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

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M A T H M A N I A C Program Documentation Version 1.03 The Intelligent Math Tutoring System Copyright 1992, 1993 by Downsoft Software Company All Rights Reserved Table of Contents ================= 1. Official Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2. Program Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3. User Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 4. Program Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 5. Shareware Definition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 6. Benefits of Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 7. Order Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Page 1 Official Notices ================ Math Maniac The Intelligent Math Tutoring System Copyright 1992,1993 by Downsoft Software Company All Rights Reserved DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE SOLD "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OF MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENTS INTO WHICH THIS PROGRAM MAY BE PUT, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED. GOOD DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURE DICTATES THAT ANY PROGRAM BE THOROUGHLY TESTED WITH NON-CRITICAL DATA BEFORE RELYING ON IT. THE USER MUST ASSUME THE ENTIRE RISK OF USING THE PROGRAM. ANY LIABILITY OF THE SELLER WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF PURCHASE PRICE. Downsoft Software Company is an approved vendor and associate 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 resolve 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. A Special Note to Teachers Teachers who use PCs in the educational environment may receive the REGISTERED program for free. You may either call and DOWNLOAD the REGISTERED version directly from Downsoft, or you can pay shipping charges only and have the program sent to you on diskette. All I ask is that after using the program for 1 month, you fill out a short evaluation form (included in the REGISTERED version), reporting on your students' experience using the program, and that you notify parents that the program is being used at your school and is available for purchase from Downsoft Software. I have two sons, ages 4 and 7 years, and they have made substanial progress using MATH MANIAC, and confirming these results on a large segment of school age kids would be a great asset to me in my attempts to refine and improve the program. Page 2 Documentation Math Maniac is a full-featured math tutorial program that entertains as it educates. It is set up like a flash-card system. Math drills are presented, and kids are either "complimented" or gently "insulted" depending on the accuracy of their answers. After 3 wrong choices, the computer displays the correct answer and moves on to the next problem. Records are maintained, and students are pushed to achieve a level of mastery of each level, and the level of difficulty is increased as each level is achieved. The following is documentation for the Math Maniac (MM.EXE) program. The order of explanation has been arranged logically so that these functions are detailed in the same order as they are found during execution of the MATH MANIAC program. If you are using the program, any feedback in the way of suggestions, criticism, ideas, in other words, anything that you think would make this program better and more useful, would be sincerely appreciated. The simple aim of this program is to provide kids of elementary school age with an easy and fun way to practice math drills. The program tries to allow each student to proceed at his or her own pace, and wants the student to strive for a level of mastery of each level of difficulty before proceeding to the next higher level. If you have a hard disk and you would like to install the program to it, you may run the INSTALL.BAT program. Log on to the drive that contains the MATH MANIAC diskette by typing either A: [Return] or B: [Return] at the DOS prompt. Then run the Install program by typing: INSTALL [Return] This will automatically install the program onto your C: drive in a subdirectory called \MANIAC, and all of the necessary files will be copied to it. You can then follow the subsequent instructions for running the program. If you want to install the program to a hard disk other than C:, you must make a \MANIAC directory on the hard disk that you intend to install the program to and then copy all of the files on the original distribution disk (or the self-extracting .EXE file) to the newly created subdirectory. If you do not have a hard disk, or want to run the program first from the floppy that it came on, follow these instuructions. To run the program, you insert the program disk into the A: drive of any IBM PC or compatible computer and after logging onto the A: drive, type: MM [Return] This will execute the program. There is a file called DEFAULT.DAT which is the data file which will be loaded if no other data file is selected. The data file is changed when you "Select" a file from the File menu, or you choose a Level or an Operation from the other menus. You may also specify a data file when you begin the program by typing: MM [options] [filename] [Return] Page 3 where [filename] is the name of the data file (without the brackets). Command line options include: -S = No Sounds -I = No Insults -C = No Compliments -T = Timer OFF These commands can be typed in any order after the MM command. If no commands or filenames appear on the command