Explore the World of Software 2: Kids, Adults, Educational

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CONTRIBUTION / REGISTRATION FORM Product: FAS-TYPE - Typing Instruction for the IBM-PC and compatibles. 1. Your Name: _________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State:________ Zip:_____________ 2. Serial Number from the README file: #__________________ 3. Date that you received your copy of the product: _____________________ 4. Check the computer that the product is being used on: ( ) IBM-PC ( ) IBM-XT ( ) Other: ___________________(Specify) 5. Contribution / Registration: ($20.00 Suggested) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (staple check or money order here) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. Fold this sheet with payment attached and mail to: Trendtech Corporation P.O. Box 3687 Wayne, New Jersey 07470 7. Please write your comments on the back of this form. 8. Thank You. -0- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 1 _______________________________________________________________________ *** User Supported Software *** FAS-TYPE A custom typing instruction program for IBM-PC style keyboards *** U S E R ' S G U I D E *** (Version 2.1) (C) 1983,84,85 Trendtech Corporation, Inc. Wayne, New Jersey 07470 Licensed Material - Program and Documentation Property of Trendtech Corp. _______________________________________________________________________ FAS-TYPE -1- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 2 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S _____________________________________________________________________ Licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Disclaimer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The User Supported Concept . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chapter 1 Equipment Required . . . . . . . . . . 6 How to make a "Working" Copy of FAS-TYPE . . . 6 Hard Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 How to use FAS-TYPE . . . . . . . . . . 10 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . 10 How to Operate . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 During Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The "Escape" Key . . . . . . . . . . . 11 How to Stop Using FAS-TYPE . . . . . . . . 11 Clock Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Messages & Errors . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Screen Keyboard Display . . . . . . . 12 Beginner Drills . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Text Panel above Keyboard . . . . . . . . 13 Chapter 2 Dual Purpose of Function Keys . . . . . . . 14 Menu Hopping . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 HELP Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 How to use the HELP Facility . . . . . . . 15 Chapter 3 Main Menu - Master List -- Menu #1 . . . . . 16 Beginner Drill Selections -- Menu #2 . . . . 18 Drill Combinations Tutorial . . . . . . . 20 Beginner Exercises -- Menu #3 . . . . . . . 25 Advanced Exercises -- Menu #4 . . . . . . . 27 Keyboard Aids -- Menu #5 . . . . . . . . 29 Chapter 4 - Sub-Menus Progressive Letters Selection Screen . . . . 31 Progressive Numbers Selection Screen . . . . 33 How to Type Capital Letters . . . . . . . 34 Appendix A How to Print the HELP Screens . . . . . . 35 Appendix B Modifying the Exercise Files . . . . . . 36 Appendix C How FAS-TYPE Selects Lines for Display . . 39 "44" Files . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Appendix D List of Files on FAS-TYPE Diskette . . . . 40 Appendix E Program Messages . . . . . . . . . . 41 Glossary of Terms Used . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 -2- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 3 LICENSE _________________________________________________________________ A limited license is hereby granted to all users of this program and documentation to make copies of the FAS-TYPE software programs and documentation, and to distribute them to other users on the following conditions: a. NO price is charged for the program or documentation. However, minimum distribution costs incurred by computer clubs may be charged. b. Recipients are INFORMED of the User-Supported concept and are encouraged to support it with their donations. c. Recipients are informed that both the software and documentation for FAS-TYPE are registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. d. No one may modify the program or the documentation; EXCEPT that lesson files may be modified to suit the user as out- lined in the appendix section of the documentation. Free distribution of software and voluntary payment for its use eliminates advertising and distribution costs and expensive copy-protection schemes. Users can obtain quality software at reduced costs; they can try it out in their own home or office and can do so at their own pace. High quality programs will survive based solely on their usefulness to the computing community. -3- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 4 DISCLAIMER __________________________________________________________________________ In no event will Trendtech Corporation or the Author be liable to you for any damages, including any lost profits, lost savings or other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of or inability to use this program, even if Trendtech Corporation or the Author has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party. THE USER-SUPPORTED CONCEPT __________________________________________________________________________ User-supported software is a unique method of distributing computer programs. The concept is based on three beliefs: 1. That the value and utility of software is best assessed by the user on his/her own system. 2. That the creation of personal computer software can and should be supported by the computing community. 3. That copying of programs should be encouraged rather than restricted. FAS-TYPE is distributed on ONE double-sided diskette. The diskette contains the program, drill and lesson files, help files, the complete documentation text consisting of over 45 pages and a batch file for printing it out on your printer. You or anyone else may request a complete copy of FAS-TYPE from the author by sending a check or money order for $20.00 to cover the cost of handling, distribution, and includes your contribution and registration fee. Don't forget to include your complete mailing address; mail your request to: Trendtech Corporation FAS-TYPE Program P. O. Box 3687 Wayne, New Jersey 07470 For those of you who still have single-sided drives, just add $5.00 to the above amount and the author will send you the program and documentation on two single-sided diskettes. The author welcomes your comments and criticisms about this program. User-suggested changes and enhancements will be seriously considered. Please send all querys and comments IN WRITING to the above address. Enjoy the program and share it with others. --- William J. Letendre (President/Author) Trendtech Corporation -4- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 5 INTRODUCTION __________________________________________________________________________ FAS-TYPE is an easy to use menu-driven interactive typing program that is designed for use by IBM-PC and PC-standard Personal Computer users who desire to learn the basic skills of touch typing on the IBM-PC style keyboard. The program is oriented towards beginners who wish to learn at their own pace. No scores or records are kept for auditing your progress; you'll know if your're getting better. Timings, WPM, percent of accuracy, and number of errors are displayed at the end of each drill or exercise. Advanced typists may find this program useful for learning the uniquely styled IBM-PC keyboard. FAS-TYPE has the capability to drill you on all upper-case symbols and CAPITAL Letters; you must use the CORRECT Shift key in order to successfully type any of these characters. You will also learn how to use the ENTER Key; its use is required for exercises selected from the Advanced Menu. Most drills, exercises, and features are selectable by the use of the IBM-PC's keyboard function keys located on the extreme left of the main typing area. There is also a HELP Facility available with each Menu that you can use for quick reference while you are using FAS-TYPE. FAS-TYPE is very flexible for the beginning typist. Through the use of the function keys, the beginner can select many combinations of drill sequences from the Beginners Menu. In addition, one or more features can be set from the Keyboard Aids Menu. The combinations are many; you can adjust your drills to boost your typing skills in those areas that you may feel are weak (i.e. Numbers, CAPITALS, special symbols, etc.). ------------------------ IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines Corp. -5- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 6 C H A P T E R O N E _____________________________________________________________________ EQUIPMENT REQUIRED To successfully use FAS-TYPE on your PC, it must consist of the following minimum configuration: 1. 