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The Arsenal Files 8
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The Arsenal Files Collection #8 (Arsenal Computer) (1996).ISO
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bigma250.zip
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BIGMATH.DOC
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1996-09-10
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BIG MATH ATTACK!
DESCRIPTION:
BIG MATH ATTACK! tests your math, spelling, typing and metric
conversions skills in a fun arcade environment. Several skill
levels are available that makes this program suitable for both
children and adults. Top scores are recorded to track one's
progress.
The objective of the game is to protect your city from falling
meteorites. The only defense that you have is to launch
missiles at the descending meteorites before it is too late.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
DOS Version: 3.0 or greater
Video: EGA, VGA or greater
Hard disk: Optional (this program can run straight from a
floppy diskette albeit the performance will be slower).
Although this is a DOS program, it will run under Microsoft's
Windows 3.x and Windows 95 operating systems. You can use the
SETUP.EXE utility to create a program icon on your desktop. If
for some rare reason Big Math Attack will not run under Windows
then exit Windows completely and run Big Math Attack from a DOS
prompt instead.
GETTING STARTED:
Insert the BIG MATH ATTACK! diskette into a drive. Set your
working drive to the same drive at which the diskette is
located. Then to load the program simply type: BIGMATH then
press [ENTER]. The program will load automatically. You will
first be greeted with a title screen. After this, enter the
name of the player (maximum 13 characters long).
PLAY OPTIONS:
You can configure the program to suit your preferences by
using the "OPTIONS" sub-menu. From the "OPTIONS" sub-menu you
will can toggle the following options:
FREEZE ON/OFF: Toggle on or off whether the meteorites
descend out of the sky or just pop-up on the screen
and remain motionless (frozen).
SPEED ON/OFF: Toggles the rate of descent of the
falling meteorites. If SPEED is ON, you will notice
that the meteorites begin to fall at a faster and
faster rate the longer you play.
SOUND ON/OFF: Toggle the exploding noises on or off.
X+Y= ON/OFF: This toggle determines whether the
mathematic problems that are presented appear in
"X+Y=" format (side by side), or as "X over Y".
Your "OPTIONS" selections will be saved to disk in a
BIGMATH.CFG configuration file, and will be used next time you
start the program.
Although the user can modify some of the playing options
within the program, there are a few options that must be
activated from the command line when starting the program.
The following are how to use these options...
ERROR TRACKING FILE:
If you wish to keep track of the errors (incorrect answers)
of the user, then start the program -> BIGMATH ERR=ON
What this will do is create an error tracking file. At the
close of the program, an .ERR file will be written to disk.
In this ".ERR" file you will find all the incorrect responses
the user entered, and the questions that were presented. This
is a good way to review what questions gave the user the most
difficulty. The error file will be named after the player's
name and will have the extension ".ERR".
RIGHT TO LEFT INPUT:
When the "X+Y=" toggle is OFF, all mathemathic problems will
descend as:
386
+288
If you have ever balanced your checkbook, or subtracted or
added two large numbers, you have more than likely started
from the right column and added each column of numbers
progressing towards the left. If this is the way that you
wish for the answer to be input by the user (right to left)
then you must start the program: BIGMATH R2L
When the above parameter is used, it will take affect ONLY if
the "X+Y=" option is OFF and an addition or subtraction
problem appears. During multiplication/division exercises,
the right to left input is always ignored.
SLOW IT DOWN!:
Since Big Math Attack! can be used and enjoyed by both
children and adults alike, the "fall rate" of the meteorites
may need to be changed to suit the user. To decrease the rate
at which the letters and numbers fall, use one of the
following command line parameters when you begin the program.
BIGMATH SLOWER
BIGMATH SLOWEST
BIGMATH SLOWX=n
The first two examples above will slow down the rate at which
the meteorites fall from the sky. If using the "SLOWER" and
"SLOWEST" commands are too slow or not slow enough, you can
use the last example to fine tune the rate even more.
"SLOWX=n" can be used where "n" is replaced with a number
between 1.01 and 10 - the higher the number, the slower the
rate of descent. As a guide to the numbering system, "SLOWER"
is equivalent to "SLOWX=2" and "SLOWEST" is equivalent to
"SLOWX=4".
Another command line parameter that can be used is to force a
particular name by using the NAME= parameter at the DOS prompt.
