Hobbies & Leisure - Plus Bible Study & Games/HobbiesLeisurePlusBibleStudyAndGamesMapleMedia1995.disc1of1.iso/vbwin1/vbwin.doc

Text File | 1993-03-24 | 29KB | 635 lines

                  Vocabulary Builder for Windows
                           Version 1.0

Program and supporting materials, including this documentation
file, are copyrighted 1993, by BC Enterprises Software Inc.

                     *** Shareware Notice ***

      Vocabulary Builder for Windows (VB Windows) is marketed as
Shareware, which means that you can try the software before
purchasing it.  We suggest that you limit the evaluation period
to 30 days.  If, after that time, you wish to continue using
Vocabulary Builder for Windows, please send $19 to BC Enterprises
Software, P.O. Box 18, Front Royal, VA  22630.  Schools and
educational institutions may buy single copies, or may purchase a
school site license for $100.

        When you register your program, you will be given the
registration code necessary to remove the reminders that you have
an un-registered version of the program.  You will also receive
the latest version of the program, along with a DOS version of
Vocabulary Builder.


I. Introduction

        Congratulations on your acquisition of the Vocabulary
Builder for Windows (VB Windows) from BC Enterprises!  We have
worked hard to bring a program to you that helps you build your
vocabulary, but which is also fun and easy to use.  We think the
VB Windows program fits this bill, and we hope you will agree.

        This program is directed toward two groups of people who
have widely divergent goals, but whose methods can be very
similar.  The primary focus of this program is to provide a quick
and easy drill for students who will be taking the SAT test.  For
this reason, most of the words in the tests are those commonly
found on the SAT.

        The second group this program will benefit is the large
number of adults who would like to improve their vocabulary.
There are many books available these days which help improve
vocabulary, but a computer program is infinitely easier and more
practical.  With this computer program, you can drill whenever
you want to, taking any test as many times as you want.  Also,
you can add to or modify the tests as much as you like, so that
you can concentrate on any problem area.  We have heard many
times that the way to improve vocabulary is to learn a certain
number of new words every week.  With VB Windows, you would
simply enter your new words, and you have ready-made tests.

        The testing program contains a total of 1600 words in
four categories: Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives, and Word Elements.  Up
to 400 new words can be added by the user in a category called
User File.  Additionally, any or all of the current words and
definitions can be replaced or modified.  Each of the categories
is broken up into 20 tests of 20 words each.  The program offers
two separate testing formats for drill on these words.

        VB Windows, however, is more than just a drill of words.
We think that the most significant feature of the program is that
it teaches prefixes, suffixes, and roots (word elements) -- the
very building blocks of words.  The program shows you the word
elements (usually taken from Latin or Greek), and then you can
see the English words that are built out of them.  If you sit
down and learn 400 words, then you only know 400 words.  If you
learn 400 word elements, then you will be able to discern the
meanings of tens of thousands of words.

        Due to the importance of learning these words elements,
we suggest that you take the time to study these first, before
going through the other tests.  Having learned the word elements
beforehand, the meanings of previously unfamiliar words on the
other tests will be clear to you.


II. Using VB Windows

II.1. System Configuration

        VB Windows is written in Microsoft Visual Basic 2.0, and
requires Windows 3.0 or higher, running in Standard or 386
Enhanced mode.  Any computer which can run in at least Standard
mode can run VB Windows, although faster computers will certainly
have improved performance.

        VB Windows is optimized for screen resolutions from 640
by 480 to 800 by 600.  Higher screen resolutions are not
recommended, and will normally cause the program display to be
incorrect.  If you try to run the program at a resolution higher
than 800 by 600, the program will warn you of the problem and ask
you if you want to go on.  The program will work at higher
resolutions, but the display won't look right.


II.2. Program Installation

        VB Windows comes with an easy to use setup program which
will copy all files to the proper directories and decompress the
word files.  Since most of the VB Windows files are compressed,
you must use the installation program to install VB Windows.

        If you downloaded the program from a BBS, then the
easiest thing to do is to copy all the files to a single
diskette, either a 3 1/2 inch diskette or a high-density 5 1/4
inch diskette, and install from a diskette.

        If you received the program on one or more diskettes from
a disk vendor, then you should start installation with the
program marked disk 1 or disk A.

