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VENDINFO.DIZ
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VENDINFO
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1994-10-24
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27KB
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┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DC Challenge Electronics Training System v2.0 │
│ SEE BELOW FOR PRODUCT INFORMATION │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ This is a VENDINFO Product Information Record │
│ │
│ This record is a means of conveying information about a software │
│ product from the author to distributors and users. It contains a │
│ normal, "human-readable" section (you're reading it now), followed │
│ by a compressed data record. The data record contains a great │
│ deal of information in a form useable by automated tools. This │
│ allows BBSes, disk vendors, etc. to test automatically for │
│ permission to distribute, and to automatically extract product │
│ information for use in BBS files databases, vendor catalogs, etc. │
│ │
│ The VENDINFO file standard is published and is freely useable. │
│ │
│ The VENDINFO toolset includes a free end-user viewer, processing │
│ tools for use by distributors (BBSes, shareware disk vendors, │
│ etc.), and the editor used by author/publishers to produce these │
│ records. These tools are either free or very-low cost shareware. │
│ The toolset can be obtained from many sources, including the │
│ originators of VENDINFO: │
│ │
│ Rams' Island Software Voice: 303-841-2848 CompuServe: 76244,324 │
│ 7644 E. Lakecliff Way BBS: 303-841-6269 FidoNet: 1:104/333 │
│ Parker, CO 80134-5904 USA RIME: RAMSISLE │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
VENDINFO standard v1.00, produced by VendEdit v1.00, 24-Oct-1994
===== Product Information ==============================
Product: DC Challenge Electronics Training System
Version: 2.0
Version Date: 28-Sep-1994
Product Type: Software
Basic Distribution Policy (see License, below, for details):
Shareware, subject to distribution restrictions
Product Description: DC Circuits Training System v2.00 <ASP> (ESC)
13 exercises to help you learn or teach
electricity or electronics. Features random
problem generation, extensive graphics,
context sensitive help, and instant scoring.
Supports mouse, EGA and VGA graphics.
Suitable for use in high school, college, and
trade school. By C. E. Ormon. $29.00 single
copy, site licenses available at reduced
prices.
Category: College
Keywords: DC Circuits ELECTRONICS ELECTRICITY SERIES
PARALLEL OHMS LAW TRAINING AVIONICS
Required Packages: DCC200
This Package: DCC200
Required Configuration
Processor Family: Intel 80x86 (minimum 8086/8088)
Clock Speed: 10 MHz
Minimum OS: MS-DOS 3.1
Standard RAM: 512K
Hard Drive Space: 650K
Required:
Keyboard
Orders:
Address: ETCAI Products
P. O. Box 1046
Gautier, MS 39553
USA
Phone: 601-497-2566
FAX: 601-497-5147
CompuServe: 72714,1770
Internet: 72714.1770@compuserve.com
Support:
Address: ETCAI Products
P. O. Box 1046
Gautier, MS 39553
USA
Phone: 601-497-2566
FAX: 601-497-5147
CompuServe: 72714,1770
Internet: 72714.1770@compuserve.com
===== Information for Users ("READ-ME") ================
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
The DC Challenge System consists of a set of 13 exercises useful for
aiding instruction of electricity and electronics. A significant feature
of the exercises is that each problem presented consists of randomly
selected component values and parameters. Further, the sequence of
presentation is randomized where possible. The topics covered are
appropriate for high school, community college, and technical school
electrical and electronics training. The exercises can be used for drill
& practice, testing, remediation, and placement determination. Each
exercise prints out a "certificate" after each run with the student's
name, elapsed time, and grade earned. DC Challenge is a good first
introduction to computer use since the interface is so easy to learn.
Graphics are used extensively in the exercise set.
DC Challenge uses an intuitive push-button shell named DC. Students need
only type DC to start the DC Challenge System. The exercises are
selected from the menus using either a mouse, the keyboard, or both.
