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Brandon's BigBox a series of educational programs for 3 to 7 year olds @ 1989,90,91 Joey Robichaux P. O . Box 91016-199 Baton Rouge , La. 70821 Compuserve: 71336,336 GENIE: JEROBICHAUX Phone: (504) 752-2620 NOTE: "Brandon's Bigbox" requires an IBM PC or compatable with color graphics capability. The programs all use CGA graphics. "Brandon's BigBox" may be copied to and run from a hard drive. All programs MUST exist in the current default drive and directory. ASSOCIATION OF SHAREWARE PROFESSIONALS This program 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 or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536. The BigBox The BigBox programs must all exist in the current drive and directory. To begin, type "BIGBOX" at the DOS prompt and press enter. (NOTE: This version of the BigBox is customized to display a child's name. Simply supply the child's name as a parameter. For example, "BIGBOX MARY" or "BIGBOX ALEX".) You'll see: ------- : : +------------------------+ : : : B R A N D O N ' S : : : : L U N C H B O X : : : +------------------------+ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V The BigBox contains twenty-two educational games. To select a game from the BigBox, just press one of the letters A through V. To quit the BigBox and return to DOS, press a "+" or the Escape key. Game number one -- Game A The first game drills letter matching. The BigBox displays an upper case letter. The player tries to press the upper case key matching this letter. If the player presses a non-matching key, he'll receive an audible warning. He'll receive a hint -- and a second chance. If he misses again, the BigBox cycles through to another upper case letter. If the player matches the letter successfully, he'll receive an audible award -- plus a "ticky" mark in a tote box on the screen. He gets two ticky marks on a successful first guess and one for a successful second guess. Once the player fills his tote box with ticky marks, the BigBox breaks away to a cartoon scene with dancing ... little things. The BigBox then returns to upper case drilling. Press a "+" or Escape at any point to quit this first game and return to the main "BigBox" menu. Game number two -- Game B The first game drills upper and lower case letter matching. The BigBox displays a lower case letter. The player tries to press the upper case key corresponding with this lower case letter. If the player presses a non-matching key, he'll receive an audible warning. He'll receive a hint -- the proper upper case key -- and a second chance. If he misses again, the BigBox cycles through to another lower case letter. If the player matches the letter successfully, he'll receive an audible award -- plus a "ticky" mark in a tote box on the screen. He gets two ticky marks on a successful first guess and one for a successful second guess. Once the player fills his tote box with ticky marks, the BigBox breaks away to a cartoon scene with dancing ... little things. The BigBox then returns to lower and upper case drilling. Press a "+" or Escape at any point to quit this second game and return to the main "BigBox" menu. Game number three -- Game C The third game is a memory / problem solving drill. The BigBox displays a series of ten doors. They are number "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", and "0". This number sequence corresponds with the number keys on the top of the alphabeteic keyboard. The BigBox displays a picture of an object in the center of the screen. The player tries to guess which door conceals a matching object. The player can open a door by pressing that door number. The door opens for a moment, revealing the object behind the door. If the objects match, the player receives an audible award and the door disappears. If the objects don't match, the door closes. In either case, another object appears on the center of the screen. The matching process continues. As the player remembers which doors conceal which objects, the doors will gradually disappear. When the last door is opened and matched successfully, the screen cycles through a kaleidescope of colors while a siren wails. The game then resets and another ten doors appear. Press a "+" or Escape at any time to return to the main BigBox menu. Game number four -- Game D Game number four is a counting game. Players see a number of objects on the screen (between 1 and 9 objects will appear). They must press the number key that describes the number of objects on the screen. If they press the wrong key, they'll receive an audible warning, a hint -- and a second chance. If they guess wrong again, they'll recieve another audible warning, plus a short repeating drill to reinforce the proper number. A new set of objects then appear on the screen. If the player selects the proper number, he's rewarded with an audible trill. Press a "+" or Escape at any time to return to the main BigBox menu. Game number five -- Game E Game five is a numeric sequence game. Players are drilled in number relationships on a number line. The numeric keys on the top of the alphabetic help serve as a number