        Once you are ready to install the program, you should
choose the File, then Run... command from the Windows Program
Manager.  To install from the A: drive, type in "A:SETUP".  To
install from the B: drive, type in "B:SETUP".

        The Setup program will first copy some preliminary run-
time files to your Windows System directory.  Then it will ask
you in what directory you would like the VB Windows files placed.
The default directory is C:\VOCAB, but you can choose any valid
drive and directory.  Once you specify a directory, the Setup
program will continue copying files to both that directory and
your Windows System directory.  If you received the program on
more than one diskette, you will be prompted when the second
diskette is required.

        After the copying is completed, the Setup program will
attempt to shell to DOS in order to decompress the word files
used by the program which are kept in the file WORDS.EXE.  If the
program does this successfully, the word files will be
decompressed and located in your VB Windows subdirectory.  If the
Shell is unsuccessful, the Setup program will warn you that you
will need to manually run the WORDS program before you use VB
Windows.  All you need to do is use File Manager to show you your
VB Windows directory, and run the file WORDS.EXE.  Alternatively,
you could exit Windows, change to your VB Windows directory, and
type WORDS at the system prompt.

        Because of the way Windows runs in 386 enhanced mode, the
word decompression may actually occur in a background window while
the VB Windows Setup continues in the foreground.  This is
normal, and nothing to worry about.  In standard mode, the words
should normally decompress in the foreground.

        After the word decompression, the Setup program will ask
you to enter the Registered User, or activation, code.  If you
have registered the program with BC Enterprises, this code will
be on a sheet included with the program package.  Otherwise, just
hit -Enter- to continue.

        If you do not enter the registration code, the program
will still be fully functional and not crippled in any way.
However, the caption for the main menu screen will say that the
program is not registered.  And, before loading the first word
test of a session, the program will ask you to consider
registering.  This box appears only once per run, so it should
remind you but not annoy you.

        Next, the Setup program will place an icon for VB Windows
in the currently active program group.  Setup DOES NOT create a
separate program group.  If you don't want it in the current
program group, you can always drag-and-drop it somewhere else, or
create a new program group.


II.3. Setting a Current User

        One of the most helpful functions of VB Windows is its
ability to graphical display your progress via a sophisticated
graphing package.  In order to keep track of the data needed to
generate the charts, the program allows you to enter up to 50
users.  At least one user must be entered for the program to run.

        The first time you run VB Windows, you will be asked to
enter a user name.  The first name you enter will automatically
become the current user.  After that, you can enter other users,
if you wish, and choose a current user from among them.  You do
not need to enter more than one user, but you must enter one.

        When you exit the User window, the program will create
user data files for everyone you entered, as well as a general
user file which keeps track of the other files.  The list of the
users is kept in a file called VOCUSERS.DTA.  The individual
user data is kept in files with the first eight (or fewer)
characters of the user name, plus .DTA.

        You can change and edit current users from many different
screens in VB Windows.


II.4. The Main Menu Screen

        On the Main Menu Screen, you will notice that there are
listed five different categories of tests which you may select:
Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives, User File, and Word Elements.  Beneath
these test categories is an icon for Program Maintenance.  To
choose any of the test categories or Program Maintenance, use the
mouse to click on the applicable icon -- clicking on the word
will not produce any result.

        Along the bottom of the screen is a section showing the
current user, and offering the buttons "User", "Stats", "About",
and "Exit".

II.5. Choosing Test Number and Format

        Once you decide which category of test you would like to
take, a new window will pop up in which you can choose the test
number (1 through 20), and the test format.  The two test formats
are multiple choice, which deals with one word at a time, and
matching, which deals with five words at a time.

        To choose the test format, click the radio button of the
format you want.  To choose test number, click on the pull-down
box arrow, and choose a test number.  It is a very simple system
and you should have no trouble with it.

        Note: User File tests will not be available unless you
enter them yourself.  All twenty words in a user file must be
entered before the file is usable.


II.6. The Vocabulary Tests

II.6.1. The Multiple Choice Test

        The Multiple Choice test is very straightforward, and
should not be difficult to understand.  The target word is
presented in a box at the top of the screen.  Underneath the
target word are four definitions.  You must choose the number
corresponding to the definition of the target word.  The program
will tell you if you make the right choice.  If you miss a word,
the program will tell you this, and will also point to the number
of the correct definition.

