FunSpell is simply a spelling tutor. FunSpell reads the words to the student and the student types the words. I wrote FunSpell for my kids (6 of them at last count) and I have found that they would much rather study their spelling on the computer than the old fashioned way. FunSpell also provides "Event Logs" so that you can check and see if your child is really studying his or her spelling!
Feel free to upload FunSpell to your favorite bbs. Just be sure to use the original zip file.
Requirements:
A 386 or higher computer with sound card and 1 meg free hard disk space. FunSpell requires BWCC.DLL and CTL3DV2.DLL to be in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. BWCC.DLL is probably already on your system. If it is then check the file dates. If your BWCC.DLL is older than 4/20/94 than you will want to replace it with the version provided. If not, you can copy it to your \WINDOWS\SYSTEMS directory. CTL3DV2.DLL is provided for you with one caution. It is named CTL3DV.DLL as only one copy may exist on your system. If you don't have CTL3DV2.DLL in your SYSTEM directory you should copy CTL3DV.DLL to \WINDOWS\SYSTEM and rename it to CTL3DV2.DLL. You will need a microphone and recording software to record the spelling words. You can use Windows' SOUNDREC.EXE to record words.
Basic Installation:
Unzip FunSpell into a directory named FUNSPELL. Any name will do but this is the default. See the note above on CTL3DV2.DLL. Run FunSpell by clicking on FUNSPELL.EXE in File Manager or create a program group and/or program item in Program Manager.
Running FunSpell:
For the most part FunSpell is self-explanatory. If you want you can just jump in and go. You will need to record the words for each spelling list that you create. See "Create List" below for instructions on recording words.
PRINT
Not available in the shareware version.
TAKE TEST
To test drive FunSpell click "Test" on the menu bar. When the User Setup dialog box comes up it should have "Jim" and "TESTLIST" selected as options. If it does not then you need to check the directories under "Options" to reflect the directories that you have created when you installed FunSpell. If these items are in the dialog then click "OK" to take the test. Another dialog box comes up and the word is spoken. Type in the word that is spoken and click "OK" or hit "ENTER" on the keyboard. The user has three tries to spell the word correctly. If after three tries the word is not correctly spelled then the correct spelling is displayed. If you want the word repeated click the "Repeat" button. At the end of the test another dialog box shows you your score. At this time you will be asked if you want to review the words that you misspelled. If you answer YES then the above process is repeated using only the words you misspelled.
After you have played with the sample list delete it under "Utilities | Delete List". Be sure that the "Delete Sound Files" option is selected so that the associated sound files are also deleted. Also, you will want to manually delete the file JIM.LOG from your working directory so that "Jim" will not show up in the list of users.
UTILITIES
"Create" a list is pretty straightforward. Type a list name not exceeding eight characters in the first edit box hit TAB to move to the next box. Type each word in the edit box hitting ENTER after each word. Click on "OK" when you have typed in all the words for that list. You can type in as many words as you like. In the shareware version only the first ten words are useable, however. Record the words with SOUNDREC.EXE or whatever software you choose. Save each word in the FunSpell directory using the word itself for the filename. If the word is longer than eight characters then use the first eight characters for the filename. This may lead to conflicts with certain words but it is unlikely. Each word should be saved with the ".wav" extension. Your recording software should do this automatically. The full version of FunSpell allows you to record the words from within FunSpell. It only takes about a minute to record a 25 word list in this manner.
"View/Edit" allows editing of a list. You can use any text editor (such as Notepad) to edit the spelling list or you can use "View/Edit". "View/Edit" has the additional benefit of saying the word when you double click it in the edit box provided that you have first recorded the words. In this version you cannot add or delete words here, just change them.
"Delete" is used to delete a list and it's associated sound files if you choose. You may want to keep the lists around for review (a mid-term spelling test, for example) but delete them when you think you won't need them any more to save disk space. It depends on sample rates, etc. but a typical 25 word list will take up about 500K in disk space.
"View Event Log" allows you to see what the user(s) have been up to. The event log shows user name, the spelling list name, score, time and date.
"Reset Event Log" allows you to clean out the event log. Clicking on this will reduce the event log to the last 5 entries by default. You can change the number of entries to leave in the event log under "Options." Setting this number to 0 will delete the event log entirely. (One way to get rid of the sample event log for "Jim.")
"Record Words" is not available in the shareware version.
OPTIONS
Also pretty straightforward. You can put your sound files, event logs, and spelling lists anywhere you wish. Just be sure to change the directories here. "Event Log Reset" is explained above. The three check boxes control their respective items. You may want to turn off the background bitmap if you are short of memory. A note about the background bitmap: It was designed for a 256 color (or higher) configuration. If you are running in 16 color mode it is probably not very impressive. Try it on a 256 color system!
Customizing:
There are five "praise" wave files. One of these is played randomly each time the user spells a word correctly. These files are name RIGHT0.WAV through RIGHT4.WAV. If you want to change these simply replace them with files that you record. They need to stay in the directory where FunSpell is installed, however. The same is true of the five WRONGx.WAV files. By changing these you can have your child hear your own voice in response to correct or incorrect responses. The same is true of the startup and exit waves.
WHAT IF I REGISTER?
The registered version of FunSpell contains the following features:
Record words from within FunSpell
Volume control for output
Printed output of spelling lists and event logs
Unlimited spelling list length
If you register you will receive the latest version which includes the ability to record words. A 25 word list can be recorded in about a minute with FunSpell 2.0. A volume control and printed output are also available in the full version. You also receive the satisfaction of paying for something on your honor.
If you like this program and if you find that you use it regularly please send $15 to:
Kent Reisdorph
1418 N. Lloyd
Aberdeen, SD 57401
I value your input. Let me know what you like, dislike, want changed, want added, etc. I can be reached on:
