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Copyright 1993, by EduGraphics, All Rights Reserved
_____________________________________________________________________
DATE: 4/5/93 0000007
NAME: GRITT(Version 1)-A Graphical Resource and Information
Teaching Tool
AUTHOR: William W. Niemi (Bill)
EduGraphics (EDG)
30 Iacuele Drive.
Wakefield, RI 02879
401-783-3118
_____________________________________________________________________
DESCRIPTION: GRITT is a software program which uses diagrams,
composed of pictures, to access data in a database.
The main features of GRITT are:
a. Pictorial access to database.
b. Database is expandable by user.
c. Simple data entry and access.
d. Context sensitive help messages.
e. Custom diagrams available.
f. Includes interactive graphical educational game.
1. One to four players.
2. Skill level adjustable.
_____________________________________________________________________
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
IBM PC, 640K, Hard Disk, 5-1/4" or 3-1/2" floppy,
EGA(256K), Microsoft compatible mouse.
_____________________________________________________________________
REGISTRATION:
Registration fee is $25.00 which will include:
1. Complete, printed user manual.
2. A map of the continental United States.
3. A diagram of the human skull.
4. A map of Rhode Island.
5. Choice of another diagram from available list.
6. Latest Revision of software.
7. Access to additional data.
8. Ability to acquire customized diagrams.
_____________________________________________________________________
SOFTWARE INSTALLATION:
The software comes packaged as compressed data
contained on two double density 5-1/4" diskettes.
Insert the floppy diskette into your floppy drive and
then, from that drive, type INSTALL. INSTALL will
prompt you for the disk on which to store the software
and then installs the program and data into the GRITT
directory on that disk.
The program should only be installed onto a hard disk
since operation of the program from a floppy drive
will severly impede the performance of the program. To
start the program, enter the GRITT directory and type
GRITT.
Read the file README.DOC on the disk number 1 for
instructions on how to get started in using the GRITT
program.
_____________________________________________________________________
WARRANTY DISCLAIMER:
EDUGRAPHICS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS
SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
AND ALL SUCH WARRANTIES ARE EXPRESSELY AND
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED. NEITHER EDUGRAPHICS NOR
ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION,
PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE
LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL
DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE
SUCH SOFTWARE EVEN IF EDUGRAPHICS HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL EDUGRAPHICS' LIABILITY FOR ANY
DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO
USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE CLAIM.
THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE
QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.
Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of
liability for consequential or incidental damages, so
the above limitation may not apply to you.
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Rhode Island and shall inure to the benefit
of EduGraphics, and any successors, administrators,
heirs and assigns. Any action or proceeding brought
by either party against the other arising out of or
related to this agreement shall be brought only in a
STATE or FEDERAL COURT of competent jurisdiction
located in Washington County, Rhode Island. The
parties hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of
said courts.
_____________________________________________________________________
LICENSE:
This software and the disks on which it is contained
is licensed to you, for your own use. This is
copyrighted software. You are not obtaining title to
the software or any copyright rights. You may not
sublicense, rent, lease, convey, modify, translate,
convert to another programming language, decompile, or
disassemble the software for any purpose.
You may make as many copies of this software as you
need for backup purposes. You may use this software
on more than one computer, provided there is no chance
it will be used simultaneously on more than one
computer. If you need to use this software on more
than one computer simultaneously, please contact
EduGraphics for information about site licenses.
_____________________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL DIAGRAMS:
The following additional diagrams (maps) are currently
available for use with the GRITT program:
1. North America $10.00
2. Africa $10.00
_____________________________________________________________________
CUSTOMIZED DIAGRAMS:
Additional Diagrams can be readily prepared for use
with the GRITT program.
Customized diagrams are available at a reasonable
cost. Call for details.
EDG may refuse a request for customization due to
diagram complexity or inappropriate subject matter.
Examples of possible subject matter for diagrams are:
time lines, The Periodic chart, geometric shapes,
anatomical systems, cell biology, classroom layouts,
calendars, etc., etc., etc. Use your imagination.