64K of RAM 2. One floppy disk drive - double sided 3. Color Graphics Adapter Card 4. DOS 2.x 5. Standard IBM PC-style Keyboard HOW TO MAKE A "WORKING" COPY OF FAS-TYPE To protect your original FAS-TYPE diskette from wear-and-tear, we suggest that you create a "working copy" that you can use on a day-to-day basis. Then you can put your original FAS-TYPE diskette in a safe place where you can have ready access to it should your "working copy" become unusable. To create a working copy, you will need: o Your original FAS-TYPE diskette o Your DOS System diskette o A high-quality BLANK diskette You are now ready to start. If you have a two-drive PC follow the instructions for a TWO-DRIVE System below. If you have only a one-drive PC then follow the instructions for a ONE-DRIVE System. TWO-DRIVE SYSTEM: 1. Insert your DOS System diskette in drive A. 2. Insert a high-quality BLANK diskette in drive B. 3. Format the BLANK diskette in drive B by typing in the following DOS command: FORMAT B:/S 4. When formatting is finished type in the DOS command: COPY A:COMMAND.COM B: 5. Remove your DOS system diskette from drive A and insert the FAS-TYPE program diskette. -6- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 7 6. Copy the contents of the program diskette in drive A to your newly formatted diskette in drive B by carefully typing in the following DOS command: COPY A:*.* B: This will take a while; there should be 55 files copied. Check using the DOS command DIR b:. 7. Remove your original FAS-TYPE program diskette from drive A and store it in a safe place. 8. Remove the diskette from drive B and label it "FAS-TYPE WORKING COPY". You can write-protect this diskette if you desire. 9. Go to the section entitled "HOW TO USE FAS-TYPE". ONE DRIVE SYSTEM: 1. Insert your DOS System diskette in drive A and insure that the DOS "prompt" is A>. 2. Format a new high quality BLANK diskette by typing in the following DOS command: FORMAT B:/S Carefully follow the instructions given on the screen for swapping diskettes on your one-drive system. 3. When formatting is finished insert your DOS System diskette back into drive A and type in the DOS command: DISKCOPY A: B: Carefully follow the instructions given on the screen for swapping diskettes on your one-drive system. Your FAS- TYPE diskette is the SOURCE diskette and the newly formatted blank diskette is the TARGET diskette. 4. When the copy process is finished re-insert your DOS System diskette in drive A; store your original FAS-TYPE diskette away in a safe place and label the new diskette "FAS-TYPE WORKING COPY". Now type in the DOS command: SYS B: Carefully follow the instructions given on the screen for swapping diskettes. Your new "FAS-TYPE WORKING COPY" -7- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 8 diskette is the TARGET disk. 5. Insert your DOS System diskette in drive A and type in the following DOS command: COPY A:COMMAND.COM B: Carefully follow the instructions given on the screen for swapping diskettes. Your new "FAS-TYPE WORKING COPY" diskette is the TARGET disk. 6. Creation of your "FAS-TYPE WORKING COPY" diskette is now complete. You may "write-protect" it if you desire. -8- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 9 HARD DISK If you have a Hard-Disk and are using DOS 2.x you can load up FAS-TYPE and all its data files onto the hard disk very easily. You will then be able to use FAS-TYPE any time you like without worrying about where the diskette is and having to load it into the computer every time you want to practice typing. Just follow these simple instructions: Since there are a large number of files associated with the FAS-TYPE program, we recommend that you create a separate directory on the hard disk to hold them: To make a new directory to hold the FAS-TYPE program and lesson files, do the following: 1. Make sure you are in DOS and the C> prompt is displayed. 2. Go to the root directory by typing in: chdir \ <enter> 3. Create the new directory by typing in: mkdir c:\ftype <enter> Now copy the contents of the your original FAS-TYPE diskette into the newly created directory \ftype as follows: 1. Insert the original FAS-TYPE diskette into drive A. 2. Make sure you are in DOS (the C> prompt) 3. Type in: copy a:*.* c:\ftype <enter> 4. Each file name will list on the screen as it is being copied. 5. When the copy process is complete, remove your original FAS-TYPE diskette from drive A, insert it into its protective jacket and put it away in a safe place. 6. You are now ready to use FAS-TYPE: a. Type in: chdir \ftype <enter> b. Type in: fastype <enter> and the program will start. -9- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 10 HOW TO USE FAS-TYPE You can begin to use FAS-TYPE immediately. There are no special preparations you have to make, although we strongly recommend that you make a "Working Copy" as outlined above in the section entitled "Making a Working Copy" as soon as possible. GETTING STARTED You can use FAS-TYPE from either the A drive or B drive. Insert your FAS-TYPE "Working Copy" diskette (or your original FAS-TYPE diskette) in the disk drive of your choice. Follow the instructions given below for starting the program: 1. If you "power-on" or "boot" (CTRL/ALT/DEL) your PC with the FAS-TYPE "Working Copy" diskette already in drive A, then the program will start automatically. 2. If you are already in DOS (the A> prompt) then simply insert the FAS-TYPE "Working Copy" diskette into either drive and type in "fastype" <enter>, or "b:fastype" <enter> and the program will start. HOW TO OPERATE The first thing you will see on your display when FAS-TYPE starts is the title screen. The program will ask you to respond by pressing any key to continue, or, if you want to suppress all sounds (QUIET Mode), then press the <Esc> key. Select the appropriate response. FAS-TYPE will now ask you for the disk drive location (A,B,C,D,E) where the program and related files reside. Respond with the correct letter in upper or lower case. FAS-TYPE assumes that all of the files it needs can be located on the diskette in the drive that you specify. The program will then display a pause message while it reads in some tables and in a short time will display the Main Menu. At this point you can either browse through the menus, set program features, or select drills or exercises. To begin immediately though, just press F10 to start a drill. If you haven't made any selections, that's ok, FAS-TYPE will automatically select the HOME keys for you to be drilled on. DURING OPERATION Whenever the screen keyboard is displayed and you are performing a drill or exercise, or even after a drill or exercise is completed, YOU CAN ALWAYS RETURN TO ANY OF THE FIVE MENUS BY SIMPLY PRESSING ONE OF THE FIVE FUNCTION KEYS LABELLED F1 THROUGH F5 TO MAKE OTHER SELECTIONS. -10- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 11 THE "ESCAPE" KEY The Escape key is located in the upper left corner of the main typing area. Pressing it any time during your use of FAS-TYPE will cause the MAIN MENU to be displayed. HOW TO STOP USING FAS-TYPE There are two ways to end a FAS-TYPE session and return to the PC-DOS Operating System. 