\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Quick Start\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 \line \line 1. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim presents "resources"\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 :\line Resources can be either sounds ('snd ', in 'sfil' files), pictures ('PICT') or movies (in 'MooV' files), but \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 must\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 be stored in files saved on disc. It also can present short text items without the need to create PICTs (in the font, size, style and color specified using the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Stimulus Text\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 button at the top of the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Script Editor\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 window). Resource files should be created in some other application before trying to display them in \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ! Any combination of these is theoretically possible, and sounds can merge into the next picture stimulus, though movies are independent. You must have 32-bit Color QuickDraw and QuickTime installed in your system to display the movies. PICTs and sounds are prepared for rapid presentation by pre-loading them into memory (though you can prevent this for individual pictures so they are loaded on-the-fly). If there is not enough memory, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 will tell you before letting the experiment run, so you can try to fix it before you start. It uses offscreen graphics worlds and QuickTime 1.6 or higher if you wish to display movies. Animations are simple and can re-use the same picture which you can offset from the center using horizontal and vertical offsets.\line \line 2. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim uses a "script"\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 :\line A script (text in a text editor) contains the information \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 requires to present the resources in the correct order and duration. The script, once created, must be saved in the same folder as the resources ("stimuli") it uses. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 assumes this relationship, and will \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 not\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 begin the experiment if \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 any\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 specified files are not found. The script also specifies what type of subject input is needed for it to record a response, eg none, a mouse click or key press (or add-on board trigger or serial port signal). The script is like a play's script, in that it directs the flow of resources and timing used in any given \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 experiment. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 reads scripts from left to right, top to bottom. Blank lines or lines with a parenthesis ("{") at the start are ignored & can be used for script comments (shortcut is \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Command-[\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 to comment a line, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Command-]\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 to uncomment a line, where \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 uses the line(s) in which the cursor or the selection exists). You can put text into the script editor either by:\line (i) typing directly, or\line (ii) using the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Resource Finder\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 (see below) or\line (iii) opening up text files created and saved earlier by double clicking them in the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Finder\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 or using the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 File\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu commands in \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 . The \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Preferences\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 (under the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 File\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu) are extremely important to unleash to power of \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ! These control the settings for an experiment's display, resources, reaction time recording and much much more! The currently set global experiment preferences (see \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Preferences\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 topic) are also saved in a script when it is saved, so that opening it later will reset to these preferences again (aiming to save time when starting experiments which have been finely tuned on a previous occasion), as will clicking on a script when multiple ones are concurrently open. These actions do not reset the monitors if they were different in the scripts since this is very confusing. Checks for the script's version compatibility, add-on board settings correctness, etc are also performed.\line \line 3. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Scripts contain "trials"\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 :\line Each line (ending with a carriage return) in a script is called a "trial" (except for comment lines). There are 4 trial types, specified by their type (or the first letter of the type name), which are treated slightly differently by \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 :\line (i) \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 SINGLE\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : are single trials specifying all necessary information on a single line (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 abbrev\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : "S", "s").\line (ii) \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 BLOCK\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : trials are members of a group of trials on consecutive lines, which are to be considered together eg as an animation block, with the order remaining constant from top to bottom (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 abbrev\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : "B" or "b"). A block can be executed repetitively for a specified time interval in the first of the block.\line (iii) \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 RANDOM\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : trials are members of a group whose order is to be randomized every time the whole block is executed (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 abbrev\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : "R" or "r"). Note that random trials are very special, in that they can have "subtrials". These allow blocks of grouped trials whose order is to remain internally consistent to be randomized!\line (iv) \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 PAUSE\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : trials will only advance to the next part of the trial after a specified user action (mouse click, key press) or trigger event (serial port character or add-on board trigger) occurs (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 abbrev\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : "P" or "p"). These are useful to pause whilst certain experimental conditions are adjusted, or can allow the whole experiment to be coordinated by an external influence (this is not an 'X' files pun). Note that you must move through all phases of a trial to get completely past a pause trial (which means at least 3 of the specified user or trigger actions, see under \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Experiments\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ).\line (v) \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 CONTINUOUS\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 : trials are like infinite single trials which will play the background and stimulus resources according to the times requested continually until an event specified as a stop event is detected. The trial will then cease and the next one commenced. These are useful as dynamic pause trials eg to show alternating background and foreground resources for an indeterminate period.\line \line 4. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Trials contain "fields"\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 :\line Each trial contains tab-separated fields which are used to specify the trial type, resource types, their duration, order and file names, and the event to look for before recording a reaction time. A field header comment line can assist in remembering the order of the fields, and can be added using the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Insert Header Line\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu item (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Command-L\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ) in the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Control\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu. All timing is done in microseconds (system 7 & above) or ticks (pre-system 7). The following example shows all the field headers and one example of their format:\line \line { type num pre max tot rep stpEvt bg st bg-file st-file\line s 1 1.0 3.0 5.0 10.0 m p p picture1 picture2\line \line (1) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 type\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the trial type as above, "s" means a single trial\line (2) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 num\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the number of subtrials to use attached to this trial, and is ignored in all but random trial types\line (3) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 pre\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the initial delay in seconds before the stimulus is presented. If you want a background resource to be shown/sounded during this time (eg a background PICT) then make this time greater than zero. Please note that most scripts will work best if this time is not zero.\line (4) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 max\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the maximum time in seconds to show the stimulus.\line (5) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 tot\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the total seconds for this trial. If this total time is greater than "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 pre\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 + \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 max\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " then the background resource will be presented again to make up the total time of the trial. In the example above, the background resource ("picture1") will be re-presented for 1 second at least. I say at least, since if the subject clicks the mouse (the "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 stpEvt\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ") before the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 max\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 time of 3 secs, then the remaining \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 max\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 time will be also be used to show the background picture until the total of \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 tot\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 secs passes. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 tot\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 can be zero, which will cause the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 pre\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 and \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 max\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 times only to present stimuli.