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MANUAL.DOC
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1991-05-31
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DAD'S CHOICE Version 1.0
The Manual
The minimum hardware requirements for running DAD'S CHOICE are
256K RAM and color graphics adapter (CGA). A mouse is optional
but recommended for the Graphics option. The minimum software
requirement is DOS version 2.0 or higher.
1. MAIN MENU WINDOW
This window lists all the main options that you may choose from
such as Laser Blast, Bug Numbers, Applespider, Addition and
Subtraction, Multiplication and Division, Prealgebra Math and
Graphics. There are three ways to select an option from Main
Menu. You can use the up or down arrow keys to highlight the
desired option then press the ENTER key to accept the option.
You can also press the key corresponding to the first letter of
the desired option until the option is highlighted then press
the ENTER key. Finally, you can use your mouse to highlight
the option then press the left button to select. Accept END or
press the ESC key to stop the program.
Use the right and left arrow keys to select whether or not you
want sound. Most math options produce sound to indicate a wrong
answer (beep) or a correct answer (tune) when sound is on.
2. LEVEL WINDOWS
Some options have level windows. These windows are used to
select learning levels. Choose from this menu using the same
techniques as in Main Menu. Accept END, press the ESC key, or
press the right mouse button to return to Main Menu.
3. LASER BLAST
This is an exciting game that entertains and teaches quantity.
First, a number of blocks are shown. Then, colored numbers
begin to float across the screen. The object of the game is to
shoot the correct number with the laser. The correct number is
the one that equals the number of blocks. To shoot, simply push
the SPACE BAR. To return to Main Menu press ESC.
Points are given for each hit. The faster you play, the larger
the number of points given. The speed can be increased by using
the > key and decreased using the < key.
If you want to change the background color just press c. Be
careful not to choose a background color that matches the color
of one of the floating numbers. If this happens you will not be
able to see that particular number.
4. BUG NUMBERS
This math suboption teaches the concept of multidigit numbers.
You are shown three large boxes. The box on the right will have
0 to 9 large individual bugs. The center box will have smaller
bugs grouped in clusters of 10 each. The box on the left will
have very small bugs in groups of 100 bugs each. Your job is to
find how many bugs are shown on the screen.
You must first count the number of large bugs in the far right
box. Type this number and press ENTER. This gives you the
least significant digit. Next, count the number of groups that
contain 10 bugs and enter this number. This gives you the next
most significant digit. Finally, count the number of groups
that contain 100 bugs and enter this number. This gives you the
most significant digit and you're done. Ten points are given
for completion. As always, if the sound is on, DAD'S CHOICE will
also play you a tune.
5. APPLESPIDER
This is a very exciting and intense game that drills you in basic
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The
applespider wants to eat your apple. You must prevent this by
using the arrow keys to move the apple out of the spider's way.
At the beginning you are given 10 free moves. To get more moves
you must solve the equation at the bottom of the screen. For
every correct answer you get five more moves and one point added
to your score. As your score increases, the spider gets faster.
As always, press ESC to stop.
6. ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION
This option has four levels of difficulty. In each level the
numbers are chosen at random.
In Level 1, beside each number, stars are shown whose sum equals
the number. For example, suppose you are asked to add the
numbers 2 and 3. Beside 2 there will be two stars and beside 3
there will be three stars. To find the answer just count the
number of stars, type the answer and press the ENTER key. If
you are asked to, for example, subtract 2 from 4 there will be
two stars beside the number 2 and four stars beside the number
4. However, two of the four stars beside the number four will
be blinking to indicate the two that will be taken away. Also,
the two stars beside the number 2 will be blinking. To find the
answer just count the number of stars that are not blinking.
Level 2 is exactly like Level 1 except that the numbers are
larger and the stars are not shown.