1. Display the Main Menu (function key F1) and then select and press function key F8 to return to PC-DOS. -or- 2. Press the CTRL/BREAK keys as you normally would to "break-out" of any DOS or BASIC function. Either method is satisfactory. CLOCK RESET FAS-TYPE uses the internal clock timer during drills and exercises and resets it to 00:00:00. When you stop using FAS-TYPE a message will be displayed on the screen asking you to set the time. If you desire that your PC should always be set to the correct time then key in the correct time and press the enter key. Or, you may use the DOS command "TIME" to do so. Pressing the enter key without setting the time will cause the clock to be set to 00:00:00. MESSAGES AND ERRORS You should never encounter any error messages during the proper and normal use of your FAS-TYPE program. If you followed the procedures correctly for creating a "Working Copy", have a Color/Graphics adapter, responded correctly to the disk drive prompt, and followed correct procedures for loading the disk drives then you will have nothing to worry about. FAS-TYPE does, however, test for and detect certain errors (missing Color Adapter card for example) that could occur. These, along with other messages, are fully documented in Appendix E. Please read them so that in the unlikely event that you have problems you will be aware of where to find assistance. -11- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 12 THE SCREEN KEYBOARD DISPLAY The screen displayed keyboard is the heart of FAS-TYPE and is always displayed during a drill or exercise session. The idea behind its use is to allow you to look at a simulated keyboard to help you form spatial relationships between your finger placements and the various keys that you want to learn how to type without actually looking at the real keyboard. The screen display consists of two elements, a simulation of the main typing area of the IBM-PC keyboard which occupies the lower half of the screen and a text panel which occupies the upper half of the screen. The contents of the text panel will vary depending on whether you are in a beginner mode performing basic drills, or exercising a lesson from one of the advanced menus. BEGINNER DRILLS While you are learning how to type you will be building a typing "vocabulary" as you learn new letters, numbers, symbols, and CAPITAL letters. The text panel will show the various characters that are used in each drill and which you will be learning how to type. This information is displayed on four lines labelled "Letters", "Numbers", "Symbols", and "Caps". If you are just starting out on the HOME keys the "Letters" line will display "asdfjkl; ", and the other three lines will be blank except for the label. If you are learning how to type numbers then the "Letters" line will contain whatever letters where there before, and the "Numbers" line will contain the numbers you selected from the Numbers List. If you select the CAPITAL-letters-only option then the "Caps" line will show all of 26 capitalized letters of the alphabet; the other lines will be blank. This means that you will be drilled on CAPITAL Letters only. EXERCISES If you choose any of the exercises from Menu #3 or Menu #4 then the text panel portion of the screen will display two or three lines of text that you will be required to type. Below each character of the text will appear a pointed cursor which will indicate to you the next letter or character to be typed. As you successfully type each character, the cursor will advance to the next character on the line. The exercise ends when all of the displayed characters have been SUCCESSFULLY typed. That means that the cursor will not advance to the next character if you type an error; it will only advance when you correctly type the character that it is pointing to. -12- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 13 TEXT PANEL ABOVE KEYBOARD Information displayed in the text panel includes a title line which indicates the menu that the drill or exercise was selected from and a time clock display which begins incrementing in seconds when a drill or exercise begins. The last line of the text panel shows the number of characters that you have to SUCCESSFULLY type to complete the drill. A "Get Ready" and "Start" prompt is also shown. This allows you to position yourself and prepare to start typing. -13- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 14 C H A P T E R T W O ___________________________________________________________________________ PROGRAM FUNCTION KEYS FAS-TYPE makes extensive use of the FUNCTION keys to control the selection and initiation of various drills, exercises and program features. The function keys are located on the PC keyboard to the left of the letter keys. They are labelled F1 from the top through F10 on the bottom. DUAL PURPOSE OF FUNCTION KEYS The ten function keys as they are used with FAS-TYPE serve a dual purpose. First, they are used to display various menus, and secondly, while a menu is displayed,they are used to select an exercise, feature, or option. Refer to the "Summary of Function Key Usage" in Appendix A. For example, if you are performing a drill using the screen displayed keyboard and you press function key F2, the drill will terminate, the screen keyboard will be erased and the Beginner Menu will be displayed on the screen. If you press F2 again while the Beginner menu is displayed, you will select the "HOME Keys Only" option. On the other hand, a few function keys are used for only one purpose. An example of that would be the use of the F10 function key. It is always used to start an exercise or a new drill. This is the case if either a menu is displayed; or the screen keyboard is displayed and you are at the end of a drill or exercise. You should become familiar with the use of the function keys in FAS-TYPE. You will use them to switch from one kind of exercise to another, and to turn features ON or OFF. See the section entitled "Explanation of Menu Lists" for a full description of the use of each function key. -14- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 15 MENU HOPPING You can switch from one menu display to another menu display quickly by using the ALT key on the lower left portion of the main keyboard. If, for example you have the Beginners Menu currently displayed and you want to switch to the Keyboard Aids Menu without returning to the Main Menu you can do this by first pressing and holding down the ALT key then pressing function key F5. The display will switch from Menu #2 to Menu #5 immediately. Function key F5 is the key you would normally press while the Main Menu is displayed to get to the Keyboard Aids Menu. The ALT key only works when one of the five major menus is displayed, and only with function keys F1 through F5. Each menu has a menu number shown in the upper right hand corner of the screen. To immediately display a menu corresponding to the function key numbers, hold the ALT key down and press the desired function key. The ALT key and function keys are not used when the sub-menus are displayed-see Chapter 4. HELP FACILITY All of the menus in FAS-TYPE have a HELP Facility available for you to use as a quick reference while selecting an exercise or feature. There are four HELP screen pages for each menu. Each HELP page is displayed in high resolution text mode and may be difficult to read if you are using a composite monitor or TV set. See Appendix A for a solution to this problem. HOW TO USE THE HELP FACILITY When any of the five major menus are displayed, function key F1 is the key you can use to get the HELP pages. Page one of the four pages is always displayed first. A blinking WAIT message is displayed while the HELP text is being loaded into screen memory. Line 25, displayed in color on the bottom of the screen gives you instructions for getting to each screen page and for exiting out of the HELP Facility to return to the menu list. You can <f>orward to the next screen page, <j>ump backwards to the previous page, or press the <Enter> key to get back to the menu that you asked HELP from. (You can also get out of HELP by pressing the ESCape key, however, the MAIN MENU will be displayed) The instructions change too depending on what page you are looking at. For example, if you are looking at page four, obviously you can't <f>orward to the next page because there is no page five, therefore the <f>orward message won't show on the line. Try the HELP Facility to become familiar with how the screens operate. If you have loaded FAS-TYPE into your PC and have a menu displayed, just press F1, watch the Help Facility text fill the screens and then press the forward and backward keys to see the effects. -15- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 16 C H A P T E R 3 __________________________________________________________________________ EXPLANATION OF THE MENU LISTS There are five menus and two sub-menus available to guide you with your selection of drills, exercises, keyboard aids, and options. Each menu is activated by pressing one of the function keys located on the left hand side of the keyboard. With a few exceptions, function keys F1 through F5 are always available to you; you can press them any time DURING, or at the completion of any drill or exercise and the indicated menu will be displayed. The function keys are not available during the Progressive Letter and Number selection menu displays, nor during the Help Facility display. In these instances, use the Enter Key to return you to the appropriate menu. MAIN MENU - Master List -- Menu #1 Function key F1 displays the Main Menu The Main Menu is like the table of contents in a book; it contains a list of the other four menus available and the proper function key to press in order to display that menu on the screen. This is also the menu from which you should "gracefully" terminate the