Monster Media 1993 #2/Image.iso/educate/match_m7.zip/MM1.DOC

Text File | 1993-05-11 | 22KB | 500 lines

                        Match Maker

                         Contents

Getting Started......................................  2
        Making copies
        Choosing a game
        Playing a game

Child Options........................................  3
        Faces showing or hidden faces
        Sound on or off
        Scoring
        Players
        Maximum number of cards
        Menus

The Adult Help Screen ...............................  5
        Children's Names
        Menu Names
        Setting the F1 key
        Changing the order of the Game Menu

Modifying the Games .................................  6
        Options from a Category Menu
                Remove a game
                Editing a label
                Adding to the menu
                Editing or creating a word file
                Missing words
        Game Categories .............................  8
                Numbers, Numerals, Letters
                Colors, Shapes
                Objects
                Finger Spell, Safety Signs

Files on disk ........................................ 9

Other Wescott Programs and Order Form ............... 10



                         (1)
*******************  Getting Started  *****************************

*    If you ever need to copy the Match Maker files without copying
     files belonging to other programs, you may do so with the
     following commands:

            Copy MM.exe  B:
            Copy *.mm* B:
            Copy ?_*.* B:

     (These commands assume you are copying to the B drive.)

*    Begin the program by typing MM.  You will be asked to
     select your name.  You should enter your child's name if he
     or she is not already listed.  The Game Menu will be shown on
     the screen.  This menu has two parts, the games at the top,
     and the child's options at the bottom of the screen.

**  Choosing a game.

Each page of the Game Menu contains 7 or fewer games.  Your child
can go to different pages by pressing ENTER at the word "MORE" (or
with the "Pg Up" and "Pg Dn" keys). By pressing the space bar or
the up and down arrows your child may move around the menu.  Select
a game by pressing ENTER while the arrow is pointing to it, or by
pointing and pressing either mouse button.

*******************  Playing a Game  *****************************

A game is played by using the space bar and/or arrow keys to point
to a "card", and then pressing <ENTER> to select that card.  The
game is completed when all cards have been matched.  When a game
is finished, one of several hopefully entertaining graphic displays
occur.

You may use either the keyboard or a mouse to point to and select
cards.  Pressing either mouse button will select a card. If you
have been using a mouse, pressing <ENTER> will cause the current
card to be highlighted, but not selected.  Likewise, if you have
been using the keyboard, the first click of a mouse button will
make the mouse pointer visible, but it will not select the card.

While playing a game, pressing the F1 Function key will show all
remaining matches for the game being played.  Matches are shown in
pairs moving left to right.  The actual location of the matches is
not revealed.  This option may be turned on or off from the Adult
Help screen (see below).

Exiting the game.  The game is exited by pressing the ESC key.  The
Game Menu is then displayed.  When a game is completed, you will
automatically be presented with the Game Menu.

                         (2)
**********************  Child Options  ***************************

The child options are those at the bottom of the Game Menu screen.
The current status of each options is shown as you move through the
options.  Your child may change any option by pressing ENTER or by
clicking a mouse button while pointing at an option.

** Faces showing or hidden faces.

With the faces showing, the games can be a purely matching
exercise.  This is ideal when introducing the program to very young
children (in conjunction with limiting the number of cards).  In
more difficult games, having the faces showing will initially help
with learning.

** Music on or off

When a correct match is made, music will be played.  There is never
any negative sound for incorrect guesses.  Correct matches also
result in the cards being taken away.

The tunes played are contained in the file "SONGS.MM".  If you
would like to delete, add, or change a song, and you know how to
program music in basic - be our guest.  If you do this, create the
string and try it in BASIC first.  Be sure to backup "SONGS.MM"
before you edit it just in case this isn't as easy as it may seem.

** Scoring

There are five ways to play the game.  With no scoring, one player
finds matches until all matches are found.   With two players, each
player takes a turn which ends when the player does not make a
match.  A score indicating the number of matches is kept for each
player.  You may also choose to play against time.  There is no
time limit, but the amount of time taken is ticked off at the
bottom of the screen.  With this option, when a match is made the
cards are immediately eliminated (time is of the essence).  With
the other options, there is a slight delay to show the matched
pair.  Also, no music is played after correct matches.  The time
for the graphic displays at the end of a game is not counted.