Where useful, the ESC key will evoke an on-screen calculator. All DC
Challenge programs have full-screen editing while accepting answers from
students. This allows students to make any number of changes prior to
selecting READY. Most of the exercises have a QUIT option which can be
found on the ESC menu. Pressing the ESC key in general either produces
an innocuous action or will offer options.
The set of exercises within DC Challenge were developed to aid and
supplement training, not act as the primary instructional method.
Instructors should find some exercises useful whether the main
instructional method be self-paced, lecture/laboratory or CAI. The
exercises can play various roles in a training program including
competency testing, drill and practice, and placement determination. In
any application, the exercises provide varied on-line activity with the
advantages of immediate feedback and scoring. More and more students are
enrolling in Electronic Technology training programs with weak math and
academic backgrounds. The typical student today requires more practice
and individual attention to reach an acceptable level of competence than
was required in times past. Computers and suitable software can help
students reach their competency goals. A computer and DC Challenge can
present a student with any number of problems which are instantly
corrected and graded. Rapid feedback, which immediately points out errors
and/or congratulates success, encourages mastery of the subject. With
computers having infinite patience, the diligent student can practice as
long as needed to master a procedure. A cost of several hundred to
several thosand dollars per user has kept many schools from using CAI.
DC Challenge was developed to make computer aided instruction available
for electrical and electronics training at a very reasonable cost.
MAKING DC Challenge EASIER TO USE
Beginning students who are unfamiliar with DOS can more easily use the
program if the batch file below is created and stored in the root
directory of the hard disk.
REM Batch File DC.BAT
@ECHO OFF
CD DCCHAL REM (Change to the directory containing DC Challenge)
DC
Name the batch file DC.BAT. Now all a student need do is boot the
computer, then type DC to start DC Challenge. The above program assumes
that DC Challenge is in the DCCHAL directory. Change the CD line if a
different directory name is used.
OPTIONS
PRINTING - DC Challenge is delivered with printing set to the text mode.
This produces a rapid but plain student certificate. A graphic print
mode can be installed which prints a more attractive certificate with
graphics. The graphic print mode is considerably slower than text mode
printing. The print mode can be easily changed by starting DC Challenge
in the setup mode. The setup mode is evoked by typing the command line
DC SETUP in response to the DOS prompt while in the directory containing
DC Challenge. A menu will appear which will allow you to choose either
graphic or text printing. Some printer models may not be compatible with
the graphic printing mode. Use the setup mode to set your system back to
text mode if the printer does not produce a proper graphic printout.
SCREEN PRINTING - The graphics screens produced by DC Challenge can be
printed. The DOS file GRAPHICS.COM must be made active prior to running
DC Challenge in order to get graphic output to the printer. This can be
done in two ways. (1) Execute the command GRAPHICS/R in response to the
DOS prompt prior to running DC Challenge. (2) Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT
file adding the line GRAPHICS/R. The second method is preferred in that
the graphics capability is installed upon booting your system. The /R
option tells DOS to print a reverse image to the printer which appears
as dark on light as in DC Challenge. A graphic screen print-out can now
be requested at any time by pressing the PRINTSCREEN key or Shift/PrtSc
combination (which one depends on the keyboard type). Move the mouse
cursor to the edge of the screen before requesting graphic printouts
unless you want to use it as a pointer. Being able to print screens is
useful to both students and instructors. Students can get printouts of
problems missed to determine how they went wrong off-line. Instructors
can use screen printouts to "cut and paste" handouts, examples, and test
items. For example, display a problem on the screen. Do a screen print
with the requested answers blank. Next, select the ready button. DC
Challenge will, of course, say you are wrong on all items and print the
correct answers. Do another print screen. You now have a test item and
the answer sheet!
The previous paragraph assumes that you are using DOS 6.2 and a printer
compatible with the graphics output from DOS. No assurances can be given
that graphics screen printing will perform properly on all
hardware/software combinations.