Level 3 illustrates how to add and subtract multiple digit
numbers by stepping you through the process. Again, all numbers
are chosen at random. Active elements of the problem are
highlighted by flashing the digits. Individual questions in the
form of simple equations are shown at the bottom of the
interactive window. A flashing cursor at the end of this
equation indicates that an input is expected. If you enter the
correct value it will be placed in its proper spot. The
computer will beep if the answer is incorrect.
Level 4 is exactly like Level 3 except numbers with decimals are
used.
In each of these levels a complete correct answer is rewarded by
the addition of 10 points to your score and the playing of a tune
if sound is on. You can press ESC to quit and return to Level
Menu when you're done.
7. MULTIPLICATION AND DIVISION
This option also has four levels of difficulty. Level 1 is
similar to Level 1 of the Addition and Subtraction option because
you must count stars that do not blink to find the correct answer.
The difference is that the stars are grouped differently and
there is only one line with stars. For example, suppose you are
asked to find the product of 4 and 2. At the bottom, where the
answer belongs, you will find two groups with four stars each.
In other words, the computer has taken the four stars and placed
them in the answer line twice. There is a total of 8 stars and
they have been placed on the line where the number 8 belongs.
If you are asked to, for example, divide 12 by 3 then beside the
12 will be placed three groups of stars with 4 stars in each
group. Only one group will not be blinking. So, if you count
the stars that do not blink, you'll find the correct answer to
be 4.
Level 2 is like Level 1 but larger numbers are used and no stars
are displayed.
Level 3 leads you through long division and/or multiplication
with multiple digit numbers. As in Level 3 & 4 of the Addition
and Subtraction option, active elements of the problem are
highlighted by flashing the numbers. The instructions and
questions to be answered are displayed at the bottom of the
interactive window. The flashing cursor at the end of this
question or equation is an indication that the computer is
waiting for an input.
Level 4 is identical to Level 3 except that decimals are used.
In each of these levels a complete correct answer is rewarded
by the addition of 10 points to your score and the playing of a
tune if sound is on. You can press ESC to quit and return to
Level Menu when you're done.
8. PREALGEBRA MATH
This option also has four levels of difficulty. All four levels
are basic introductory algebra but the difficulty level does
increase slightly with each level chosen. In each level you are
asked to solve for the unknown value of Y. Just follow the
instructions and answer the questions, and the computer will lead
you through the solution. When you see the cursor flashing, the
computer is waiting for an input.
In all the Math options, the active parts of the equation are
highlighted by flashing the numbers. Also, the final correct
answer is rewarded by the addition of 10 points to your score and
the playing of a randomly chosen tune if the sound is on. Press
ESC to quit and return to Level Menu when you're done.
9. REGISTER
If you are not a registered owner of DAD'S CHOICE you can use
this option to print a registration letter.
10. GRAPHICS
Although anyone may find it useful, this graphics module was
designed especially for children. With this software your child
can draw lines, circles, boxes, arcs, text, or other figures we
call macros. The macros can be drawn in one of five
sizes -- small, medium, large, extra large, and very large. All
these figures and macros can be drawn in one of four colors
(back-ground or none, red, blue, and white). Actually the red
and blue colors are magenta and cyan but these terms are usually
not recognized by children. Once the drawing is complete your
child can color-in the drawings by painting them in one of five
colors.
By placing animation marks in the drawings at strategic
locations you can also animate your drawings. This is a little
more complicated and may require the assistance of parents.
This software comes with six example drawings. These are draw1,
draw2, draw3, draw4, draw5, and draw6. You may load them using
the FILE option which is located in MAIN GRAPHICS MENU. You may
use these drawings to practice deleting or painting. Draw3,
Draw4, and Draw6 are animated drawings -- try them!
The following paragraphs describe the operation of this program
in detail.
OVERVIEW
This section shows you the logical breakdown of the various
options.
