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VENDINFO
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1996-02-19
|
24KB
|
467 lines
+-------------------------------------------────────-----────────----+
| This VENDINFO Product Information File contains both readable text |
| and tools-accessible data about a product. See the last text |
| section, below, for more information about VENDINFO and its tools. |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
VENDINFO standard v1.04, produced by VendEdit v1.30, 19-Feb-1996
===== Product Information ==============================
Product: Digital Challenge Electronic Training System
Version: 2.10
Version Date: 15-Feb-1996
Product Type: Software
Basic Distribution Policy (see License, below, for details):
Shareware, subject to distribution restrictions
Product Description: Digital Challenge v2.10 <ASP> (ESC) A
training software system for teaching and
learning electronics and computer hardware
theory. Consist of 10 exercises which are
automatically graded on-line. Some exercises
have context sensitive help. Each use of an
exercise has random parameters selected for
problems. Suitable for use in high school,
college, and technical institutes.
Reason for version: Windows setup added
Category: Education; College
Keywords: DIGITAL BINARY OCTAL HEX ELECTRONICS TRAINING
GATES NUMBERS CONVERSION CAI CBT
Required Packages: DIGTAL21
This Package: DIGTAL20
Registration Fee: 29.00-395.00 (US$)
Required Configuration
Processor Family: Intel 80x86 (minimum 8086/8088)
Clock Speed: 10 MHz
Minimum OS: MS-DOS 3.3
Standard RAM: 512K
Hard Drive Space: 600K
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 Digital Challenge System consists of a set of 10 exercises useful for
aiding instruction of electronics and computer hardware theory. 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 institute electronics and computer 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. Digital
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.
Digital Challenge uses an intuitive push-button shell named DIG.
Students need only type DIG to start the Digital 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 Digital 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 Digital 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 high 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 Digital 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. Digital Challenge was developed to make computer aided
instruction available for electronics computer hardware training at a
very reasonable cost.
MAKING Digital 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 DIG.BAT
@ECHO OFF
CD DIGITAL REM (Change to the Digital Challenge directory)
DIG
Name the batch file DIG.BAT. Now all a student need do is boot the
computer, then type DIG to start Digital Challenge. The above program
assumes that Digital Challenge is in the DIGITAL directory. Change the
CD line if a different directory name is used.
OPTIONS
PRINTING - Digital 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 Digital
Challenge in the setup mode. The setup mode is evoked by typing the
command line DIG SETUP in response to the DOS prompt while in the
directory containing Digital 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 Digital Challenge can
be printed. The DOS file GRAPHICS.COM must be made active prior to
running Digital 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 Digital 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 Digital 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. Digital 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 - Some programs in the Digital 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 DIG SETUP in response to the DOS prompt while in
the directory containing Digital Challenge. Changes made in SETUP mode
will remain in force until DIG SETUP is run again.
Installation of options will create, or use if exists, a subdirectory
named SYSTEM within the directory in which Digital Challenge resides.
The existence or nonexistence of the files PRINTER.COM and NOSOUND.TXT
set the printer mode and sound generation status.
GRADING STANDARDS
Digital 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. Digital 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 Digital
Challenge with the DIG command. Turning the printer on while Digital
Challenge is running will occasionally cause the effect you describe on
the first print request. Digital Challenge expects DOS to have
initialized the printer. How to avoid the problem ? Turn the printer on
before starting Digital Challenge.
Can Digital Challenge teach electronics by itself ?
No. Digital 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.
Digital Challenge is one of several tools and aids which can be used to
enhance instruction.
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS
To order a single copy of Digital 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 Digital Challenge and a printed user document will be
sent promptly. You will also receive at no additional cost a copy of
Device Challenge+ as a registration bonus. Device Challenge+ contains
seven exercises. Three of the exercises are advanced digital topics. The
remaining four topics are related to transistors and amplifier circuits.
Device Challenge exercises feature extensive on-line help.
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 Digital
Challenge, a printed copy of the Digital Challenge operating
documentation, three months of support for the current version of
Digital Challenge and a signed license agreement. As a bonus, your site
will also be registered to use Device 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 Digital Challenge
and Device 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 Digital 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 #11425 to get Digital 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.
===== 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
OMBUDSMN.ASP 627 24-Mar-1995 07:45a CEB56D21
READ_ME.BAT 426 24-Mar-1995 07:45a A43DA7A3
CASIO2.BBX 37906 24-Mar-1995 07:45a F9D8173C
GROUPS.CFG 134 2-Feb-1996 12:22p 0BD3FB89
INSTALL.CFG 630 19-Feb-1996 09:27p FC4A4D15
MATRIX.COM 39720 24-Mar-1995 07:45a CD2546D2
PRINTER.COM 23484 24-Mar-1995 07:45a D26DE8F5
FILE_ID.DIZ 394 19-Feb-1996 10:04a 1EE459CA
DIG.EXE 145465 19-Feb-1996 09:07p D2D3C2AC
DIGCHAL1.EXE 150921 24-Mar-1995 07:45a 4C77927F
DIGCHAL2.EXE 113801 24-Mar-1995 07:45a 1C5B470B
INSTALL.EXE 70464 24-Mar-1995 07:45a 720DE415
SETUP.EXE 90848 18-Dec-1995 08:03p D8E59AAB
DG.ICO 766 22-Dec-1995 02:54p 70D91C31
DIG.PIF 545 19-Dec-1995 04:54p 53766948
WINSETUP.TXT 702 19-Dec-1995 06:07p 0733FF01
===== Installation =====================================
Digital Challenge requires no installation procedures. Simply enter the
directory containing Digital Challenge, then type DIG to start the
system.
===== 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
Digital 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 Digital 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 Digital 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.
===== About VENDINFO Files =============================
Each VENDINFO.DIZ file contains extensive information about a product.
This "human-readable" section is followed by a compressed data record
useable by automated tools. The data record allows BBSes and other
distributors to automate package handling, and provides users with a
wealth of product information. VENDINFO tools (free viewer for users,
free or inexpensive processors for distributors, editors for authors)
are available 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 FAX: 303-841-6269 RIME: 1235
===== Compressed Data Record Follows ===================
PK