SOUND - Several programs in the DC Challenge series produce sounds at
various times while executing. The sounds may be distracting if
several users are in a small area or an open computer room. Sounds made
by most programs can be disabled or enabled by use of the setup mode.
Setup mode is entered by typing DC SETUP in response to the DOS prompt
while in the directory containing DC Challenge. Changes made in SETUP
mode will remain in force until DC SETUP is run again.
Installation of options will create, or use if exists, a subdirectory
named SYSTEM within the directory in which DC Challenge resides. The
existence or nonexistence of the files PRINTER.COM and NOSOUND.TXT set
the printer mode and sound generation status.
GRADING STANDARDS
DC Challenge grades numeric student answers to a percent of accuracy.
The tolerance percentage varies from 4 % to 7% depending on the number
of "chained" calculations required in the exercise. Under certain
circumstances, this method of grading can appear to defy Kirchhoff's
law. For example, suppose a series circuit consisting of two resistors
with 10 volts applied has actual voltage drops of 9 volts and 1 volt
respectively. A student solves the problem inaccurately with the
respective answers 9.35 volts and .65 volts. The second answer was
derived logically from Kirchhoff's law. The first answer would be judged
correct with an error less than 7 %. The second answer judged wrong with
an error of 35 % . You can quickly see that students will ask " How
can the first answer be right if the second is wrong ?". Yet the
judgment is correct based on percentage of accuracy.
Students should be cautioned not to use zero and letter "O"
interchangeably. Doing so will cause the program to appear to grade
items wrong. Entering the characters 1O6,(one, letter "O", six ) looks
like 106, ( one hundred six ) on the screen after being typed. However,
the exercise program considers a number ended after the last numeric
symbol. The exercise would consider 1O6, (one, letter"O", six ) to have
the numeric value 1 , (one ).
Digital and multiple choice answers are graded for an absolute match
with the correct answer.
String (text) answers require that students answer with term variables
in a standard order. The exercises will accept terms in any order.
Instructions for order are present on the screen for such items when
needed. Students should be cautioned to avoid inserting extraneous
spaces in answers. DC Challenge handles all non-decimal numbers as text.
The
binary number 101 ,one zero one, and 101_ ,one zero one space, are not
identical. Extraneous spaces can cause what appears to be a correct
answer to be scored "wrong".
QUESTIONS and PROBLEMS
I got a printout with the top portion out of alignment. What's wrong ?
The printer should generally be turned on prior to starting DC Challenge
with the DC command. Turning the printer on while DC Challenge is
running will occasionally cause the effect you describe on the first
print request. DC Challenge expects DOS to have initialized the printer.
How to avoid the problem ? Turn the printer on before starting DC
Challenge.
Can DC Challenge teach electronics by itself ?
No. DC Challenge is designed to support and complement conventional
lecture/laboratory or self paced multi-media delivery systems. No
pretense is made to be a self-instruction system. The author's contention
is that students learn best when a variety of delivery systems operate
together to create an interesting learning environment. DC Challenge is
one of several tools and aids which can be used to enhance instruction.
Are there plans to expand DC Challenge ?
Yes. Exercises RC and RL transient circuits have been requested by
users and will be developed in future versions.
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS
To order a single copy of DC Challenge, send your payment of $29.00 to:
ETCAI Products
P. O. Box 1046 FAX: 601-497-5147
Gautier, MS 39553 Phone: 601-497-2566
USA
Your payment can be made in the form of USA currency, check ( USA
banks), USA postal money orders, and international postal money orders,
and major credit cards ( see the "credit card" topic below). Your
registered copy of DC Challenge and a printed user document will be sent
promptly. You will also receive at no additional cost a copy of AC
Challenge as a registration bonus. AC Challenge contains eight
exercises.