        In the form title, the program notes which number and
category test you are taking.  At the bottom left, the program
notes the word you are currently on.  If you are using the Word
Element section of the test, then the program will note in the
upper left of the screen whether the "Derived Word Display" is on
or off.  If the derived word display is on, then after you enter
your response to the target word, the program will open a window
showing you up to ten words derived from the target word.  For
instance, if the target word element is "portare", then the
program would open a window showing such words as "portable",
"importance", and "transport".  In order to remove this window
and continue, you may push -Enter- or click on Continue.  In
order to toggle this option on or off, click the command button
at the top left.  We suggest that you generally keep this option
set to "ON", especially the first few times you go through a
test.  When viewing the derived words, a good exercise is to try
to determine what the words might mean, based on your knowledge
of the root.  Keeping a dictionary nearby is also a good idea.

        To go to the next word, click on Next.  The program will
allow you to skip words without guessing their definitions, but
it is probably not a good idea to do so.  To exit from the test,
click the Exit button.


II.6.2. The Matching Test

        The Matching Test is just as simple as the Multiple
Choice Test.  On the left side of the screen are five target
words, with the letters A through E next to them.  On the right
side of the screen are the definitions, with boxes next to them.
You must match up the definitions with the correct word.  To do
this, use the drag-and-drop method.  If you have the sound
turned on, then the program plays a few notes when you drop the
letter in the box.

        If you want to change a letter, then you can "undo" the
dropped letter by double-clicking on it.  Of course, each letter
can only be placed with one word at a time.

        If you are using the Word Elements tests, then the
program will note at the bottom middle of the screen whether the
"Derived Word Display" is set to on or off.  You may toggle this
option by clicking the button.

        When you are through entering your choices, click on the
OK button at the bottom right of the screen.  At that point the
program will display a happy face for each word you got right and
a "not-happy" face for each word wrong.  If you want to skip a
set of words, you can click the Next button.

        After the program displays which words are right and
wrong, the "Next" button changes to "PUSH ME!".  Click that button
to go to the next set of words.  If you want to end the test, use
the Exit button.


II.7. Stats

        Pushing the Stats button on the main menu screen will
bring up a sophisticated graphing package which helps you to see
your progress in learning words.

        The graphing package will show you many different types
of graphs.  The graph loaded when the function first comes up
shows you the percentage of right and wrong answers on all tests.
Other graphs, shown in the pick list under "Available Graphs",
will show you the percentage of right and wrong in each category,
or the number right and wrong for individual tests in a category.
Also, the program will show you what how much you have worked
with each category of words, as well as which tests you have
used, and how many words you have attempted.  These last two
graphs are good for making sure that you have done all the tests.

        Below the Available Graphs pick list, is a "Graph Types"
pick list, in which you can choose from several different types
of graphs, including bar graphs and pie graphs.  Which graph
types are available depends on what figures are being graphed.

        The last pick box on the left is the "Graph Background"
box, which changes the background, as well as the foreground,
colors of the graph.

        You can change users while in the graphing function by
pushing the User button in the bottom right hand corner.  You can
also erase the figures the program uses to generate graphs by
using the Reset function from the User window.

        Graphs generated by the program can be printed to a
printer, or copied to the clipboard.  If you are printing the
graph, it can be output in either color or black and white.  If
you are copying to the clipboard, the graph is copied in color,
in Windows metafile format.  Since metafiles can be stretched or
shrunk to any size, they are very convenient if you want to
include a graph in another application.

        The graphs generated by the program can help to show you
the areas in which you are weak and need to concentrate more.
This means that your word study can be much more effective and
systematic.


II.8. About

        The About box tells a little bit about the VB Windows
program, including the all-important matter of where
registrations should be sent, and how much they should be.

        You can also view the manual from this box, by clicking
on the Read Manual button.  If you load the manual, a Table of
Contents list box will appear to the right of the manual text.
You can click on an entry in the Table of Contents to bring up
that item in the text box.

        If you want to find a particular word or phrase in the
manual, push the Find button.  If the word or phrase is found, it
will generally be located in the last line of the text box.

        If you want to print the manual, then load the file into
Notepad and use its printing capabilities.