_____________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION:
a. A diagram is composed of objects, each of which
has a unique identification (e.g. the individual
states on the map of the United States are the
objects of the map.)
b. Objects on the diagram can have data associated
with them. The data is organized into categories
(e.g.. a map of the United States might have a
category of "State Capitols" containing the
capitol of each state.)
c. A category or categories can be chosen such that
only those selected categories are used throughout
the program. Categories so chosen are said to be
active categories. Once selected as active, via
the CATEGORY function, a category remains active
throughout the entire program execution, unless
made inactive (via CATEGORY). Any, including all
or none, of the categories can be made active.
d. The software remembers the last diagram that was
used by the software and the active data
categories. (i.e. When the program is restarted,
it will start with the previous diagram that was
used and the previous set of active categories.)
e. The options and players for the game are retained
from one program execution to the next.
f. The program is operated with a mouse, except for
data entry or editing.
g. When moving the cursor around the screen the
message area will contain a brief description of
the purpose or function of the section of the
screen the cursor is on.
h. The word "select", as used in this document, means
to move the mouse cursor over an item and press
the left mouse button.
i. Menu options are selected by placing the cursor
over the item and pressing the left mouse button.
j. The name of a menu always appears in GRAY at the
beginning of the menu line.
_____________________________________________________________________
SCREEN LAYOUT:
The following describes the areas of the graphics
screen and how they are used by the GRITT program.
LINE 1: Displays the name of a menu and its associated
menu items.
LINE 2: This line is divided into two sections. The
left portion is called the message area and displays
messages that the software generates. The right hand
portion of this line displays the name of the active
diagram.
LINE 25: The bottom text line of the screen is divided
into 2 sections. The left portion, when used, will
display the name of a category, while the right
portion, when used, will contain category data for
some object from the diagram.
LINE 3 Thru LINE 24-Displays the diagram graphics.
_____________________________________________________________________
TROUBLE SHOOTING:
Two problems have been identified which may cause
difficulties with the installation of GRITT on your
particular hardware platform.
a. Mouse Conflict.
On some hardware platforms, the mouse does not
behave correctly during the LOGO screen or during
play of the game. The problem seems to be a conflict between the mouse and the clock.
If this problem occurs on your system, the clock
can be disable using the following procedure.
CD \GRITT
RENAME CLOCK.YES CLOCK.NO
If the program does not find the file CLOCK.YES,
it will disable the clock functions.
b. Temporary Files.
Occasionally, the software will not operate due
to a problem with a temporary file. Do the
following to try to resolve the problem:
CD \GRITT
ERASE *.S*
This action will erase all of the temporary files
in the GRITT directory.
If this fails to correct the problem, erase the
tmporary file in the directory containing the
diagram data.
Example: CD \GRITT\DIAGRAMS\USA
ERASE *.S*
After erasing the temporary files from the GRITT
directory, The program startup will start with
the FILES screen (See below) to enable you to
select an active diagram. The game options and
player names will be reset to default values.
If problem persists, call the author for
assistance.
_____________________________________________________________________
DATA ORGANIZATION:
The program and data files are all located within the
GRITT directory. Most temporary files are also located
in the GRITT directory And have an extension beginning
with the letter "S" (e.g. TEMP.S01).
Diagram data is contained in subdirectories under
GRITT\DIAGRAMS. At the present time, each diagram is
stored in a separate directory. The name of the files
for a diagram all begin with the same letters as the
directory in which the data is stored, with only the
file extension changing.
_____________________________________________________________________
GETTING STARTED:
Use the following Tutorial to get acquainted with the
GRITT program. The diagram, active categories,
player's names, and playing options have been preset
for the purpose of this Tutorial. Do not change them
until the tutorial is complete.
Each section of this tutorial has 3 sections:
1. A DESCRIPTION section which describes the purpose
of the function you are entering.
2. A MENU ITEM section which briefly describes the
purpose for the menu items on the function's menu
line.
3. A TUTORIAL section which describes the steps you
should take the first time using the program to
help you get acquainted with the function.
To get a full description of all program functions and
menu items, you will need to register the program and
receive a full printed manual.
_____________________________________________________________________
START:
DESCRIPTION:
This section describes the steps required to start the
program.