If you would like to play against the computer, the last two
options in the scoring option will let you do these.  The first
one, which in the English version we initially call "IT", is not
as smart as IT's cousin, "The Whiz".  Over the long haul with faces
down, "IT" remembers about 20% of what it sees.  "The Whiz"
remembers about 45%.  Those of us over 15 who have cluttered our
minds over the years will lose to "The Whiz".  With faces up, "IT"
will match about 30% or the time, while "The Whiz" will match about
75% of the time.
                         (3)
** Players

You may enter names for the two players playing a game.  Whenever
you do this, the Scoring option is automatically set to play with
two players.

** Maximum number of cards

Each game has its own maximum number of matches based on the size
of cards, length of words, or number of possible matches.  You may
lower this maximum by selecting the CARDS option.  If you set the
maximum higher than a game's actual limit, then the game will
revert to its own limit.

** Menus

Either of two menus may be selected from the Child's Menu.

First we should talk about menus.  Because Match Maker is extremely
open ended, there is really no limit to the number of games that
you or we can create and your child can play.  (Actually, last time
we checked, we set the maximum at 60 games per menu.)  However,
children, and even adults, are happier when not being presented
with a choice of 60 games.

We think the ideal menu will consist of 1 page of games.  Different
children will want different games, and the games they like will
change over time.

We provide two menus.  Depending on your situation, you may want
to reorganize these for different children, different ages, or
different subjects.  As your students or children grow, you will
want to readjust these menus.  You will be able to do so from the
Adult Menu -- adding games, removing games, changing the menu or
game titles, or reorganizing any of the two menus.  All of this
is explained in the Adult Help Screen Section below.


                         (4)
*******************  Adult Help Screen  **************************

Pressing the ALT key and the H key together will bring you to the
Match Maker Adult Menu.  To get the full power of the program, you
should become familiar with the options described below.  It is
expected that only parents or teachers will use this menu.

** Reorganizing a Menu

By selecting this option, you may reorganize the games which appear
on any one of the two menus.  Some games have been temporarily
hidden from the Menus that your child will see.  You may "unhide"
these, or decide to "hide" other games.  You will be only allowed
to choose from games that have been defined as part of that menu.
However, it is a simple matter to add a game to a menu. (See the
section, "Modifying the Games", below).

Once you select this option, you will be presented with the Game
Menu, but without the option choices at the bottom.  Using the
following Function Keys you may:

        <Del> - Hide or "unhide" a game.
        F3 - Switch an entire page with the previous page.
        F5 - Combine a page with the previous page.
        F6 - Create New Page Breaks.
        F10 - Select one line to move (completing the move with
               F9).

**  Children's Names

Your children will select from a list of names when they begin the
program.  You may add up to 18 names.  You may also delete names.
Any record keeping, such as how many times a child has played a
game, is reset whenever the spelling or position of a name is
changed.

**  Menu Names
The names for the two menus may be changed here.

**  Setting the F1 Key

As mentioned above, the F1 key may be used to show expected matches
while playing the game.  There may occasionally be some uncertainty
as to what a particular graphic is representing, therefore this
option will usually be an appropriate learning tool for your
children.  We can imagine other situations, where you may want the
children to determine the matches without this feature.  Therefore,
you may disable or enable this function from this screen.  When the
F1 key is pressed, the locations of the matches are not shown, only
the pairs of matches.  After any key is pressed, the cards are
returned to their position on the board.

                         (5)
********************  Modifying the Games  ************************

After selecting the "Modifying the Games" option, you are presented
with a list of the various types of games.  After you select a
type, the titles for each game in that category are displayed.
(These are the same titles that appear on the Game Menu.)

You will then be allowed to add, delete, or modify any game of that
type.  You will also be able to add or edit word files associated
with that type of game.  Games are added and changed for only the
currently selected menu.

For various reasons (such as after adding or removing games), you
may want to reorganize the Game Menu.  You may do this after
returning to the first adult help screen, and by selecting the
"Reorganize the Menu" option.  If you have removed or added games,
you should do this in order to verify that the Game Menu will
appear as you anticipate.  New games are placed next to games
of a similar nature or at the end of a menu.

