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1992-03-15
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MaX -- The Vocabulary Builder.
Copyright (C) Uchenna Thomas-Ogbuji 1991, 1992.
MaX is a program that helps enhance your vocabulary. It runs
only once a day, giving you a short quiz on a certain word, and
telling you the definition of the word. The quiz helps to reinforce
the definition in your memory. MaX keeps a record of your score and
displays it if you wish.
MaX checks each time it is run to see if it has been run for
the day already. If it has it will tell you and exit. If not it
will proceed with the quiz. It uses the date that your computer
keeps, so if your machine doesn't set the date automatically (some
older IBM PCs and XTs don't) then you'll have to set the date before
MaX is run using the DOS "date" command. MaX is set up like this so
you can run it from your autoexec.bat, and not have to remember to
run it every day. Of course, this works best if you turn on your
computer every morning. If you leave your computer on all the time,
as I do, then there is no easy way besides remembering to run MaX
daily (in my case I'm a programmer, so I crash my machine daily
anyway <grin>.)
MaX is also designed to accommodate more than one user, keeping
separate records for each. If you run MaX without any command line
parameters, it will ask you for your name. You can also tell MaX
your name on the command line by running "max /u username" where you
should replace "username" with your name. Make sure there are no
spaces in the name you give MaX because the name is used to form a
file, "username.prm", which contains your records (the last time you
ran MaX, your current score, etc.) The words and quiz data are read
from a vocabulary file (which has the extensions ".VOC".) MaX comes
with a vocabulary file, MAX.VOC, which is used by default.
Additional .VOC files are available for a nominal fee from the
author. The first time MaX is run for each user it sets up a record
for that user, using the default vocabulary file. If you want the
default vocabulary file to be any other than MAX.VOC, you must add a
line to your autoexec.bat in the form "SET MAXVOC=path\filename.ext"
where you would use the directory and filename of the vocabulary
file you wish to use as default. For example, if you wanted to make
the file ELIOT.VOC (available from the author) the default, you
would add the line "SET MAXVOC=ELIOT.VOC".
You can also change the current vocabulary file for a user by
typing "MAX /u username /c filename.ext", or just "MAX /c
filename.ext" in which case MaX would prompt you for the name of the
user whose vocabulary you wish to change.
When running in a batch file, including autoexec.bat, programs
run right after the other without a pause between them. This could
be a problem with MaX if the next program clears the screen faster
than you can read the definition of the word you were quizzed on, or
your score. For this reason, there is another command-line option,
"/p", which pauses until you hit a key before MaX exits. This gives
you time to read MaX's display. For this reason, if you are running
MaX from your autoexec.bat, you should enter the line "max /p" and
add any other command-line options you wish.
If you don't want MaX to show you your running score after the
quiz, use the "/n" command line option, which suppresses the display
of your score.
The vocabulary file, MAX.VOC, which comes with MaX, has 150
words in it. You are quizzed on each word twice before the file is
exhausted, which means that if you run MaX every day, the file will
last you 300 days, or almost a year, before it runs out of words.
MaX will tell you when it has run out of words and if you have
registered, you can then order another vocabulary file from the
author.
MaX is shareware, which means that after a reasonable trial
period, two months seems reasonable, you should register it with the
author. Occasionally, MaX will give you a small, unobtrusive,
reminder to register in case you forget. The registration fee is
$20. Even though MAX.VOC could last you a year, please consider
registering MaX or discontinue using it after the trial period. The
first version of MaX came with a vocabulary file of only thirty
words. I increased it so no one would think I am trying to sell MaX
as "crippleware." This trial version of MaX is fully functional and
the only thing that holds you to registration is your own good
conscience, and the opportunity to buy additional vocabulary files
from me. Additional vocabulary files for registered users cost $7
for 75-word files and $12 for 150-word files. When you register MaX
I will send you the latest version if there have been any
enhancements. The version I send will not display reminders to
register, of course. Please mention whether you want 5.25 or 3.5
inch diskettes when you register, or when you order new .VOC files.
I would also appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Please send all registration fees and comments to:
Uchenna Thomas-Ogbuji
5345 Berkshire Drive
North Olmsted, OH 44070
You are encouraged to copy and distribute the unregistered
versions of max.exe, max.voc, and max.doc provided that they are
distributed ONLY in the original, unmodified state, that no fee is
charged beyond the actual cost of such copying or distribution, and
that absolutely no fee greater than $6 is charged for the
distribution. Please do not, under any circumstances, distribute
registered copied of MaX, or copies of any other .VOC files you
might obtain from me.
For the curious, MaX is short for Malcolm X, who became one of the
most capable speakers of his time through a habit of learning at
least one new word every day. Psychologists have long recognized
the strong correlation between the size of one's vocabulary and
one's intelligence. MaX helps to make this learning process
automatic.
Thank you for trying MaX. I welcome any suggestions.
--Uchenna Thomas-Ogbuji
MAX COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS
/c filename.ext Change the vocabulary file for the current user
to filename.ext (specify the new .VOC file.)
/n Suppress the displaying of the user's score.
/p Pause before MaX exits to prevent subsequent
batch commands from clearing the screen before
you have read MaX's display (use within batch
files.)
/u username Set the current user name to username (no spaces
allowed in user names). If this option is
omitted, MaX will prompt you for your name.