ARM Club 1/ARM_CLUB_CD.iso/contents/comdemos/progs/primesolve/ReadMe

Text File | 1993-12-03 | 15.5 KB | 401 lines

+-----------------------------------------------------+
|           M I N E R V A    S O F T W A R E          |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
|                         /\                          |
|                        //\\                         |
|                       //  \\                        |
|                      //____\\                       |
|                     // |||| \\                      |
|                     \\ ==== //                      |
|                      \\    //                       |
|                       \\  //                        |
|                        \\//                         |
|                         \/                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| Minerva House, Baring Crescent, Exeter, EX1 1TL, UK |
| Fax: [phone]                   Tel: [phone] |
+-----------------------------------------------------+

Welcome to the wonderful world of PrimeSolver!

PrimeSolver is a simulator which allows you to create
and/or solve mechanical problems using nearly 60
different tools and objects. This activity promotes
goal-oriented logical thinking and encourages group
discussion, building communication and team skills. The
puzzles may be arbitrary or may be designed to target
specific ideas. The simulator is as accurate as it can
reasonably be so it is quite possible to use
PrimeSolver to explore potential solutions to real
problems. Although aimed primarily at the Modelling/
Handling information strand of the National Curriculum
at KS2/3/4, this software has a broad range of possible
applications and problems can be designed which are
suitable for use from year 2 up to university level.

PrimeSolver is designed to support many different
activities in the classroom. It can act as the start
point for discussions of subjects ranging from
atmospheric pollution to harmonic motion. Models may
be built using various construction techniques and
these compared with the simulation. This gives the
opportunity for many more pupils to become involved
than might be able to gain access to computers at the
same time. The differences between the models and the
simulator will also provide material for many levels
of analysis of actual events. The simulator might also
be used to test possible real models before embarking
on construction. Investigation of design and planning
processes is thus encouraged. Experimentation with
different possibilities is quicker and easier than
with actual models and 'what if' questions can be
posed and answered quickly. Discussions among the
participants build rapidly and the difficulties and
advantages of teamwork and good communications can
be highlighted and explored. PrimeSolver is a general
purpose tool which can be used in the path to a wide
variety of attainment targets right across the
curriculum.

PrimeSolver will be launched at the BETT show in
January 1994. The launch will announce a special price
of just £79.95+VAT. Site licences will be available
starting with a Primary School licence for just
£120+VAT.

Please note that this demo version only includes a high
resolution sprite set. These don't look at their best
in standard modes (ie rectangular pixel modes such as
12,15,35,36,39 etc). If you have a system which can
display a high res mode (eg 20,27,31) please use one
for this demo. As with most software, it works best
with RISC OS 3 but is fully compatable with RISC OS 2.
There is a time-out which will stop the demo after a
reasonable period. If this happens you may restart it
by simply running the software again. This demo will be
very limited on a one megabyte machine.

PrimeSolver has a configurable user interface so the
selection of facilities available to the user may be
easily controlled. This makes it simple to configure
the software for users of all ages and abilities.

As a problem designer you have access to the whole
range of tools and you can use these to build up a
problem in need of a solution. You can then choose
which tools and objects are available to solve the
problem with and present your finished masterpiece to
your victims to see if they can find the solution!

As a problem solver, you must use a small range of
tools to achieve a clearly defined objective. You may
experiment with different configurations too see what
the results will be and you may find several solutions
to the same problem. You may even find a better one
than the problem's designer intended!

This demonstration does not include the ability to
design puzzles. However a selection of ready made
puzzles is supplied and these give a small taste of the
things you can do with PrimeSolver. To use the
software, double-click on its icon and then on one of
the problem files. The first problem in the file will
be loaded and presented on the screen. The software is
controlled with the mouse using the three windows
displayed:

1. The main window shows the problem. This is where
   you must build the solution using the tools
   available in the tool window.

2. The tool window, to the right of the main window,
   shows the tools available for solving the problem.
   You may find it useful to use the Acorn interactive
   help system to find out more about them.

3. The button bar. This gives quick access to the
   functions on the PrimeSolver menu as well as to some
   features not on the menu for practical reasons
   (eg snapshot).

To solve the problem, drag objects from the toolbox to
the main window. You can also move them about in the
main window once you have positioned them, or drag them
out again if you decide you don't need them after all.
In the main window you can drag some objects with
ADJUST to change their size and double-click ADJUST to
rotate them. If you get a no-entry sign on your pointer
you are trying to put an object somewhere where it
won't fit. To position string, electric cables and
belts, drag to the start point and then click on the
end point. For string, you may click on up to two
pulleys in between. Notice how the pointer shape tells
you where you can and can't end a belt, cable or rope.

