home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
HomeWare 14
/
HOMEWARE14.bin
/
tutor
/
et1of2.arj
/
ETCAI.DOC
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1993-08-07
|
39KB
|
942 lines
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
*********
* ETCAI *
*********
Electrical & Electronics Technology
Computer Aided Instruction
COPYRIGHT 1992,1993 by C. E. ORMON
P.O. Box 1046
Gautier, MS
USA
601-497-2566
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY
THIS SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT
WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THESE PROGRAMS MAY
BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS
OFFERED. GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM
BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT.
THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY
LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT
REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ETCAI FILE LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
WHAT IS ETCAI? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
MAKING ETCAI EASIER TO USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
PRINTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SCREEN PRINTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SOUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
VIDEO DRIVERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
NETWORK SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
RUNNING ETCAI FROM FLOPPY DISKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
GRADING STANDARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
QUESTIONS and PROBLEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CUSTOMIZED VERSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
UPDATE HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SUPPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
INVOICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2
ETCAI FILE LIST
ETCAI distribution disks should contain the files listed
below after de-archive and decompression has been accomplished.
See the topic "installation" for decompression instructions. The
only program designed to be executed directly from DOS is GO.EXE.
The remaining .EXE and .COM files are loaded and executed by the
shell program GO. Direct execution of some of the .COM files may
hang your computer necessitating a re-boot.
GO.EXE - This is the main shell program for all the exercises
in ETCAI. This program allows the users to select the
desired exercise using a familiar pull-down menu
process. The overlay containing the exercise is
automatically loaded and executed by GO after user
selection. GO.EXE is the only file in ETCAI which
should be executed directly from the keyboard other
than batch programs. Do not directly execute the
overlay programs listed below.
DC1.EXE - Exercise overlay
DC2.EXE - Exercise overlay
DM1.EXE - Exercise overlay
DM2.EXE - Exercise overlay
DIG1.EXE - Exercise overlay
ETCAI.DOC - This file contains the documentation and
installation instructions for ETCAI.
INSTALL.DOC - This is a brief version of ETCAI.DOC containing
the installation procedure.
MATRIX.COM - This is the active graphics screen driver. The
distribution package has MATRIX.COM set for EGA
and VGA monitors. The batch programs MONO and
EGAVGA can be used to change the active graphics
driver.
HERCULES.COM - This file contains the graphics screen driver
for HGA monochrome monitors.
VEGA.COM - A graphic screen driver for use with EGA and VGA
monitors.
PRINTER.COM -The graphic printer driver for Epson and
compatible printers.
INVOICE.TXT - Print and complete this form to register this
software or use a school or company purchase
order.
MONO.BAT - A batch program used to install a graphic screen
driver for systems using hercules monochrome
monitors.
EGAVGA.BAT - A batch program used to install a graphic screen
driver for EGA and VGA monitors.
ETNET.BAT - A batch program used to install network file-
locking
MATHDATA.CRD - A data file containing welcome screen data and
system integrity information.
CASIO.BBX - A calculator overlay called on request by users.
CALENDAR.BBX - A calendar overlay called on request by users.
3
WHAT IS ETCAI?
The ETCAI software system consist of a series of exercises
useful for aiding instruction of electricity and electronics. A
significant feature of the exercises is that each problem
presented consist of randomly selected component values and
parameters. Further, the sequence of presentation is randomized
where possible. The topics covered are appropriate for high
school, community college, and trade school electrical and
electronics training. The exercises can be used for drill &
practice, testing, remediation, and placement determination. Each
exercise prints out a "certificate" after each run with the
student name, elapsed time, and grade earned. Future versions are
planned with disk based record keeping if this version has
reasonable success. All programs in this system have extremely
simple user interfaces to focus attention on the subject matter
instead of "computerese". The simplicity of operation makes ETCAI
a good first introduction to computers. Graphics are presented
where useful with the screen kept as clean as possible.
ETCAI operates within a pull-down menu shell named GO.
Students need only type GO to start ETCAI. The exercises are
selected from the menus using either a mouse, the keyboard, or
both. Where useful, the ESC key will evoke an on screen
calculator. All ETCAI programs have full-screen editing while
accepting answers from students. This allows students to make any
number of changes prior to selecting READY. Several long running
exercises have a QUIT option which can be found on the ESC menu.
