programme will run on ß Premiuφ Microbeσ, 256T├ Microbee o≥ Matildß iε CP/M
mode. It is not necessary to have ß colour monito≥ a≤ no colou≥ commands
werσ converteΣ t∩ thi≤ version. The Text parts will run any standard 'bee
as it's only the graphic pictures that requires a Premium.
The programme is normally supplied crunched on one floppy disks and they
need to be un-crunched onto a 776k double sided 3.5" disk to enable the
program to run.
HOW TO GET STARTED
==================
Un-crunch the files to a 776K double sided 3.5" system disk. Copy BASIC.COM
to the disk and configure the disk to auto-boot "BASIC LOF". Then, just put
the disk in A: drive press Reset.
USING THE MENUS
===============
You find your way around the different parts of the programme by using a
very simple system of menus.
The choices offered at each level are shown on the screen, with each one
numbered. For the selection you want, press the number key to go to that
selection.
To Find A Menu
If a menu is not currently showing on the screen, you can almost always getèto one by pressing the <<Esc>> key. This will halt the current activity, and
display the active menu.
THE MAIN MENU
=============
The Main Menu Options are described briefly below.
Introduction
This is a welcome to the programme and a brief description of its features.
Quizzes
Choose one of the quizzes available from a further menu.
Notes
This also leads to another menu, listing the different topics for which
notes are available.
The Island
This segment reveals a map of the island as it is described in the novel,
with enlargements of certain key areas and associated notes.
Quit
Return to CP/M
QUIZZES MENU
============
These are the options available on this menu.
Quotation Quiz
Tests your detailed knowledge of the book by asking you to choose the
correct speaker of each quotation. Over 90 quotations to really test you.A
good score here earns you a clue to the competition code.
Missing Words
Vital passages from the text can be learnt by heart, as you guess the words
missing from the screen. Great revision value!
NOTES MENU
==========
Major topics are:
Plot Summaries
This leads to another menu allowing you to select an overall summary or
chapter summaries.
Character Studies
Another menu to select notes on any of the major characters
Exam Questions
A selection of notes on how to handle different exam questions.
Themes
Discusses the major ideas of the novel
Background
Brief notes on relevant points.
Style
A discussion of Golding's language.
The Author
Notes about Golding's life and a portrait.
INSTRUCTIONS
============
The programme has been designed to be as user-friendly as possible. Most of
the activities have on-screen help. Where more detailed instructions are
necessary, this option has been included in the menu for that particular
activity.
Activities which include their own instructions are:
Quotation Quiz (Quiz Menu)
Missing Words (Quiz Menu)
The Island (Main Menu)
CUSTOMIZING THE PROGRAMME
=========================
With a modicum of knowledge and the ability to use a text processor, you
should be able to customise some of the data used in the programme, if you
so desire. If you use Word Star, then use it in NON-DOCUMENT mode only!
The most obvious areas where this can be accomplished are as follows:
QUOTATION QUIZ - The data for this quiz is contained in the text file
QUOTES. The first item in the file is the number of quotes currently
in the file. Don't forget to update this if you add or delete
quotes. Each question must contain the following items: The quotation
itself, the correct answer, 3 incorrect answers. You will need to
experiment to get the correct formatting on the screen. A quick look at the
file should make it clear what to do if you are still confused.
NOTES - I don't recommend that you alter the notes, as my system for
printing them to the screen is a little peculiar to say the least, but if
you must experiment, then go ahead. The first item in each file is the
number of screens or pages of data, then each 'page' has the number of data
items on that page. Beginning an item with a * indicates that the item is
to be high-lighted in the text. To print a blank line, include an item
consisting of 4 or more spaces enclosed in quotation marks. You may need to
experiment a little to find out just how much will fit on each page.
MISSING WORDS - If you have a lot of time on your hands, and are by nature
a patient and tolerant person like me, then you can try writing different
passages for the Missing Words game. I'll leave you to figure out how it's
done! Unfortunately, you won't be able to change the reference to the
passage in the GAMES Menu.
I guess that's about all, unless you are one of those people who can't
resist seein what Golding looks like wearing spectacles and a false nose.
The pictures are all in GRLOAD format.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
===================
This programme began its life as a set of quizzes I programmed for my own
Literature students at a High School here in Singapore. Over the last two
years, the programme has grown and developed and gone through a variety of
versions, to become what it is today. It has been quite well-received by
students here who face the Cambridge GCE O Level examinations.
Originally, as the new owner of an Apple II clone, I programmed in
Applesoft Basic. My first programme (Julius Caesar) fitted easily onto one
5.25" floppy disk, and consisted mainly of three games and a segment on the
Globe Theatre. I believed then as I believe now, that people do not really
want to sit and read pages of notes from a computer monitor.
However, feedback from users indicated a desire for more notes, so the
programme quickly grew. It also changed direction to become IBM-compatible
to run on the computer of choice of 80% of the student population here in
Singapore. So I put my prejudices aside and picked up a smattering of
GWBasic.
'Lord of the Flies' was the last programme I wrote in GWBASIC. After this,
Microsoft QuickBasic makes its appearance. I still see room for
improvements and additions to the programme, and each new version on each
different text is a little more sophisticated than its predecessor. Who