if I register, the code I get will be good for all future releases. What does that mean?

A - Since WinBowl first came out in 1994, there have been 14 different releases. Some of the releases have been minor fixes that didn't change the version number. Others have been significant upgrades. If you had registered the game back in 1994, you would have been able to download all 14 releases since then and play them as registered versions without paying another dime. This is unlike most commercial software which gives you a discount, but usually requires you to pay an upgrade fee for each new version. This policy will always remain in effect for those who have registered, but may change at any time in the future.

Q - I saw a shrink-wrap CD in my local store called Bowling USA, but the screen shot on the back looked a lot like WinBowl. Did someone steal your game?

A - No. Bowling USA is basically the same as WinBowl 3.0. Only the name and a few graphics were changed in it before ValuSoft licensed it from me to market under their label. Some have asked me why they should pay $15 for the shareware version of WinBowl if they can buy Bowling USA on a CD for only around $10. Well, the choice is yours. But if you buy the CD, you don't get any free upgrades. You will have to pay another $10 for the next version when (and if) it comes out. Wit the shareware version, the next version is always free for registered users.