Software of the Month Club 1996 June

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Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 1 +------------------------------+ +-! ! ! ! M A T H T E S T ! ! ! ! ! ! Shareware Version 3.00-S ! ! ! ! ! +------------------------------+ +------------------------------+ Copyright (C) 1995, Kenneth Perrine WELCOME Mathtest is an educational mathematic problem solving game. It lets players practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems, with varying skill levels and difficulties. Selectable options allow players to practice advanced problem types, such as multi-digit problems, negative numbers, decimals, carrying, borrowing, and long division. This math program is ideal for students who are learning basic math problems, and also for students are familiar with basic math problems but need to either practice advanced problems or improve speed and accuracy with basic problems. Mathtest offers three games which appear after a math problem is successfully solved. The first game involves using a rocket to hit the word "TEST", which moves across the screen. In the second game, the player attempts to throw a rock through a moving box. In the third game, the player tries to hit a sphere with a light-beam. One point is gained for each successful game played or problem solved. The game remains the same until the player's score reaches the goal value, which is initially ten points in value. When the goal is reached, the game changes, and the time available to solve math problems slightly decreases (unless the timer is turned off). When the score reaches sixty points, the player wins the game set. Mathtest has many features, which are selected via menus in the program or the command line. o Mathtest can present addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems. o Players can solve horizontal or vertical problems. o Negative numbers can be used. o Decimal points can appear in problems. o Players can solve components of math problems, such as 2 + ? = 6, where the answer is 4. o Five difficulty settings exist for the types of math problems displayed, so users can solve for single-digit or multi-digit problems. o In multi-digit problems, the player can carry, borrow, and/or solve long division or multi-digit multiplication problems on-screen. o The math problem timer can be turned off or changed to one of five speed settings. Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 2 o The sound can be turned off. o The top number in math problems can be held constant to practice individual multiplication tables. o The "drill" mode can be enabled, which causes a selected number of math problems to be displayed before a game appears. o Games can be turned off. o On-line help is available for almost every screen. o Changed options in the program are saved in a configuration file. o Multiple configuration files may be used. o The player can sharpen his/her keyboard skills with the built-in SpeedKeys Practice Program. o The program features a built-in integrity checker, which verifies that the program and its files are unmodified and authentic. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Mathtest 3.00 has been designed to run on a wide variety of IBM-compatible PC's. Mathtest will run on Pentiums, as well as XT's. The computer must be equipped with color graphics, such as VGA, EGA, or CGA. The system must also have at least 320K of free memory. Mathtest will work with DOS versions 3.0 and greater. STARTING MATHTEST To start Mathtest, type MATHTEST at the DOS prompt. If the Mathtest files are in another disk or directory than what you are currently using, you must change to the appropriate disk or directory first. When you are in Mathtest, you may find out more about features and on-screen options by pressing the <I> key for the Information Screen. On almost every screen, the <F1> key can be pressed for on-line help. INTEGRITY CHECK When Mathtest is started for the first time, it will check program files to make sure they are authentic and have not been modified. These are the files that the integrity checker tests: MATHTEST.EXE - The executable file MATHTEST.DAT - The graphics data file MATHTEST.HLP - The help resource file MATHTEST.DOC - This documentation file MATHTEST.FRM - The print-out registration form Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 3 CONFIGURATION FILE When Mathtest is first started, a configuration file, called MATHTEST.CFG, is written in the current directory. This configuration file saves user-selected options, making the same options active when Mathtest is restarted. To reset the options to default selections and to make the integrity checker start the next time Mathtest is started, erase the file MATHTEST.CFG by typing at the DOS prompt: ERASE MATHTEST.CFG If you make copies of the shareware version of Mathtest for others to use, you should erase the configuration file so that Mathtest will start with its default choices and run the integrity checker when it is started on a different computer. SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION If you copy Mathtest for others to use, these are the files that should be included with the copy: MATHTEST.EXE - Main program MATHTEST.DAT - Graphics data file MATHTEST.HLP - Help file MATHTEST.DOC - Documentation file MATHTEST.FRM - Print-out registration form MATHTEST.ICO - The Mathtest icon, which may be used if it is run under Windows README.TXT - Brief overview of how to print the documentation DOC.BAT - Prints the documentation file RUNMATH.BAT - Displays the README file COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS Mathtest may be started with the command-line options listed below. If you wish to use any of these options, type the options as shown below when Mathtest is started. For example, if you want Mathtest to operate in "drill" 10 mode, then the following command-line would be used to start Mathtest: MATHTEST /D=10 Note that more than one option may be used, in any order. Separate options with a single space. For example, if you want to run Mathtest in four-color mode, keep the configuration file located on a disk in the A: drive from being changed, and cause a quick integrity check to occur when Mathtest starts, then use: MATHTEST /J /F=A: /N /C These options may be put into a batch file, so a user would not need to type these options when he or she is starting Mathtest. See the question: "Startup: How do I type less to start Mathtest?" in the section "How do I..." below for information on how to make a batch file. Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 4 A brief overview of the available command-line options may be seen by typing at the DOS prompt: MATHTEST /? /A=number Assigns the top number in math problems as a certain value. This is useful for practicing individual multiplication tables in math problems. Numbers 0 through 100 are valid. /C Makes Mathtest run in four-color mode. Use this option if the sixteen-color graphics are not behaving correctly, or if the animation in sixteen colors is too slow. /D=number Puts Mathtest into "drill" mode. The 'drill' mode in Mathtest allows you to set how many math problems will appear before a game is seen. For more information, run Mathtest, press <CONTROL-D> when the Title Screen or the Main Menu appear, and then press the <F1> key for on-line help. Valid numbers for this option are: 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, or 60. Select 0 to turn the 'drill' mode off, 1 to base scoring upon successfully-answered math problems instead of successfully-won games, 2, 5, 10, 20, or 30 for the same scoring method as number 1 but with more math problems displayed before games, or 60 to turn off the games. Changes to this option are saved in the configuration file, unless the /N option is used. /F=[path]filename Defines a custom location and/or filename for a configuration file. Normally, when Mathtest is run, a configuration file called MATHTEST.CFG is written to the same location as the Mathtest program files. By using the /F parameter, configuration files of other names than MATHTEST.CFG may be used. If only a path is specified, the file MATHTEST.CFG is written in the location of the path. This is useful for managing the configurations of multiple users, classes or groups on individual computers or networks, especially when used with batch files. MATHTEST /F=CLASS06.CFG uses the file CLASS06.CFG as a configuration file. MATHTEST /F=C:\STUDENTS\MTH.CFG uses the file MTH.CFG in the specified path. MATHTEST /F=C:\STUDENTS uses the default file MATHTEST.CFG in the STUDENTS directory. MATHTEST /F=A: uses the default file MATHTEST.CFG in drive A:. /G=number Changes the first game that appears when a math problem is successfully answered. By default, /G=1 is used. This makes the first rocket game appear. Use /G=2 to make the throwing game appear, or use /G=3 to make the light-beam game appear. Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 5 /H or /? Displays a brief overview of the command-line options. /I Performs an integrity check on Mathtest files. This is automatically done when Mathtest writes its default configuration file for the first time. To perform an integrity check again, use this option. /J This option is the same as the /I option, but Mathtest does not pause when it says that all of the files are OK. This may be used in batch files to cause the integrity checker to check program files every time Mathtest starts. /N This causes changes in Mathtest options to not be written to the configuration file. If you set up a configuration file which contains preset options, you may use the /N option in a batch file to keep those preset options from being changed. To change the preset options again, don't use the /N option when starting Mathtest. /R Clears and resets the configuration file with Mathtest defaults. Use this in conjunction with the /N option to bypass a configuration file without changing it and to use Mathtest default options. OPTIONS THAT ARE NOT DOCUMENTED IN MATHTEST The Mathtest "drill" mode may be selected while the title screen, the main menu, or the options screen are displayed. Press <CONTROL-D> when one of these screens is displayed to cause the "Drill" Mode menu to appear. Press the <F1> key when the "Drill" Mode menu is displayed for a detailed explanation on what the "drill" mode does. While a math problem is displayed, you can press <CONTROL-W> to change the game that is displayed when Mathtest problems are answered correctly. If explosion effects are slow when the games are running, the <ESC> key may be pressed once to skip the remainder of the explosion. HOW DO I... ? Mathtest contains several features which may be very useful if utilized. If you have a particular question of how to do something, browse through these questions (which are arranged somewhat by subject, alphabetically) for an answer: Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 6 Configuration: How do I insure that Mathtest will start with the same set of options as when it was last started? Start Mathtest with the /N command-line option. MATHTEST /N The configuration is read from the configuration file, but new or changed selections are not saved. Configuration: How do I use an alternate configuration file? How can I use Mathtest for multiple users or classes? Use the /F command-line option. For example, you can use: MATHTEST /F=CLASS06.CFG to make certain options become active which are based upon a particular class' or user's objectives. The name CLASS06.CFG is arbitrary; any path and/or filename may be used after the /F option. If you don't want an already-established configuration to change for a class, then use: MATHTEST /F=CLASS06.CFG /N If multiple users use certain directories on a computer for storing configuration files, a path may be specified with the /F option. Note that all of these things can be done in a batch file. Refer to the question: "Startup: How can I type less to start Mathtest?" for more information. Configuration: How do I take Mathtest out of "drill" mode? Either start Mathtest with: MATHTEST /D=0 or, press <CONTROL-D> when the Title Screen or the Main Menu is displayed, and select "Normal" from the menu. This change will be saved in the configuration file. Drill: See "Configuration". Or, see "Games". File (Configuration): See "Configuration". Games: How do I change which game appears? When you start Mathtest, use the /G option. Specify the desired game number like this: MATHTEST /G=n, where n equals the game number. /G=1 is the default rocket game. The game can also be switched by pressing <CONTROL-Q> when a math problem appears on the screen. Games: How do I turn off the games? When Mathtest is running in "drill" mode, more than one math problem can be displayed before a game appears. If the number of consecutive math problems is set to 60, no games appear before the player wins Mathtest. MATHTEST /D=60 You will only need to do this once; this change is saved in the configuration file, unless the /N option is used. Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 7 Games: See also "Score". Multiplication Tables: How do I make Mathtest display math problems which correspond to specific multiplication tables? Use the /A command-line option. For example, if you want Mathtest to show multiplication problems which use the number 6, start Mathtest like this: MATHTEST /A=6 Remember that "Multiplication" problems must be selected on the main menu. Score: How do I make successfully answered math problems, not successfully won games, change the score? Start Mathtest with the option: /D=1. MATHTEST /D=1 You will only need to do this once; this change is saved in the configuration file. Speed: How do I speed up the graphics? If you see a blue border on the Main Menu screen, then Mathtest is running in sixteen-color mode. On older computers, sixteen-color graphics modes run slow. Start Mathtest with the /C option to change the graphics to the faster four-color mode. MATHTEST /C Speed: How do I turn off the timer? Select "No Time" from the "Speed" option on the Options Screen. Startup: How can I type less to start Mathtest? How can I make sure command-line options are used when Mathtest starts? This can be done several ways. If you are running Windows, Mathtest can be started from the Program Manager or the Start Menu. Refer to Windows documentation for information on how to do this. If you want to use command-line options, include them when you put Mathtest into the Program Manager or the Start Menu. (If you are using Windows 95, you may need to modify the Taskbar properties, Explore the Start Menu, and modify the properties of Mathtest.) If Mathtest is started from DOS, a batch file can be used to run Mathtest. A batch file is a collection of DOS commands that are normally typed. Batch files are defined by a filename, followed by a .BAT extension, such as MT.BAT. You can create a batch file by starting a text editor or a word processor that can save or export text files, typing in the DOS command(s) that you would normally type if no batch file existed, and saving the file in a convenient location on a hard or floppy disk. For example, you could create a batch file called MT.BAT that contains the following DOS commands: C: CD \MATHTEST MATHTEST /G=2 /C /D=2 Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 8 The user would then only need to type MT to cause these commands to start. Timer (or No Timer): See "Speed". Option: See "Configuration". COPYRIGHT NOTICE Mathtest version 3.00-S is a Shareware product. That means that you are encouraged to freely make copies of Mathtest 3.00-S and pass them on to friends for their evaluation on a non-profit basis. Mathtest 3.00-S must be distributed in its original un-modified form. Mathtest 3.00-S may be distributed by Shareware distributors, through BBS services, via FTP sites, on CD-ROM collections, as long as no more than $8.00 is charged for the distribution service for the Mathtest program in particular. (This means that if Mathtest 3.00-S is put on a CD with nineteen other programs, and the CD is sold for $20, the effective distribution service cost of Mathtest is $1.00, which is less than the maximum allowed cost, and therefore permitted.) Mathtest version 3.00-S is distributed "as-is" and without any express or implied warranties whatsoever. Kenneth Perrine (who shall hereafter be called the "AUTHOR") shall not be liable for indirect, special, or consequential damages resulting from the use of this software. In connection with this software, the AUTHOR grants no warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. ***************************************************************** REGISTRATION Mathtest 3.00-S is a shareware product. If you make use of the software, you are expected to pay a registration fee to the author. Upon receipt of your registration fee, you will receive a 32-page printed user's manual, version 3.00-R of Mathtest which does not display any shareware messages, notices and discounts for future releases of Mathtest, and a user's license. The user's manual is more in-depth than this documentation and the on-line help in many topic areas. Disk duplication and installation under DOS, Windows, and Windows 95 are covered step-by-step, and batch file creation is described more in-depth. The behavior of selectable options in Mathtest are described, and pictures illustrate the topics being reviewed. The single-user registration fee is $20.00. This includes the licence to use one copy of Mathtest 2.00-R and to make multiple backup copies of the original disk. This package comes with one disk and one user's manual. Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 9 Site-license packages are $50.00. These packages include the license to make and use an unlimited number of copies of Mathtest 3.00-R within one establishment--one school within a district, one learning center, etc. The site-license includes the use of Mathtest on a local area network, and/or the use of Mathtest 3.00-R from multiple copies of the original disk (you can make copies of the disk onto multiple hard disks or blank floppy disks with the COPY or DISKCOPY commands). The site-license package comes with one Mathtest 3.00-R disk and one user's manual. Multiple single-user packages start with: $20.00 for the first package; $15.00 for the next three packages; $10.00 for each additional package. Each single-user package includes a disk and a user's manual. If more than four single-user packages are ordered, packages without the user's manual may be ordered for $7.00 each. These include a disk and a single-user license. Additional user's manuals may be ordered for $5.00 each. Shipping costs are included with the registration fee, unless the order is international (outside of the United States). Please add $2.00 for shipping on international orders. For your convenience, print out the file MATHTEST.FRM. It is an order form. To print it out, turn on your printer and type at the DOS prompt: COPY MATHTEST.FRM PRN Or, you may load it into a word processor or text editor and print it out. Please make checks payable to Kenneth Perrine. Also, specify disk size (5.25" or 3.5") when registering. Send registrations to: Kenneth Perrine 512 N. "K" St. Tacoma, WA 98403 Thank-you for trying out Mathtest. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to the address above.