SITE REGISTRATION:
Registration fees are $15.00 per user station. The minimum site
license fee is $75.00 plus shipping ($4.00). The user station count
should include direct on site copies plus copies to be issued or loaned
to students to run on their personal computers. Send all orders and fees
to the address given above. Purchase orders are accepted from any
credit-worthy institution or organization. Purchase orders can be faxed
to 601-497-5147 or mailed. Payment can also be made by check, U.S postal
money order, International postal money order, and USA currency.
Registered sites will receive a copy of the latest version of DC
Challenge, a printed copy of the DC Challenge operating documentation,
three months of support for the current version of DC Challenge and a
signed license agreement. As a bonus, your site will also be registered
to use AC Challenge at no additional cost. An unlimited site license is
available for $395.00. This allows an institution to use an unlimited
number of copies of DC Challenge and AC Challenge at the physical
licensed site. The unlimited site may also allow enrolled students and
employees to use one copy each on a single computer off site. We
negotiate and supply unlimited site price quotations on request. Some
small institutions qualify for reduced unlimited license fees.
CREDIT CARD ORDERS:
You can order DC Challenge with MC, Visa, AmEx, or Discover from Public
(software) Library by calling 800-2424-PsL, (800-242-4775), or
713-524-6394 or by FAX to 713-524-6398 or by CIS Email to 71355,470.
Ask for Item #11424 to get DC Challenge. You can also mail credit card
orders to:
PsL
P.O.Box 35705
Houston, TX 77235-5705.
Please include your Credit Card number and expiration date on credit card
mail and Email orders.
THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERS ONLY.
Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, refunds,
registration options, product details, technical support, volume
discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, etc, must be directed to:
ETCAI Products Phone: 601-497-2566 CIS 72714,1770
P. O. Box 1046 FAX: 601-497-5147
Gautier, MS 39553
USA
To insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify us the
day of your order, and we will ship the product directly to you.
MORE TRAINING PROGRAMS FROM ETCAI PRODUCTS ---
Digital Challenge is another training system available from ETCAI
Products. You get all the Digital and Semiconductor exercises listed
below for one low price of $29.00 for a single user or $395.00 for
unlimited use at a single physical site. Licensed sites can allow
students and employees to use one copy each of Digital Challenge on
an off site-computer in addition to unlimited on-site use.
Binary Counting Truth Tables
Octal Counting Boolean Algebra
Hex Counting D & JK Flip-flops
Base N Counting Transistor Testing
Number Conversions Amplifier Analysis
Logic Gates 1 Advance Amplifier Analysis
Logic Gates 2 Amplifier Troubleshooting
Unsigned Binary Math
Signed Binary Math
Amplifier Modeling
A package named EZ555 is available for $19.00 for single users or $79.00
for unlimited site use. EZ555 includes two programs. The first program
is a graphical "cut and try" design program for 555 astable timer
circuits. The second program, EZAMP, is a "cut and try" design program
for class A transistor amplifier circuits. The two programs are intended
for use in training. The material is especially effective when used with
overhead projectors. The programs can also be used in circuit design.
The prices for Digital Challenge and EZ555 are postage paid prices
world wide. We accept Purchase Orders for site licenses from any
credit worthy institution or organization. Please prepay orders for
single user versions of the programs.
===== Packing List =====================================
As released by the author or publisher, this package contained the
following files in addition to this VENDINFO.DIZ:
Filename Size Date Time CRC32
READ_ME.1ST 216 24-Oct-1994 06:46p EB5EF01B
OMBUDSMN.ASP 627 24-Oct-1994 06:46p CEB56D21
READ_ME.BAT 422 24-Oct-1994 06:46p 0E86775B
CALENDAR.BBX 4374 24-Oct-1994 06:46p D8126D0C
CASIO2.BBX 37906 24-Oct-1994 06:46p F9D8173C
MATRIX.COM 39720 24-Oct-1994 06:46p CD2546D2
PRINTER.COM 23484 24-Oct-1994 06:46p D26DE8F5
FILE_ID.DIZ 409 24-Oct-1994 06:46p F9B94A7F
VENDOR.DOC 216 24-Oct-1994 06:46p 8C5E6214
CHALLDC1.EXE 146841 24-Oct-1994 06:46p C4C3C3BC
CHALLDC2.EXE 164553 24-Oct-1994 06:46p D09E5A5D
DC.EXE 138905 24-Oct-1994 06:46p 3EB64ECB
INSTALL.EXE 70464 24-Oct-1994 06:46p 40EF9CDF
DESC.SDI 54 24-Oct-1994 06:46p D7A05155
VENDOR.TXT 216 24-Oct-1994 06:46p 8C5E6214
===== Installation =====================================
DC Challenge requires no installation procedures to run from floppy
disks. The install program provided can be used to easily install DC
challenge on your hard drive. To install the program on your hard drive,
log the floppy drive containing the DC Challenge files, then type
INSTALL.