MAIN GRAPHICS MENU OPTIONS:
1-GRAPH
Graph Options:
1-DRAW
Draw Options:
1-LINE
2-BOX
3-CIRCLE
4-MACRO
5-END
6-ARC
7-TEXT
2-PAINT
3-DELete
4-CLOAK
5-END
6-ANI. MARK
7-ANIMATE
8-EXPORT
9-COPY
2-FILE
File Options:
1-SAVE
2-GET
3-DIRECTORY
4-
5-END
3-ERASE
4-PRINT
5-END
FINDING THE INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are always found on line one above the drawing
box. If the cursor is visible its position will be shown on
line 2 with the x-position first and the y-position shown last.
The x-position increases from left to right while the y-position
increases from top to bottom. The options will always be shown
on the last row, below the drawing box.
MOVING THE CURSOR
The cursor is a round flashing object that appears in the GRAPH
and DRAW options. Its sole purpose for existing is to show you
your location in the drawing box. It will not show on your
printed drawings.
The cursor can be moved using the keyboard or the mouse. If you
don't have a mouse you must use the keyboard.
KEYBOARD
First, let's assume that you don't have a mouse. You may move
the cursor one pixel at a time by using the appropriate arrow
key. If you want to move in larger steps in the vertical
direction, use the PGUP or PGDN keys. To move in larger steps
horizontally you must first press the CONTROL key then the
left or right arrow key before releasing the CONTROL key.
MOUSE
Now lets assume you have a mouse and have loaded its driver
software. The only way you can move the cursor now is to move
the mouse. You'll find that this is much easier and faster
than using the keyboard.
MAIN GRAPHICS MENU
In this menu your options are 1-GRAPH, 2-FILE, 3-ERASE, 4-PRINT,
and 5-END. Choose one of these options by pressing the number
corresponding to the desired option. For example, if you want
to create a graph press the "1" key on the keyboard.
In this menu the mouse does not function. All selections must
be made from the keyboard.
GRAPH
When you choose this menu from MAIN GRAPHICS MENU you'll find
that your options are 1-DRAW, 2-PAINT, 3-DELete, 4-CLOAK,
5-END, and >. Choose > to see the additional options. These
are <, 6-ANIMATE MARK, 7-ANIMATE, 8-EXPORT, and 9-COPY.
Choose < to see the first 5 options again. Press c to change
the background color.
If you don't have a mouse, select the options by pressing the
appropriate number key or the > or < key. If you do have a
mouse you may also select an option by placing the mouse
directly over the desired option until you see an arrow
pointing down. When you see this arrow press the left button.
Pressing the right button is equivalent to choosing END.
DRAW
Choose this menu from the GRAPH menu when you want to draw
something in the drawing box. Your options in this menu are
1-LINE, 2-BOX, 3-CIRCLE, 4-MACRO, 5-END, 6-ARC, and 7-TEXT.
If you don't have a mouse, select an option by pressing the
number key that corresponds to the desired option. If you
do have a mouse you may select the desired option by placing
the cursor directly over the option at the bottom of the
drawing box until you see the down arrow. When you see the
arrow press the left button. To see options 6-ARC and 7-TEXT
you'll have to select >. To see the first five options again
you'll have to choose <.
After you choose one of these seven options you will be
asked to choose a color. Your color options are: 0-None,
1-Blue, 2-Red, or 3-White. If you do not have a mouse,
choose the color by pressing the corresponding number key.
If you do have a mouse, choose the color by pressing the
right button until the desired color is written on line 2
above the drawing box then press the left button to accept
it. Remember, the color none is the background color. This
color can be changed by pressing the c key on the keyboard.
LINE
When you choose to draw a line you will first be asked to
choose a color. After you have chosen a color you will be
asked to move the cursor to where you want the line to
start then press ENTER. If you have a mouse, you may
press the left button instead of pressing ENTER. Once
you've done this, move to the position where you want the
end of the line and accept this point in the same manner.
Now that you've chosen the color, the starting point of the
line, and the ending point, the line will be drawn. After
the line is drawn you will be placed back in the DRAW menu.