**************  Options from a Category Menu  *******************

** Removing a game

By selecting "Remove a Game", you may remove a game from the Game
menu.  This is a relatively minor undertaking and you should not
be unduly concerned since you can always add it back.  No files are
deleted when you remove a game, only an entry in the file for that
menu.  You should also not be hesitant to add a game, since you may
remove it easily.

**  Editing a label

By selecting "Edit the Label", you will be allowed to change the
description of the game as it appears on the Game Menu.  You are
limited to 19 characters.

For some games, when you edit a label, you will be asked to give
the Second Word.  These are the words that are used on the Game
Menu in cases where words are appropriate.  For instance, if you
have a game that matches colors to words, you will want to enter
the word for the color red in the appropriate language.

**  Adding to the menu

When you select this option, you are generally presented with a
list of match types that fall into the category you selected.
After you select one of these, you are then presented with a second
list of match types which are possible with the first match type.
By pressing the ESC key, you may stop adding a game.  If you select
a type that requires the selection of a file, you will be presented

                         (6)
with a list of possible files.  After you have defined the game,
you will be asked to give the label for the game.  Remember, you
can always remove a game if you make the wrong choice.

**  Editing or creating a word file

Word files contain the spelling for objects, numbers, colors, etc..

For example, if you wanted to create a game matching our objects
with their French names, you would need to create a file with the
French spellings for the objects.  This needs to be done before
adding the game.  To do so, you would go through the following
steps:

   1  Select "Objects" from the "Types of Games" menu.
   2  Select "Edit or create a word file".
   3  Select "Create File".
   4  Enter a three letter suffix, which will signify to you that
      this as a French language list.  (e.g. FRE)
   5  Type in the French words associated with the objects as
      described in English.
   6  Press ESC when finished, and select "Exit saving edits".
   7  Select "Add to Menu".
   8  Select "Objects" as the First Match Type.
   9  Select "Word List" as the Second Match Type.
  10  Select "W_Object.FRE" as the Word File.
  11  Type in the game labels, including the French Word for car.

The procedure for other categories is generally the same.

** Missing Words

There is no requirement that word files contain descriptions for
all possible words in any of the various types of word files.  In
fact, we suggest that sometimes you will want to simplify games by
leaving out certain words in a word file.  For example, if a word
for a particular object in some language is not appropriate or too
difficult for the intended age range, you may just omit that word
from your word file.  (Never use a word processor, since you could
make the file unreadable.) When words are missing from a word file
used in a matching game, then the missing item is automatically
excluded from the game.










                         (7)
*****************  Game Categories and Games  ******************

 ** Numbers, Numerals

The First Match types are:

        Numbers -  Small shapes (triangles, circles, or squares)
                   representing the numbers 1 through 10.

        Numerals - Large graphically drawn numbers ("1", "2", etc.)


If you select either one of the above, the second match type may
be either of the above, or a word list containing spellings of the
numbers.  For example, ("uno", "dos", etc.)

By selecting "Edit or Create a word file", you may add a file with
spellings, in any language, for the numbers 1 through 10.

** Letters

    Uppercase letter - Large, graphically drawn uppercase letters.

    Lowercase letter - Large, graphically drawn lowercase letters.

If you select either one of the above, the second match type may
be either of the above.  When you create a game in this category,
you are asked to select an alphabet file.  This enables you to
create games based on non-English alphabets.

** Colors, Shapes

By selecting "Edit or create a word file", you may edit color word
files.  Color files contain both the words for a color and the
number that corresponds to that color using the Basic programming
language.  You have been sent two files, X_Colors.mod and
W_Colors.Eng which contains Color Codes and the appropriate color
words for VGA graphics.  All color word files are based on the one
set of Color codes contained in X_Color.mod.  You may change (or
add) color codes, but make sure all color word files (W_Colors.*)
correctly label the new color codes.

Different monitors may show the same color code differently.  What
may look like "Gold" on my monitor, may be a shade of "Brown" on
yours.  Before your child gets confused, you should check the game
matching Colors with Words to ensure that the words correspond to
what you are seeing on your monitor.