III. File Maintenance

III.1. Introduction

        The File Maintenance window offers an easy way for you to
customize the VB Windows program to your tastes.  Through the
File Maintenance window, you can set many program options,
including the use of sound and fonts.  Additionally, you can add
to or modify the data files which come with the program.  You can
also print out any or all of the data files.

        When you load the File Maintenance window, the last word
file you used will be automatically loaded as well.  If you have
not used any word file, then the file WORDS1.1 (first category,
first word file) will be loaded.  The name of the currently
loaded word file is displayed at the upper left corner of the
screen.  If, for some reason, the word file cannot be found, then
the program says "No File Loaded."

        As mentioned, the name of the file you are working on is
displayed in the top left of the window.  You will notice that
this is a numerical file name.  For instance, if you choose to
change the third test in the verb category, the file name
displayed will be WORDS1.3, rather than VERBS3.  WORDS1.3 is the
actual file name on disk of the third test (or word file) in the
verbs category.  This is because "Verbs" is the first category
listed in the VB Windows program and in all other selection
boxes.  All the data files on the disk are named in the same way.
For instance, the tenth data file in the category Nouns would be
named WORDS2.10.

        The File Maintenance window has a pulldown menu system
along the top, and a set of four pushbuttons on the right.  The
four buttons are Next, Previous, Blank, and Restore.  These
buttons operate on the words in the currently loaded file.  The
Next and Previous buttons will show you the next or previous word
in the file.  The Blank button will erase all fields for the
current word.  The Restore button will restore all fields to
their previous contents, in case you make a change that you
decide you do not want.  Once you go to the next or previous
word, however, changes cannot be undone.

        To edit fields, simply click the mouse on the field you
want to change, or use the Tab key to change fields.  You can
easily see the current edit field because it has highlighted
colors.


III.2. The File Menu

        The File menu has two choices, Open and Print.


III.2.1. Open

        When you choose open, another window appears in which you
can specify which word file you want to use.  The file selection
process is pretty self-explanatory.  The file you specify is
looked for in the current directory or the current path.  If the
file you pick is not found, the program will ask you if you want
to create the file.  If you are trying to open one of the User
Files, then you will probably want the program to create the
file.  Otherwise, you will probably not want to create the file,
but enter a path where the file may be found.


III.2.2. Print

        When you choose the Print function, the program will
first ask you if you want to print the current word file.  Note
that only the current word file can be printed.  If you say that
you do want to print, then another box will pop up to show you
the progress of the printing.  The printed output is in the
currently selected font, at 12 point.

        If you have a slow dot-matrix printer, then you would be
well-advised to print using the print spooler, since printing can
take a very long time.  With a laser printer, the printing will
likely be acceptably brisk whether you use the spooler or not.

        Since the printing function uses the currently selected
font, the printed output may take one, two, or several pages.
Printing Word Elements will take more pages, since the derived
words are also printed out.


III.2.3. Print Order Form

        In order to make it as easy as possible for you to
register this program, we include this function to print out an
order form which you can send in.

        In the first box, enter your name, address, city, state,
zip, etc.  The program will be shipped to the name and address
entered in this box.

        Next, specify disk size (5 1/4" or 3 1/2").

        Next, please tell us where you obtained the program.  Be
as specific as possible; for example, please tell us which
bulletin board or which disk vendor you received the program
from.  (This helps us with marketing and distribution.)

        When you are done filling in the form, click on the Print
button.  Then, most importantly, send the form in with payment.
Bless you!


III.3. The Setup Menu

        The Setup menu has six functions: Path to Data, Find
Data Files, Show Derived Words, Play Sounds, Fonts, and Users.


III.3.1. Path to Data

        Setting a path to data tells the VB Windows program where
to look for your data files.  This allows you, if you want, to
place your program files and data files in different directories.
The VB Windows program uses this path when it reads and writes
data files, and for saving user information.  However,
initialization files are written to the current directory, rather
than using the specified path.  So, if you have specified
"C:\DATA" as the path to data but are running the program from
"D:\VOCAB", word files will be read and written from "C:\DATA",
but initialization files will be written to "D:\VOCAB".

        If you have set an incorrect path using the Path to Data
option, you will receive a message about this if you try to use
or load any of the data files.  You will then have to set a new
path.  Setting a path when you receive an error message also
changes the path that is saved for use by the VB Windows program
when you exit the program.  For example, if you use the Path to
Data option to set the path as "E:\", but then you receive an
error message and change the path to "C:\", then the "C:\" path
is saved for use by VB Windows program, not the "E:\".