You may then choose another figure.
BOX
When you choose to draw a box you will first be asked to
choose a color. After you have chosen a color you will be
asked to move the cursor to where you want one corner of
the box to be then press ENTER. If you have a mouse, you
may press the left button instead of pressing ENTER. Once
you've done this, move to the position where you want the
opposite corner to be and accept this point in the same
manner.
Now that you've chosen the color and two opposite corners,
the box will be drawn. After the box is drawn you will be
placed back in the DRAW menu. You may then choose another
figure.
CIRCLE
You'll first be asked to choose a color in the manner
described above. After you've chosen a color you'll be
asked to enter the radius. This radius must be measured
in x-axis pixels. The y-axis pixels are further apart
than those of the x-axis and a circle will have 0.833
times as many pixels in the y direction.
After you've entered the radius from the keyboard, you'll
be asked to position the cursor where you want the center
of the circle to be and press ENTER. If you don't have a
mouse use the arrow keys to position the cursor then press
ENTER. If you do have a mouse position the cursor with
the mouse then press the left button. After you've done
this you'll be returned to the DRAW menu.
MACRO
Macro refers to a command that draws a complex figure for
you automatically --- a house for example. When you choose
this option you will see a list of macros to choose from.
Select a Macro by highlighting the desired Macro then
pressing ENTER. You can highlight your selection by using
the up or down arrow keys, by pressing the key
corresponding to the first letter of the Macro, or by
moving the mouse. If you use the mouse you may select the
Macro by pressing the left button after it is highlighted.
Once you've chosen a Macro and it's color you will be
asked to choose a size. Your choices will be: 1-SMALL,
2-MEDium, 3-LARGE, 4-EXtraLaRGe, and 5-VERYLarge. If you
don't have a mouse, choose a size by pressing the
corresponding number key. If you do have a mouse, choose
a size by pressing the right button until the desired size
is written on the second line above the drawing box then
accept it by pressing the left button.
END
Choose this option to return to the GRAPH MENU.
ARC
You'll first be asked to choose a color in the manner
described earlier. After you've chosen a color you'll be
asked to enter the aspect ratio. This is the ratio of
y-axis pixels to x-axis pixels. Since we know that the
y-axis pixels are 1/.833 times further apart than the
x-axis pixels, to get a circle we will have to choose
the aspect ratio to be 0.833.
Next, we are asked to choose the radius. If the aspect
ratio that we chose above is less than one, the radius
will be measured in x-axis pixels. If the aspect ratio
is greater than one, the radius will be measured in y-axis
pixels. In other words it is always measured along the
longest axis as measured in pixels.
After you've entered the radius from the keyboard, you'll
be asked to enter the start angle in degrees. This is the
angle at which the computer starts drawing the arc. Next
you'll be asked to enter the end angle for the arc. You
can see that with these two values you can cause the
computer to draw a half or quarter arc.
Finally, you'll be asked to position the cursor where you
want the center of the arc to be and press ENTER. If you
don't have a mouse use the arrow keys to position the
cursor then press ENTER. If you do have a mouse position
the cursor with the mouse then press the left button.
After you've done this you'll be returned to the DRAW MENU.
TEXT
Choose this option if you want to type some text in your
drawing. This option supports most ASCII characters
including the number characters 0 through 9. You are
limited to 22 characters each time you use this option.
PAINT
Choose this option from the GRAPH MENU when you want to fill
in an enclosed area with one of the following colors: 0-NONE,
1-BLue, 2-RED, 3-WHiTe, 4-GRAY, or 5-CHecKerBoaRD.
