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1995-02-13
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WORDTRIX! USER'S MANUAL (Version 1.5)
(C) Copyright 1993 by Tea Time Software
Portions (C) Copyright Genus Microprogramming Inc., 1988-1991
Tetris (C) is a registered trademark of Spectrum Holobyte, Inc.
by Joe Kretschmer, Ph.D.
CONTENTS:
Part 1 What is WORDTRIX!?........................1
Part 2 Installing WORDTRIX!......................2
Part 3 Playing WORDTRIX!.........................3
Part 4 New Features in Version 1.5...............6
Part 4 WORDTRIX! and Your Child's Reading........7
Part 5 What is Shareware?........................9
Part 6 Disclaimer and Agreement..................9
Part 7 Registering Your Copy of WORDTRIX!.......10
Part 1: WHAT IS WORDTRIX!?
WORDTRIX! is a game designed to help elementary school-
aged children learn phonics concepts. It runs on IBM PCs and
100% compatibles with 256K memory, DOS 2.1 or later, and an
EGA or VGA monitor. A hard disk is strongly recommended for
best performance. The object of the game is to make words by
guiding dropping letters that fall into "word frames". Examples
of "word frames" are: b__d, j__, and t__ls. The letter groups
that drop are two- or three-letter "phonograms" such as "an",
"op" or "all", vowel pairs such as "ea" and "oo", or the silent
"e" that ends many words. Word frames for the silent e game will
have a single blank such as bik_ or rob_.
A player uses the left or right arrow keys to move the
letter groups over the word frame so that they make a real word
when dropped. The down arrow key will drop the word immediately
when the position is right. The score is increased by 10 points
for each word made on the easiest level. If the letters are
dropped into a frame that doesn't make a real word, the blanks
are restored, and another line of word frames appears above the
first one, and no points are scored. Lines of word frames will
accumulate upward with each wrong answer until they reach the top
of the playing area. If this happens, the game is over. There
are a number of options that can be set by the player, such as
sounds on or off, pictures clues on or off, fast speed on or off.
See Part 3 (Page 3) for more details.
Page 1
Part 2: INSTALLING WORDTRIX!
Wordtrix! uses about 400K of graphics (picture) files, so
installation on a hard disk is recommended. To fit the program
and all it's graphics files on a 360K floppy disk, most of the
files are compressed. To uncompress the files and install them on
your hard disk, do the following:
(1) Turn on your computer and get the C:> prompt.
(2) Insert the WORDTRIX diskette into drive A (or B).
(3) Type A:LOADME (or B:LOADME) and press the ENTER key.
The installation program will prompt you for the drive
and directory to installll the WORDTRIX! files on. Don't
worry if the directory does not exist, the LOADME program
will create it for you. The program will suggest putting
the files in a subdirectory called WORDTX on your C
drive. If this is acceptable, just press ENTER and it
will be done. If you want a different drive and sub-
directory, then just backspace and type in the one you
want. Example: D:\WORDGAME would install WORDTRIX!
to a subdirectory called WORDGAME on your D drive.
These are the files that will be installed:
WORDTRIX.EXE -- The executable file (the actual program)
WTX15.GXL -- Library of picture and font files
WORDTRIX.DOC -- This manual
VENDOR.DOC -- For disk vendors
FILE_ID.DIZ -- Special BBS file
WORDTRIX! needs only the first two files to actually run.
After the game is played once, another file, WORDTRIX.SCO, is
created to hold the high scores and names for the high score
list.
Although you don't need the VENDOR.DOC or FILE_ID.DIZ files,
please do not delete them. The reason is that if you should give
a copy of Wordtrix! to a friend (feel free to give away copies of
the SHAREWARE version), it's important that these files accompany
the copy, especially if your friend (or someone he gives it to)
should decide to upload it to a BBS for upload credit.
To run WORDTRIX!, just type "wordtrix" (without the quotes)
and press ENTER. The program will display "Please wait..." for a
second and then go blank for about five seconds while it loads
the graphics screens into memory. A Tea Time Software logo will
appear--just watch the show and follow instructions. Wordtrix!
is very easy to run and play. You can figure it out very quickly
because there are always key prompts on the screen. One of the
main menu choices, INSTRUCTIONS, displays enough instructions to
play the game. For more detailed instructions, see the next
section of this manual.
Page 2
Part 3: PLAYING WORDTRIX!