Considerable effort has gone into reducing the possibility of
accidentally quitting an exercise. Pressing the ESC key in
general either produces an innocuous action or will offer
options.
The set of exercises within ETCAI were developed to aid and
supplement training, not act as the prime delivery vehicle.
Instructors should find some exercises useful whether the main
delivery vehicle be self-paced, lecture/laboratory or CAI. The
exercises can play various roles in a training program including
competency testing, drill and practice, and placement
determination. In any application, the exercises provide varied
on-line activity with the advantages of immediate feedback and
scoring. More and more students are enrolling in Electronic
Technology training programs with weak math and academic
backgrounds. The typical student today requires more practice and
individual attention to reach an acceptable level of competence
than was required in times past. Computers and suitable software
can help in this situation. A computer and ETCAI can present a
student with any number of drills which are instantly corrected
and graded at the students request. This process encourages even
the struggling student to master the process or procedure. With
computers having infinite patience, the diligent student can
practice as long as needed to master a procedure.
4
There is no expectation that all training programs will use
all the exercises in ETCAI. For some instructors, a few exercises
may be so simple as to be a waste of time for their students. The
simple exercises are included to provide a "ground-up" structure
to the exercise set. Additionally, a few exercises may be too
difficult or conflict with methodology taught at a given
institution. An example might be the exercise "AMPLIFIER
ANALYSIS". This exercise not only generates problems on
transistor circuit analysis with "good" components but various
"bad" components as well. This results in some rather challenging
analysis exercises. Adding to the challenge is the fact that few
textbooks explain analysis of amplifier circuits with defective
components.
The development of ETCAI was to a great extent driven by a
lack of suitable software to support electrical and electronics
training. The CAI materials currently on the market tend toward
two extremes. One, Systems can be purchased which are extremely
expensive and often require users to buy not only software but
training hardware as well. Such systems often require a
commitment to the methodology and content of the software
package. Two, systems are available which have extremely
attractive graphics ( moving electrons, etc.) but virtually no
substance (requirement for students to act, analyze, make
decisions, etc.). Another frequent shortcoming of available CAI
software is a lack of variability in presentations. A student
repeating an exercise in most systems will be presented the same
activities and questions in the same order each run. The rote
memorization which results is sometimes mistaken for an
understanding of the lesson. ETCAI certainly does not fill all
the shortcomings pointed out above. The material in ETCAI does
get computers actively and usefully involved in training students
at a small cost and without dictating a particular instructional
methodology.
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
The minimum equipment required to run ETCAI is an IBM
compatible computer with 512KB memory, hard disk drive, printer,
MS-DOS 3.3 or higher, and a EGA, VGA, or Hercules monitor. All
processors from the 8088 up can be used. CGA monitors are not
supported because of insufficient graphic resolution.
5
INSTALLATION
There should be at least 2 MB of free storage on your hard
disk before starting the installation process below. ETCAI
actually occupies approximately 1.3MB of disk space after
installation. The installation process described below is for the
authors distribution package. Most shareware disk distributors
use the same distribution format but may include additional
files. Some copies of ETCAI may be repackaged by disk vendors and
require a somewhat different installation process.
ETCAI is distributed in a compressed and archived format to
reduce the number of disks required. Follow the steps below to
install ETCAI on your computer. The distribution disks should
contain the listed files:
ETCAI.DOC
INSTALL.DOC
ET1.EXE
ET2.EXE
STEP(1) Prepare a directory on your hard disk for ETCAI. Any
directory name can be used. The command line below
could be given to produce a directory named ETCAI.
MD ETCAI
STEP(2) Enter the directory prepared for ETCAI. The command
line below could be used.
CD ETCAI
STEP(3) Copy the contents of all distribution disks into the
directory. The number of disks will depend on the media
capacity. There are two 360KB disks, one 720KB disk or
1.44MB disks in the distribution. Follow the sequence
listed below to copy the files to the hard drive.
(Insert disk 1 in drive A:)
COPY A:*.* C:
(INSERT disk 2 in drive A: if 360KB)
COPY A:*.* C:
STEP(4) Decompress the files by running each of the .EXE files
as is detailed below.
(a) In response to the DOS prompt type the command line:
ET1
This will execute ET1.EXE which will decompress and de-
archive approximately half the ETCAI files.