If you don't have a mouse, choose a fill color by pressing
the corresponding number key for the color listed at the
bottom. If you do have a mouse, you may choose a color by
pressing the right button until the desired color appears on
the second line above the drawing box. Once the desired
color appears written on that line, press the left button to
accept it. After you select the fill color you will be
asked for the existing boundary color for the area to be
filled or painted. If you don't have a mouse, choose the
boundary color by pressing the corresponding number key for
the colors listed on the line below the draw box. If you do
have a mouse, choose the boundary color by pressing the
right button until the desired color appears on the second
line above the drawing box. Once the desired color appears
written on that line, press the left button to accept it.
After you select the boundary color, move the cursor to a
point within the boundary and press ENTER or the left mouse
button. The area within the boundary will then be filled
with the color previously selected.
Warning - the area must be completely surrounded by the
boundary color you specified or the paint will spill over
outside the boundary. If you make this mistake you can
correct it by going to the DELETE option and deleting the
paint.
Try to use a border color that is different than the desired
paint color. If the colors are the same you cannot change
the paint color without deleting the old one.
If you try to delete a border while it contains paint it
will make quite a mess; therefore, delete its paint first.
If you want to paint your drawing it is best if you wait
until all your drawing is finished. This allows you to make
changes in lines, boxes, circles, macros, and arcs without
having to delete the paint first.
DELETE
When you choose the delete option the last thing drawn will
begin to flash and you will be asked if you want to delete
it. If you choose yes, the drawing will be redrawn without
that object. If you choose no, the next object will flash.
This continues until you either choose yes, press the ESC
key to escape, or all objects are flashed.
When deleting a painted area, the entire paint does not
flash. A small circle located around one pixel in the
painted area will flash. When deleting a graphics copy, a
box will flash around the copied area showing you the
graphics that is to be deleted if you choose to.
If you have a mouse, pressing the left button is the same
as answering yes and the right button is the same as
answering no.
CLOAK
The purpose of cloaking is to hide a piece of a drawing
without completely deleting it. This is sometimes easier
than going through the delete process. For creating an
animated drawing it is an absolutely essential option.
This option works by hiding everything within a boxed area
that you define. You are first asked to place the cursor on
one corner of the cloak area and press ENTER. You are then
asked to place the cursor on the opposite corner of the area
and press ENTER. Whatever is within the box drawn with
these opposite corners will be hidden from view or changed
to background color.
If you find that not all the enclosed drawing becomes
hidden, try it again. Sometimes it will not take it all in
a single step.
If you don't have a mouse you must move the cursor using the
arrow keys on the keyboard. If you do have a mouse you must
use it to move the cursor and you may use the left button
instead of the ENTER key.
END
Choose this option to return to the MAIN GRAPHICS MENU.
ANIMATE MARK
Choose this option if you want to store the current drawing
to be used later as an animation screen. This option is be
demonstrated in the tutorial which is located in the file
tutorial.doc.
ANIMATE
Use this option to animate your drawing if you have placed
animate marks in the drawing as it was created. To stop the
animation press number key 5 or press ESC.
EXPORT
Use this option to export graphics to programs written in
Turbo Basic. All the graphics within a box that you define
will be stored in a file that you specify.
You'll first be asked to place the cursor at the upper left
corner of the graphics that you want to export then press
ENTER. Next, you'll be asked to place the cursor at the
bottom right corner of the graphics and press ENTER. You
will then be shown the dimension of an integer array required
to store the graphics. You'll need this number when its
time to place the graphics in your new program.
Finally, you'll be asked to enter a name, with no extension,
for a file where the graphics can be stored. After the
graphics is stored you'll be returned to the GRAPH menu.
The following is an example Turbo Basic program for placing
a drawing on the screen. The array dimension was 100 and
the file name was draw10.
SCREEN 1
DIM GRAPHICSARRAY%(100)
OPEN "i",1,"DRAW10.GFL"
FOR X%=0 TO 100
INPUT#1, GRAPHICSARRAY%(X%)
NEXT X%
CLS
PUT (50,50),GRAPHICSARRAY%
CLOSE 1
END
COPY
Choose this option from the GRAPH menu by pressing the
number key 9. You can use this option to copy graphics to
another location in the drawing box.