program and return to DOS. The following text describes the purpose of each function key available with the Main Menu. Don't forget about the dual purpose of the function keys described earlier in Chapter 2. F1 - HELP Facility Pressing F1 while the Main Menu is displayed activates a "HELP Facility" that you can use for quick reference while learning FAS-TYPE. F2 - BEGINNER DRILLS MENU Pressing F2 while the Main Menu is displayed will cause the Beginner Menu in turn to be displayed on the screen. The Beginner Menu contains drill selections that you can use to help you to learn how to type beginning with the HOME keys and progressing through additional letters, numbers, symbols, and Captial letters. F3 - BEGINNER EXERCISES MENU Pressing F3 while the Main Menu is displayed will cause the Beginner Exercises Menu in turn to be displayed. The Beginner Exercises Menu contains exercise selections that you can use after you have learned how to type all of the letters on the PC keyboard. Instead of randomly selected letters being flashed on the screen keyboard as in the basic drills, pre-defined exercises are selected -16- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 17 randomly from disk and displayed in the text panel. Your task is to type the character pointed to by the "<" cursor. These exercises are typically 80 characters in length. F4 - ADVANCED EXERCISES MENU Pressing F4 while the Main Menu is displayed will cause the Advanced Menu in turn to be displayed. The Advanced Menu contains pre-defined exercises that you can use after you have learned how to type all of the letters, all of the numbers, all of the Capital letters, and some symbols such as the period, comma, bracket, etc. The pre-defined exercises read from the diskette consist of simple words, short sentences, and paragraphs that are displayed in the text panel above the screen keyboard. Your task is to type the characters pointed to by the " " cursor. These drills are typically 120 characters in length. F5 - KEYBOARD AIDS MENU Pressing F5 while the Main Menu is displayed will cause the Keyboard Aids menu in turn to be displayed. The Keyboard Aids Menu has handy typing aids for the beginner. These typing aid options can be "toggled" ON or OFF by pressing the appropriate function key. Some of the available options include hidden keys, sound, outline of HOME keys, etc. A message at the bottom of the menu display will indicate the setting of your selection at the time the function key is pressed. F6, F7 - not used These function keys are not used by the Main Menu. Nothing will happen if they are pressed. F8 - Exit to DOS Pressing F8 while the Main Menu is displayed will cause FAS-TYPE to terminate. The screen is cleared and a message will appear asking you to reset the time. After you have responded to the time message the DOS prompt will appear at the top of the screen. F9 - Re-display Main Menu Pressing F9 while the Main Menu is displayed will simply cause the Main Menu to be re-displayed. This is in keeping with the purpose of F9 in all the other menus; that is, to exit the current menu display and return to the Main Menu display. F10 - Start Drill Pressing F10 while the Main Menu is displayed will cause the keyboard screen to be displayed and any selected drill or exercise to begin. If no drill or exercise has been selected from another menu then FAS-TYPE will select the HOME keys only for you to exercise with, and the count of the number of characters in each drill is set at 20 characters. -17- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 18 BEGINNER DRILL Selections -- Menu #2 Function Key F2 displays the Beginner Drills Menu The Beginner Drills Menu is displayed when F2 is pressed while the Main Menu is on the screen, or any time during a drill or exercise. This is the menu that you can use to build your typing vocabulary. You would typically start with the HOME keys and as your typing skills increase you would select additional letters to learn; then you can try numbers, symbols, and finally Capital Letters. The function keys available in this menu are described as follows: F1 - HELP Facility Pressing F1 while menu #2 is displayed activates the "HELP Facility" for Menu #2. F2 - HOME Keys Only Pressing F2 while menu #2 is displayed will cause just the HOME keys to be available for you to practice on. The count of the number of characters that you must successfully type for each drill remains set at the count you specified in Menu 5 or will be set to 20. F3 - Progressive Letters Pressing F3 while menu #2 is displayed will cause the display of a letter selection screen to be activated. From this screen you can select additional letters that you want to practice on. See Progressive Letters Screen in Chapter 4. F4 - Progressive Numbers Pressing F4 while menu #2 is displayed will cause a display of the number selection screen to be activated. From this screen you can select numbers that you want to practice on. See the Progressive Number Keys Screen in Chapter 4. F5 - Special Characters & Symbols Pressing F5 while menu #2 is displayed will cause the selection of all upper-case and lower-case symbols from the main typing area to be selected. These symbols will be added to any selections you may have made from the Progressive Letters or Numbers menu. If you do not like typing symbols, press F4 again to turn this option OFF; the special characters and symbols will be removed from your drills. F6 - CAPITAL Letters Only Pressing F6 while menu #2 is displayed will cause selection of Capital Letters Only for you to practice on. The count of the number of Capital Letters for each drill remains set at the count you may have -18- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 19 specified in Menu 5 or will be set at 20. Read the section entitled "HOW TO TYPE CAPITAL LETTERS". F7 - All of the above Pressing F7 while menu #2 is displayed will cause all letters, symbols, numbers, and Capital Letters in FAS-TYPE's vocabulary to be available for you to practice on. The count of the number of characters for each drill will remain set at the count you specified in Menu 5 or will stay set at 20. F8 - not used This key is not used in this menu, nothing will happen if it is pressed. F9 - Return to Main Menu Pressing F9 while menu #2 is displayed will cause the Main Menu to be re-displayed. Selections made from the Beginner Drills Menu will remain in effect. F10 - Start Drill Pressing F10 while menu #2 is displayed will cause the keyboard screen to be displayed and any selected drill or exercise to begin. -19- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 20 DRILL COMBINATIONS TUTORIAL The following section describes some of the various combinations of letters, numbers, and characters that you can select from the Beginner Drills Menu (#2). The combinations are selected based on the SEQUENCE in which you press the function keys and make selections from the Progressive Letters and Progressive Numbers sub-menus. To begin this tutorial make sure the Beginner Drills Menu (#2) is displayed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To start on the HOME keys only: This sequence will reset all previous drill settings. 1. press F2 - Home keys only 2. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl; Symbols: Numbers: Caps: Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To add letters: This sequence will add letters to your drill selection. 1. press F3 - Displays Progressive Letters sub-menu 2. select #4 - letters g and h 3. press enter key to return to Menu 2 4. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl;ei<rugh Symbols: Numbers: Caps: Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -20- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 21 To add numbers: This sequence will add some numbers to your drill selection. 1. press F5 - Displays Progressive Numbers sub-menu 2. select #1 - numbers 4,5,6,7 3. press enter key to return to Menu 2 4. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl;ei<rugh Symbols: Numbers: 4567 Caps: Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To add symbols: This sequence will add symbols to your drill selection. 1. press F5 - turns symbols selection ON and adds then to your existing drill list. 2. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl;ei<rugh Symbols: ,./'`[]-=\!@#$%^&*()_+{}:"~|<>? Numbers: 4567 Caps: Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To use Capital letters only: This sequence will reset all previous drill selections. 1. press F6 - selects Capital letters only and erases all other selections. 2. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: Symbols: Numbers: Caps: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -21- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 22 To add some lower case letters and some numbers to the Capital Letters drill selection: This sequence will add lower case letters and numbers. 1. press F6 - Select Capital letters only; erases all other selections. 2. press F3 - Displays Progressive Letters sub-menu a. Select #4 - g and h b. press the enter key to return to Menu 3. press F5 - Displays Progressive Numbers sub-menu a. Select #1 - 4567 b. press the enter key to return to Menu 4. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl;ei<rugh Symbols: Numbers: 4567 Caps: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To reset the above conglomeration: This sequence will reset all previous drill settings. 1. press F2 - Home keys only 2. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl; Symbols: Numbers: Caps: Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To try everything all at once: 1. press F7 - ALL of the above 2. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl;ei<rughtyqwopcvnzxbm Symbols: ,./'`[]-=\!@#$%^&*()_+{}:"~|<>? Numbers: 4567382910 Caps: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ -22- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 23 Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To select ALL Capital letters and ALL numbers combination: This sequence will reset all previous drill selections. 1. press F6 - selects Capital letters only-this erases all other selections. 2. press F5 - Progressive Numbers sub-menu a. select #4 (all) b. press enter to return to menu 2. 3. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: Symbols: Numbers: 4567382910 Caps: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To add the HOME keys to the ABOVE drill combination: This sequence will cause the HOME keys to be added to the above drill list. 1. DO NOT press F2-HOME keys only. This would erase the above combination. 2. instead press F3 - Progressive Letters sub-menu 3. select #1 (Home keys) 4. press Enter key to return to menu 2. 5. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl; Symbols: Numbers: 4567382910 Caps: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To select the HOME keys and the numbers 4567: This sequence will reset all previous drill selections. 1. press F2 - HOME Keys only-resets all other selections. 2. press F5 - Display Progressive Numbers sub-menu 3. select number 1 - 4567 4. press enter to return to menu 2 -23- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 24 5. press F10 - Start drill Text panel display: Letters: asdf jkl; Symbols: Numbers: 4567 Caps: Begin typing if you like then press F2 to continue the tutorial - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Many other combinations are possible, these examples were intended to show you some of the methods that can be used for selecting various drill combinations. We leave other combinations to your imagination. -24- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 25 BEGINNER EXERCISES -- Menu #3 Function key F3 displays the Beginner Exercises Menu This menu is displayed when F3 is pressed while the Main Menu is on the screen or any time during a drill or exercise. With this list you can select pre-defined drills from disk. The pre-defined drills consist of three letter word groups, four letter word groups, or variable length phrases. You can select the kind of drill you want to practice on by pressing the appropriate PF key. F1 - HELP Facility Pressing F1 while Menu #3 is displayed activates the HELP Facility for this menu. F2 - WORDS - 3 Letter Groups This function key will cause FAS-TYPE to access a series of disk files containing 3-letter word group exercises. Each exercise will be displayed in the text panel of the screen keyboard. Your task is to correctly type the letter pointed to by the cursor. The cursor advances to the next character on the line when the one pointed to is correctly typed. The drill ends when all displayed characters have been successfully typed. F3 - WORDS - 4 Letter Groups This function key will cause FAS-TYPE to access a series of disk files containing 4-letter word group exercises. The exercise process works the same as above. F4 - Phrase Groups This function key will cause FAS-TYPE to access a series of disk files containing common everyday phrases you may find in speech or print. The exercise process works the same as above. F5 - Keyboard Prompting This function key acts as a toggle to turn the screen keyboard "delayed prompting" feature ON or OFF. If you think you have mastered the keyboard well enough where you could type the exercises without the screen keyboard prompting aid, you can use this key to turn delayed prompting OFF. Pressing it again will cause the delayed prompt feature to turn back ON. Note: The delayed keyboard prompting feature will also remain set to ON or OFF for any selections from the Advanced Exercise Menu (#4) (described later). Regular keyboard prompting is always ON for any selections from the Beginner Drills Menu (#2). F6, F7, F8 - not used -25- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 26 These function keys are not used in Menu #3. Nothing will happen if they are pressed. F9 - Return to Main Menu Pressing F9 while Menu #3 is displayed will cause the Main Menu to be displayed. Selections made from this Menu will remain in effect. F10 - Start Drill This function key will cause the keyboard screen to be displayed and any selected exercise to begin. -26- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 27 ADVANCED EXERCISES -- Menu #4 Function Key F4 displays the Advanced Exercises Menu This menu is displayed when F4 is pressed while the Main Menu is on the screen or any time during a drill or exercise. With this menu list you can select pre-defined exercises from disk. The pre-defined exercises consist of words, sentences, and short paragraphs. You can select the kind of exercise you want to practice on by pressing the appropriate PF key. The function keys available in the Advanced Exercise Menu are described as follows: F1 - HELP Facility Pressing F1 while the Advanced Exercise Menu is displayed activates the Help Facility for this menu. F2 - Easy Sentences This function key will cause FAS-TYPE to access a series of disk files containing various short sentences. Each exercise will be displayed on the top of the screen keyboard. Your task is to correctly type the letter pointed to by the cursor. The cursor advances to the next character on the line when the one pointed to is correctly typed. The exercise ends when all displayed characters have been successfully typed. F3 - Hard Sentences This function key will cause FAS-TYPE to access a series of disk files containing short sentences which are more difficult to type. Each sentence includes Capital letters and punctuation. The exercise process works the same as for F2 above. F4 - Short Paragraphs This function will cause FAS-TYPE to access a series of disk files containing short paragraphs. Each paragraph contains one or more sentences, and includes capital letters, punctuation, and numbers. The exercise process works the same as for F2 above. F5 - Keyboard Prompting This function key acts as a toggle switch to turn the screen keyboard "delayed prompting" feature ON or OFF. You can use this key to turn delayed prompting OFF. Pressing it again will cause the delayed prompt feature to turn back ON. Note: the delayed keyboard prompting feature will also remain set to ON or OFF for any selections from the Beginner Exercises Menu described earlier. Regular keyboard prompting is always ON for any selections made from the Beginner Drills Menu. -27- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 28 If your really good, you could try typing the pre-defined exercises using the hidden key option with the "delayed prompting" turned OFF. F6, F7, F8 - not used These function keys are not used in menu #4. Nothing will happen if they are pressed. F9 - Return to Main Menu Pressing F9 while the Advanced Exercises Menu is displayed will cause the Main menu to be displayed on the screen. Any selections made from this menu will remain in effect. F10 - Start Drill This function key will cause the keyboard screen to be displayed and any selected drill or exercise to begin. -28- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 29 KEYBOARD AIDS -- Menu #5 Function Key F5 displays the Keyboard Aids Menu The Keyboard Aids Menu is displayed when F5 is pressed while the Main Menu is on the screen or any time during a drill or exercise. With this menu list you can select features such as outlining of HOME keys to aid you in finger placement on the keyboard, hidden keys whereby the letters on the screen keyboard keys are erased, turning all sound