6
(b) In response to the DOS prompt type the command line:
ET2
This will decompress and de-archive the remainder the
ETCAI files.
STEP(5) Installation is finished if you have a VGA (color or
mono) or EGA monitor. Proceed to step (7). Perform step
(6) only if you have a hercules monochrome monitor.
STEP(6) Type MONO to install the hercules monochrome screen
driver. Proceed to step (7).
STEP(7) Make sure your printer is on. Type GO to start ETCAI. A
menu should appear on the screen. Select your option
using a mouse or the cursor keys on the keyboard.
MAKING ETCAI EASIER TO USE
Beginning students who are unfamiliar with DOS can more
easily use the programs if a the batch file below is created and
stored in the root directory of the hard disk.
REM Batch File GO.BAT
@ECHO OFF
CD ETCAI REM ( change to the directory containing ETCAI )
GO
Name the batch file GO.BAT. Now all a student need do is boot the
computer then type GO to start ET-CAI. The CD must be to the
directory containing ET-CAI which may be some other name.
OPTIONS
PRINTING - ETCAI is delivered with printing set to the text mode.
This produces a rapid but plain student certificate. A graphic
print mode can be installed which prints a more attractive
certificate with graphics. The graphic print mode is considerably
slower than text mode printing. The print mode can be easily
changed by starting ETCAI in the setup mode. The setup mode is
evoked by typing the command line GO SETUP in response to the DOS
prompt while in the directory containing ETCAI. A menu
will appear which will allow you to choose either graphic or text
printing. Some printer models may not be compatible with the
graphic printing mode. Use the setup mode to set your system
back to text mode if the printer does not produce a proper
graphic printout.
7
SCREEN PRINTING - The graphics screens produced by ETCAI can be
printed. The DOS file GRAPHICS.COM must be made active prior to
running ETCAI in order to get graphic output to the printer. This
can be done in two ways. (1) Execute the command GRAPHICS/R in
response to the DOS prompt prior to running ETCAI. (2) Edit your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file adding the line GRAPHICS/R. The second method
is preferred in that the graphics capability is installed upon
booting your system. The /R option tells DOS to print a reverse
image to the printer which appears as dark on light as in ETCAI.
A graphic screen print-out can now be requested at any time by
pressing the PRINTSCREEN key or Shift/PrtSc combination (which
one depends on the keyboard type). Move the mouse cursor to the
edge of the screen before requesting graphic printouts unless
you want to use it as a pointer. Being able to print screens is
useful to both students and instructors. Students can get
printouts of problems missed to determine how they went wrong
off-line. Instructors can use screen printouts to "cut and paste"
handouts, examples, and test items. For example, get a problem on
the screen. Do a screen print with the requested answers blank.
Next, select the ready button. ETCAI will, of course, say you are
wrong on all items and print the correct answers. Do another
print screen. You now have a test item and the answer sheet!
The previous paragraph assumes DOS 5.0 and a printer
compatible with the graphics output from DOS. No assurances can
be given that graphics screen printing will perform properly on
all hardware/software combinations.
SOUND - Several programs in the ETCAI series produce sounds at
various times while executing. The sounds may be distracting if
several users are in a small area or an open computer room.
Sounds made by most programs can be disabled or enabled by
use of the setup mode. Setup mode is entered by typing GO SETUP
in response to the DOS prompt while in the directory
containing ETCAI. Changes made in SETUP mode will remain in
force until GO SETUP is run again.
VIDEO DRIVERS - ETCAI comes with the EGA and VGA graphics
screen driver initially installed. The initially installed screen
driver is suitable for EGA, VGA(color), and VGA(monochrome). A
driver for hercules monochrome can be installed by executing the
batch program MONO.BAT by simply typing MONO in response to
the DOS prompt. In the event you upgrade your computer the
EGA- VGA graphic screen driver can be reinstalled by running
the batch program EGAVGA.BAT. The program is executed by
typing EGAVGA in response to the DOS prompt. Having the
wrong graphic screen driver installed will cause the screen
to go "blank" when ETCAI is started. For systems used by
students, the files EGAVGA.BAT and MONO.BAT should be removed
to prevent accidental installation of the wrong screen driver.
Copies of MONO.BAT and EGAVGA.BAT should be retained for future
use.
