The programs are available as free downloads. For each program the download file is the same, irrespective of whether it is for Linux, Windows or Macintosh. This is because the programs are written in the language Python. The downloaded "executable" is actually the program's source code and this is turned into executable instructions by the Python interpreter when the program runs. The interpreter produces instructions for the operating system on which it is running. Hence, the same source can run on all systems. However, for this to be possible, the Python interpreter and the Tkinter library need to be installed on your machine. Also note that the programs only work with Python 2.6 or earlier: if you need to install Python please download release 2.6 NOT 3.0
As far as I know, all Linux systems have Python installed, though not all have Tkinter (also called Python-Tk), and the same is true for Macintosh machines. Windows does not come with Python pre-installed but it can be downloaded and installed very easily (this also installs Tkinter). Further instructions are given in the platform specific sections.
The programs are distributed under the GNU General Public License. This means that you can redistribute them and/or modify them under the terms of the GPL. So, if you like them, you can use them on all your machines and give copies to your friends.
The download files have been compressed using the zip program. You can download each program separately or all together via the links in the Download files section. The downloads contain each program and its associated icon file, plus a small PAD file which is only of use to those wanting to distribute the programs. If you just want to play the game, you can delete the PAD file.
Those running Microsoft systems, such as XP, will need
to install Python 2.6 before they can run the programs.
So, Microsoft users, if you haven't already done so, please obtain and
install the latest version of Python from
Python.org.
That is the only additional item you need to run any of the programs
available here. Once Python is installed please download the program you
want and unzip the file. No installation is required - the program
will be ready to run immediately.
It should appear as an icon which includes the Python logo:
(But only if you've installed Python).
Double clicking
will start the program.
The zip file contains two useful files: the Python source code with extension .pyw and an icon file with extension .ico. The icon is simply a picture of the gumdrop whose colour identifies the program. On XP, to link the gumdrop icon file to the program file - ie to replace the Python icon with the gumdrop icon, please do the following.
I use SourGumdrop as an example and create a shortcut on the Desktop.
Right click on the the file SourGumdrop.pyw.
Drag down to "Create Shortcut"
Drag the file "Shortcut to SourGumdrop.pyw" to the Desktop
Right click on the file "Shortcut to SourGumdrop.pyw"
Drag down to "Properties"
Left click on "Change Icon"
Left click on "Browse" and find the folder where you have saved SourGumdrop and its icon file.
Select the file SourGumdrop_icon.
Left click on "Apply"
Left click on "OK"
That's all. It's the same for all programs - just use the appropriate file names.
Click on the links below to download the program installation files.
Sudoku: SourGumdrop.zip 53KB.
Kakuro: SourGumdropK.zip 56KB.
Sokoban: Sourkoban.zip 145KB.
Minestein: Minestein.zip 170KB.
Hangman_SG: Hangman_SG.zip 260KB.
All games: SourGumdrop_all.zip 700KB.
Website code: site_maker.zip 10KB.
As signified by the icons below the download files are routinely checked by QArchive.org and SOFTPEDIA (and many others) for virus, Trojan, adware and spyware contamination.
The QArchive.org reports on the individual zip files:
SourGumdrop Antivirus report
SourGumdropK Antivirus report
Sourkoban Antivirus report
Minestein Antivirus report
The SOFTPEDIA reports on the individual zip files:
SourGumdrop Clean report
SourGumdropK Clean report
Sourkoban Clean report
Minestein Clean report
On Linux Python is almost certainly already installed, but please make sure you have Tkinter on the system. For example,
those wishing to use the programs on Ubuntu will probably need to install
python-tk using the Adept Package Manager as it is not installed by
default.
(eg type "sudo aptitude get python-tk").
I'm afraid I do not remember what, where necessary, is required to
install Tkinter for other Linux distributions.
To unzip the download file use a program such as ark or open a console window and type (for example):
unzip SourGumdrop.zip
This will create a file called (say) SourGumdrop.pyw.
You can run the program from the download directory by typing eg:
"python SourGumdrop.pyw &"
To run the program by clicking on the file icon from a Linux GUI such as KDE you need to make Python the default program for opening the *.pyw file. To do this from KDE I download the file to the Desktop; right click on the file icon; drag down to "Open With"; select "Other"; and type "python" into the text box; before closing the window I also click on "Remember file association for this file type" so that Python remains the default application for opening this file (and other files named *.pyw). Now I can run the program by simply clicking on the file icon.
To link the programs to their icons using KDE do the following: Using
Konqueror, open the directory where you want to place the link. Right
click, drag down to "Create new..." and select "Link to
application...". This brings up a dialogue box entitled "Properties
for program..." with the text "Link to application"
highlighted. Delete the highlighted text and type the name of the
program you are linking to - say SourGumdrop. The next bit is less
obvious! To the left of the text box is a generic icon (a cogwheel) in
a box. Click on the box to bring up a dialogue entitled "Select
icon". Click on the "Other icons" radio button and then "Browse". This
pops up a file selector in which you should open the icon file you
want to use - say SourGumdrop_icon.ico. When you click on "Open", the
file selector closes, leaving the "Properties for program.." dialogue
box. Click on the "Application" tab. In the box entitled "Command:"
type:
"python full_path/program_name.pyw"
(without the
quotes and replacing full_path appropriately).
So, for example, I might type:
"python /home/rg/home2/games/SourGumdrop.pyw &".
Click "OK" and it is done.
A similar procedure is used under Gnome.
As far as I've been told (I don't have a Mac to try things out), only Sourkoban works as intended on the Mac. If anyone is sufficiently interested, I'd be grateful to know details of the problems on the Mac. I'd also like to know about installation on the Mac so that I can add the information to this page.