ON or OFF, etc. Any feature selected from this menu will remain in effect during any form of drills or exercises until you reset them. More than one option can be selected during a display of this menu. When you look at this menu on the screen, observe that the capital letter portion of the (ON/off) definition indicates the initial setting. The function keys available in the Keyboard Aids Menu are described as follows: F1 - HELP Facility Pressing F1 while the Keyboard Aids Menu is displayed activates the Help Facility for Menu 5. You can use this as a quick reference to guide you in the use of the options available in this menu. F2 - QUIET Mode This function key acts as a toggle switch to turn all sound ON or OFF. The message displayed at the bottom of the screen will indicate the setting of the sound option after you press this key. This option remains set until you reset it again. F3 - Hidden Keys Pressing this key will erase all of the letters from the screen keyboard keycaps. You may wish to use this feature after you have memorized the key letter placements. You will still be prompted to press the indicated key during a drill or exercise but will have to rely on your memory to remember the other keys that are adjacent to it. F4 - Outline HOME keys Pressing this key will cause boxes to be drawn around the HOME keys of the screen keyboard. The first box is drawn around the ASDF keys and the second box is drawn around the JKL; keys. This is a keyboard aid designed to assist you in the correct positioning of your fingers on the keyboard during typing. This option remains in effect until you turn it OFF. F5 - Signal Keystroke Error Pressing this key will enable a sound to be emitted from the speaker when you make a keystroke error. A large red X will flash over the key that you pressed incorrectly and at the same time the speaker will sound indicating that you made an error. -29- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 30 Note: if all SOUND has been suppressed via the F2 key (or was selected when you started FAS-TYPE) then the keying error sound will also be suppressed even though the message may indicate that it has been turned on. F6 - Align Finger Positions Pressing this key will cause lines to be drawn on the screen keyboard that will separate the keys vertically. It will indicate all the keys that should be pressed with the same finger. This is a helpful keyboard aid designed to assist you in keying the letters with the correct fingers. It can be used together with the outline of the Home keys option. F7 - Reset Keyboard Aids Pressing this key will reset all of the keyboard aids to their original values of ON or OFF when you started FAS-TYPE. If you get confused as to what features are ON and what are OFF after using FAS-TYPE for a while, you can press this key to reset them to their original status indicated by the "(ON/off)" value next to each item in the list. F8 - Change Character Count Pressing this key will cause a message to be displayed on the bottom of the screen requesting the duration, in number of characters to be typed, for any drill selected from the Beginner Drills Menu. You can select a length of 10 to 99 characters. If you don't select a length then FAS-TYPE will use a length of 20 characters for each drill. The duration in number of characters for any exercise selected from the Amateur or Advanced menu is already set from the pre-defined lessons on disk. The number in brackets [] indicate the current setting of the character count. F9 - Return to Main Menu Pressing F9 while the Keyboard Aids Menu is displayed will cause the Main menu to be re-displayed on the screen. Options selected from this menu will remain in effect. F10 - Start Drill This function key will cause the keyboard screen to be displayed and any selected drill or exercise to begin. -30- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 31 C H A P T E R 4 __________________________________________________________________________ *** S U B - M E N U S *** PROGRESSIVE LETTERS SELECTION SCREEN The Progressive Letters Selection Screen is displayed when you press function key F3 while the Beginner Drills Menu (#2) is displayed. The purpose of this screen is to allow you to increase your typing skills by letting you add more letters to your typing knowledge. For example, the next set of letters that you have to learn after you have become proficient with the HOME keys are the letters e and i. Select these letters by typing in the number of its position on the displayed list - number 2. Then, in addition to being drilled on the HOME keys, the drills will also include the letters e and i. Your selection is cumulative, that is, whatever number you select for the new letters you want to learn, the drills will include ALL of the letters listed up to that point. So, if you select number 5 for the letters t and y you will be drilled on all of the letters listed previously up to and including t and y; that is: (asdfjkl; space, enter key, ei,uv,ty). You can select any number listed. If you change your mind while the list is still displayed, just type in a different number; to cancel a selection already typed in press the space bar. The selection goes into effect only when you press the ENTER key. If you decide not to make a selection just press the enter key to return to the Beginner Drills menu. The HELP screen for this menu will give you helpful hints on the correct method for typing letters. -31- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 32 ____________________________________________________________________ | | | | | +++ PROGRESSIVE LETTERS +++ | | | | Key in a NUMBER for the letters you want to learn: | | | | 0. HELP Facility - Progressive Letters | | | | 1. a s d f j k l ; + space bar (the HOME keys) | | | | 2. e i + enter key | | | | 3. r u | | | | 4. g h | | | | 5. t y | | | | 6. q w o p | | | | 7. c v n | | | | 8. z x b m | | | | | | Type your selection here: __ then press ENTER Key. (<-) | | | |____________________________________________________________________| Illustration of Progressive Letters Selection Menu -32- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 33 PROGRESSIVE NUMBERS SELECTION SCREEN The Progressive Numbers Selection Screen is displayed when you press function key F4 while the Beginner Drills Menu is displayed. The purpose of this screen is to allow you to increase your typing skills by letting you add number keys to your typing knowledge. The selection of number sets that you want to learn works the same as the Progressive Letters, that is, whatever set of numbers you select, all of the numbers in the previous sets will be included. For example, if you want to learn how to type 3 and 8, then select #2 from the list; that selection will also include the numbers 4,5,6,7 from #1 in the list. If you select #5 - "No numbers", then any numbers previously selected and included in your drill will be eliminated from your next drill. The HELP screen for this menu will give you helpful hints on the correct method for typing numbers. ____________________________________________________________________ | | | +++ PROGRESSIVE NUMBERS +++ | | | | Key in a NUMBER for the set you want to learn: | | | | 0. HELP Facility - Progressive Numbers | | | | 1. 4 5 6 7 | | | | 2. 3 8 | | | | 3. 2 9 | | | | 4. 1 0 | | | | 5. No numbers | | | | | | | | Type your selection here: __ then press ENTER Key (<-) | | | |____________________________________________________________________| Illustration of Progressive Numbers Selection Menu -33- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 34 HOW TO TYPE CAPITAL LETTERS __________________________________________________________________________ Using the SHIFT (up-arrow) keys: The shift keys on the PC keyboard are located on either side of the row of keys above the space bar. Notice where they are. The shift keys are pressed down and held with either pinky finger while the Capitalized letter is being typed with a finger on the opposite hand. The right shift key is used to capitalize a letter that is struck with the left hand, and the left shift key is used to capitalize a letter that is struck with the right hand. When you have gained sufficient skill in your typing, you will find that the time required to type a capital letter will gradually decrease and the operation will be performed without conscious effort on your part. As a beginner, your primary aim is to develop a smooth, even operation and to avoid any break in your typing rhythm. To capitalize a letter that is struck with the right hand - 1. Reach over with the pinky (a-finger) of your left hand and depress the left-hand shift key. 2. While holding down the shift key, press the letter to be capitalized with the right hand finger. 