After you choose the COPY option you'll be asked to move the
cursor to the upper left corner of the graphics you want to
move. Once you have placed the cursor press ENTER. Next,
you'll be asked to enter the cursor at the lower right
corner of the graphics. Finally, you'll be asked to move
the cursor to the upper left corner of the area you want the
graphics copied to then press ENTER. The graphics will be
copied to this new location.
Be careful where you copy the graphics. If you copy it over
some graphics that already exists, it probably will not look
quite right.
FILE MENU
When you choose this menu from MAIN GRAPHICS MENU your options
are 1-SAVE, 2-GET, 3-DIRECTORY, and 5-END. The keyboard must
be used to select these options by pressing the corresponding
number key.
SAVE
Use this option to store or save a drawing to file. After
choosing this option you'll be asked to type the name of the
file where the drawing is to be stored. Do not put an
extension on the file name. For example, do not use
something like draw10.dat. Just use draw10.
GET
Use this option to retrieve a drawing that you previously
saved. You'll be shown a list of existing files and then
asked to enter the name of the one you want. If you change
your mind after choosing this option, just press ESC to quit.
DIRECTORY
Choose this option to see all the graphics files on the
current directory. Press the ENTER key to return to the
FILE menu.
END
Choose this option to return to MAIN GRAPHICS MENU.
ERASE OPTION
When you choose this option from MAIN GRAPHICS MENU any
drawing that exists within the drawing box will be completely
erased. After choosing this option you may start a new
drawing.
PRINT OPTION
Choose this option from the MAIN GRAPHICS MENU when you want
to print your drawing to a printer. This program was not
designed with its own print routine. If you want a hardcopy
of your drawing you must load your favorite graphics screen
dump memory resident program before you load this program. A
program like this that supports most dot matrix printers,
called GRAPHICS, usually comes with your operating system.
When you get your drawing ready for printing, choose the PRINT
option from MAIN GRAPHICS MENU. Once in the print routine,
wait at least 4 seconds, press the SHIFT key then the PRINT
key without releasing the SHIFT key. Your drawing will then
be printed on your dot matrix printer. When it's completed
press the RETURN key to go back to MAIN GRAPHICS MENU.
END
Choose this option from MAIN GRAPHICS MENU to return to the
Main Menu. You'll find that this option exists in all the
menus. In all cases it returns you to the previous menu.
I HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO GET ALL THE BUGS OUT OF THIS
PROGRAM. HOWEVER, I CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT NONE EXISTS. I CAN
ALSO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE DISK YOU HAVE DOES NOT HAVE A VIRUS.
I CAN ONLY ASSURE YOU THAT I HAVE NOT INTENTIONALLY PLACED
ANYTHING IN THE SOFTWARE I WROTE THAT WILL HARM YOUR SYSTEM.
WHEN YOU USE THIS SOFTWARE YOU MUST DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. I
ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE THAT MAY OCCUR AS A RESULT
OF ITS USE.
If you have questions or comments you may write to me at my
permanent address:
Dr. Andy Motes
1632 Brooks St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
I will always write back.
_______
____|__ | (tm)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
DAD'S CHOICE is produced by a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve
a shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products. Please
write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI
49442-9427 or send a Compuserve message via easyplex to ASP
Ombudsman 70007,3536.
Registration Letter
TO: Dr. Andrew Motes
Motes Educational Software
1632 Brooks St.
Fayetteville, AR 72701
FROM: ________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Please register my copy of DAD'S CHOICE version 1.0. Also, send
me my free evaluation copy of your popular children's education
program SCHOOL-MOM. I've enclosed the $15.00 registration fee
for DAD'S CHOICE. I understand that I can deduct $10 from the
SCHOOL-MOM registration fee if I decide to register it.
I use 5.25 inch _____ / 3.5 inch _____ disks. (Please check one)