line mneumonic. Players receive a starting number between 1 and 9. They must first select the proper number just less than the given number. They'll receive a hint if they guess wrong. They must then select the next number greater than the given number. Again, they'll receive a hint if they guess wrong. When both lesser and greater numbers are selected, the rest of the number sequence displays in a graphic manner that reinforces the sequential number relationship. Press "+" or Escape to return to the main BigBox menu. Game number six -- Game F Game number six is an addition drill. Players first see an addition problem displayed in the form: 3 + 4 ------ ? They must try and select the proper answer. If they're incorrect, the program displays graphic objects in the amounts that correspond with the problem. For example, the hint for the above problem may be three sneakers displayed above four sneakers. The player may count the objects to find the proper answer. This drills the player in counting -- it also drills the player in identifying patterns of numerical groups. If the player misses the problem twice in a row, he'll receive the correct answer. It will repeat several times as reinforcement. When the player selects the proper answer, he'll receive an audible reward. In both cases, the game then cycles with a new addition problem. Once the player correctly solves 12 problems, he'll receive a flashy graphics reward. Press a "+" or Escape to return to the main BigBox menu. Games number seven through ten -- Games G through J These four modules are sets of reading drills. Each of the four modules contains 26 unique words. These drills should be played with a monitoring helper (like Mom or Dad!), although I've heard that many little users will honestly rate themselves on whether or not they know the displayed word! Just to keep the game fresh, you can add your own custom word lists. See the section on "CUSTOMIZING WORD LISTS" later in this document. The player receives a word. If he reads the word properly, then press the "+" key. The player receives an audible award, plus a brightly colored object pops up on the screen. If the player misses the word, press any other key. This word goes back into a stack of missed words. It will not be displayed again until the player goes through the list of all 26 words. Once the player goes through all 26 words, the missed words will begin to repeat. When the player successfully reads a word, the word is dropped from the missed stack. If the player misses a word again, it goes back into the stack. However, it will not repeat until all of the other missed words are displayed. This process continues. Since missed words return to the stack, players get the chance to drill on the words they have the most problems reading. Since words don't repeat until all of the other words have passed, players don't get bored with the same words. Once the player reads all 26 words (and fills the screen with 26 rewards), he's rewarded with flashing lights, a siren wail, and a cartoon of dancing teddy bears. The game then begins over again. Press a "@" or the Escape key to return to the main BigBox menu. Games number eleven through fourteen -- Games K through N These four modules contain reading and memory drills. Each module contains 20 recommended "sight" words for pre- primer through first grade. These drills can be monitored or they can be played alone. (You can add your own custom words -- see "CUSTOMIZING WORD LISTS") Four boxes (numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4) flash on the screen. Each box covers a word. One at a time, each box vanishes for two seconds, revealing the word underneath. The player then receives a word on the bottom of the screen. This word matches one of the words behind the boxes. The player must guess which box hides the matching word. The player presses a number from 1 through 4. The matching box vanishes and reveals its word. If the words do not match, the computer buzzes and the box is replaced. The drill chooses a new word for the player to match (although it may be the same word). If the words match, a siren wails for a moment. Both words display for two seconds. Then both words disappear. The vanished box is NOT replaced. The drill chooses a new word for the player to match. In this manner, each of the four boxes vanishes as the player successfully matches words. When all four boxes disappear, the drill "trills" and colors flash on the screen. The four boxes reappear, with four new words -- one behind each box. The game continues as above. Each time the player clears the screen of boxes, a "ticky" mark appears on the screen. There are twenty words to match. The player matches four words per screen. Therefore, the player must clear five screens to match all of the words. The "ticky" marks help keep track of how many words remain. Once the fifth screen of words is matched, the drill breaks away to a Mardi Gras parade! After the parade, the drill begins again with the twenty words. At any time, press the "+" or the Escape key instead of a number key to return to the BigBox menu. Game number fifteen - game "O" This game starts off with a package, a laser matter transmitter, a power requirement, and a destination state on a map of the United States. For example, it might take "25 pellets of power" to transmit a package to Oklahoma -- and you start off with zero pellets! Every time you press the space bar, 2 power pellets are added to your current power level. You must try and match the required power rating to successfully transmit the package. When you're ready, press the "G" key to try and transmit the package. (Note: There's no way to back up! If you pass up the required power amount ... well, you'll just have to take your chances!) The package will successfully transmit if you're within two pellets of the required amount. You'll see the package load into the transmitter, you'll hear the matter transmitter warming up, you'll see and hear the laser beam transmit the package across the United States ... then you'll see your package appear in it's destination state! If you're over or below the two power pellet cushion, you'll either fall short in the Atlantic Ocean or ... you might BLOW UP the matter transmitter! (Not to worry -- there's plenty more where that came from!) This module helps introduce the states of the U.S. and their geographic position. It helps little users learn to count by two -- and also to watch a target value and notice when you're too low or too high! Finally, it introduces the notion of vectors -- the concept that a line has a value depending on its direction and length. Press the "+" or the Escape key to return to the BigBox main menu. Game number sixteen -- game "P" Game "P" is identical to game "O" except that you count pellets by fives instead of by twos. Also, the power requirements are higher (the packages are heavier!) This game starts off with a package, a laser matter transmitter, a power requirement, and a destination state on a map of the United States. For example, it might take "25 pellets of power" to transmit a package to Oklahoma -- and you start off with zero pellets! Every time you press the space bar, 5 power pellets are added to your current power level. You must try and match the required power rating to successfully transmit the package. When you're ready, press the "G" key to try and transmit the package. (Note: There's no way to back up! If you pass up the required power amount ... well, you'll just have to take your chances!) The package will successfully transmit if you're within four pellets of the required amount. You'll see the package load into the transmitter, you'll hear the matter transmitter warming up, you'll see and hear the laser beam transmit the package across the United States ... then you'll see your package appear in it's destination state! If you're over or below the four power pellet cushion, you'll either fall short in the Atlantic Ocean or ... you might BLOW UP the matter transmitter! (Not to worry -- there's plenty more where that came from!) This module helps introduce the states of the U.S. and their geographic position. It helps little users learn to count by five -- and also to watch a target value and notice when you're too low or too high! Finally, it introduces the notion of vectors -- the concept that a line has a value depending on its direction and length. Press the "+" or the Escape key to return to the BigBox main menu. Game number seventeen -- game "Q" Game "Q" differs from game "O" in that YOU pick the state! When the game begins, the state of "Washington" is the selected state. Every time you press the spacebar, the selected state will advance (roughly north to south, west to east). Once you get to Maine, it will cycle back to Washington. When you're satisfied with the state, press the "G" key. The game will now operate just like game "O". After you mail your package (either successfully or unsuccessfully), you'll again select a state. Your beginning choice will be the state you just used. Press the "+" or the Escape key to return to the BigBox main menu. Game number eighteen -- game "R" Game "R" differs from game "P" in that YOU pick the state! When the game begins, the state of "Washington" is the selected state. Every time you press the spacebar, the selected state will advance (roughly north to south, west to east). Once you get to Maine, it will cycle back to Washington. When you're satisfied with the state, press the "G" key. The game will now operate just like game "P". After you mail your package (either successfully or unsuccessfully), you'll again select a state. Your beginning choice will be the state you just used. Press the "+" or the Escape key to return to the BigBox main menu. Game number nineteen - Game "S" This is an extension of the popular "Doors" game in menu pick "C". Instead of 10 different surprises behind the doors, there are five pairs of surprises -- you have to try and pick which two doors hide the same surprise. The player can open a door by pressing that door number. The door opens for a moment, revealing the object behind the door. The player then picks a second door. If the objects match, the player receives an audible award and the doors and