Welcome to the world of IntelliBots! IntelliBots is a simulated software development environment where you learn basic programming principles by developing programs for "intelligent robots", also called IntelliBots (or IBots for short).
Table of Contents
I. About IntelliBots
II. What You Have
III. IntelliBots Requirements
IV. Registering IntelliBots
V. Communicating With Intelligent Technologies
VI. IntelliBots For Educators
VII. Intelligent Technologies On The World Wide Web
I. About IntelliBots
We began developing IntelliBots in December of 1994. Prior to that time we had noticed that even though there were many people interested in learning about programming, there was very little in the way of tools or applications to help them. So we set out to develop such tools and started by observing a variety of students in the course of learning programming. We studied those aspects that seemed to discourage the students, and we began to develop a teaching aid that would promote the positive principles while avoiding the more difficult or confusing ones. We believe that this will prepare the student to deal with these topics at a later time.
IntelliBots is that teaching tool. It removes the outlying topics which seem to interfere with the learning process and it allows the student to focus on the most critical concepts. We have observed that almost all students that have used IntelliBots have learned those concepts faster, with less confusion, and have had more fun doing it.
The programming language used in IntelliBots is a form of assembly language. We use assembly so the student is able to get a grasp of how software really works, and what the interaction of the software is with the computer. High-level languages were created to hide the computer from the programmer, and as a result simplify the programmers work. Even though many high-level languages accomplish this goal, in doing so they inadvertently hide some of the processes that are most important in understanding how software works and, therefore, should be written.
The basic concept of IntelliBots is that you write programs that control IBots(simulated robots) on a Locale(map). You start by making the IBot move and turn, then you move on to identify and avoid other objects as well as carry out more complex assignments. At times your IBot must defend itself from attack and attempt to destroy enemy IBots. In all cases you are using a development environment that has all of the same basic features as today's commercial development tools. As you work through the manual, you learn how to program the IBot to accomplish specific tasks using the assembly language. Whether you are just learning or already know how to program, IntelliBots is a fun way to test your skills against others.
IntelliBots is now available for the Macintosh and will soon be available for Windows. We have intentionally developed the software so the IBot source and executable files can be used on both platforms.
II. What You Have
You have received the software product called IntelliBots. This product should have come with a number of diskettes containing the following items:
1. this README file,
2. the complete documentation in the Adobe Acrobat PDF format, (Note: You must already have the free Acrobat reader (available for download elsewhere) in order to view this document!)
3. the application, called IBots,
4. a folder titled "IBots" which contains all of the programs that are referenced in the documentation,
5. a folder titled "Locales" which contains all of the terrain maps that the IBots will run on, and
6. a folder titled "Examples" which contains all of the files that are created in the examples in the documentation.
In addition, if you purchased a Teachers Version, you will also have a folder titled "Missions" which contains all of the Mission solutions. Sorry, but only the teachers get this.
If, after installation, any of these items are missing please contact us (see below).
III. IntelliBots Requirements
IntelliBots for the Windows requires:
1. an IBM PC or 100% compatible,
2. a 80386, or better,
3. Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51/4.0, Windows 3.1/3.11(and Win32s), or better,
4. at least 4MB of memory (6MB of memory suggested),
5. a 13 inch color monitor/video card or better,
6. and at least 5MB of hard disk space.
IV. Registering IntelliBots
We hope that you will take the time to register the software now that you have it. In return for sending us a completed registration card we will send you a Programmers Quick Reference card containing many of the details of the IntelliBots assembly language on a convenient to carry and use card.
V. Communicating With Intelligent Technologies
We are anxious to hear your feedback. If you have a comment, suggestion, or question that you would like to send to us, we can be reached in the following ways:
1. Regular mail can be sent to:
Intelligent Technologies, Inc.
P.O. BOX 2022
Orem, Utah 84059-2022
2. EMail can be sent to:
ITI1 on America Online,
ITI1 on eWorld, or
ITI1@AOL.COM on the Internet.
3. Faxes can be sent to:
(801)763-8690
VI. IntelliBots For Educators
If you are a teacher or you represent an educational institution then please contact us for more information about our educational pricing at the number (801)763-8690.
VII. Intelligent Technologies On The World Wide Web
If you have access to the World Wide Web then come by and check out our Web site at:
HTTP://www.intellit.com
IntelliBots and IBots are Trademarks of Intelligent Technologies Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