For instance, starting the program at the DOS prompt with this
C:>BIGMATH NAME=FRANKLIN will bypass the "Enter your name"
prompt, and will use "Franklin" as the player's name.
For teachers and parents who wish to restrict your children
from accessing the "Options" selection from the Main Menu, you
can accomplish this by starting the program from the DOS prompt
in the following manner: BIGMATH NOOPTS press [ENTER]
If you would like to restrict the type of problems and skill
level to just one type and level, you can do this at the DOS
command line. For instance, if you want to have your children
work with subtraction problems at skill level 4, then start
the program: BIGMATH SUBTRACT SKILL=4 press [ENTER]. Other
variations on this would be:
BIGMATH ADD SKILL=x For addition
BIGMATH PLUS SKILL=x For addition
BIGMATH MINUS SKILL=x For subtraction
BIGMATH DIVIDE SKILL=x For division
BIGMATH MULTIPLY SKILL=x For multiplication
BIGMATH MATH SKILL=x For all the above
BIGMATH ADD&SUBTRACT SKILL=x For mixed addition & subtraction
...where "x" in SKILL=x is replaced with the skill level
(valid range: 0-9)
You may also start the program for spelling and typing
exercises in the same manner:
BIGMATH SPELL SKILL=x For spelling words
BIGMATH TYPE SKILL=x For typing drills
Another command line option is the use of "BRACKET" which
displays a division bracket in all division problems. For
example, start the program from DOS: BIGMATH BRACKET
NETWORK CONSIDERATIONS:
Big Math Attack! will run on a network under the proper
conditions:
1) The current user must have DELETE and WRITE privileges to
the drive/directory where Big Math Attack! was installed.
2) The current drive and current directory must be changed to
the drive/directory where Big Math Attack! was installed.
If you do not wish to give your users DELETE privileges, then
start the program with the /NODEL command line parameter.
This will allow you to bypass certain functions of the program
that require temporary files (which are later deleted). The
only drawback to the /NODEL option is that you will risk
losing students' scores/updates to the score chart (see
below).
SCORE CHART:
The ten top scores for each category are recorded and saved to
disk after each round of play. If your score did not make it
to the "top 10", then the scoreboard will not display. If you
did indeed record a score worthy of honor, the scoreboard will
display your score and save it to disk. PLEASE DO NOT
WRITE-PROTECT your disk (if using a floppy), for the program
needs access to write the "top 10" scores to the disk. If you
receive the BIG MATH ATTACK! disk and find that the names in
the scoreboard are those who you do not know, and do not want
to know, you can wipe the scoreboard clean by deleting the
scoreboard file from the DOS prompt. Delete the file
"BIGMATH.SCR" and next time you use the program, you will no
longer see names that are unfamiliar to you. Since I have no
control over who uses this program before you received it,
silly or uncommon names, or very high unbeatable scores may be
in the scoreboard that you wish to eliminate. Just type
"DEL BIGMATH.SCR" (without quotes) at the DOS prompt and you
will have a new clean scoreboard the next time you use the
program.
SPELLING LISTS:
For parents who would like to add, delete, or modify the
existing spelling lists, Big Math Attack! allows the user to
make these modifications from the "Options" selection from the
"Main Menu". Once "Options" has been selected, select "Modify
spell list". Then select a skill level corresponding to the
spelling list you wish to modify (0-9). You will then be
given the opportunity to review all the current spelling words
and phrases. Use the cursor control keys (arrow keys) to move
the cursor to the appropriate line you wish to modify. You
can enter up to a maximum of 512 spelling words/phrases in
each skill level spelling list. Use the PG UP and PG DN keys
to move from one page to another. Don't worry about
maintaining an alphabetical order in the list, for the program
will alphabetize the list when you are finished automatically.
You must maintain the same structure of the word as you see in
the word list. An example...
SPELLIN_ WORD,G
...where 1) an underscore character (shifted dash) represents
the missing letter or letters; 2) a comma separates the
spelling word from the missing letter(s); 3) followed by the
actual missing letter(s). The program will check for any
errors and violations to these 3 requirements before the new
word list is saved to disk as a safety precaution and prompt
you to fix your mistakes.
Also for parents and teachers...if you want to keep your kids
from accessing your spelling lists from within the program, add
the command line parameter "READONLY" when start the program.