8
NETWORK SUPPORT - File locking capability can be activated by
running the batch file ETNET. The command ETNET ON activates file
locking while ETNET OFF deactivates file locking. File locking
should be activated only on systems with a server disk. Do not
activate file locking on stand alone systems unless SHARE has
been activated prior to executing ETCAI.
RUNNING ETCAI FROM FLOPPY DISKS - ETCAI requires approximately
1.3MB of disk storage. Therefore, it is possible to run the
system from 1.44MB floppy disks. To run from floppy disk, first
install the system to a hard drive directory as explained in the
installation section of this document. Delete the compressed
files ET1.EXE and ET2.EXE from the directory. Copy all the
remaining files in the directory to a 1.44MB floppy disk. To
execute the system, log the floppy then type the command GO. IF
you choose to operate ETCAI from floppy disk, you should register
the maximum number of copies that will be running at your site
simultaneously plus the number of copies issued or loaned to
students for off campus or evening work. Students at a registered
site may use one registered copy each away from the physical
registered site.
Installation of options will create, or use if exists, a
subdirectory named SYSTEM within the directory in which ETCAI
resides. The existence or nonexistence of the files PRINTER.COM
and NOSOUND.TXT set the printer mode and sound generation status.
GRADING STANDARDS
ETCAI grades numeric student answers to a percent of
accuracy. The tolerance percentage varies from 4 % to 7%
depending on the number of "chained" calculations required in the
exercise. Under certain circumstances this method of grading can
appear to defy Kirchhoff's law. For example, suppose a series
circuit consisting of two resistors with 10 volts applied has
actual voltage drops of 9 volts and 1 volt respectively. A
student solves the problem inaccurately with the respective
answers 9.35 volts and .65 volts. The second answer being derived
logically from Kirchhoff's law. The first answer would be judged
correct with an error less than 7 %. The second answer judged
wrong with an error of 35 % . You can quickly see that students
will ask " How can the first answer be right if the second is
wrong ?". Yet the judgment is correct based on percentage of
accuracy.
Students should be cautioned not to use zero and letter "O"
interchangeably. Doing so will cause the program to appear to
grade items wrong. Entering the characters 1O6,(one, letter "O",
six ) looks like 106, ( one hundred six ) on the screen after
being typed. However, the exercise program considers a number
ended after the last numeric symbol. The exercise would consider
1O6, (one, letter"O", six ) to have the numeric value 1 , (one ).
9
Digital and multiple choice answers are graded for an
absolute match with the correct answer.
String (text) answers require that students answer with term
variables in a standard order. The exercises will accept terms in
any order. Instructions for order are present on the screen for
such items when needed. Students should be cautioned to avoid
inserting extraneous spaces in answers. ETCAI handles all non-
decimal numbers as text. The binary number 101 ,one zero one, and
101_ ,one zero one space, are not identical. Extraneous spaces
can cause what appears to be a correct answer to be scored
"wrong".
QUESTIONS and PROBLEMS
The large font headings on my monochrome monitor look "ugly" on
the right side of my screen. What's wrong ?
Nothing. The screen appearances were primarily designed for
VGA monitors. Then compromised somewhat to work on hercules
monochrome. The minor aberrations seen on monochrome screens are
purely cosmetic and appear only on welcome screens.
I typed GO and the screen went blank. what's wrong ?
Most likely you have the wrong screen driver installed or
the screen driver file is missing. Check to see that the files
HERCULES.COM, VEGA.COM, MATRIX.COM, MONO.BAT and EGAVGA.BAT are
present in the ETCAI directory. If you have a hercules monochrome
monitor type MONO in response to the DOS prompt to install
hercules graphics screen driver. If you have a EGA or VGA monitor
(color or monochrome) type EGAVGA to install the graphics screen
driver for EGA and VGA monitors.
Another possibility is that the switches on your VGA card
are set locked to the CGA, VGA, or other mode. Set you VGA
graphics card switches to the automatic mode if this is the case.
Almost all software will work properly with VGA cards in
automatic mode.
If you have a CGA monitor, ETCAI cannot possibly work. ETCAI
uses 348 scan lines to display images on the monitor screen. CGA
only has 200 lines of display.
You may have a corrupted file. Students sometimes examine
.COM and .EXE files using word processors then save the result !
The executable file is then corrupt. You must reload the software
from scratch if this happens.
I typed HERCULES just to see what HERCULES.COM does. The keyboard
then locked up. Is the HERCULES program defective ?