MENU ITEMS: None
TUTORIAL begins:
1. Type CD \GRITT
2. Type GRITT.
This starts the program with a display of the
LOGO screen.
_____________________________________________________________________
LOGO Screen:
DESCRIPTION:
The program displays the copyright notice and the last
diagram used. The software now simulates the GAME
portion of the software with:
-Display of a clock to keep track of elapsed time.
-Display of the name of a category.
-Display of the category data for an object.
-Filling an object with a color.
-Display of an object outline in the "view-box".
-Random selection of objects.
-When all objects are filled, displays an outline
of the diagram in the "view-box".
-After filling all objects, clears colors from
diagram, and repeats the cycle until the left mouse
button is held down.
MENU ITEMS: None
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Let the program cycle through several objects for
a minute or so.
2. Hold down the left mouse button until the name of
the program appears on the screen.
3. Press the left mouse button to move onto the GRITT
main menu.
_____________________________________________________________________
GRITT main menu:
DESCRIPTION:
This menu is the main menu of the GRITT program. It
is the menu through which all functions of GRITT are
accessed.
MENU ITEMS:
FILES -Select a new diagram.
CATEGORY -Select active categories; also use to
edit category names or create a new
category.
INFO -Examine, create, and edit data associated
with active categories. Displays graphic
relationship between object and object
data.
OBJECT -Display the data from all active
categories associated with a selected
object.
GAME -Controls game setup and play.
CLEAR -Redisplays the diagram graphics.
EXIT -Exits the program, returning to the DOS
operating system.
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Move the cursor over the objects on the diagram.
Data from an active category for an object is
displayed at the bottom of the graphics screen.
2. Move the cursor over an object and press the left
mouse button.
It may be necessary to press the mouse button
twice.
This action changes the name of the category to
the next active one.
3. Continue moving the cursor over the diagram. Watch
the changes on the bottom line of the display.
4. Select INFO from the GRITT menu line.
_____________________________________________________________________
INFO Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
Upon selection of this function, the software displays
a window containing the data from one of the active
categories, if any.
MENU ITEMS:
NEXT -Displays the next active category.
EDIT -Edit data in unprotected category.
COPY -Copy data from selected objects into
buffer.
PASTE -Place contents of copy buffer into
category starting with first selected
object.
ALL -Select all objects.
COLOR -Change color for selected(non-RED)
objects and for use by the SHOW menu
item.
SHOW -Using the current color, display the
diagram filling selected objects with
color.
CLEAR -Reset all objects to unselected
(RED), and remove colors from
diagram.
DELETE -Delete data for selected objects from
database.
PRINT -Print data for selected objects from
current category on line printer.
GO-BACK -Return to the GRITT main menu.
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. a. Select an object name from the window.
Color will change from RED to BLUE.
Selecting the object name a second time will
change the color back to RED.
Make sure that the color of the object name
you wish is BLUE before proceeding to the
next step.
b. Select SHOW from the INFO menu line.
The diagram will be redisplayed with the
selected object(s) filled with the color
BLUE.
c. Select GO-BACK from the SHOW menu line to
return to the INFO window.
d. Repeat the steps in this paragraph several
times by selecting other object names.
Multiple data items may be selected before
selecting SHOW.
Make sure that you do step c. before going
onto to step 2.
2. Select GO-BACK from the INFO menu line to return
to the GRITT main menu
3. Select CLEAR from the GRITT menu line to redisplay
the diagram.
4. Select OBJECT from the GRITT menu line.
_____________________________________________________________________
OBJECT Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
Selecting OBJECT from the main menu displays the
OBJECT menu. The use of this function allows the user
to select an object from the diagram and display the
data values from all active categories for that
object.
MENU ITEMS:
CLEAR -Remove color from objects.
COLOR -change the color used to fill an object
after it has been selected.
GO-BACK -Return to the GRITT main menu.
Upon selecting an object, the object is filled with
the current color, the category data for that object
is displayed in a window along with the LIST menu
containing the following:
LIST MENU ITEMS:
EDIT -Edit the data within a non-protected
category. (Protected data is displayed in
DARK GRAY.)
PRINT -Print data from LIST window on line
printer.
GO-BACK -Return to the OBJECT menu.