line, then the program defaults to All options ON and DEFAULT.DAT is the data file of the math problems presented. The following are brief descriptions of the various menus presented in the Math Maniac program. These duplicate the context sensitive HELP screens found throughout the program by pressing [F1] at various points during the program. Enter Your Name You can enter your name at this prompt. Math Maniac will keep track of your activity, and optionally record your scores and times at the end of each excercise. If no name is chosen, "Math Maniac" is used. The shareware version allows you to choose 1 of 20 different names while the REGISTERED version allows you to enter ANY student name. File Menu The File Menu allows to choose from a list of file operations. You can Select, Create, and Edit the data files. You also can exit (or "Shell") out to the DOS prompt where you can run DOS commands or other programs. Run Execute the program using the selected .DAT file. If you Select a file, then that file will automatically be run and you won't need to select this menu choice. New Student This menu selection allows you to change the name of the student. The shareware version allows you to choose from a list of 20 student names. The REGISTERED version is personalized to allow you to type in ANY student name that you choose (up to 29 characters). The .REC files store this name with your test results to allow you to track progress. If no name is selected, the default name "Math Maniac" is assigned. This can be changed by selecting New Student any time while the program is running. Page 4 Select A File Use the arrow keys to move to the data file which you wish to select. You can also enter the first letter of your choice and the selection bar will jump to the first selection that it finds beginning with that letter. Press [Enter] to select and run the data file which the selection bar is highlighting. Create a File This menu selection allows you to create custom sets of problems which can be used by the student. These files are not restricted to a particular operation and operations can be freely mixed. Enter Data File Name Enter the name of the Data file that you wish to create. It can be any valid DOS filename. Enter the first 8 characters only, without a period ('.'). The extension ".DAT" will be automatically be appended to the filename that you choose. Enter a Number Enter the first number you wish to put in the new problem. Be sure to press [Enter] after you type the number. Input is limited to 3 decimal integers. The same instruction applies to the second number in the problem. Enter an Operation Enter the math operation that you want for the problem. Your choices are +, =, * and / representing Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide. Save This Problem Enter 'Y' to add this problem to the new file. If the problem is not correct or you wish to correct it, enter 'N' and the problem will be erased. Information This screen presents information about the program. It lists the company information and programmer credits and how to contact Downsoft Software Company for a copy of the program. Os Shell This choice allows you to temporarily exit the program. If you use this selection, you must type "EXIT" at the DOS prompt to return to the program. While outside the program, you can run DOS commands, even other programs, provided the system has enough memory remaining. Quit This selection will end the program and return you to the operating system. When you are with the program, use this option to exit the program and return to DOS. Page 5 Level Menu Level refers to the level of difficulty for each math operation. The levels currently range from A to H, with A being the easiest and H being the most difficult. Choose Level Levels range from A to H, with A being the easiest and H being the most difficult. If you choose a level or an operation, then the data file used will be the operation combined with the current level of difficulty. (Example: Level B, operation Add will select ADD2.DAT). Operation Menu This choice allows you to pick the math operation that the game will use. The choices are +, -, *, and /, which refer to Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division. You can also create and use custom data files which mix in some or all of the operations in a single data file. Addition This option will select addition as the current operation and use only data files that feature addition problems. Subtraction This option will select subtraction as the current operation and use only those files that feature subtraction problems. Multiplication This option will select multiplication as the operation and use only those files that feature multiplication problems. Division This option will select division as the current operation and use only those files that feature division problems. Print Menu This menu allows you to create and print test files for the student to practice written tests on the problems presented in the current data file. You can also view the contents of any of the record (.REC) files to see the result history for each student. Create Test File Enter 'Y' to create a TEST file which can be printed and used for a written test on the problems in the current exercise. The test will print the problems randomly, and an ANSWER list containing problems and answers in the same order. This makes it easy for the student or teacher to correct the written test with a minimum of effort. Page 6 Print Test Enter 'Y' to print a TEST. It will contain all the