No. HERCULES.COM like most .COM and .EXE files in ETCAI are
10
not intended to run from a keyboard command. You must start ETCAI
from the GO shell. The shell program loads and executes the
appropriate drivers and programs.
I got a printout with the top portion out of alignment. What's
wrong ?
The printer should generally be turned on prior to starting
ETCAI with the GO command. Turning the printer on while ETCAI is
running will occasionally cause the effect you describe on the
first print request. ETCAI expects DOS to have initialized the
printer. Requesting a printout and answering YES to printer ready
while the printer power is off on some systems using hercules
monochrome monitors may cause a keyboard lock-up. How to avoid
the problem ? Turn the printer on before starting ETCAI.
Can ETCAI teach electronics by itself ?
No. ETCAI is designed to support and complement conventional
lecture/laboratory or self paced multi-media delivery systems. No
pretence is made to be a self-instruction system. The author's
contention is that students learn best when a variety of delivery
systems operate together to create a interesting learning
environment. ETCAI is one of several tools and aids which can be
used to enhance instruction.
Are there plans to expand ETCAI ?
Yes. A number of concepts are being developed. Exercises
dealing with Servos, timers, OP AMPs, FETs, oscillators, and
numerous other topics are needed. A version 2 is in the planning
stages which will have a disk based record keeping feature and an
expanded set of exercises. The actual development of version 2
awaits market support and acceptance of version 1.XX.
Why are the colors used in ETCAI so dull ?
The color schemes used in ETCAI are somewhat less exciting
than desirable. The colors were selected not only for appearances
on color monitors but for compatibility with hercules monochrome
monitors. Monochrome compatibility does not allow adjacent colors
except where one color is white. Several of the exercises were
originally developed on hercules monochrome.
11
CUSTOMIZED VERSIONS
The author of ETCAI will consider producing modified
versions of the ETCAI system or portions of the system to suit
specific purposes. The fee will, of course, depend on the
complexity of the modification. Some types of modifications which
can be done inexpensively are: (1) changing the number of items
produced by an exercise, (2) adding your programs to the ETCAI GO
menu, (3) adding a school logo (.PCX image must be provided ) to
the GO menu. Please send a description of the desired changes for
a quotation of charges for a custom revision.
DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial
software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few
specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are
accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the
programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are
good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method
of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.
You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
AGREEMENT
Users of ETCAI must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"ETCAI is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties,
expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the
warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The
author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential,
which may result from the use of ETCAI."
12
ETCAI is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your
associates, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful
and find that you are using ETCAI and continue to use ETCAI after
a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment.
The registration fee for a single copy of ETCAI for personal use
is $45.00. Sites can be registered for a fee of $15.00 per user
station for up to ten units and $10.00 per user station beyond 10
units ( minimum fee $90.00 per site ). Each physical site must
register separately. A registered site may issue or loan copies
of ETCAI to students for use after school hours. The site must
register the number of on site user stations plus the maximum
number of copies issued to students from the site. The site
registration fee also covers preparation of a custom welcome
message which will appear on the screen each time an ETCAI
program is started. You must treat this software just like a
book. An example is that this software may be used by any number
of people and may be freely moved from one computer location to
another on the same site, so long as there is no possibility of
it being used simultaneously by more than the number of users
licensed at this site.
You are encouraged to pass a copy of ETCAI along to your
associates and other institutions for their evaluation. Please
encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can
use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest
version of the ETCAI system.
UPDATE HISTORY
V0.1 - V0.8, 1/90 to 10/91. Stand alone floppy based exercises
developed and tested.
V0.9 , 1/91. Beta testing started on the 21 floppy based
exercises.
V1.0 , 3/92. Tested and debugged programs converted to run under
a shell for convenient operation on hard drive based systems.
V1.1 , 8/92. 10 additional exercises added to the system.
Additional minor bugs eliminated. Calculator and other features
added.
V1.11 , 9/92. A "quit" option added to long running exercises to
prevent trapping the user into answering all questions before
returning to the main shell menu.
13
V1.12 , 11/92. File locking option added to the main shell
program to allow reliable operation on disk server based LAN
systems.
V1.23 , 1/93. Restructured program procedures and compiling
methods to reduce disk storage requirements. Also, converted bit
mapped graphics in programs to language primitives to achieve
reduced code size. ETCAI system size has been reduced from 4.2MB
to 1.3MB with insignificant performance trade-offs.