3. Release the the shift and return the a-finger to its HOME position. To capitalize a letter that is struck with the left hand, follow the same procedure outlined above, using the semi-colon (;) finger on the right hand to press the right shift key. -34- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 35 -- A P P E N D I X A -- HOW TO PRINT THE HELP SCREENS If your PC system has a printer attached to it you may want to obtain a printout of the HELP Facility screens associated with the five menus and two letter/number selection menus. Included on your FAS-TYPE diskette is a short BASIC program that can be used for this purpose. It will neatly print two HELP screens per printed page (assuming 11" page length), including a title and page breaks. The full printout of all menu HELP screens will require about 14 pages. To use this utility program, just perform the following actions: 1. Get into BASIC 2. If your FAS-TYPE disk is in drive A type: LOAD"prthelp.bas" - or - If your FAS-TYPE disk is in drive B type: LOAD"b:prthelp.bas" 3. Turn on your printer and align the paper to top of form. 4. Press F2 or type RUN <Enter> to start the printing process. -35- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 36 -- A P P E N D I X B -- MODIFYING THE EXERCISE FILES The diskette files that are used when making selections from the Beginner or Advanced Exercise Menus can be modified by you at any time. You may want to include special words or phrases that are unique to your business, profession, or student activities and which would be frequently typed such as scientific terminology, or "legal-eze". The following text describes the process for modifying the files and some pitfalls you should be aware of. FILE BACKUP Before you do anything at all regarding modifying exercise files, you should make BACKUP copies of the exercise files you intend to modify. Copy the MFnn.typ files to be modified to another diskette and keep it handy so you can recover the files if you mess up. Remember, you also have your original copy of FAS-TYPE to recover files from. FILE IDENTIFICATION Each file is associated with a particular function key of the Beginner and Advanced Exercise Menus. The file name is in the format "MFnn.typ"; for example, "3211.typ". The first character of each file name is a number corresponding to the menu number (M) from which an exercise was selected. The Beginner Exercise Menu is displayed by the use of function key F3 so all exercise files whose name begins with the number 3 are used by exercises selected from Menu 3 (Beginner Drills Menu). The same goes for Menu 4 (Advanced Exercises Menu). So, all files that begin with the number 3 are for exercises selected from the Beginner Exercises Menu and all files that begin with number 4 are for exercises selected from the Advanced Exercises Menu. No other menu uses exercise files. Go ahead and do a DOS "DIR" command on the drive where the FAS-TYPE diskette resides to verify this. The second character of the file name corresponds to the function key number (F) selected from within the menu. For example, if you have the Advanced menu (#4) displayed and you press F2 for Short Sentences, FAS-TYPE will randomly select a file from the group whose names begin with "42". The third and forth characters of the file name make up the file number of the six files within each group. The file numbers range from 10 to 15. Files beginning with "44" range from 10 to 19 (10 files). Each file name has a suffix of ".typ" attached to indicate that is associated with the FAS-TYPE program. Now you can identify each exercise file. Use the following guide to assist you: -36- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 37 Exercise file identification: M F n n . t y p M = Menu Number - 3 for Amateur Menu; 4 for Advanced Menu F = Function Key Number in each menu 2, 3, or 4 nn = File number in each "MF" group 10, 11, 12, .... .typ = File Extension name The following table summarizes the file associations: Beginner Exercises Menu (F3) F2 = files 3210.typ thru 3215.typ F3 = files 3310.typ thru 3315.typ F4 = files 3410.typ thru 3415.typ Advanced Exercises Menu (F4) F2 = files 4210.typ thru 4215.typ F3 = files 4310.typ thru 4315.typ F4 = files 4410.typ thru 4419.typ Note: FAS-TYPE WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ANY OTHER FILE NAMES DURING ITS EXERCISE SELECTION PROCESS. FILE CONSTRUCTION All files are in ASCII text and were created using the DOS editor EDLIN. Each file is six lines in length and each line is up to 39 characters long; the 40th character is a carriage return. You can use EDLIN or any suitable text editor to modify the files as long as you abide by the following rules. FILE MODIFICATION LINE LENGTH - Each line in a file is limited to a length of up to 39 text characters plus carriage return (total - 40). FAS-TYPE displays the line in the text panel using WIDTH 40 and places a special carriage return symbol after the last character in the line (if the length is 39 characters then the 40th displayable character will be the <cr> symbol). If you make the lines longer than 39 characters FAS-TYPE will not use the extra characters and you won't see them displayed. CHARACTERS - You can compose each line using whatever characters you like but FAS-TYPE will only recognize the following: lower case letters: a thru z, space bar, enter key -37- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 38 upper case letters: A thru Z symbols: []/\.,;-='`!@#$%^&*()_+{}:"~|<>? numbers: 1 thru 9 and 0 (top row of keys) Any characters not listed above that appear in the first 39 of each line will be replaced with a ^ symbol before being presented to you on the screen. NUMBER OF LINES - The number of lines in each file is limited to six. FAS-TYPE will only process the first six lines of text in the file. You can enter less than six lines if you want to, but you will limit FAS-TYPE's random selection of lines from that file to the number of lines that actually exist. For example, if you make up a file of only one line, FAS-TYPE will repeatedly select that line for display (up to 6 times). EXERCISE FILE MODIFICATION - SUMMARY Remember: - Backup files before modification - ASCII text characters - Use EDLIN or suitable editor - Line length - up to 39 characters - Number of lines - up to 6 lines - Limited selection of characters - Pay attention to file naming conventions If you use EDLIN, you may want to erase any "nnnn.BAK" files that EDLIN creates when it writes your modified file to disk. This is to save room since the FAS-TYPE disk is pretty well packed with stuff. If you accidentally delete or mis-name one or more of the exercise files, FAS-TYPE will let you know with a screen message that the file is missing, but ONLY when FAS-TYPE makes an attempt to use it. -38- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 39 -- A P P E N D I X C -- PRE-DEFINED EXERCISES - (MENU #3 & #4) The following section describes how FAS-TYPE selects lines from all of the pre-defined exercise files stored on the program diskette for you to type. HOW FAS-TYPE SELECTS LINES FOR DISPLAY For all exercise files with the exception of those starting with the name "44" (see below), FAS-TYPE treats each line independently of the others in the same file. It randomly selects any two of the six lines for display on the screen for you to type. Three consecutive exercises are performed with the same file before FAS-TYPE reads another file. Since the selection process is random, some lines may appear to be duplicated on the screen and others may not show up at all until the next time FAS-TYPE uses that file. When modifying the exercise files you should consider this by limiting phrases and/or sentences to ONE displayable line (39 or less characters); since there is no guarantee that sentences of more than one line will be displayed together (except "44" files) it may appear that phrases and/or sentences seem fragmented. "44" FILES File names that begin with "44" are selected from the Advanced Menu by pressing F4 for "Short Paragraphs". FAS-TYPE will display three of the six lines in consecutive order; the first exercise will be for lines 1,2, & 3 and the second exercise will be lines 4,5, & 6; FAS-TYPE will then randomly select another file from the "10" to "19 range. Here you may create sentences of greater than one line (but only 39 text characters per line) and they will be displayed together when selected by FAS-TYPE. Be careful about continuing a sentence from line 3 to line 4 because when lines 1, 2, and 3 are displayed on the screen the paragraph or sentence may appear to be incomplete because of their continuation onto lines 4, 5, and 