Once you are happy with the position of everything,
click the start button (triangular icon pointing
rightwards) on the button bar to start the simulator.
If you have got it right, the problem will be solved.
If not, press STOP (square icon next to start) and try
again. If you have forgotton what you are supposed to
do to solve the problem press the button with the i for
information icon on it. Remember that you may not
necessarily need to use all the available objects to
solve any particular problem.

To help you out, the solutions to the problems in the
file 'Intro' are given at the end of the file. Once you
have tried these you are on your own!

Don't forget to use the Acorn interactive help to find
out more about using the software. There are menus on
the main window (except when the simulator is running)
and on the button bar and the iconbar icon. The
password is needed to reach some options. For this demo
the password is blank.

Designing problems is just like solving them except you
start with a blank layout and access to as many of each
object as you like. There are facilities to incorporate
your own sprites and objects and you can define the
criteria which must be satisfied for the problem to be
considered solved.

The objects available are as follows:

 1.Brickwork
 2.Steel plate
 3.Concrete
 4.Girder
 5.Tiles
    Items 1-5 are available as strips which may run
    horizontally or vertically and may be stretched
    to any length. They are used for basic construction
    and are all very similar. No objects will pass
    through them and all except concrete are destroyed
    by bombs.
 6.Water
    Also available in strips of varying length but only
    horizontal. Everything except a boat will pass
    through water.
 7.Ramp
    A sloping piece of steel plate. Available in four
    different lengths sloping left or right. The height
    is always the same (twice the height of a strip of
    brickwork etc) so the angle depends on the length.
 8.Bomb
    Fuse may be ignited by contact with laser or
    candle. After delay, explosion destroys close
    objects and jolts those a bit further away.
    Concrete is not affected.
 9.Candle
    May be lit by the laser and extinguished by a blast
    of air or steam.
10.Frog: Felicity Green
    Dies if it falls too far or is hit too hard. Will
    hop away if frightened and will eat any flies it
    finds.
11.Fly: Biggles
    Will fly away if frightened or die if hit too hard.
12.Hen: Henrietta Eggworthy
    Frightened by loud noises, lasers etc. Can be set
    to lay an egg when frightened.
13.Egg
    Rolls like a ball, breaks if hit too hard.
14.Nest
    Can hold ball like objects (eg eggs!) and is soft
    so eggs are less likely to break in it.
15.Nut
    Rolls like a ball, breaks if hit too hard.
16.Football
17.Tennis ball
18.Cricket ball
    These can all roll and bounce. They have varying
    sizes and weights so interact differently.
19.Jam jar
    Can be used to contain things. Can break if hit too
    hard.
20.Balloon
    Helium filled so rises in normal air pressure
    and gravity. Ropes may be tied to it. Will burst
    under a wide range of circumstances.
21.Bucket
    Free moving and may be tied to ropes. Can contain
    other objects.
22.Weight
    Very heavy compared to most other things. Can be
    tied to ropes.
23.Anchor point
    A simple anchoring loop for rope.
24.Pulley
    Ropes may be passed over up to two pulleys each.
25.Rope
    Slightly elastic. Can be used to tie things
    together to transmit forces etc. Cut by shears
    and laser beams.
26.Seesaw
    Rope may be tied to either end. Objects placed
    on the high end may rock it if there is not
    a heavier object on the other end.
27.Trapdoor
    Opened by attaching a rope and pulling it.
28.Lift cage
    May contain various objects. Ropes may be attached
    to move it.
29.Winch
    Pays out or pulls in rope depending on turn
    direction.
30.Gearbox
    Two drive belts may be connected, one putting
    power in and the other taking it out. The direction
    of rotation will be reversed if the operating lever
    is in the down position. The lever may be moved
    by hitting it with a moving object.
31.Shears
    These are operated by hitting the handles or blades
    with a moving object. They will cut ropes and
    electric cables.
32.Boiler
    This provides a constant source of steam which can
    blow things and power a steam engine.
33.Pipe
    May be stretched to any length horizontal or
    vertical. Can carry steam or vacuum.
34.Pipe bend
    May be rotated to one of four positions.
35.Valve
    Place in pipework to control flow of steam or
    vacuum. Hit with a moving object to operate.
    Valve is closed when the lever is at right-angles
    to the pipe.
36.Steam engine
    May be operated by steam or vacuum (in reverse).
37.Belt
    Used to transmit rotary power.
39.Cog
    Cogs can be connected to power by belts or by
    contact with each other.
40.Conveyor belt
    Powered by a belt, moves objects in contact with
    it. May be stretched to any length.
41.Generator
    Powered by a belt, provides electricity.
42.Electric motor
    When connected to electricity can provide power
    through a belt.
43.Electric socket
    Can start either on or off. May be turned on
    and off by moving objects hitting the switch.
44.Electric cable
    May be stretched to any length.
45.Laser
    Powerful beam when connected to electricity.
    Will cut rope and electric cable, frighten
    chickens etc.
46.Mirror
    May be rotated to one of four positions. Can be
    used to control laser beams.
47.Electric lamp
    Will frighten chickens etc.
48.Electric bell
    Will frighten chickens etc.
49.Electric radio
    Will frighten chickens etc.
50.Electric fan
    Can move objects by blowing them.
51.Vacuum cleaner
    Can move objects by sucking them.
52.Mike the Bike
    Can be encouraged to provide power by pedalling.
53.Windmill
    Provides power under the right conditions.
54.Springboard
    Moving objects bounce more off this.
55.Cricket stumps
    May be knocked down by moving objects.
56.Flag
    Flutters prettily under the right conditions.
57.Boat
    Floats and moves in a breeze. Will move objects
    it hits.


