public void actionPerformed( ActionEvent event )
      {
      if( event.getActionCommand().equals( "play game" ) )
         {
         int gType = -1;
         if( gameTypeBox.getSelectedItem().equals( "multiples" ) )
            {
            gType = 0;
            } //end if
         if( gameTypeBox.getSelectedItem().equals( "factors" ) )
            {
            gType = 1;
            } //end if
         if( gameTypeBox.getSelectedItem().equals( "primes" ) )
            {
            gType = 2;
            } //end if
         startGame( gType, (GameDefs) difficultyBox.getSelectedItem() );
         } //end if
      if( event.getActionCommand().equals( "how to play" ) )
         {
         try
            {
            Desktop.getDesktop().open(new File(NumberMunchers.fileLocation + "howtoplay.pdf"));
            } //end try
         catch( Exception e )
            {
            //this method left blank intentionally
            } //end catch
         } //end if
      } //end method actionPerformed