WORDTRIX! plays like the popular arcade game, Tetris, but
is designed to teach selected phonic patterns. Most arcade games
are far too frustrating for children in the primary grades (K-3),
so WORDTRIX! has been programmed to provide enough difficulty to
challenge but not frustrate kids at in this age group. As your
child begins to learn the target words by heart, there are several
options to make it more challenging.
When you run Wordtrix!, a credit screen appears asks you to
wait while the main game screen is loaded. The main playing
screen appears, and the main menu appears:
+--------------------------------------+
| MAIN MENU +------------------+ |
| Use the | 1. First Letters | |
| arrow keys to | 2. Vowel Pairs | |
| select a | 3. Silent 'e' | |
| category, | 4. Instructions | |
| the press | 5. Quit | |
| ENTER. +------------------+ |
+--------------------------------------+
The player selects an item by using the up and down arrow keys to
move a outline box over the desired selection. Although they are
not shown in the crude picture above, the up/down arrow keys are
shown, and the outline box surrounds the first option, "First
Letters". So the first action the player takes is to select a
game. He or she may also see a screen of instructions (primarily
for parents or older kids who can read) or, of course, quit the
program and return to DOS. When the player selects one of the
three games, the playing area of the main screen clears, and the
first letter group (or an "e") begins to fall.
The WORDTRIX! game screen is divided into four areas:
+---------------------------------------+
|+---------+| ESC Sound Picture Fast <-- (4) OPTIONS
||WORDTRIX!|+--------------------------+|
|| || ea ||
|+---------+| ||
(3) SCORING-->|Score 340|| <----- (1) PLAYING
AREA |+---------+| || AREA
|| /.> || ||
(2) PICTURE ----> ( )- || ||
CLUE || \_( ) || s__l y__n t__k ||
AREA |+---------++--------------------------+|
+---------------------------------------+
Action occurs in the PLAYING AREA. As the letter(s) fall,
the player moves them left or right with the arrow keys. ln
the example above, the "ea" needs to be moved to the left so it
can fall into "s__l" and make the word "seal". There is never
more than one word possible in any line. As soon as the player
Page 3
moves the "ea" into the right position, he or she can either let
it fall into the word frame, or push the down arrow key to drop
it there immediately, (the same procedure as in Tetris). If this
makes a real word, the player is rewarded by having the word flash
three times, and having his/her score increased. As a bonus, if
the line of word frames is the last one (at the bottom), the color
of the entire playing area and the words will change.
The PICTURE CLUE AREA will show a picture of the object or
action represented by the word. For children who have not yet ac-
quired a large sight vocabulary, these clues will be critical at
first. (Besides, it's fun to see them appear!) Some children may
need assistance at first, but most will learn very quickly. (See
Part 4, "Wordtrix! and Your Child's Reading".) The PICTURE CLUE
AREA will also show instructions from time to time.
The SCORING AREA has two parts. The lower box shows the
player's score, while the upper box shows what at what level the
player is playing, and the number of points for each correct word.
WORDTRIX! has four levels of play:
1. LOW difficulty - Normal drop speed with pictures clues (10 pts.)
2. MEDIUM difficulty - Fast speed with picture clues (20 pts.)
3. MEDIUM difficulty - Normal speed without picture clues (20 pts.)
4. HIGH difficulty - Fast speed without picture clues (30 pts.)
Note that two of the levels are both called "MEDIUM", and
have the same point value. This is to allow some flexibility in
what constitutes difficulty. Some kids will rely more on the
picture clues, while for others the drop speed will provide the
greater challenge. Each game automatically starts with sound ON,
pictures ON, and fast speed OFF, or LOW level of difficulty.
(Having the sound ON or OFF does not affect the difficulty level.)
When the game begins, there are only seven keys that are in
operation: the left, right and down arrow keys, the ESC key, and
the "S", "F" and "P" keys, which perform these actions:
Left Arrow - moves the dropping letter(s) left.
Right Arrow - moves the dropping letter(s) right.
Down Arrow - drops the letter(s) immediately.
ESC key - Pause/Quit: a small box menu will appear that
offers two choices--return to game or quit to
the main menu. Thus you can use this option to
pause the game.
"S" key - Toggles the sound ON or OFF. The game begins
with the sounds ON. (To your relief, the sounds
are very brief and low-level "chirps". But they
may still annoy some people.)
"F" key - Toggles the fast speed ON or OFF. The game
begins with the OFF setting, or slower speed.
At the faster speed, the letters drop much faster,
providing less time for the player to decide where
the letters should be moved.
Page 4
"P" key - Toggles the picture clues ON or OFF. The game
begins with the picture clues ON. When OFF, the
picture clue area is filled with random designs
in different colors.