\line (6) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 rep\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the number of seconds for which the trial should be repeated, ie 10 secs in the above example. This trial would play twice before moving onto the next trial in the script. If (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 rep\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 < \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 pre\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 + \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 max\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ) or (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 rep\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 < \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 tot\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ), \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 rep\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 is effectively 0 secs. For random & block trial types, the leading trial \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 rep\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 time determines the repetition time of the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 whole block.\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 For continuous trials this field is ignored (and effectively a long time).\line \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 NOTE: \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 negative times\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 for any of these time periods, tell MacStim to choose a random time from 0 seconds to the limit of the number on the fly. Also, in v2.1.8 and above, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 very accurate timing\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 is used (to within 20 microseconds absolute time) and in practical terms times less than 50 milliseconds will not usually have time to present a stimulus (unless it is nothing!).\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 \line (7) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 stpEvt\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the event required to trigger recording of the reaction time (\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 m\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 mouse down, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 k\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 key down, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 v\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 voice activation (vox), \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 t\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 board triggered, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 s\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 serial port character, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 n\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 nothing ie ignore all event types).\line (8) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 bg\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the background resource type (see next line), and\line (9) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 st\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " is the stimulus resource type from \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 p\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 PICT, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 s\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 sound, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 m\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 movie, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 n\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 none (ie present a clear screen or no sound), and you can also present text (without needing to create PICT files specifically) but using \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 t\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 for text here. You write the text that you wish to display in the file name field, and can specify the font, size, style and color using the "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Stimulus Text\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " button at the top of the script editor window.\line (10) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 bg-file\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " and \line (11) "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 st-file\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " are the file names of the background and stimulus files respectively, which must be in the same folder as the script, or the actual text to display for text trials.\line \line There are 2 new optional fields added in version 2.1.6. These are "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 hShift\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " and "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 vShift\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " which allow you to offset pictures, movies or text from the default central position as set in the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Preferences\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 dialog \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Resources\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 pane. These are also separated by tab chars. See the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Bouncing Ball\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 and \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Bouncing Text\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 scripts for examples.\line \line 5. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim will check the script & preload before playing\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 :\line When the run button is clicked (or \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Run\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 in the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Control\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu, or \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Command-/\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ), the script will be parsed, looking for errors in syntax or incorrect file names. Resources will be loaded into memory to reduce disk access during the experiment. Insufficient RAM memory aborts the loading process only if it is not possible to create the minimum offscreen structures needed to run. Pictures and sounds can now be loaded during runtime (during the preceding trial) but this can slow presentation down so should be pre-flighted. A dialog box is presented when \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 is ready to start the experiment (unless you request it to start immediately). Once you start it, by clicking \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 OK\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 , the dialog box will be dismissed, and for immediate and timed starts the cursor will be a flashing mouse awaiting a single mouse click. You can stop a running experiment at any time with \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Command-Period\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 . If you choose the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Preferences\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu item (or use \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Command-Y\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ), you can see many other options available. You can also try some of the example scripts (in the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Samples\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 folder) which show implementations of common experimental paradigms, and hopefully show solutions to some common questions.\line For debugging purposes, you can select just a few contiguous lines and then the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Run Selected Lines\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 (or \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Command-1\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 ) menu item to play/run just those lines (be aware that if you select lines in the middle of a block and the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 rep\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 time (repetition time for the whole block before cycling) in the top selected line is not more than 0 seconds, then the block will rapidly cycle probably without any stimuli being shown. (I've fallen for this too!)\line \line 6. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim has a Resource Finder:\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 \line Under the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Control\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu, is the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Find Resources...\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 item. This brings up a dialog box which you can use to specify the fields and resources, and MacStim will enter these directly onto the last line line of the script editor's text. To try this, click the "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Open\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " button, navigate to the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Samples\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 folder, and click the "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Use These\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " button. Then select your background and stimulus file names, timing options and stop event, and click "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Enter\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " as many times as required, and "\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf2 \expan0 \ul0 Done\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 " when finished. You can do this to quickly add lines and then customize them individually in the script editor later.\line \line 7. \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim will record responses:\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 \line To do this you need to uncheck the check box in the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Experiments\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 section of the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Preferences\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 dialog which is called \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 Ignore Stop Events\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 . This will mean that stop events (eg key presses or mouse clicks) will be watched for and will terminate the timing from onset of the stimulus (whose time is specified by the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 max\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 interval). For consistency, the RT timing starts after the stimulus (whatever it is) is actually started. Note that for key events (ie if you specify that a key press should terminate the reaction time) \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 will record the RT for the very first key press, but will keep recording key presses until the trial has ended. This means that you can record extra (perhaps random) key presses as well as design experiments in which the subject must press multiple sequences of keys. After the trial's total time has elapsed, \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 will not record any more key events for that trial. If this is not clear then try out the example script called "Multiple keys example" in the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Samples\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 folder. For voice activated stop events (ie vox recording), \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 can help you test the level of sound, the quality of recording and the disc space required using the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Timing & Events\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 pane of the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Preferences\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 dialog. You can thus save a sound file containing what actually triggered the recording and check whether it was the correct response etc. See the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Preferences\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 topic for details.\line \line The rest of this information text contains more detail about how to operate \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 , and other customizations. I suggest you use the \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Print All\u8230?\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 menu item under this \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 Help\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 window's File menu (top left) to print all these help items out and read them whilst playing with \f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf0 \expan0 \ul0 MacStim\f0\b0\i0\outl0\shad0\fs18 \cf1 \expan0 \ul0 's options & samples.}
