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- M A T H C A S T L E (TM) Ver. 1.4p
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- Hi! My name is Ron Jennings and I am the Author of Math Castle (tm). It
- is my hope that you will enjoy playing Math Castle as much as I have
- enjoyed creating it. Please feel free to write to me if you have any
- comments or suggestions at:
-
- Attn: R. Jennings
- Northwest Software Engineers
- N. 16221 Sunrise Drive
- Nine Mile Falls, WA 99026
- (509) 467-7176
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- Things You Need To Know
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- Castle.Con = Math Castle configuration file
- Score.Dat = Remembers highest scores
- Usr.Dat = Remembers highest scores (User Files)
- Usr.nnn = Contains user defined problems
- Reg.Dat = Contains registration data for registered users
-
- If you find these files present, you may want to delete them so that you
- can start out with a new set of high scores, and with the default
- configurations.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- In order for Math Castle (tm) to run, the following files must be found
- on the default drive/path:
- Castle.exe Castle.mon Mono.dat
- Castle.bin Regc.bin Regm.bin
- Castle.dat
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- TO START Math Castle (tm), first select as the default drive/path the
- path/drive containing the required Math Castle (tm) files. Then type
- CASTLE and press [Enter].
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Extended Level - When set extends selection to 40 levels of play instead
- of 12. (Default = Off)
-
- Forced Review - When set causes program to branch to the Weapons Train-
- ing Center to review the problems you missed in the
- battle. (Default = On)
-
- Vertical Format - Selects how the problems will be displayed as shown
- below: (Default = On)
- ┌─────┐
- │ 2│
- │+ 2│
- On: │─────│ Off: 2 + 2 = ?
- │ ?│
- └─────┘
-
- Multilevel - Off: Selects problems from a given level only.
- On: Selects problems from selected level and all lower levels
- (Default = On)
-
- Delay in Seconds - Increases the time allowed to answer the problems.
- (Default = 0). Please note that this option can
- be particularly useful for children experiencing
- difficulties.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Selecting the number of problems: One of the things people never seemed
- to agree upon was the optimum number of problems that should be given.
- In this version we have solved that problem by allowing you the user to
- set the maximum number of problems that can occur. (Default = 40) These
- settings can be changed from the Main Menu by pressing the [F1] key to
- access the Options Menu, and then [F4].
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Command Line Options: The following command line options have been
- provided for your convenience:
-
- /M Forces Monochrome Mode. This switch can be useful if you have
- an LCD display screen, or a Monochrome monitor attached to a
- color card.
-
- /T Forces Monochrome in 80 Column Mode.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- The NUM LOCK key: During program execution, the Num Lock key is set to
- the appropriate settings automatically by the program. If you have an
- indicator light on your keyboard it will not register this change. This
- setting is made internally within the computer and will reset upon exiting
- the program to what it was originally.
-
- Because the Num Lock key is usually located in the vicinity of the numeric
- keypad, it is not unusual for children to accidentally push this key.
- This will cause Math Castle (tm) to ignore subsequent attempts at entering
- numbers via the numeric keypad. If this happens, you can restore the keypad
- to it's former state by pressing the Num Lock key a second time.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- The SCROLL LOCK key: Another button children push which can interfere
- with the operation of the program is the Scroll Lock key. This stops
- program execution and will make the computer appear to be locked up. Try
- pressing this key and the space bar once before you reset your computer.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- SOUND OFF/ON: The [S] key toggles the sound on and off.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- To STOP, PAUSE, or EXIT: To stop the game press the [Esc] key. You will
- then be prompted "Stop Game (Y/N)". If you press [Y] the game will be
- terminated. If you press [N] then the game will be resumed.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- SCORING: The score is based upon the level of difficulty selected, the
- total number of problems you selected as your maximum, and the speed that
- you answer the problems. Also, if you have set the delay to be greater
- than 0, then the bonus is only 10% of what it would have been with no delay.
-
- A record of the top ten scores FOR EACH LEVEL is kept on file in the Hall
- of Fame. If you qualify for the Hall of Fame, then you will be asked to
- enter your name.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ENERGY: Energy is expended each time an enemy fires against your shield.
- Energy is increased each time an enemy saucer is destroyed. The Super
- Energy Beam that is projected from the shield not only disintegrates the
- attacking aliens, but also has the capability of absorbing the aliens
- energy, which increases the energy available to you.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- STAGE OF COMPLETION INDICATOR: On the line bordering the bottom of the
- screen, the number of problems completed and/or remaining is graphically
- represented by an indicator that starts out on the left and moves to the
- right as the game progresses. When the indicator is fully to the right
- the game is complete.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- MODES OF OPERATION: Math Castle (tm) has two modes of operation. One is
- the Regular Play mode which provides a fast high pressure video game type
- environment that is designed to help adults and children to learn to
- answer the basic math facts quickly and accurately.
-
- The second mode of operation is the Learning Mode. This is a low pressure
- environment, and has been designed to be much less threatening for the
- child who might feel threatened by the fast paced Regular Play mode. The
- problem is displayed and if the answer is not entered within approximately
- eight seconds, then the answer is displayed. Then the same problem is
- given again. Pressing the [Space] bar causes the answer to be displayed
- immediately. This mode is also used to review the problems missed in the
- Regular Play mode.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- LEVEL SELECTION: The levels of selection do NOT correspond to school
- grade levels. They grow increasing difficult as you increase the level.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Math Castle (tm) teaches: (1) Basic Math Facts
- (2) To think fast and accurately under pressure
- (3) Hand-Eye coordination and use of keyboard
- (4) Can be used to teach and practice 10-key
- skills.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Math Castle(tm) is the copyrighted property of R. Jennings and Northwest
- Software Engineers. You are hereby granted a limited license to use this
- promotional copy of Math Castle as per the terms set forth herein and as
- described in the program itself.
- ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- Please feel free to share this evaluation copy with your friends and
- local schools. Special Site Licenses are available for schools or other
- multiple system users. Please contact the author for current site
- license prices.
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- End of Math Castle Documentation
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