V1.23b , 3/93. "Boolean algebra" exercise modified to always
properly handle input answers of "1" .
V1.24 , 5/93. (a) The user interfaces for several problems in
the DC/AC circuits group have been changed to eliminate the need
for answering certain items in sequential order. This sometimes
gave problems on the PR2 and P(A) student answers if PR3 or P(T)
were answered first.
(b) The possibility of resonance in the series and
parallel RLC circuits exercises has been eliminated. The resonant
and near resonant circuits required calculations to agree near
perfectly in order that the phase angle item be graded as
correct.
SUPPORT
Registered users can obtain support information by mail or
telephone at the address and phone number on the cover sheet of
this document. Primary support is via mail. All inquiries will be
responded to promptly. Telephone support is available between
the hours of 3:45 and 9:00 pm CST USA on most week days. Three
months of support are included in the registration fee. Contact
ETCAI products for extended support service pricing. Significant
updates within the same version of ETCAI will be supplied at no
cost during the free support interval.
Registered users will be informed of the availability of
updates, "add on" items, and new version releases.
The author of ETCAI invites comments and suggestions from
registered users and reviewers of the shareware distribution.
14
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS
SINGLE COPY :
Send your payment of $45.00 to: ETCAI Products
P. O. Box 1046
Gautier, MS 39553
USA
Your payment can be made in the form of USA currency,
Western European currency, check ( USA banks), USA postal money
orders, and international postal money orders. Your copy of
ETCAI with your name appearing on the welcome screen and a bound
manual will be sent promptly.
SITE REGISTRATION:
Purchase orders are accepted from any credit-worthy
institution or organization. Payment can also be made by check,
U.S postal money order, International postal money order, USA
currency, and Western European currencies. Complete the invoice
on the next page and send it to the business office for payment.
A copy of the invoice should also be sent to ETCAI to supply
welcome message data. Alternately, complete a institution or
company purchase order with the data shown on the invoice form.
ETCAI is registered on a site license basis. Registration fees
are $15.00 per user station for the first 10 user stations.
$10.00 for each user station beyond 10 users at a site. The user
station count should include direct on site copies plus copies
issued or loaned to students to run on their personal computers.
The minimum fee per site is $90.00. Send all orders and fees to
the address given on the invoice form on the next page.
Registered sites will receive a personalized copy of ETCAI,
a printed and bound copy of the ETCAI documentation, three months
of support for the current version of ETCAI, and a signed license
agreement. Registered sites will also be informed of new version
releases and ETCAI extensions as such items become available.
European orders can be processed and paid in local currency
through selected disk vendors. One such vendor is TRAX Computer
Applications of Belgium. The text file EUROPE.TXT can be printed
to get the full address data for vendors with local currency
agreements with ETCAI. EUROPE.TXT is not included in the USA
distribution of ETCAI.
15
***********
* INVOICE *
***********
REMIT TO: FROM:
ETCAI Products ________________________________
P. O. Box 1046
Gautier, MS 39553 ________________________________
USA
________________________________
________________________________
QTY ITEM NAME UNIT PRICE TOTAL
----------------------------------------------------------------
_____ Single user copy of ETCAI @ $41.00 _____________
_____ ETCAI software Registration @ $15.00 ea _____________
up to 10 units. (min. 6)
_____ ETCAI software Registration @ $10.00 ea _____________
of over 10 units per site.
Shipping, handling, media @ $4.00 $4.00
________________________________________________________________
***** TOTAL ***** ______________
________________________________________________________________
DISK TYPE 3 1/2 _______ 5 1/4 ________
PRINT OR TYPE THE WELCOME MESSAGE DESIRED: ( Site registration
only)
All lines do not have to be filled. Maximum characters per line
is 26. Any text on the first three lines will be in a large font.
Remaining lines will be in a smaller size font. The welcome
message for registered sites can be changed later by sending the
new message along with $20.00 cash, check, or Purchase Order. The
necessary modified files will be shipped promptly.
Do not complete this area if you are a single copy purchaser
of ETCAI. Single user copies are branded to the users name.
line(1)__________________________________________________
line(2)__________________________________________________
line(3)__________________________________________________
line(4)__________________________________________________
line(5)__________________________________________________