=======================================================
Solutions to the problems in the file 'Intro':

1.Swimming Pool
Drag a piece of pipe onto the problem and position it
so the left hand end is flush against the output pipe
on the boiler. ADJUST-drag the right hand end up to the
steam engine. This connects steam to the engine so it
can be used (you may like to do a test run at this
stage). Now drag a belt onto the steam engine and click
SELECT to place the other end on the cog. Drag a cog
and position it immediately below the one already
present so the teeth mesh. Now drag a second cog below
this and then a belt from the last cog to the conveyor
belt. Hit start and Felicity will be conveyed along the
belt and off the end into the pool.
PROBLEM SOLVED!

2.Fly the flag
To do this you need a breeze so you must turn the fan.
This needs electrical power so pick up the generator
(the rectangular purple thing with a mains socket on
it!) and drop it next to the fan. Then plug the fan in
using the electric cable and run a belt from the steam
engine to the generator. Use two pipe bends and a
straight piece to connect the top of the valve to the
steam engine (remember to double-click ADUST on them to
rotate them) and then start the simulation. The tennis
ball should be flipped up over the generator and fan,
coming down on the other side to open the valve. If the
generator is not correctly positioned it may get in the
way. Otherwise, the valve opens and lets the steam get
to the engine. This powers the generator which spins
the fan and flies the flag.
PROBLEM SOLVED!

3.Trapdoor
The trapdoor is operated by tying a rope to it and
pulling. Drop the rope on the trapdoor then click on
the left hand pulley at the bottom of the screen, then
the right hand one and finally on the left hand end of
the seesaw. Position the shears so that the blades are
on either side of the rightmost piece of rope and
position the cricket ball directly above the handles of
the shears with fair gap between them. When you press
start the ball will drop onto the shears, closing them
and cutting the rope. The weight drops onto the seesaw
and pulls the rope operating the trapdoor. The football
is released and rolls into place.
PROBLEM SOLVED!

4.Powerhouse
The limited length of the belts means there is only one
solution. Place three cogs in contact vertically
between the steam engine and the generators. Belt one
to the steam engine and the other two to the
generators. Place the fan on the same level as Mike the
Bike but outside his exercise room, facing left. Plug
the fan and the bell into the generators. Place two
cogs side by side in the gap below Mike the Bike,
halfway between him and the end of the conveyor. Belt
the bike to the right hand cog and the conveyor to the
left. Click go and the bell will wake up Mike the Bike.
He will start pedalling and the conveyor belt will run.
The fan will blow the ball down the drain and the
conveyor will take it to Felicity Green's pond.
PROBLEM SOLVED!

5.Laser Light Show
Plug the laser into the socket to its right. Place the
cricket ball between the bricks at the top of the steam
pipe (this requires a steady hand as it only just
fits). When you press start, the first balloon is burst
by the laser which is then interrupted by the cricket
ball blown up by the steam. The ball falls out of the
beam just in time to burst the last balloon.
PROBLEM SOLVED!