The game ends either when the player voluntarily quits or
the lines of "word frames" reach the top of the PLAYING AREA.
To quit voluntarily, the player presses the ESC key, and a box
appears with two choices: CONTINUE GAME or QUIT TO MENU:
+---------------------------------------+
|+---------+| ESC Sound Picture Fast |
||WORDTRIX!|+--------------------------+|
|| || +---------------+ ||
|+---------+| | Continue game | ||
||Score 340|| | Quit to menu | ||
|+---------+| +---------------+ ||
|| /.> || l__b c__k j__n ||
|| ( )- || t__ls v__d p__k ||
|| \_( ) || s__l y__n t__k ||
|+---------++--------------------------+|
+---------------------------------------+
The player then uses the up or down arrow keys to move the box
over the choice he or she wants. This same technique is used
for the main menu, discussed later. When the player quits, his or
her score is compared to the lowest score on the default high score
list. The default high score list is a list of names and scores
that WORDTRIX! creates the first time the game is played. This list
is written to disk as a small text file called WORDTRIX.SCO. It has
ten first names and scores ranging from 200 to 110, so a player will
have to get over 110 to get on the high score list initially. Of
course, as these scores get replaced with higher scores, this will
change. Players who make the high score list will be prompted to
type in their name (limit 12 spaces) then press the ENTER key.
This will display the high score list. The high score list is
automatically displayed at the end of each game, whether or not the
player's score is eligible.
One short note on the high score list: since children are
somewhat unpredictable when typing on a computer, the high score
list may become corrupted after a while. If the high score list
looks odd (such as having numbers where names should be, etc.) it
can be deleted after leaving the program by typing in the following
command from the DOS prompt:
del wordtrix.sco <press ENTER>
The next time you run Wordtrix!, it will create the default
high score list file, and everything will be O.K. again.
(The previous high scores will be lost, however.)
Page 5
Some children may find it tedious to type "wordtrix" every
time they want to play, so you can create a "batch" file to make
it easier. Do this:
1) Make sure you are in the WORDTX subdirectory.
2) Type "copy con w.bat" (no quotes) and press ENTER.
3) Then type "wordtrix" (no quotes) and press the F6 key,
then the ENTER key. A message will say: "1 file(s) copied".
4) Now you have a file called W.BAT in the WORDTX subdirectory.
All your child has to do is type a "w" and press ENTER to
start WORDTRIX!
Part 4 NEW FEATURES IN VERSION 1.5
Version 1.5 retains the same game-playing procedures as in
the previous version, but has a number of new features. Some are
readily apparent, others are not.
One obvious change is that the main game screen has more
professional appearance. When you press the arrow keys or the speed,
sound, picture toggle keys, they appear to be depressed on the screen
as well. The pictures, however, are still the same. Menu colors have
been changed to fit in with the new scheme. Finally, the instructions
have been changed, particularly concerning the "toggle" keys across
the top. These seemed to cause confusion for some users, so the lower
left panel provides clarification.
A little pizazz has been added to the game. Every time the
player accumulates a 100 points, a lively graphic display occurs,
and the "Charge!" tune is played. Another change that may not be
so obvious occurs whenever a player makes a word and the picture
clues are turned OFF. The picture now displays before the next
row of word frames appears, and this provides added verification that
the answer was correct.
There are several changes that are not immediately apparent.
One large change is that all the pictures are now in .GIF format
instead of the older .PCX format. In plain terms this means they
take up a LOT less space on your hard disk--about 67% less to be
exact. Earlier versions took up about 955K of hard disk space, but
Version 1.5 occupies only about 320K! Since the pictures are decom-
pressed before they are displayed, they display a bit slower. But
this does not really affect the game.
Other changes that are not visible include fixes for a number
of bugs, and general improvements in the program code that make the
program run more smoothly.
Page 6
Part 4 WORDTRIX! AND YOUR CHILD'S READING
Wordtrix! is designed to aid your child's reading develop-
ment by helping him/her learn certain phonic patterns. Reading is
a deceptively complex act, and learning phonics is only one part of
learning to read. Besides learning to recognize the printed forms
of words ordinarily used in speech, children also have to learn
to concentrate and derive meaning from what they read. This comes
only from wide reading in a variety of books and magazines over a
period of several years.
Phonics helps children to recognize the printed forms of words
they generally use in everyday speech. English spelling, for all
its strange exceptions, is about 85% consistent, and certain spell-
ing patterns are used over and over. Three of these are particularly
useful in teaching reading: initial consonants, vowel pairs or
"phonograms", and the "silent e rule." These phonic patterns are
even more useful in learning to spell. Wordtrix! has been designed
to provide opportunities to learn some common patterns in these three
categories while playing an arcade-type computer game.
