What is new in version 6.5
--------------------------

A few fixes.

Made rubik_iv.mak for Microsoft's nmake utility.

QuickC is version 2.5
Nmake is version 1.11
QuickC linker is version 4.10

To compile: nmake rubik_iv.mak
                    OR
            qcl /AM /G2 /O rubik_iv.c

This took me far too long to figure out, Microsoft doesn't
think anyone needs an example of what a .mak file looks
like. Before I forget what the heck I did to make this work
I'm going to post it on the net!


What is new in version 6.4
--------------------------

The big news in version 6.4 is that now you can check how many 
C conjugates and M conjugates a position has for all sizes
of N, where N is 2 to 10 inclusive (via the % key). The previous
algorithm was highly inefficient and could not handle higher
order cubes correctly. This function has the added benefit
of putting the cube in a standard orientation.

When the NxNxN cube is of even size (2, 4, 6, 8 or 10) the
program must detect an invalid cube, otherwise it can not
orient the cube by fixing a corner.

In the current version, with NxNxN cubes of even size, some
rotations in space are considered different, even though
they are really the same.

The program has come a long way over the years. I started 
writing my first cube program in 1981 on a Commodore Pet
computer. I also wrote versions for the Vic-20, C64, and Amiga 500.

When EGA graphics cards first became available I wrote my first
PC version using Microsoft QuickC version 1. Currently I am using
QuickC version 2.5 (yes I know, it's ancient, someday I'll write
one for Windows).

Some of the features I am most proud of include:

- An insolubility check (only works for 3x3x3 currently)
- Loads and saves any cube arrangement for NxNxN
- Loads cube move sequences in ASCII, and posts it's length
- Determines how many C conjugates and M conjugates for any position
- Outputs data for other cube programs
- Cycle Editor to find the "order" of a sequence
- Face, slice and whole cube moves for NxNxN
- Supports Colour Rotations, Central Reflections & LR Reflections
   of a position for NxNxN

Thing I would like to add:

- A way to store the size of a cube in the file of an ASCII sequence
- A Timer that works in Windows NT
- Legality check for all cubes NxNxN (not just 3x3x3)
- Separate all the modules cleanly

Mark Longridge, Dec. 1999
email: cubeman@idirect.com
URL:   www.snipercade.com/cubeman