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. a. Move the cursor over an object and press the
left mouse button.
The software displays the LIST window on
which data from all active categories for
the selected object is shown. This screen
allows the user to examine, edit, and enter
data for non-protected active categories.
b. Select GO-BACK from the LIST menu line to
return to the OBJECT window.
c. Repeat this paragraph several times to display
category data for additional objects.
2. Select GO-BACK from the OBJECT menu line to return
to the GRITT main menu.
3. Select FILES from the GRITT menu line.
_____________________________________________________________________
FILES Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
This function is used to select another diagram.
Two windows appear, along with a 3rd line of text at
the top of the screen. This line of text shows the
path name of a directory. The left window shows the
subdirectories at the current path and the right
window shows the name(s) of diagrams, if any,
contained at the current path.
Selecting a subdirectory, adds the subdirectory to the
current path and displays the subdirectories and
diagrams at the new path.
Selecting ".." from the subdirectory window, removes
the latest subdirectory from the path and redisplays
the windows with the subdirectories and diagrams at
the new path.
MENU ITEMS:
GO_BACK -Displays the new diagram and returns
to the calling menu (either GRITT or
GAME).
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Select ".." from the left window.
Displays "RHODEIS", "SKULL", and "USA" in the
left window.
2. Select "RHODEIS" from the left window.
"RHODE ISLAND" is displayed in the right window.
3. Select "RHODE ISLAND" from the right window.
"RHODE ISLAND" appears in the diagram name area of
the screen (right portion of line 2 on the
screen.)
4. Select GO-BACK from the FILES menu line
The map of Rhode Island is now displayed,
followed by the display of the GRITT main menu.
5. Select CATEGORY from the GRITT menu line.
_____________________________________________________________________
CATEGORY Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
These functions displays the categories currently in
the active diagram's database. The functions allow
the creation, editing, deleting, printing, and
activation of categories.
The letters "P", "L", or "U" beside the category name
indicates the security level of the data, as follows:
"P" -Protected-Category name and/or data cannot be
modified.
"L" -Locked-Category name and/or data cannot be
modified. "L" can be changed to "U" by
placing the cursor over the "L", pressing the
left mouse button, pressing F7 and then
pressing F8.
"U" -Unlocked-Category name and/or data can be
modified. To change to locked ("L"), place
the cursor over the "U", press the left mouse
button, press F7, and then press F8.
MENU ITEMS:
ADD -Add a new category.
EDIT -Edit the name of a category.
DELETE -Delete a category.
ALL -Make all categories active.
NONE -Make all categories inactive.
PRINT -Print contents of category window on
line printer.
GO-BACK -Return to the calling menu.
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Select NONE.
All categories become inactive (RED).
2. Select "Name".
The color of "Name" turns green.
"Name" is the new active category.
3. Select GO-BACK from the CATEGORY menu line.
The GRITT main menu is displayed.
4. Move the cursor over the objects, examining the
display at the bottom of the screen.
(See GRITT main menu description)
5. Select GAME from the GRITT menu line.
The GAME menu will be displayed.
_____________________________________________________________________
GAME Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
This function displays the menu items for setting up
and playing the game portion of the GRITT program.
MENU ITEMS:
FILES -Same as FILES function described under
GRITT main menu.
CATEGORY -Same as CATEGORY function described under
GRITT main menu.
OPTIONS -Set the game playing parameters
PLAYERS -Establish the names of game players
PLAY -Play the game using selected players,
active categories, and players.
GO-BACK -Return to the GRITT main menu
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Change to the Usa diagram.
a. Select FILES from the GAME menu line.
b. Select ".." from the left window.
c. Select "USA" from the left window.
d. Select "UNITED STATES" from the right window.
e. Select GO-BACK from the FILES menu line to
display the Usa diagram and return to the GAME
menu.
2. Activate the "Name" category.
a. Select CATEGORY from the GAME menu line to
display the list of categories.
b. Select NONE from the CATEGORY menu line to
deactivate all categories.
c. Select "Name" from category window to activate
"Name" category.
d. Select GO-BACK from the CATEGORY menu line to
return to the GAME menu.