Once you install the game, play it a few times to familiarize
yourself with it's controls and features. This should take just a
few minutes, since Wordtrix! is basically very simple to operate.
Then sit down with your child while he or she plays the first few
games. Younger children may need help in recognizing the words at
first, but most will learn very quickly. Although every effort was
made to make the pictures as unambiguous as possible, some children
may still misinterpret them, so they may need assistance from time
to time.
Each new game starts at low difficulty--slower speed with
picture clues (see page 4). Don't stress scoring points at this
time--the emphasis should be on having fun. Show him/her how to
select a game from the menu, pause, quit, and type his/her name
into the high score list. If he/she has played computer games
before, you won't be needed for long. Don't be dismayed if your
child doesn't seem interested at first. Children's moods are
changeable. They may reject the game at first, then a few
days later say "where is that word game...?" If they see you
playing it, they may want to "get in on the action."
In terms of reading skills required, the First Letters game
is probably the easiest, since most of the word consists of the
falling phonogram--"an", "op", "ing", etc. Children eventually
have to learn to visualize the falling phonogram behind each of
the first letters, then recognize the word that matches the
picture. When the response is correct, the whole word flashes
three times so the image of the word is reinforced in the child's
memory. Of course, with repetition, children eventually begin to
recognize the word and no longer need the pictures.
The vowel pairs and "silent e" games are harder because more
Page 7
of the word is missing in the case of the vowel pairs game, and
because of the more abstract concept involved in the case of the
silent "e" game. Children quickly learn that letters represent
sounds, so they are understandably puzzled when they are told that
other letters are "silent". At least the silent "e" has a mission
--it indicates that the first vowel should make a long sound, or
"say its name" as teachers say. Thus "cap" becomes "cape", "bit"
becomes "bite" and so on. Your kids will probably need explanations
such as these as they encounter each game for the first time.
There are two "medium" levels of difficuly in Wordtrix!. Of
the two, turning on the faster speed but retaining the pictures is
probably easier than playing without pictures at the slow speed, but
you may have to experiment a bit. Each child has his or her unique
preferences for learning, so what can be hard for one may be easier
for another. The highest level, fast speed and no pictures, is the
hardest for all kids. Kids who have mastered this level will not
only be able to recognize all the 104 words in the game, but will
probably apply knowledge of these patterns to words that they see in
books, magazines, signs and other sources. That' the REAL value of
Wordtrix!!
For your reference, here are the target words in Wordtrix!:
First letters game: Vowel Pairs game:
AT -- hat, bat, fat, cat, EA -- bead, lean, beak, leaf
pat, mat, rat meat, seal
AN -- can, fan, pan, ran OA -- coat, soap, road, toad, boat
OT -- hot, dot, cot, pot AI -- hair, pail, tail, fail,
AR -- bar, car jail, mail
OP -- hop, top, mop, pop, cop OO -- book, hook, hood, foot, good
ALL -- ball, fall, tall, wall OO -- moon, boot, tools, food, pool,
noon
AND -- hand, band, sand AR -- harp, jar, barn, dart, card
ILL -- pill, bill, mill OR -- cork, cord, corn, horn
ING -- sing, wing, king, ring EE -- peek, teeth, heel, peel
UMP -- hump, dump, pump, lump
Silent "e" game:
cane, kite, bite, robe, pine, time, five, fire, cape, tape,
file, same, note, cube, game, hose, cage, page, gate, line,
pipe, cone, bike
Finally, I would like to repeat that learning phonics is
only one small part of learning to read and spell effectively.
Wordtrix! was designed to make learning fun, so please don't
defeat its purpose. Children can smell "educational" software
a mile away, and avoid it like the plague--and often, with good
reason. There are megabytes of boring educational software
around, particularly in the schools where the old Apple II com-
puters still abound. Many educational programs in the early 80's
were little more than electronic workbooks. There was little
creativity, and the limited memory and display of the Apple II
Page 8
series made it difficult to produce programs that had real
teaching value. Today's kids have some genuine choices among
really top-notch programs. At Tea Time, my goal is to create
educational software that is genuinely FUN to use. The emphasis is
always on the fun--it's much easier to make a fun program educational
than to make an educational program fun. At present, I'm working on
this part time, but sales are growing fast, and thanks to your regis-
trations, I should be able to devote full time to this endeavor in a
year or two. But the best rewards come from the letters and comments
written on registration forms telling me how much you enjoy my
programs. This makes it worth all the hard work! Thank you!