objects disappear. If the objects don't match, the doors close after a short buzzing sound. The player then tries again for a match. As the player remembers which doors conceal which objects, the doors will gradually disappear. When the last two doors match successfully, the screen cycles through a kaleidescope of colors while a siren wails. The game then resets and another ten doors appear. Press a "+" or Escape at any time to return to the main BigBox menu. Game numbers twenty through twenty-two - Games "T","U","V" The next three games introduce the concept of a matrix -- a table made up of rows and columns. Game T is a 2 by 8 table of doors; game U is a 3 by 8 table of doors; game V is a 4 by 8 table of doors. In each game, half of the doors hide surprises that match with the remaining doors. Just like game "S", the player tries to find which doors hide the matching figure pairs. The main difference is that each door is identified by a ROW and a COLUMN. The ROW is an alphabetic character: A,B,C, or D -- depending on which game you're playing. The COLUMN is a number from 1 to 8. You're prompted on the bottom of the screen for your choice. You cannot choose a ROW while you're prompted for a COLUMN. If you press the escape key or "+" while entering a ROW, the program terminates. If you press the escape of "+" while entering a COLUMN, the program backs up and lets you re-enter the ROW. As the player identifies each door, the door opens to reveal the surprise figure. If the two objects match, the player receives an audible award and the doors and objects disappear. If the objects don't match, the doors close after a short buzzing sound. The player then tries again for a match. As the player remembers which doors conceal which objects, the doors will gradually disappear. When the last two doors match successfully, the screen cycles through a kaleidescope of colors while a siren wails. The game then resets and another matrix of doors appear. Press a "+" or Escape while entering a ROW to return to the main BigBox menu. Shareware This BigBox is part of a shareware series of educational programs designed for 3 to 7 year olds. Commercial packages tend to ignore this age group. This product is a SHAREWARE product -- it has the ultimate money-back guarantee! Try it all you like -- see if it fits your needs. If you don't like the product, then you have no further obligation. Erase it from your machine, or pass it along to a friend. If, however, you've found this program useful, then you can register your copy for $20.00. This registration fee will get you: * A copy of the latest version * A free copy of the next update when it is released. * A printed, bound manual * Notices and specials on new releases of home/family/educational software * 3 months of FREE technical support Please send payments to: Joey Robichaux P. O. Box 91016-199 Baton Rouge, La. 70821 A registration form -- REGISTER.DOC -- is included for your convenience. In any case, I'd like to hear your comments -- including any ideas you may have for other educational programs you'd like to see. Required files This BigBox requires the following files: BRUN30.EXE USERLIB.EXE USABOX.EXE USA1.EXE USA2.EXE USA3.EXE USA4.EXE FLASHBOX.EXE BOXFLSH1.EXE BOXFLSH2.EXE BOXFLSH3.EXE BOXFLSH4.EXE FLASHWOR.EXE FLASH1.WRD FLASH2.WRD FLASH3.WRD FLASH4.WRD BOATBOX.EXE BOAT1.EXE BOAT2.EXE BOAT3.EXE BOAT4.EXE BOATWORD.EXE BOAT1.WRD BOAT2.WRD BOAT3.WRD BOAT4.WRD BIGBOX.EXE L1.EXE L2.EXE L3.EXE L4.EXE L5.EXE L6.EXE M1.EXE M2.EXE WORDLIST.EXE All of these files must exist in the current drive and directory to run "BigBox" successfully. **NEW ** Customizing Word Lists This version of BigBox gives you the ability to customize the word lists. You must run the standalone utility, WORDLIST. WORDLIST lets you select whether you want to customize one of the four 20 word lists or one of the four 26 word lists. You can re-select several times to alter every one of the lists. Make sure you are in the subdirectory containing your copy of BigBox. Then type WORDLIST at the DOS prompt and press the Enter key. You're prompted for either the 20 word list, the 26 word list, or you can quit. Enter a 1 to select the 20 word lists, enter a 2 to select the 26 word lists, or enter a 3 to quit and return to DOS. Press the Enter key after you type the proper number. Once you've selected either 1 or 2, you must identify which of the four possible word lists you wish to change. If you want to back without changing anything, enter a 0 to return to the previous selection. Otherwise, enter either 1, 2, 3, or 4 and press the Enter key. You now will see each of the words in the current list. You'll run through the words one at a time. At each word, you're prompted for a Y or an N -- do you want to change the word? If you press N, you continue on to the next word. If you press Y, you're prompted for the new word. Type the new word and press enter. You'll then continue on to the next word. Once you've cycled through the possible words, WORDLIST will save the word list. You'll return to the menu where you can select the 20 word list, the 26 word list, or exit to DOS.