The installation program, INSTALL.EXE, is not included with all
distributions of DC Challenge. The installation program, INSTALL.EXE is
intended only for use in installing from floppy disks to your hard
drive. Do not use INSTALL if DC Challenge is already in a directory on
your hard disk.
The install program used by DC Challenge is published by:
The Goodsoft Co.
1630 30th St. Suite 235
Boulder, CO 80301 USA
===== Support ==========================================
Registered users receive 90 days of free support. Contact ETCAI Products
for extended support prices. Mail support: ETCAI Products POB 1046
Gautier, MS 39553 USA, Phone support: 601-497-2566, FAX support:
601-497-5147.
===== Warranty =========================================
LIMITED WARRANTY
THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE PROVIDED FOR EVALUATION ONLY, ON AN "AS
IS" BASIS. ETCAI PRODUCTS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING
TO THIS SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NEITHER ETCAI PRODUCTS NOR ANYONE ELSE
WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF
THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ETCAI PRODUCTS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS. THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS
TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE.
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Mississippi
and shall inure to the benefit of ETCAI Products and any successors,
administrators, heirs and assigns. Any action or proceeding brought by
either party against the other arising out of or related to this
agreement shall be brought only in a STATE or FEDERAL COURT of competent
jurisdiction located in Jackson County, Mississippi. The parties hereby
consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts.
===== License for Use and Distribution =================
TRIAL USE LICENSE
DC Challenge is NOT a public domain program. It is copyrighted by
ETCAI Products. This software and accompanying documentation are
protected by United States copyright law and also by international
treaty provisions.
ETCAI Products grants you a limited license to use this software
for evaluation purposes for a period not to exceed thirty days. If you
continue using this software after the thirty-day evaluation period, you
MUST make a registration payment to ETCAI Products.
You may not use, copy, rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile,
disassemble, otherwise reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed
program except as provided in this agreement. Any such unauthorized use
shall result in immediate and automatic termination of this license. All
rights not expressly granted here are reserved to ETCAI Products.
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION LICENSE
The following may distribute DC Challenge, completely unaltered, without
further permission; any ASP disk vendor, any ASP BBS, any user group,
any on-line service; for other cases or to distribute in modified form,
you must consult the attached data record, which is hereby incorporated
by reference. Any distribution satisfying all the distribution
requirements expressed in that data record is hereby authorized.
Permission to distribute the DC Challenge package is not transferable,
assignable, saleable, or franchisable. Each vendor wishing to
distribute the package must independently satisfy the terms of this
limited distribution license.
U.S. Government Information: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the
U.S. Government of the computer software and documentation in this
package shall be subject to the restricted rights applicable to
commercial computer software as set forth in subdivision (b)(3)(ii) of
the Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at
252.227-7013 (DFARS 52.227-7013). The Contractor/manufacturer is ETCAI
Products POB 1046 Gautier, MS 39553 Phone 601-497-2566.
ETCAI Products may revoke any permissions granted here, by
notifying you in writing. All rights not expressly granted here are
reserved to ETCAI Products.
===== Compressed Data Record Follows ===================
PK