3. Select OPTIONS from the GAME menu line to display
the OPTIONS menu containing the current game
option values.
_____________________________________________________________________
OPTIONS Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
This function allows the game player to view and set
various options for playing the game.
OPTIONS:
TIME LIMIT -Time allowed to find a
correct answer.
NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS -Number of attempts
allowed to find an
answer.
OBJECT OUTLINES ON DIAGRAM -Y= Borders will
initially be shown
during game; N= Borders
will not be shown.
SOUND -Y= Computer beeps at
incorrect answer; N=
Computer will not beep.
OBJECTS REMAIN ON DIAGRAM -Y=After turn is
complete, object will be
filled with color and
left on map; N= Object
will not be filled.
OBJECT OUTLINE IN VIEWBOX -Y= One of the clues will
be the outline of the
object shown in the view
box; N= outline will not
be used as clue.
REPLAY INCORRECT ANSWERS -Y= incorrect answer will
not be filled, and clue
will be repeated later;
N= incorrect answer
filled, clue not
repeated.
To change a "Y" to "N" or "N" to "Y", place the
cursor over the letter and press the left mouse
button.
To change a numeric value, place the cursor over the
value and press the left mouse button. The value
will turn white. Use the mouse along with the
arrows and scroll bars on the OPTIONS window to
adjust the values.
MENU ITEMS
GO-BACK -Return to the GAME menu
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Do not change any of the option values at this
time.
2. Select GO-BACK from the OPTIONS menu line to
return to the GAME menu.
3. Select PLAYERS from the GAME menu line to
display the PLAYERS menu containing the names of
the game players.
_____________________________________________________________________
PLAYERS Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
This function is used to view and/or set the names of
the game players.
The color used to display a player's name will also be
used to fill an object after a correct answer while
playing the game.
MENU ITEMS:
RESET -Reset the scores to 0.
ADD -Add a new player (Up to 4).
EDIT -Edit the name of a player.
DELETE -Delete a players name.
GO-BACK -Return to the GAME menu.
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Do not add or change any players at this time.
2. Select GO-BACK from the PLAYERS menu line to
return to the GAME menu.
3. Select PLAY from the GAME menu line to start the
game.
_____________________________________________________________________
PLAY Menu:
DESCRIPTION:
This function enters an interactive game mode where
the individuals interact with graphics and text to
test their knowledge of information from active
categories.
PLAY MENU ITEMS:
SCORES -Select before starting a player's
turn to examine scores. Scores are
shown as a percentage of correct
answers.
GO-BACK -Terminate the game and return to the
GAME menu.
SCORES MENU ITEM:
GO-BACK -Close the SCORES window and resume
play of the game.
TUTORIAL Continues:
1. Upon selecting PLAY, the software:
Redisplays the active diagram.
Displays a clock.
Displays a "view-box".
Displays the name of the first player in the
message area.
2. Start Player's turn by pressing the left mouse
button.
Clues are selected randomly from the diagram's
database.
The name of the category and the data for the
first clue is displayed on the bottom line of
the screen.
The clock starts.
3. Move the cursor over the object which answers the
clue information and press the left mouse button.
If the answer is incorrect, the computer beeps.
If time runs out, computer fills in correct
answer.
If number of attempts becomes used up, computer
fills in correct answer.
If answer is correct, computer fills in object
with player's color (See PLAYERS function.)
An answer is not considered incorrect unless
time runs out or your number of attempts become
used up.
4. Return to step 2 for the next player's turn.
5. When the game is completed, the message
"The Game is completed" appears in the message
area and the GAME menu is displayed.
6. Select PLAYERS from the GAME menu and examine the
final scores for the game players.
Scores are shown as a percentage of correct
answers.
7. Select GO-BACK from the PLAYERS menu line to
return to the the GAME menu.
8. Select GO-BACK from the GAME menu line to return
to the GRITT main menu.
9. Select EXIT from the GRITT menu line to exit the
program and return to the DOS operating system.
_____________________________________________________________________
You are now on your own. Good luck. If you continue
to use GRITT, please register the program so that you
can be provided with program updates and additional
diagrams.
If you have any suggestions for improving the GRITT
program or diagrams that you wish to share, please
contact EDG.