        If you simply keep your word files in the same directory
as the Vocabulary Builder program, you will never need to worry
about setting the path.  The Setup program automatically copies
the word and program files to the same directory.

        By the way, you can change the file specification which
this box searches for.  For example if you change "WORDS*.*" to
"*.EXE", the function will find all .EXE files on your hard
drive.  So, this function can be used as a general purpose file
finder.


III.3.2. Find Data Files

        If for some reason the program cannot locate the word
files, and you do not know what directory they are in, you can
use this function to locate the word files.  (Problems locating
word files can occur, for example, if you start the VB Windows
program from other than its home directory.)

        This function will search all directories on a drive for
files that start with "WORDS".  The VB Windows word files all
start with "WORDS", followed by some numbers.  If you see a
directory with a large number of files (up to 80) beginning with
"WORDS", you can be pretty sure that you have found the
VB Windows data directory.

        To start the function, click the Go button.  To change
your path to a new directory, just click on the directory you
want.  The program will then ask you to confirm that you want to
set a new path.  To exit without setting a new path, click on
Exit.

        If your system has more than one hard drive, you can
choose a different drive to search in the drive list box.


III.3.3. Show Derived, Play Sounds

        These menu selections set different options for the
Vocabulary Builder program.  When these options are enabled,
they have a check mark beside them on the menu.  When they are
disabled, they have no check mark.  To change the settings of
these, click on the menu item you want to change.

        Setting Derived ON means that when you are using Word
Elements in the VB Windows tests, the program will bring up a
screen of words which are derived from the target word.  Setting
Derived OFF means that this screen will not be shown, and the
program will run faster.  However, this specifies only the
initial setting, and can be changed while in the testing program.

        Setting Sound ON means that the program will generate
sound as it runs.  When sound is on, many different actions
generate sound.  However, it is not necessary for the smooth
operation of the program.

        NOTE: Due to the way in which Microsoft Windows handles
sound, it is possible that other programs may not be able to
generate sound while VB Windows is running with Sound ON.  Also,
if, for any reason, VB Windows terminates abnormally with an
error, you may need to restart Microsoft Windows before any
program can use sound.


III.3.4. Fonts

        The fonts dialog box lets you pick the primary font for
use with VB Windows.  This font is used in all the tests, as well
as for printing word files.

        All your screen fonts are listed in the font list box on
the left side.  Below the list are check boxes for bold and
italic.  Next to these are arrows for increasing or decreasing
the point size of the font.  In the upper right part of the form
is a sample of text with the currently selected attributes.

        Click on OK to exit and save the currently selected
attributes, or click on Cancel to exit without saving.


III.3.5. Users

        The Users windows has been explained somewhat above.  It
is pretty self-explanatory.

        To run the VB Windows program, you need at least one
user.  If you have only one user, that is the current logged
user.  If you have more than one user, you can set a current user
by highlighting a user in the list box and clicking on the
Current User button.

        You can also delete or reset a user by highlighting the
user and clicking on the appropriate button.  Deleting a user
removes that user name from the user list.  Resetting a user
leaves the user name in the list, but it deletes all user data
used for generating graphs.

        Note that you cannot delete or reset the current user.
So, if you only really want one user, but want to delete or reset
the current user, you will have to add another user temporarily,
then make the new user the current user, and delete or reset the
other user.  (It is less complicated than it sounds.)


III.4. Return

        When you are finished with the File Maintenance session,
click on Return.



                            Appendix A
                          Program Errors


        Most program errors that may occur are handled by the
program in such a way that you will not even know that an error
happened.  This is the case for such errors as file not found
errors, or printer errors.

        However, it is possible that an error may occur which the
program cannot handle.  In that case, VB Windows will give an
error message and end.  If possible, please contact BC
Enterprises by mail with 1) the text of the error message, 2) the
circumstance(s) under which it occurs, and 3) whether the error
is reproducible (does it happen every time).  This will help us
to correct the error.


BC Enterprises
P.O. Box 18
Front Royal, VA  22630

Phone Numbers:
Voice: 703-635-9998
BBS..: 703-635-7528
Fax..: [phone]
Compuserve: 76350,154