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I N S I G H T A D V A N T A G E
Invites you to review...<< XYSee 3.0 >>
"High Performance Help for Low Performance Math"
XYSee's advanced features include:
o State-of-the-art program structure perfectly matched
to the educational environment
o Frustration free "smart mouse" menu selection
o Unique formula model expansion capability
o Enigmatic game to challenge your mathematical skills
o Powerful, yet simple to use macro capability
o Language-sensitive macro and puzzle editor
o Context-sensitive help and statistics
o Comprehensive on-line tutorial
System Requirements:
IBM-PC compatible computer with 384K memory and one disk drive.
PC/MS-DOS version 2.1 or greater.
VGA/EGA graphics card (depending on version).
Mouse optional.
Graphics printer optional.
Review documentation:
XYSee is a large program. Because of disk space limita-
tions, we are unable to include all the documentation
found in the full registration package. However, when
used in conjunction with XYSee's comprehensive tutorial
and example macros and puzzles, this brief document
provides an excellent overview of the program's new and
exciting features.
Notation: Within this document, keystroke references will
be indicated as <KEY> (Ex.: Enter key=<ENTER>).
Can't Wait?...
You may "fast track" the review process as follows:
1. At the DOS prompt, key "XYSee" <ENTER>.
2. Use your arrow keys or mouse to select the
"Run Macro" option.
3. Select the "Tutorial" option.
4. Relax and enjoy!
Note: XYSee has been approved by the
New York City Board of Education.
ISBN: 0-9627172-1-5
<< PROGRAM DESCRIPTION >>
About XYSee:
XYSee is an interactive, computer-aided-instructional
program featuring high resolution color graphic displays
of standard equations. XYSee includes extensive coverage
of points, lines, conic sections, trigonometrics,
parametrics, composites, and artistic mathematics. The
adaptive power of this unique, menu driven program is
enhanced through the use of macros to illustrate mathe-
matical principles and implement fully automated testing
(select "0SINTEST" macro).
XYSee's game module challenges the student to solve
puzzles with complexities from ho-hum to horrific! The
goal is to duplicate the form, position, and orientation
of functions by selecting proper variable values.
Special help is available for identifying boundaries
and zeroing in on solutions. A performance reporting
module continuously tracks solution attempts and the
difficulty level attained.
XYSee's language-sensitive editor supports effortless
creation, modification, and most importantly, automatic
validation of macros and puzzles. You can also use the
editor to view, and make printed copies of the example
macro and puzzle files included on your disk.
Intended User:
XYSee supplements high school and college level studies
in Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. XYSee's intuitive
structure, comprehensive tutorial, and extensive on-line
Help, make it suitable for home use without profes-
sional supervision.
Program Registration:
XYSee is supported entirely through user registration.
Your understanding and support are crucial to the
continued availability of this unique educational tool.
To obtain your official registered copy, including
extensive illustrated documentation, complete and mail
the convenient order form to:
Insight Advantage
4509 Yellowleaf Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76133
<< PROGRAM EXECUTION >>
Starting XYSee:
To start the program, enter "XYSee" at the DOS prompt.
Ex.: A:\>XYSee <ENTER>
Getting Around:
You may use your mouse or arrow keys to navigate
XYSee's menus. <ACCEPT> a selection with your
<ENTER> key or leftmost mouse button. <CANCEL> a
selection with your <ESCAPE> key or rightmost mouse
button.
"OK" Dialog Boxes:
XYSee uses dialog boxes to:
o Accept user input data and request confirmation.
o Report program status and error conditions.
You may <ACCEPT>, <CANCEL>, or input the requested data
as appropriate to clear the dialog box.
Setup:
You may configure XYSee to your particular Sound, Color,
and Data drive requirements. Because your review copy
of XYSee may have been previously configured by
another user, we recommend selecting the "Reset
Setup" option prior to accessing any macro or puzzle
files for the first time.
How XYSee Uses Colors:
Functions being plotted are colored yellow. Indi-
vidual components of Parametrics and Composites are
plotted in red and blue with the combined plot, in
yellow. When present, visualization aids (offsets,
vectors, asymptotes, etc.) will be colored green.
Puzzle functions (pieces) are in white, with solution
attempts in yellow. Outlier highlighting is in yellow
on the variables panel. If the vertical and/or
horizontal scale has changed since the last plot,
the affected scale will be in red until a subsequent plot
returns it to white. The cursor display will be in cyan.
Getting Help:
XYSee includes a comprehensive on-line "Tutorial"
covering the program's features and functions. In
addition, should you get lost navigating the program's
structure, you may refer to the "Menu Tree" diagram in
the middle of the screen. Expanded edit-key assignment
and file syntax coverage is available in the editor.
Finally, you may access XYSee's extensive context
sensitive help system at any time by pressing the
<F1> function key.
<< PLOT OPTIONS MENU >>
The following short descriptions relate to frequently
encountered menu options.
Update Values:
A new plot display is produced each time you update an
equation. Equation changes typically affect the form,
position, and orientation of the display. This option
allows you to explore these changes.
Note: Numerical limits for all XYSee variables are +/-99.
Cursor:
Highlights points of interest on a plot. May be
single stepped in manual mode with the arrow keys or
mouse. Within a macro, the cursor may be "jumped" from
point to point with the step multiplier (Ex.: Up * 5
jumps up 5 steps).