problems in the current file, printed in random order. A corresponding ANSWER list will also be printed, making correcting the TEST simple for teacher or student. View Records This allows you to review the record (*.REC) files of all of the students. The .REC files are contained in the current directory under the name of the student. This allows you to review and track the progress as each student improves with continued practice of the math drills. Settings Menu The Settings Menu lists the options that you can switch when the program is running. You can turn the Sound on or off, along with the display of insults and congratulatory messages. You can also select how the problems are displayed. Display This selection allows you to change the way in which the math exercises are presented. You may choose Vertical, Horizontal, or Combined format. Exercises will always be presented in the chosen format. Vertical This selection will cause all subsequent problems to be displayed in Vertical format. You can see an example of each format from which you can choose displayed as you move from one format choice to the next. Horizontal This selection will cause all subsequent problems to be displayed in Horizontal format. You can see an example of each format from which to choose displayed as you move from one format choice to the next. Combined This selection will cause all subsequent problems to be displayed in both Vertical and Horizontal formats. You can see an example of each format displayed as you move from one format choice to the next. Timer On/Off This selection will toggle the timer setting On and Off. When On, the time elapsed will be displayed upon completion of each exercise and will be recorded in the .REC record file. Page 7 Sound On/Off This selection will toggle Sound On or Off. When it is On, all sounds, songs and sound effects from the program are audible. When Off, none of these sounds are generated. The menu will always display the current state of all settings. Insults On/Off This selection toggles the display of messages for WRONG answers On or Off. When On, the user is gently insulted for making a wrong choice and is encouraged to try harder. When Off, none of these messages are displayed. Congrats On/Off This selection toggles congratulatory messages On or Off. When On, the student is praised for each correct answer entered with a short message posted above each problem. When Off, none of these messages are displayed. Quit Menu This choice is used to exit the program. Selecting [Y]es will exit the program and selecting [N]o will allow you to return to the program. No or Yes Please respond either with a 'Y' or a 'N'. If you answer 'Y', you will exit from the program. A 'N' response will return you to the program, with all the current settings still active. Page 8 User Tips 1. Pick an easy level. It may seem obvious, but start off at an easier level that you may believe the student is capable of. This will give them a feeling of success and satisfaction, particularily if they have not had a great deal of experience interacting with computers. You want them to feel that using the program is enjoyable, and adds to their learning experience. 2. Go to an appropriate level. Increase the level when they can consistently achieve perfect scores at current levels of difficulty. As you may already know, the computer will "BEEP" a song over the speaker when a math exercise is completed perfectly. If you hear too many songs coming from the computer, the math problems need to be more difficult. 3. Review the results. Usually, kids will want to show you the result screen immediately upon conclusion of each exercise. If it is not convenient for you to review the results at that time, then have your student "save" the results, and you can both look at them by "Viewing" the record file, saved under their student "name" (MATH_MAN.REC is the default record file). 4. Encourage speed. All of the exercises are timed, and the timings are stored along with other test information in the .REC files. Examine the previous test results and suggest that the student strive to "beat" his or her previous time. 5. Use the printed tests. Tests are printed which will include all of the problems in the selected math exercise, presented in random order. I have created special test files, usually of 100 problems, and I have the students attempt to see how many they can solve in five minutes. Note the results, and subsequently retest them, encouraging them to finish more problems each time the test is taken. Instruct them to skip over problems that they don't readily know the answer to. This will allow them time to come back and work on them after they complete the problems that they can answer quickly. The obvious advantage is that they will develop the skills to take timed tests and will result in better scores on competitive tests. 6. Roll your own. Every student has their own weaknesses. You can best aid the student by examining the results and designing your own exercises to stress the problems that each student needs particular practice in solving. If you develop a set of examples that you feel are especially good, please send them to us. We will see that you are sent the next release of MATH MANIAC free of charge to thank you for your contribution. 