6. -39- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 40 -- A P P E N D I X D -- LIST OF FILES ON FAS-TYPE DISKETTE Use the DOS command "DIR" to verify that these files exist on your FAS-TYPE program diskette: readme 3210.typ, 3211.typ, 3212.typ, 3213.typ, 3214.typ, 3215.typ 3310.typ, 3311.typ, 3312.typ, 3313.typ, 3314.typ, 3315.typ 3410.typ, 3411.typ, 3412.typ, 3413.typ, 3414.typ, 3415.typ 4210.typ, 4211.typ, 4212.typ, 4213.typ, 4214.typ, 4215.typ 4310.typ, 4311.typ, 4312.typ, 4313.typ, 4314.typ, 4315.typ 4410.typ, 4411.typ, 4412.typ, 4413.typ, 4414.typ, 4415.typ 4416.typ, 4417.typ, 4418.typ, 4419.typ hm1.typ, hm2.typ, hm3.typ, hm4.typ, hm5.typ, hml.typ, hmn.typ prthelp.bas, scrn.typ, autoexec.bat, fastype.bat, fastype.exe printdoc.bat, fastype.doc -40- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 41 -- A P P E N D I X E -- PROGRAM MESSAGES: The following program messages are listed for your convenience. Some of these messages may occur as a result of improper use of FAS-TYPE. After each message is listed the reason that caused it, and a possible action for you to take to continue using FAS-TYPE or prevent occurences of errors during your use of the program. Message 1: "HOLD IT!! You're not using the Color/Graphics Adapter card. FAS-TYPE uses medium resolution color graphics and requires that adapter. Returning to DOS..." Cause: The program was unable to detect the presence of the Color/Graphics card in your PC. Action: Check the board; make sure you're using DOS; if you have both a color monitor and monochrome monitor, switch to the color monitor. Message 2: "Press any key to continue..." Cause: You just started up FAS-TYPE, and the title screen is displayed. Action: If you don't want to hear any speaker sounds during your use of FAS-TYPE then press the Escape Key, otherwise simply press any other key to continue (the space bar is the easiest for you to use). Note: The QUIET mode option can also be set from Menu #5. Message 3: "Type in the letter of the Disk Drive where you have FAS-TYPE stored: (A, B, C, D, E)" Cause: You have just started up FAS-TYPE and responded to the title screen request to continue. FAS-TYPE must be able to find predefined exercises and other kinds of data on the program diskette and wants to know the disk drive letter where you have the program diskette inserted. -41- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 42 Action: Respond with the proper letter in either lower-case or or upper-case. You won't be able to continue until you type in a correct letter. Also, if you respond with one of the correct letters but don't have a disk drive that corresponds to one of the above letters then FAS-TYPE will automatically select disk drive A. Message 4: "Drive x has been selected" Cause: You responded to the above message with a valid disk drive letter. Action: The program continues to operate expecting to find all of the data it needs on the program diskette in the disk drive that you specified above. Message 5: "Disk file 'scrn.typ' is missing!" "Cannot continue...." Cause: FAS-TYPE attempted to find the master table file on the diskette in the drive you specified and it was'nt there. Action: Do a DOS "dir" command to verify its presence (scrn.typ), then reload FAS-TYPE and start over. Maybe you specified the wrong disk drive at startup. Message 6: "Disk drive 'x' is not ready" "Press any key to continue" Cause: The disk drive door is open or there is no diskette inserted in the drive you specified when you started the program. Action: Check the disk drive. Message 7: "Disk file `d:MFnn.typ' is missing! "Press any key to continue" Cause: FAS-TYPE attempted to randomly select a pre-defined lesson on the program diskette and could not find it. Action: Continue to use the program if you like; but you should check the diskette to find the reason why the file is missing. It may have been copied wrong or miss-named. Press F10 to continue, or one of the Menu selection keys for a different selection. -42- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 43 Message 8: "Disk file 'd:hmxx.typ' is missing!" "Press any key to continue" Cause: The program attempted to find a HELP file and could not find it on the diskette in the drive you specified when you started FAS-TYPE. Action: Use the DOS "dir" command to verify its presence; maybe you specified the wrong drive at startup. Message 9: "Disk file 'd:xxxx.typ' is damaged!" "Unable to continue!" Cause: The scrn.typ file has been altered or there is a disk media error. Action: Use your FAS-TYPE distribution diskette to make another "working copy". Message 10: "Error - Try Again" (in red, flashing) Cause: You stopped FAS-TYPE then typed in the TIME but made a mistake. The time should be in the form hh:mm:ss. Action: Type in a new time or just press the enter key. -43- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 44 GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED Beginner Drills Any selection from Menu #2. Uses random prompting of the keyboard characters that you want to learn how to type. Delayed Prompting When using pre-defined exercises where you have to type a line of text displayed in the text panel; if you don't type the letter pointed to by the cursor within a short period of time, the letter will flash on the keyboard display. Enter Key The "bent arrow" key to the right of the right hand when resting on the home keys. Sometimes known as the "return" key. Escape Key The "Esc" key located in the upper left portion of the keyboard typing area. When pressed any time during your use of FAS-TYPE will cause the MAIN menu to be displayed. HELP Facility Pages of text that are displayed on the screen to assist you in your use of the program. Available for all menus in FAS-TYPE. Hidden Keys A feature of the program whereby all of the characters that are displayed on the screen keyboard keycaps are erased. Designed to aid in your memorization of the keyboard. HOME keys The keys of the standard typewriter keyboard where the four fingers of both hands normally rest in preparation for, and during typing. Keyboard Aids Selections from Menu #5 designed to help you in your quest of learning how to type. Some aids are: sound, key outlines, drill count, etc. Keyboard Prompting The flashing of the key on the screen keyboard that you are supposed to type. You can't proceed to the next character until you have successfully typed the character you are being prompted for. Keystroke Errors If you press a wrong key during drills or exercises other than the one you were prompted for, then FAS-TYPE will count that as a keystroke error. In calculating Words Per Minute, FAS-TYPE is rather forgiving and only penalizes you one word -44- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 45 for every keystroke error. Main Menu The master list from which you can switch to any one of four other menus in order to select drills, exercises, or keyboard aids. First displayed when you start the program; displayable any time afterward by pressing function key F1. Menu Hopping Switching immediately from one menu to another by using the ALT key in combination with the function key number related to the menu that you want to switch to. Pre-defined drills Text files that accompany FAS-TYPE. They consist of words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs from which the program randomly selects portions of, presents them to you in the text panel and expects you to type them as shown during Beginner and Advanced exercises. Program Function Keys The two columns of gray-colored keys labelled F1 through F10 to the left of the main typing area on the keyboard. These keys are used to select menu displays, and within each menu, to select various drills, exercises, keyboard aids, and other features. Program Termination The act of ending your practice typing sessions with FAS-TYPE and returning to the PC's Disk Operating System. Screen Keyboard A display on the screen of the PC's keyboard minus the function key area and keypad. Text Panel The upper half of the display area above the screen keyboard that shows you the characters, or pre-defined exercises that you are to type. It is also used to display the results of your typing exercise, i.e. accuracy, WPM, etc. Toggle The act of turning something ON and OFF by repeatedly pressing a particular function key. Most of the selections from the Keyboard Aids menu can be "toggled" ON and OFF. QUIET Mode Using FAS-TYPE with all sounds suppressed. Convenient in a classroom or office environment where the sounds may disturb others. Selectable at the time you start-up the program or later through a menu selection. -45- FAS-TYPE User's Guide Page 46 *** END OF DOCUMENTATION FOR FAS-TYPE PROGRAM *** Enjoy! -46- -47-