Overlay Plot:
The "Store" and "Restore" options are used together
to visually place one plot display over another for
on-screen comparison. Vertical and horizontal scale
factors are stored along with the plot. When the plot is
restored, these scale factors will be used to rescale
(if necessary) the active plot. The use of stored
scale factors allows the direct comparison of points
between the plots.
Statistics:
XYSee calculates up to seven statistics for each
function. The number and kind of statistics varies
from function to function. Access the individual
function Help files <F1> for additional information.
Select Model:
XYSee employs a unique formula expansion technique
to customize its complexity to individual user
needs. New students may start with the most basic form
of an equation. As they progress, however, the student
may wish to explore more complicated models. For exam-
ple:(^ stands for squared).
o Basic parabolic equation form Y=X^.
o With magnitude control added Y=AX^.
o With single axis translation coverage added Y=A(X-H)^.
o Magnitude and multiple axis translation (Y-K)=A(X-H)^.
In this manner, XYSee adds over 50, fully interactive,
levels of complexity to its 20 core equations. Just
as in our parabolic example, this feature is specially
well suited to the introduction of new material charac-
terized by distinct levels of complexity. The
student may save the custom selection of models for
automatic activation in a future session.
<< PLOT OPTIONS MENU >>
(continued)
Print Plot:
The current plot can be reproduced on a graphic printer.
Several popular IBM and Epson printer modes are avail-
able. The current function, its active model, and
its variables are printed with the plot. Puzzle file
identification is also included.
Zoom Scale: {Puzzles}
Within the numerical limits of XYSee, it is possible to
plot puzzle functions partially or entirely outside the
range of the display. While attempting to identify
these "hidden" functions, you can select a different
plot scale. XYSee scales extend from +/- 1 to +/- 10,000.
Show Outlier: {Puzzles}
A "Tolerance" value is associated with each puzzle.
The tolerance sets limits on how close a guess must come
to be considered a match. The "Show Outlier" fea-
ture highlights values that exceed these limits. This
allows you to "lock-in" correct guesses while refining
incorrect ones. Tolerances from 0 (exact match) to 9
(rather far off) can be selected.
<< EDITOR REFERENCE >>
Editor-key Assignments:
-----------------------
CURSOR CONTROLS
Left/Right on line .F2 Cursor up .........Up-arrow
Right 10 spaces ...Tab Cursor down .....Down-arrow
Top of screen ....Home Cursor left .....Left-arrow
Bottom of screen ..End Cursor right ...Right-arrow
Previous screen ..PgUp Insert character .......Ins
Next screen ......PgDn Delete character .......Del
Top of file ........F3 Backspace/Delete .Backspace
Bottom of file .....F4
LINE FUNCTIONS
Copy line from .F5 Insert line ...F7
Copy line to ...F6 Delete line ...F8
Append line ...Ent Restore line .Esc
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
Print edit file .......F9 Help ..................F1
Quit/Check Syntax ....F10
File Syntax:
------------
MACRO COMMAND SYNTAX
(Line 1) <Delay><Space><Command><Space>{Comment}
Ex.: 3 Null Add a 3 second additional delay.
(Line 1) <Delay><Space><"Message"><Space>{Comment}
(Line 2) <Message text>
Ex.: 4 Message Display the next line.
This message will be displayed on the screen.
(Line 1) <Delay><Space><"Entry"><Space>{Comment}
(Line 2) <Entry (0-9)/(A-Z)>
Ex.: 2 Entry Select the "A" data-drive.
A
PUZZLE FUNCTION SYNTAX
(Line 1) <Function type><Space>{Comment}
(Line 2) <Parameter value #1><Space>{Comment}
(Line n) <Parameter value #n><Space>{Comment}
Ex.: Point Add this function to the puzzle.
1.2 "X" value.
3.4 "Y" value.
Notation convention: <Required>, {Optional},
"Literal", (Note only)
<< MACRO REFERENCE >>
XYSee Macro Commands:
---------------------
AUTOMATIC COMMANDS MANUAL COMMANDS
ACCEPT ......Enter key substitute "ACCEPT" ...Pause till "ACCEPT"
BEEP ..............Attention bell "CANCEL" ...........Abort Macro
CANCEL .....Escape key substitute
DOWN ...Down arrow key substitute SPECIAL COMMANDS
ENTRY .Character response follows 0-9 ..Numeric ENTRY response
LEFT ...Left arrow key substitute A-Z ...Letter ENTRY response
MESSAGE .....Message text follows
NULL ..........Non-executing line
OFF-KEY ........Lock the keyboard
ON-KEY .......Unlock the keyboard
RIGHT .Right arrow key substitute
STOP .............Terminate Macro
UP .......Up arrow key substitute
WAIT .........Pause till "ACCEPT"
<< PUZZLE REFERENCE >>
XYSee Puzzle Functions:
-----------------------
FUNCTION FORMULA VARIABLES
-------- ------- ---------
Point: P(X,Y) X, Y
Line: AX+BY+C=0 X, A, B, C
Circle: (X-H)^+(Y-K)^=R^ R, H, K
Parabola: (Y-K)=A(X-H)^ A, H, K
Sine: Y=Asin(BX+C) A, B, C
Tangent: Y=Atan(BX+C) A, B, C
Para: Y=Asin(BPiT);
X=Ccos(DPiT) A, C, B, D
Comp: Y=AX/B;
Y=-Ccos(DX) A, C, B, D
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (C) Insight Advantage, 1991, All rights reserved.
XYSee is a trademark of Insight Advantage.
IBM and IBM-PC are registered trademarks of International
Business Machines Corporation.
MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.