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 Mac OS X. 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.x: if you need to install Python please download release 2.x NOT 3.0. For example, at the time of writing (February 2011), use version 2.7.
As far as I know, all Linux systems have Python installed, though not all have Tkinter (also called Python-Tk). Windows does not come with Python pre-installed but it can be downloaded and installed very easily (this also installs Tkinter). Although, at the time of writing (April 2011), Mac OS X comes with Python and Tk, these pre-installed versions are badly out of date and, as with Windows, it is necessary to install fresh copies. 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.x 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.
I don't have access to a Mac but in April 2011 through user Barrie Stott I discovered that all the programs work well on Mac OS X. First, he found that the versions of Python and Tk which come pre-installed make a horrible mess of the programs. But being more intrepid than the average user he installed more up to date versions using MacPorts, and then the programs worked well.
The steps involved are as follows:
1. Install MacPorts.
Quoting from this page: "The easiest way to install MacPorts on a Mac OS X system is by downloading the dmg for Snow Leopard, Leopard or Tiger and running the system's Installer by double-clicking on the pkg contained therein, following the on-screen instructions until completion." Once this is installed it is straightforward to install any package from Macports. Python and Tkinter each require only a single line to be typed.
2. Install py26-tkinter using
sudo port install py26-tkinter
3. Install python 2.6.6 using
sudo port install python26
4. run from a terminal using
/opt/local/bin/python2.6 SourGumdrop.pyw &
No doubt there are simple ways of setting up point and click launching on Mac OS X just as I've described for Windows and Linux. If someone lets me know I'll add the information here.
Click on the links below to download the program installation files.
Sudoku: SourGumdrop.zip 53KB.
Kakuro: SourGumdropK.zip 56KB.
Sokoban: Sourkoban.zip 145KB.
Minesweeper: Minestein.zip 170KB.
Hangman: Hangman_SG.zip 260KB.
Boggle: Boggle_SG.zip 186KB.
SCRABBLE: SQUABBLE.zip 700KB.
codeword_SG: codeword_SG.zip 255KB.
Sum_Puzzle: sum_puzzle.zip 47KB.
Futoshiki_SG: Futoshiki_SG.zip 22KB.
All games: SourGumdrop_all.zip 2MB.
Website code: site_maker.zip 10KB.
As signified by the icons below the download files are routinely checked by QArchive.org and SOFTPEDIA. They are also checked by 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. I'm currently using Ubuntu and Tkinter is not installed by default. I therefore install it using the Adept Package Manager from a terminal window:
(eg type "sudo aptitude get python-tk").
or I use the Synaptic Package Manager (in the System/Administration menu).
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.
Using a terminal window you can run the program from the download directory by typing eg:
"python SourGumdrop.pyw &"
Those people who started using computers in the last ten years or so will probably want to click on an icon to start their games, so the next sections explain how to make this possible on Linux. To simplify the notes I'll assume your username is me and you have downloaded and unzipped the programs and icons into a directory called rodg_games (so its full path will be /home/me/rodg_games). I'll use SourGumdrop as an example program. BUT PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBSTITUTE YOUR USERNAME AND DIRECTORY FOR me AND rodg_games.
A. Creating a desktop launcher
1. Right click on the desktop and select "Create Launcher...". This will open a Create Launcher window.
2. In the "Name" box type "SourGumdrop"
3. In the "Command" box type "python /home/me/rodg_games/SourGumdrop.pyw"
4. Left click on the funny icon in the top left of the Create Launcher window. Browse to directory rodg_games and double click on "SourGumdrop_icon.png"
5. Click "OK" in the Create Launcher window and your desktop launcher icon should appear. Double click to launch.
B. Adding a launcher to a Gnome panel
To add an icon for launching a game from a Gnome panel (ie the strips which by default appear across the top and bottom of the desktop), the procedure is almost identical to that described above. First, right click on the panel to bring up the "Add to Panel" window. From this panel double click on "Custom Application Launcher" and this will bring up a "Create Launcher" window. From here follow steps 2-5 above.
C. Adding a launcher to the Applications/Games menu
Gnome makes games available via the Application/Games menu. I learnt how to add a new menu item by reading this helpful description.
To summarise. Create the following file:
[Desktop Entry] Encoding=UTF-8 Version=1.0 Name=SourGumdrop Comment=Sudoku game Categories=GNOME;Application;Game; Exec=python /home/me/rodg_games/SourGumdrop.pyw Terminal=false Icon=/home/me/rodg_games/SourGumdrop_icon.png Type=Application
and name it sourgumdrop.desktop
Copy it to /usr/share/applications/ by typing
sudo cp sourgumdrop.desktop /usr/share/applications
You will need to supply your password. Then the icon will appear and the game can be launched by single clicking.
To run the program by clicking on the file icon from 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 /home/me/rodg_games/SourGumdrop.pyw
Click "OK" and it is done. The program can now be launched by double clicking on the icon.