                         (8)
The match types for these games are:

   EGA or VGA Colors - These are colors based on the color files
       described above.  You need to have an EGA of VGA graphics
       board and monitor.  (If you don't, the game will not show
       up on the Game Menu). If you select this type the second
       match may be to colors or to a word file.

   CGA colors - These use what are referred to as tile colors,
       using combinations of cyan, magenta, black, and white.
       These can only be matched to themselves.

   Shapes - A set of drawn shapes.  As with CGA colors, these can
       only be matched with themselves.

   Objects - This match type is internally drawn pictures of some
       simple objects.  They may be matched with themselves or
       word lists of any language.

   Finger Spell Hand Signs - Finger Spell is the use of hands to
       Sign the alphabet.  These are used by people with hearing
       impairments.  This is just a small subset of signing, and
       these graphics are being used with permission from Herb
       Bartow, the author of "Learn to Sign". Herb owns the
       copyright to these pictures.  If you are interested in
       learning more about signing or the Learn to Sign ($15)
       program, you can write to Gene at:  316 Lafayette Street,
       Hackettstown, NJ, 07840.

   Safety Signs - Some of the more common safety signs and symbols
       which may be matched with themselves or a word list.

**********************  Files on Disk  **************************

  MM.Exe  - The program file.
  Menulits.mmp - Contains literals used in menus.
  Literals.mmp - Contains literals used throughout the program.
  Names.mmp - Contains the children names.
  Menus.mmp - Contains the menu names.
  Songs.mm - Contains the songs played when answers are correct.
  F_P01.MNU, F_P02.MNU - Contains game information, and menu
             information for each of the two menus.
  N_Pxx.LVL  xx varies from 01 to 18.  These contain the current
             options and records for up to 18 children.
  X_*.MOD  Model files for games.  These give descriptions and
    other information about games.
  W_*.*  Word files used in various games.  These may be created
    and modified using the program.  The part of the name
    after the "W_" is the model for the file.  The extension is
    user supplied and is generally used to differentiate between
    word files with the same model name.

                          (9)Other Programs from Wescott Software and Order Form

Match Wizard (Ages 5 to 10)  Similar to Match Maker, but new games
     include matching sets of words, addition, subtraction,
     multiplication, division, telling time, mixing paint colors,
     flags of the world.  Also includes safety signs, colors and
     words matched with objects which are also in Match Maker.

Fun with Letters and Words (Ages 2 - 6)    Children are in control
     as they explore the alphabet and over 150 early reading words.
     Children will be delighted when their family, friends, and
     their own names and faces appear on the screen and in various
     graphics. Uses mouse or keyboard and is multi-lingual.

The Arithmetic Quiz Machine (Ages 6 - 9)  A straight-forward, but
     open ended program to help children practice addition,
     subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers.

Fun with Designs (Ages 4 - 9)  Using basic and not so basic shapes,
     lets your young artists create, create, create!!  Developed
     so a four to eight year old may create simple or intricate
     designs.  Designs or pictures may be used within Fun with
     Letters and Words.

Fun with Numbers (Ages 3 - 7)  Six animated number games covering
     counting, counting by twos, number recognition, addition and
     subtraction.  Uses mouse or keyboard.  CGA or VGA graphics.

Fun with Time and Fun with Christmas Carols - Have your child be
     the last one on earth able to tell time with a clock face
     rather than a digital display.  Also 7 of your child's
     favorite Christmas Carols with words and  music.  (No manual)
----------------------------------------------------------------
                               Order Form
  Mail to:  Wescott Software        Or CALL (voice) 1-708-328-1367
            PO Box 7010             Or Fax to:  1-708-328-8349
            Evanston, IL  60204
Send payment with mail orders.     We will bill if by Fax or phone.
                    Printed Manuals included.

                              Circle desired programs or prices.
       Match Wizard                                  5.90
       Fun with Letters and Words -  CGA version     5.90
       Fun with Letters and Words -  VGA version     5.90
       Arithmetic Quiz Machine                       5.90
       Fun with Designs                              5.90
       Fun with Numbers                              5.90
       Fun with Time and Fun with Christmas Carols   5.90
                                             TOTAL  _____
Disk Size (circle one) 3 1/2    5 1/4      Shipping  3.00
                                           Enclosed _____
Your Name and Address: