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Text File | 1992-05-10 | 33KB | 752 lines

______________________________________ | | | | | INFORMATION ABOUT MATH WORKOUT | | | |______________________________________| ----- TABLE OF CONTENTS ----- Page Topic ---- ---------------------------------- 1. Benefits of registration 2. Book; HOW TO DO MATH IN YOUR HEAD AND ESTIMATE WHEN YOU CAN'T 3. Educators message 5. Ordering information 6. Order form 7. Shareware explanation 8. Software license agreement 10. Special "Hardship" offer 11. Time-Frames 12. Version; How to get the current one. ____________________________ | | | BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION | |____________________________| 1. Printed bound manual 2. FREE Bonus Program Includes place-value review, just-think addition/ subtraction, and repetitive add/subtract. These are very efficient and powerful exercises. (see MWMANUAL.DOC) 3. FREE book: HOW TO DO MATH IN YOUR HEAD AND ESTIMATE WHEN YOU CAN'T Publication is expected Summer 1992. NOTE: If you order directly from Dobrin Company before the book is published, it will be sent to you separately, and you'll get a $15.00 rebate. This rebate does not apply to Hardship orders, or to credit card orders processed by the PsL. See page 2 for a full description of the book. 4. Free technical support. You have 3 options: A) CALL: (212) 472-1400 7pm - 11pm EST Monday through Thursday B) WRITE to: Dobrin Company P.O. Box 6464 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 C) Send a message on CompuServe to: 70621,2660 5. Discount on TIME-FRAMES (explained on page 11) It normally retails for $40.00 but registered users can get it for only $29.00 - and that includes shipping! How can I do it? I make them! 6. Discounts and information on upgrades and new products. --- P. 1 --- _______________________________ | | | HOW TO DO MATH IN YOUR HEAD | | AND ESTIMATE WHEN YOU CAN'T | | | | The book | |_______________________________| This book explains how to do the mental calculations you need to do "everyday math". The math you encounter in the classroom, at the store, in your home office, in meetings, in conversation, and while reading. The methods are for doing math in your head, not on paper. They are simple and hard to forget. Once you are exposed to them, you will think they're obvious. In fact, they will become second nature to you. And, you will not forget them, because you will apply them over and over, in the course of daily living. You will learn gradually, at your own pace. There are only a few general principles for doing mental arithmetic, but the book contains specific methods for dealing with most of the difficulty levels encountered in MATH WORKOUT. So, use the book to learn how to calculate. And, use MATH WORKOUT to practice what you learn. This book will help you if you're a math phobic, child, student, adult, business executive or mathlete. You will not become a math genius. But, you will become fluent in the in mental calculation. The following is an example of the types of techniques the book covers. You might think that 450 x 9 is tough, but not if you think of 9 as "10-1". That way, you simply multiply 450 by 10 to get a subtotal of 4,500 and then subtract 450 from 4,500 to get 4,050. Wouldn't your agree that ... 450 is easier if you 4,500 x 9 look at it as ... - 450 --- ----- --- P. 2 -- ____________________________ | | | MESSAGE TO EDUCATORS | |____________________________| CUSTOMIZATION OF LEVELS The formulas for difficulty levels can be rearranged, modified, or expanded to suit your curriculum. The fee for such customization depends upon the extent of the changes. If you have specific modifications in mind, or simply want to discuss what can and cannot be done, please contact me. EXAMS and GATHERING SCORES There are several ways to gather exam scores. The first two are electronic, require a database program (and the ability to use it), and there is the potential for students to corrupt the data, or for you to do so during the gathering process. The last two are manual, are less complex, and there is less risk that scores will be corrupted. 1. On a network, append the Comprehensive History files into a single database file. Then, use your database program to create reports. Remember, on a network, you should assign each group of users (using a single copy of MATH WORKOUT) their own subdirectory. 2. If students are not networked, copy the Comprehensive History files to a diskette. Then, append the files into a single database, and use your database program to create reports. 3. Have students print-screen the Results Screen. Then, collect the printouts. 4. Have students stop at the Results Screen. Then, get the scores directly from the screen. If you choose method [4], you should set the QUIT BEEP feature to "Yes". This feature is a menu item on the Supervisor Menu. EXAMS and SCORE SECURITY Read this section only if you plan to gather exam scores from Comprehensive History files. Comprehensive History files contain an "exam indicator" to distinguish exams from "practice". If you intend to get exam scores from Comprehensive History files, you should be aware that they are simple ASCII text files, and there is nothing to stop a student from editing them. Any student with access to a text editor could do it. --- P. 3 --- One way to check to see if a file has been edited is to look at the time and date it was saved. The DOS "DIR" command will show you this, as will any of the various hard disk managers. If the time and date is significantly different from the exam time and date, the scores may have been altered. But, there are ways to change the date of the file. So, checking the date is not a guarantee. Needless to say, the computer clock must be accurate for date to be a criteria for anything. It would be a good idea to instruct your students not to quit the program after an exam until you say so. That way, only a student with access to a memory resident program, or one who is using multitasking, could edit the history files without you knowing about it. If you set the QUIT BEEP feature to "on", you will know when a student attempts to quit, because the program will sound a series of 5 beeps. Alternatively, you could instruct your students not to go beyond the Results Screen. This way, you could get the exam results directly from the computer. You don't have to know who used which computer, since the user's name is on the Results Screen. This score-gathering method is an inconvenience, but it will insure validity. EXAMS and NUMBER OF QUESTIONS Most of you will find the following analysis obvious, but, I would be remiss if I didn't go through it. Since the numbers in the questions are generated randomly, no two students will have the same questions. The more questions there are, the fairer the exam will be. Some Difficulty Levels are so limited that all questions are almost equally difficult. Other levels have questions whose difficulty varies considerably. The more the difficulty varies, the more important it is that the number of questions be large. In mixed exams containing several levels of difficulty, this is even more critical. In fact, on such exams, you should probably consider scores as rough indicators rather than as precise measures. I am not a probability expert, but I would say that 100 questions would result in fair exams. But even then, unfair distributions are not impossible. If you're restricting the students to mental calculation, it is likely the typical question would take no more than 10 seconds to answer. If it takes longer than that, it's probably too difficult an exam. At that rate, 100 questions would take no more than 17 minutes, which is a not an unreasonable amount of time. --- P. 4 --- ________________ | | |----------------| | HOW TO ORDER | |________________| You can order from one of two sources: 1. DOBRIN COMPANY Send a check or money order, along with the order form on the next page to: Dobrin Company P.O. Box 6464 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 (foreign checks and money orders must be in U.S dollars drawn on a U.S. bank) 2. The Public (software) Library (PsL) Use your MC, Visa, AmEx or Discover card. Contact them in one of three ways: a. by calling 800-242-4PsL (overseas 713-524-6394) b. by Compuserve to 71355,470 c. by FAX to 713-524-6398 When you contact PsL, mention item number 10483. These phone numbers are for ordering only. DOBRIN COMPANY can NOT be reached at those numbers. NOTE: TIME-FRAMES CAN ONLY BE SHIPPED WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. You will receive the latest version of MATH WORKOUT. That means, you may get additional features not mentioned in the MWMANUAL.DOC. You may also want to check your local retailer. For information about dealer pricing, volume discounts, site licensing, shipping of product, returns, latest version number, or other technical information, call (212) 472-1400 or write to Dobrin Company at the address above. Do not call the PsL. PRICE The price of MATH WORKOUT is $49.00 plus $4.00 for Shipping & Handling (even for foreign orders) For two-day domestic delivery, add $3.00. The price of TIME-FRAMES is $29.00 (and there is no additional Shipping & Handling charge). New York State residents must add sales tax. These prices are guaranteed through May 1, 1993. After that, write for current pricing. [ See the Hardship Offer explained on page 10 ] --- P. 5 --- ___________________________________ | | | TM | | MATH WORKOUT ORDER FORM | |___________________________________| IMPORTANT: Use only to order directly from DOBRIN Company. MATH WORKOUT $49.00 x _____ units = ______________ Shipping & Handling = ________4.00__ 2-day Air w/i US, add $3.00 = ______________ TIME FRAMES $29.00 x _____ units = ______________ Subtotal = ______________ (NYS residents) sales tax = ______________ TOTAL = ______________ Send check or money order to: Dobrin Company P.O. Box 6464 (Returned check fee: $15.00) Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 Name____________________________________________________________ Company_________________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________________ City____________________________________________________________ State/Province____________________Zip/Country Code______________ Country___________________________Phone (_____)_________________ TIME-FRAMES names: ________________________________________ (if ordering) ________________________________________ Disk size (check one): [ ] 5.25" 1.2mg ISBN 1-881612-02-3 [ ] 5.25" 360k ISBN 1-881612-01-5 [ ] 3.5" ISBN 1-881612-03-1 ************************************************************** PLEASE answer the questions below. (Not Required) Type of Computer: PC/XT _____ AT _____ 386_____ 486 _____ Where did you get a copy of MATH WORKOUT ? (check one) [ ] BBS [ ] User group [ ] Friend [ ] Retailer [ ] Distributor ____________________________________________________________ Name of institution checked above. ____________________________________________________________ What do you like most about MATH WORKOUT? ____________________________________________________________ What motivated you to register? Your age: ______ Are you a student? Yes____ No____ ____________________________________________________________ Thank you for registering MATH WORKOUT --- P. 6 --- _______________________________ | | | MATH WORKOUT IS SHAREWARE | |_______________________________| Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs differ on details -- some request registration while others require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manual. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a specific group. For example, some authors require written permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their Shareware. Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook, whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy. Shareware has the ultimate money-back guarantee - if you don't use the product, you don't pay for it. You can get a copy of a shareware program for free (from a friend) or from a retailer or shareware distributor for a small fee (usually around $5.00). You can also get shareware by downloading it from a BBS, or perhaps from a user group. MATH WORKOUT, like any other shareware, may be marketed in ways other than Shareware. The complete program, including printed manual, may be sold retail, by direct marketing, or by any other marketing means. NOTE: The MATH WORKOUT "Please Register" screen lists the benefits of registering MATH WORKOUT. It will appear every time you start up the program, and when you quit. On unregistered versions, it will also appear every 10th time you access the Main Menu. Each time it appears, you will be instructed to type a number, and then hit [Enter]. --- P. 7 --- ____________________________ | | | DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT | |____________________________| Users of MATH WORKOUT must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS". THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND ALL SUCH WARRANTIES ARE EXPRESSLY AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMED. NEITHER DOBRIN COMPANY NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE EVEN IF DOBRIN COMPANY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS. IN NO EVENT SHALL DOBRIN COMPANY'S LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES EVER EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE LICENSE TO USE THE SOFTWARE, REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF CLAIM. THE PERSON USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE. Some states do not allow the exclusion of the limit of liability for consequential or incidental damages, so the above limitation may not apply to you. This software is licensed to you, for your own use. This is copyrighted software. You are not obtaining title to the software or any copyright rights. You may not sublicense, rent, lease, modify, convert to another programming language, decompile, or disassemble the software for any purpose. When you share the program with someone else, you must distribute all the files listed in the file MWFILES.DOC (except the three Bonus Program files). MATH WORKOUT 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 WORKOUT and continue to use MATH WORKOUT after a reasonable trial period, you must make a registration payment of $49.00 to DOBRIN COMPANY. The $49.00 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. If you need to use the software on more than one computer simultaneously, please contact DOBRIN COMPANY for information about site licenses. --- P. 8 --- Commercial users of MATH WORKOUT must register and pay for their copies of MATH WORKOUT within 30 days of first use or their license is withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting DOBRIN COMPANY. Anyone distributing MATH WORKOUT for any kind of remuneration must first contact DOBRIN 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 WORKOUT immediately (However DOBRIN COMPANY must still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date with the latest version of MATH WORKOUT.). See other terms detailed in MWVENDOR.DOC You are encouraged to pass a copy of MATH WORKOUT 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 MATH WORKOUT. If you have a problem involving a specific hardware or software environment or feature, the author may choose not to modify the program. In that case, if the report is within three months after registration, the author will refund the user's purchase price (excluding Shipping & Handling) upon receipt of all MATH WORKOUT materials. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York and shall inure to the benefit of Dobrin Company and any successors, administrators, heirs and assigns. Any action or proceeding brought by either party against the other arising out of or related to this agreement shall be brought only in a STATE or FEDERAL COURT of competent jurisdiction located in New York County, New York. The parties hereby consent to in personam jurisdiction of said courts." DOBRIN COMPANY P.O. BOX 6464 GRAND CENTRAL STATION NEW YORK, NY 10163 --- P. 9 --- _______________________________________________ | | | SPECIAL OFFER | | | | For people experiencing economic hardship | |_______________________________________________| * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * If you are experiencing economic hardship, you may register * * MATH WORKOUT for only $19.50 (plus S&H and sales tax) * * ----------- * * * * When you can afford it, pay the balance of $29.50 * * * * (Foreign orderers must add $5.00) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To qualify, simply do the following: 1. Order directly from Dobrin Company. 2. Use the order form on page 6. 3. Include a letter that briefly explains the nature of your economic hardship. For example, if you are out of work, just say "I'm currently out of work." If you just can't afford it, just say something like "I can't afford it right now". You do not have to provide details. 4. Sign the letter. That's all there is to it. No attempt will be made to check up on your claim of hardship, but you might receive an annual reminder that the balance is due. You'll be treated like any fully-paid registered user except that: You are not eligible for the $15.00 pre-publication rebate, Time-Frames discount, or the $7.00 "disk-only" rebate (p.12). WHY AM I MAKING THIS OFFER? If you are both "arithmetically disadvantaged" and experiencing economic hardship, then you need MATH WORKOUT as much as anyone could. I would like to help you out. You'll save $29.50 in the short term and you won't have to feel guilty about not registering. I'll feel good about helping you out, and, I'm willing to bet that you will appreciate my help and pay the balance when you start reaping the benefits of MATH WORKOUT and your persistence. NOTE: This offer only applies to individuals and is limited to one order per household. Dobrin Company reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notification. --- P. 10 --- --------------------- | TM | | TIME-FRAMES | |_____________________| TIME-FRAMES is a 14" by 18" picture frame with a very special purpose - to show how a person grows up. TIME-FRAMES contains a very special mat board that has 25 windows to display pocket-size pictures. Below each picture window is a much smaller "age window" which displays the age of the person. The age windows contain the following ages: ------------------------------------------------------------- | | | BIRTH 3 months 6 months 9 months 1 | | | | 15 months 18 months 21 months 2 3 | | | | 4 5 6 7 8 | | | | 9 10 11 12 13 | | | | 14 15 16 17 18 | | | ------------------------------------------------------------- There is also a "name window" at the top of the mat. You will receive, at no extra charge, a customized name label printed on acetate that you simply tape behind the name window. The frame is made of solid oak and is stained teak. The face is plexiglass (allows me to ship it safely), but you might want to eventually replace it with glass. The mat boards are acid free to prevent color fading. Each TIME-FRAMES contains both blue and pink back mats - so, you can give it as a shower gift, before you know the sex of the child. Finally, you get a plastic template to help you cut your photos to the right size. TIME-FRAMES is a quality product that you and your children will cherish always. I know. I made one by hand for my sister and she liked it so much I started the company. The normal retail price is $40.00 but registered MATH WORKOUT users pay only $29.00 and there's no shipping charge! TIME-FRAMES is truly a gift of a lifetime, and remember ... TM EVERY TIME-FRAMES TELLS A STORY --- P. 11 --- _______________________________________ | | | DO YOU HAVE THE CURRENT VERSION ? | |_______________________________________| This version was initially distributed in April of 1992. If it is now after 5/1/94, you should consider this version OUT OF DATE. It will still run, but won't have the fixes and improvements of the latest version. Also, the registration fee may have changed. Anyone (registered or not) may receive the current program disk(s) by sending a check or money order for $7.00 (plus NYS tax) to: DOBRIN COMPANY PO BOX 6464 GRAND CENTRAL STATION NEW YORK, NY 10163 NOTE: You may deduct this fee from the full registration price when you purchase MATH WORKOUT directly from Dobrin Company (does not apply to credit card orders, nor to "Hardship" purchases). ($7.00 price good till 1/1/94. Thereafter, write for current price.) =================================================================== CURRENT VERSION ORDER FORM MATH WORKOUT $7.00 x _____ units = ______________ (non-registered program disks only) 2-day Air w/i US, add $3.00 = ______________ Subtotal = ______________ (NYS residents) sales tax = ______________ TOTAL = ______________ Name________________________________________________________ Company_____________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________ City______________________________State______Zip____________ Country _____________________ Phone (_____)________________ Disk size (check one): [ ] 5.25" 1.2mg ISBN 1-881612-05-8 [ ] 5.25" 360k ISBN 1-881612-04-X [ ] 3.5" ISBN 1-881612-06-6 =================================================================== --- P. 12 --- --- End of MWINFO.DOC ---