Chalkboard Math for Windows - Product Documentation Shareware Version 1.0a S - 2/1/92 Release Registered Version 1.0a - 2/10/92 Release RELEASE NOTES ------- ----- Version 1.0a is an interim release of Chalkboard Math for Windows, in which reported problems with version 1.0 have been corrected. INTRODUCTION ------------ Chalkboard Math for Windows is a fun, easy-to-use math tutor program that teaches and enhances elementary math skills. It can be used by a single child or by a child and an adult. The program presents the player with a blank chalkboard area in which elementary math problems are drawn, answered, and assessed. Progress through a given Chalkboard Math session is measured via a Scoring Mode option, in which correct answers are tracked and difficulty levels are automatically adjusted. PROGRAM FILES ------- ----- The Chalkboard Math package consists of four files: CBMATH.EXE The executable program file. CBMATH.EXE (2/1/92) is the Shareware "S" version. CBMATH.EXE (2/10/92) is the Registered version. CBMATH.INI The initialization file, used for recording the Chalkboard Math high-scores Honor Roll. CBMATH.HLP The Windows Help file, used for providing comprehensive run-time help for Chalkboard Math users. A registration form is included in the Help file; both it and any other Help topic may be easily printed through the Windows Help menu bar "File/Print Topic" command. CBMATH.TXT This file, containing program information, notes, general instructions, and an ASCII text format registration form (see end of file). PROGRAM NOTES ------- ----- Chalkboard Math for Windows runs within the Microsoft Windows environment (versions 3.0 or higher), and requires the following: * A Windows-compatible mouse or other pointing device. * VGA graphics capability (640x480) or higher. CGA- or EGA-equipped systems do not provide sufficient resolution for the Chalkboard Math display. Chalkboard Math runs in 16-color mode, but will run acceptably on monochrome or black & white VGA systems. The program will run in any Windows 3.0+ operating mode. CHALKBOARD MATH SETUP ---------- ---- ----- Chalkboard Math requires no configuration or setup. Although it can be run from a floppy disk, we strongly recommend installation to a hard disk. INSTALLATION GUIDELINES ------------ ---------- 1. We recommend making a backup copy of your program disk. Keep the master copy in a safe place and use the backup disk for program installation. 2. Copy the program files (CBMATH.EXE, CBMATH.INI, and CBMATH.HLP) from your master disk to an appropriate subdirectory on your hard disk (e.g., C:\CBMATH). There are no hidden files or "key" files on the program disk, so the file copying process can be accomplished with the DOS "COPY" command or, if you prefer, through the Windows File Manager File/Copy command. This file, CBMATH.TXT, is not required in order to run Chalkboard Math. However, the three program files (CBMATH.EXE, CBMATH.INI, and CBMATH.HLP) are required, and must all reside in the same directory in order for Chalkboard Math to work properly. 3. You may use the "Windows Setup" utility to setup a program item (icon) for Chalkboard Math. Windows Setup will recognize the CBMATH.EXE file and assign its icon to a program group for you. or... You may assign a program item icon to Chalkboard Math manually, through the File/New commands in Program Manager. Always make sure that the correct path and filename (e.g., "C:\CBMATH\CBMATH.EXE") is assigned to the CBMath program item. The "Browse" control in the Program Item dialog box will make it easy to locate and assign the correct path and filename. 4. If installed correctly, Chalkboard Math should load from the Program Manager screen when the CBMath icon is double-clicked (or from File Manager when the Chalkboard Math listing is selected with "Run" or double-clicked). USING CHALKBOARD MATH ----- ---------- ---- Chalkboard Math for Windows was designed to be fun and easy to use -- educational software that "feels" like a game to the user, yet sharpens elementary math skills through five different levels of difficulty. Although Chalkboard Math can and should be used by children to sharpen math skills on their own, the program is even more valuable when used by an adult and child together. Help is available at any time through the Chalkboard Math menu bar "Help/Index..." command. You can directly access any Help topic through the Index, or browse from topic to topic. Help topics may be printed through the Windows Help menu bar "File/Print Topic" command. GETTING STARTED ------- ------- To begin, the player moves the mouse pointer to one of the four Math Mode buttons located along the left side of the window display. These buttons select which type of problem the program will draw onto the chalkboard area (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division). The desired mode is selected with a click of the left mouse button. A problem is then drawn on the chalkboard, and the player is given two attempts to provide the correct answer. Answers are entered by clicking the numbered buttons (0-9) and are drawn from left to right -- as the numbered buttons are "pushed" -- in the appropriate areas of the chalkboard. If a mistake is made while entering an answer, clicking the "BACK" button will erase the answer and allow the player to to start over. When the answer is entered as desired, click the "GO" button to check the results. Comments and score updates are given in the large status window just under the chalkboard. If the answers on both the first and second attempts are incorrect, the answer to the problem is also provided in the status window. FEATURES -------- New Session --- ------- The New Session command clears the chalkboard area, resets all scores to zero, and allows the player to restart a Chalkboard Math session. This command is available through the menu bar "File/New Session" command. Honor Roll ----- ---- The current top five scores, as recorded by Chalkboard Math, may be viewed by selecting the menu bar "File/Honor Roll" command. Scoring Mode ------- ---- The Scoring Mode feature can be toggled on and off through the menu bar "Options/Scoring Mode" command. Scoring Mode Enabled ------- ---- ------- With Scoring Mode enabled (indicated by a checkmark -- the default), the program allows the user a total of 50 problems in a given session. The program will keep a running score of the number of correct answers given. A higher score is awarded when the problem is correctly answered on the first attempts. Higher scores are also awarded at the higher difficulty levels. Chalkboard Math maintains a record of the top five scores. The program will prompt the user for his or her name if their score ranks in the top five, and will record their name and score in the Chalkboard Math Honor Roll. Scoring Mode Disabled ------- ---- -------- With Scoring Mode disabled, the program does not track the number of correct answers given, and does not offer the player the option to automatically advance to the higher difficulty levels. However, the player may manually select any difficulty level in which to practice. Note: Regardless of the Scoring Mode setting, only two answer attempts are allowed per problem. Sound Effects Control ----- ------- ------- The sound effects feature can be toggled on and off from the menu bar "Options/Sound Effects" command. Difficulty Level Control ---------- ----- ------- The current difficulty level, ranging from 1 to 5, can be selected from the menu bar "Options/Difficulty Level" command. Each of the five levels offer successively more challenging problems to solve, and higher scores awarded for correct answers. The Auto-Advance option may be used to automatically increase the difficulty level when 10 correct answers are recorded at the current level. Blue stars "thumb-tacked" to the top of the chalkboard frame represent the current difficulty level. Note: Chalkboard Math always defaults to the lowest difficulty level (Level 1). Auto-Advance (Level) ------------ ------- The Auto-Advance option automatically increases the Chalkboard Math difficulty level when 10 problems have been correctly answered at the current level. This command is available through the menu bar "Options/Auto-Advance" command. Chalkboard Math may be run with Scoring Mode enabled (turned on) and Auto-Advance disabled (turned off), allowing the player to compete for a high score without having the difficulty levels adjusted during play. The Auto-Advance option is only available when Scoring Mode is enabled. Help System ---- ------ Comprehensive run-time help for Chalkboard Math users is provided through the menu bar "Help/Contents" command. You may select specific topics to read, or browse from topic to topic. PRODUCT REGISTRATION ------- ------------ Chalkboard Math for Windows is shareware, not freeware. Product registration is necessary if companies like ours are to continue providing quality software for the shareware marketplace. Registered users receive the registered version of this product (available in 3.5" or 5.25" disk formats). Registration also entitles the user to advance information on upcoming Pegasus Development products (including upgrades to Chalkboard Math) -- as well as other new titles in our expanding product line. The registration fee for this product is $16.00 (U.S.). Registrations are accepted both by telephone (with a major credit card) or by mail. For your convenience, a registration form is provided here and within the Chalkboard Math help file (accessible via the Windows Help system as outlined previously). The help file registration form, or any help topic, is easily printable through the Windows Help menu bar "File/Print Topic" command. We at Pegasus Development appreciate your support, and hope you enjoy using Chalkboard Math 1.0a. "Microsoft" and "Windows" are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. LIMITED WARRANTY AND REMEDIES ------- -------- --- -------- Before release, our applications software is tested on a wide variety of hardware configurations, under the most rigorous test conditions possible. We therefore warrant that the software will perform in substantial compliance with the specifications set forth in this text, provided that the software is used on the computer hardware and operating system(s) for which it was designed. Pegasus Development makes no other warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this software (or media, if this is a registered version), including its quality or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Pegasus Development be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of or the inability to use this software, even if Pegasus Development has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Pegasus Development is not responsible for any costs including, but not limited to, those incurred as a result of lost profits or revenues, loss of time or use of the software, loss of data, the cost of recovering software or data, the cost of substitute software, claims by third parties, or similar costs. In no event will Pegasus Development's liability exceed the amount of the paid registration fee. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SOFTWARE REGISTRATION FORM -------- ------------ ---- Return this form along with your remittance to: Pegasus Development CBMath 1.0a Registration 11900 Grant Place Des Peres, MO. 63131 U.S.A. You can also register by telephone using your MasterCard or VISA through Advanced Support Group's Product Registration Hotline at 1-800-788-0787. ___ Chalkboard Math Registrations @ $16.00 U.S. each Total enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $________ Payment by: [] Check [] MasterCard [] VISA Card# ____________________________ Exp. Date _______ Signature of Cardholder_____________________________ Name________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City _______________________ State ____ Zip_________ Telephone (______)______________________ Disk Size Required: [] 3.5" (720K) [] 5.25" (360K) Please indicate where you obtained Chalkboard Math: (Mail Order, BBS, etc) _____________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________