7. Use combined format. You should have the student use BOTH horizontal and vertical formats, so that the format does not become an impediment. Some larger long division problems may prove awkward when presented in a horizontal format (e.g. "216 / 18 ="), but it is more important for the student to recognize that it is the SAME concept. They can easily convert to the format of their choice by using a pad and pencil. Page 9 8. Write the tables. After younger students master the basics of addition, teach them to write out their tables, BEFORE they attempt multiplication and division. This will accomplish 2 key objectives. First, they will quickly see that multiplication is simply shorthand addition (computers don't multiply, they just add very quickly). Second, they will have the practice of writing the tables, which they should be allowed to use to solve the ensuing math exercise. Each time they look up an answer in the tables that THEY have written will reinforce and repeat the rote experience that some of us remember from having to "write" our tables "10 times each", without the muscle cramps we used to endure. DON'T let them reuse a table that they have previously written. Make them write a new one from scratch each time they do an exercise in multiplication or division. EXCEPTION: They should be allowed to use the same multiplication table for the division exercises on the same material. This will reinforce the relationship between multiplication and division. 9. Be persistent. Make this program part of their *daily* routine. I usually insist that my 7 year old son do 4 exercises, of 25-40 problems each and a written test, every day in addition to his regular school work. If they have other computer games they they enjoy playing, then insist that they do their MATH MANIAC first, before pursuing other interests. My son is currently in the second grade, doing addition and subtraction with results from 0-999; has mastered multiplication of tables 1-6, and is currently working on tables 7-12 in multiplication and division. He has been using this program consistently for about 6 weeks. In the same time span, my 4 year old is adding and subtracting numbers from 0-20. Try it out for yourself. I'm sure you will be rewarded for your efforts, as your student shows improvement with continued use of MATH MANIAC. Enjoy! Steve Downie Downsoft Software Company Page 10 Program Notes There are different "songs" that may be heard upon successful completion of each exercise. There shareware version contains 4 songs, while the REGISTERED version has 25 songs. You are asked upon perfect completion of an exercise, whether or not you would like to go on to the next level. This will only have an effect if you are using the ADDx, SUBx, MULx or DIVx data files, where the level is represented by x and the filename becomes the next one (x+1), until 8 (highest level of difficulty) is reached. You can review student record (*.REC) files by choosing View from the print menu. The files are stored under the name chosen from a list of names in the shareware version; the REGISTERED version allows you to enter a student name. Both versions function in the same manner. In either version, if no name was entered, the record is stored under the filename MATH_MAN.REC. Unlike earlier versions, ESCape checking is disabled at the main menu level, so that you must choose Quit either from the File menu or at the Quit menu. Online, context sensitive help is now included, and an appropriate help screen should appear when pressing F1 from anywhere in the program. Current limitations include that DATA files are limited to a maximum of 100 problems per filename. Record files are also limited to 100 records. Problem operands may be up to 3 digits each, but the result must also be limited to a 3 digit answer. Anything beyond those limits should be in a more advanced program than this program is intended to be. If there are files of mixed math operations (e.g. Addition and Subtraction, etc...), the operations for each data file will be stored in the .REC file upon completion of the exercise. You will see the operations contained at the "Operations:" line of the View Records menu. Playback of any of the songs may be interrupted by ANY keystroke during playback. If you find any of the sets of data file either too easy or too difficult for your child, feel free to create your own data files. If you want, feel free to overwrite the ADDx.DAT, SUBx.DAT, MULx.DAT, and DIVx.DAT files with data that you feel is most suitable for you own child's level of math skills. I have selected what I thought to be varying levels of difficulty on a scale of 1 to 8, but feedback on how these levels work for your situation would be helpful in designing more effective data files. Page 11 DEFINITION OF 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. MATH MANIAC 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. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to continue to develop new products. If you find this program useful and find that you are using MATH MANIAC and continue to use MATH MANIAC after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $19.95 + $4.00 shipping to Downsoft Software Company. The $19.95 registration fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like a book. 