okay, pretty sure i get you now

>> (No need for numbering the lines, though)
routine designed to be *numbers-optional.* the numbers are coded into the strings - if we make a dir routine there won't be numbers automatically. problem solved before it existed.

>> the user can elect to continue some existing game or start a new one or just exit. Just like the specs said.
yes, thank you for explaining finally XD

>> The Introduction does not attempt to open or mess with the files, just return the name and type as explained before.
i assumed that was a given, no problem.

>> Just use a DIR to get file names into some temporary file and put all xxxx.ksg in the menu along with the New Game and Exit options.
yep - only one issue about this, and not a translation issue. i'll do that last.

>> the concept is taking too much time and is evidently fruitless.
getting impatient is our job. you relax, it's only been two days and you're supposed to sound older than us. try rattling your cane more.

okay, the thing with DIR: ugh! i do this ALL THE TIME in 98, the problem is xp - if you run qbasic from the icon and load a .bas file, shell "dir" should list files from the same folder as qbasic.exe, right? no!
... from the same folder as the .bas file maybe? no!

in fact it's often a completely arbitrary folder, sometimes c:\winnt sometimes desktop but not nearly often enough is it the same or the right one.

in 98 i don't have this problem.

in xp i "fix" the problem by first running cmd (not command, god no!) and then i MUST cd c:\the\path\i\want
then, i type in qbasic [enter]

then when i run the program it works like it should. now i can write the program to load from any folder you like - but, making it first get to the right folder to dir from is a trick that xp just won't allow me. any thoughts on this? and don't tell me you don't have this problem.

although it is an easy way out. i make the routine to dump what's needed into an array and i let others debug it.

i made the background screen - no problem.
i made the menu - no problem.

i can make a third routine fill the array that the menu uses - THIS third part might actually need debugging. damned shame there isn't any consistancy in dos emulation whatsoever.