For example, at the DOS prompt type: BIGMATH READONLY then
press [ENTER]. This will prohibit access to the Options|Modify
Spelling List selection.
DISCLAIMER:
We shall not assume any direct or indirect responsibility for
losses incurred from the use of BIG MATH ATTACK!. This
program is offered "as-is" with no guarantees attached.
Unless the user obtained this copy of BIG MATH ATTACK! from
the author direct, we will not be responsible for the
performance of this program. Considering the methods by which
shareware/public domain software is distributed, any number
of things can happen to the integrity of the program or files
on this disk. If your copy of BIG MATH ATTACK! does not work
and you obtained it from a source other than the author, we
are not obligated to provide you with a working copy. Contact
the source where you obtained this disk, or submit the
registration form to us for a fully working copy.
DISTRIBUTION GUIDELINES:
BIG MATH ATTACK! is copyrighted shareware software. It is
NOT public domain. If you find this program useful, you are
obligated to register your copy with the program author. If
you do not find this program useful, then pass this disk on to
a friend. INDIVIDUAL users are permitted to make copies of
this disk and pass them on ONLY IF ALL of the following
conditions are met:
1) No changes or deletions are to be made to BIG MATH ATTACK! -
this includes ALL related files on this disk.
2) No one may sell BIG MATH ATTACK!
Shareware/public domain vendors can only distribute this
program under the following condition. We simply want to
make sure that you distribute the latest version:
1) Written permission must be received by the program author
BEFORE public distribution of this program IF the date/time
stamp on the BIGMATH.EXE file is more than 2 years old.
2) No more than $6.00 can be asked for an evaluation copy of
this program.
BBS's and CD-ROM publishers are permitted to distribute this
program as long as the date/time stamp on the BIGMATH.EXE file
is less than 2 years old.
AUTHOR:
Philip P. Kapusta
406 Monroe Avenue
Falmouth, Va. 22405 U.S.A.
EMAIL: 74170.3550@compuserve.com
shareware@aol.com
PHONE: (540) 371-5746
BY THE WAY...
Oh, about the title "BIG MATH ATTACK!"... Why did we give it
this title when the program includes SPELLING and TYPING
drills? Well, if you can think of a better title for the
program, let us hear your suggestions. Sorry, but "SPACE
INVADERS" has already been used! :)
OTHER PROGRAMS:
If you like Big Math Attack! you may be interested in trying
some of the author's other programs. Most of our programs
are family, educational, or Bible related. For shareware
evaluation copies, you can obtain the latest versions from:
The Internet - World Wide Web
http://members.aol.com/shareware/
The Mustard Seed BBS
Falmouth, VA
1200-14.4k N-8-1
BBS phone number: 540-372-9680
If you do not own a modem, or you wish to avoid long distance
phone charges, a printed catalog of our software is available
by submitting 5 first class U.S.A. postage stamps to the
author along with a note of interest. For those of you living
outside the U.S.A., include 5 international postal coupons
instead of U.S. postage stamps (ask your postmaster for coupon
details).
BIG MATH ATTACK! REGISTRATION
Big Math Attack! is distributed under the shareware concept.
This means that the user is obligated to support the author if
they find this program useful. Upon registration you will
receive a personalized copy of the latest version of the program.
Software will be shipped on a 3.5" high density diskette unless you
specify otherwise. 5.25" floppy disks will incur a $2.00 surcharge.
Please print your name and address below VERY CLEARLY!
Individual's complete name _______________________________________________
Mailing address __________________________________________________________
City ____________________________ State __________ Zip Code ____________
Country ________________________ Phone __________________________________
Make U.S. funds payable to:
Philip P. Kapusta
406 Monroe Avenue
Falmouth, Va. 22405 U.S.A.
BIG MATH ATTACK! REGISTRATION COSTS:
Yes, send me Big Math Attack!
Registration for use on one PC computer: $ 9.95
Virginia residents, add 4.5% sales tax $______
Overseas/foreign addresses air mail: $ 2.00 $______
Total enclosed: $______ **
* Prices are valid through December 31, 1998. Contact author with a
self-addressed stamped envelope after this date for the latest prices.
** For registrants in Canada, U.K., Australia or Europe, payment can be
made by International money order payable in U.S.A. dollars, or you can
pay by mailing CASH (your native currency). If mailing cash, wrap well
for the author will not be held responsible for lost mail. No coins!