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. Commercial users of MATH MANIAC must register and pay for their copies of MATH MANIAC within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting Downsoft Software Company. Anyone distributing MATH MANIAC for any kind of renumeration must first contact Downsoft Software Company at the address below for authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may begin offering MATH MANIAC immediately (However Downsoft Software Company must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of MATH MANIAC.). Page 12 You are encouraged to pass a copy of MATH MANIAC along to your friends for evaluation. Please encourage them to register their copy if they find that they can use it. All registered users will receive a copy of the latest version of the MATH MANIAC program. This is the second revision of the first release, and the program has no known problems. If you encounter a problem, please report it by calling (310) 338-0715. We will fix it and send you a FREE update for reporting the problem. Questions, comments, compliments, and complaints may be sent to the author: Steve Downie Downsoft Software Company 8726D S. Sepulveda Blvd, Ste. C91 Los Angeles, CA 90045 USA (310) 338-0715 CompuServe 74716,521 Page 13 Benefits of Registration 1. More songs. The REGISTERED version contains 20 additional songs which are played when the student successfully completes an exercise. 2. More Data. The REGISTERED version has larger data files, and contains bonus data files. The files that are included further refine the learning curve and are designed to produce MAXIMUM results. 3. A Personalized program. The name requested by the REGISTERED user is printed both on the opening screen and becomes the DEFAULT student name. The student name is recorded and used in both the .REC filname and is stored with each record in the .REC files. 4. Upgrade Notices. As the program evolves and upgrades are released, registered users will receive notification of the availability and enhancements contained in new releases. Upgrades will be released at a nominal fee, to be determined by the value of the new features and the amount of work that went into adding them. You will also be made aware of other quality software as it becomes available. 5. A Money-Back Guarantee. The REGISTERED version is shipped with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. If you are unsatisfied with the program sent to you for ANY reason, your money will be gladly refunded. 6. Nag Screen Removal. Removal of all REGISTRATION "reminders" on program screens and printouts from the program, which appear on the shareware version. All shareware statements are replaced by REGISTERED VERSION messages. 7. User Support. Registration entitles you to one year of support at Downsoft Software (310) 338-0715, should you have any questions at all about the program. Support is available from 9:00 to 5:00, Monday - Friday, Pacific Time. On Compuserve, you can contact the author, Steve Downie, directly via EMAIL at CIS# 74716,521. 8. Data Compatibility. There are plans to implement more efficient data formats for the data files in future releases of MATH MANIAC. As a REGISTERED user, you are guaranteed that any future release of MATH MANIAC will contain a conversion program to ensure that any data created with prior versions of the program can be converted to the current format. This guarantees that any special data that you create using MATH MANIAC will always be compatible with the latest version. 9. My Sincere Gratitude. Registration is source through which the program can continue to grow and improve, and other programs like it can undergo development. Page 14 To receive a copy of the registered version of Math Maniac(c), which includes the additional features described in the MM.DOC file, fill out the order form that follows and send it, along with a check, MC, or VISA number in the correct amount to: Downsoft Software Company 8726D S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite C91 Los Angeles, CA 90045 Using VISA or Mastercard, you can order over the phone by calling: Phone: (310) 338-0715 (8 to 5 Mon-Fri PST) Orders received by 3:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time ship that day. You may also register MATH MANIAC through COMPUSERVE. Just type "GO SWREG" and follow the instructions to complete the registration process. Downsoft will be notified by Compuserve via EMAIL and the REGISTERED version will be shipped the following day. You will be billed $23.95 on your Compuserve bill, which covers the program registration ($19.95 plus the $4.00 shipping charge). Page 15 Downsoft Software Order Form Customer Information Name: _____________________________________________________________ Company: _____________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________ State: _____ ZIP:____________ Phone: _______________________________ Student Name: ________________________________________________________ ___ Math Maniac 1.03 ($19.95). ___ 5-1/4 disks. ___ 3-1/2 disks. Cost of order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 19.95 California residents add sales tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1.65 Shipping/handling. ___Next Day: $13.00 ___Second Day: $8.00 ___Regular: $4.00 $ _______ Total Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ _______ ______________________________________________________________________ Form of Payment ___ Check ___ Money order ___ Visa or MasterCard. Card Number: _________________________________ Exp. Date:________ Signature:______________________________________________________ In order to help us determine how best to improve and market MATH MANIAC, please tell us how you found out about MATH MANIAC: Compuserve: ______ BBS System: ______ Name: _______________________________________ Another User: ______ School: ______ Name: _______________________________________ Review: ______ Publication: ________________________________ Comments: _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Page 16