WHAT IS SHAREWARE?
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software.
You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee--if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
DISCLAIMER and AGREEMENT
Users of WORDTRIX! must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"WORDTRIX! is supplied as is. The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation,
the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-
quential, which may result from the use of WORDTRIX!."
Page 9
WORDTRIX! is a "shareware program" and is provided at no
charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with
your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system. If you continue to use WORDTRIX! after a reasonable
trial period, you must make a registration payment of $20 to Tea Time
Software. The $20 registration fee will license one copy for use on
any one computer at any one time. An example is that this software
may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved from one
computer location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another, just as a
book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.
ATTENTION TEACHERS!: Any accredited public or private school
that registers its copy of WORDTRIX! may use AS MANY COPIES AS THE
SCHOOL WISHES WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE SCHOOL ITSELF. Parents must
register their home copies, however. Please do not allow copies of
the REGISTERED version of Wordtrix!, or the AFFIX program outside of
the school areas.
Anyone distributing WORDTRIX! for any kind of remuneration
must first contact Tea Time Software for authorization. This is auto-
matically granted to distributors recognized by the Association of
Shareware Professionals as adhering to its guidelines for shareware
distributors, and such distributors may begin offering WORDTRIX!
immediately. (However, Tea Time Software must still be advised so that
the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version.
This program is produced by a member of the Association of
Shareware Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the
shareware principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member
directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you re-
solve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide
technical support for members' products. Please write to the ASP
Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a CompuServe
message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
REGISTERING YOUR COPY OF WORDTRIX!
To register your copy of WORDTRIX!, just print the screen
that appears at the end of the program. Completing the order form
will insure we have a complete record of your registration so
that you can receive notices of new products, FREE updates
(there will be a small shipping & handling charge) and technical
support. In addition, you will get the registered version of
Wordtrix!, which has two additional games built in (they will
appear on the Main Menu). TRAP-A-WORD drops a box around each of
a column of words, only one of which matches the picture. The
child must press ENTER when the box is around the correct word.
MAKE-A-WORD is the most difficult, and teaches the actual spelling
Page 10
of each word. While the picture is shown, the child types the
letters, getting feedback as he/she progresses. If the child
cannot think of the letter after a few seconds, it appears and
he can continue with the next letter. The score is reduced for
each letter the computer supplies, as an incentive to learning.
Both of these games will greatly extend the amount of time your
child will enjoy Wordtrix, while significantly improving his/her
skills over the level that can be achieved with the shareware
version. Finally, you also get AFFIX, which plays somewhat the
same way as WORDTRIX!. AFFIX is aimed at intermediate-level
readers, typically those on the 3rd-4th grade level and above.
It features prefixes, suffixes and roots. For example,
instead of "oa" falling into "b__t", a prefix like "com" might
fall, and players must select words or word parts like
"___ment" or "___bat". Instead of picture clues, AFFIX has
definition clues. Needless to say, AFFIX is a LOT more difficult
than Wordtrix. It is intended for older children, so you many not
need it right away (unless your child has older sibs). AFFIX is NOT
shareware--it is a bonus program for registered WORDTRIX! users.
Send the form with cash, or a check or money order for $22
($2 for shipping and handling) made out to Tea Time Software.
Ohio residents add $1.00 for sales tax. Send your registration
to: Tea Time Software, 92 Acorn Circle, Oxford OH 45056
If you live in Europe, the following agents will process
your registration. Please send them the following amounts in
Deutschmarks or Pounds Sterling:
Britain, Ireland & Scandinavia--Hillfoots Data Services
(Registration is £12, Mains House, Tillicoultry,
including shipping.) Clackmannanshire, FK13 6PQ UK
Other European countries--Credit Suisse, CH3800 Interlaken,
(Registration is DM36, Switzerland, 0367-206054-50
including shipping.) Abegglen Heinz
Soon after we receive your registration you will receive
the registered version of Wordtrix, and your bonus program, AFFIX.
Please specify the size of disk you want--5.25" or 3.5"--by circling
it on the order form) I'll mail your programs the next day under
most circumstances.
If you have any problems or questions about WORDTRIX! or any
Tea Time Software product, please contact Joe Kretschmer at the
above address, via CompuServe at 71020,1350, on America On-Line
by addressing e-mail to JoeKretsch, or on the Internet at
JoeKretsch@aol.com. Technical support is available for all Tea
Time products for a full year after the software is registered.
Page 11