IntelliBots- README

Welcome to the world of IntelliBots!  IntelliBots is a simulated software development environment where you learn basic programming principles by developing programs for "intelligent robots", also called IntelliBots (or IBots for short).

Table of Contents

1.	Whats New
2.	About IntelliBots
3.	What You Have
4.	IntelliBots Requirements
5.	Installation
6.	Registering IntelliBots
7.	Communicating With Intelligent Technologies
8.	IntelliBots For Educators
9.	Intelligent Technologies On The World Wide Web
**********************************************************

1. ***** Whats New ***************************************

Version 1.2
	Added randomly placed goals
	Saves the simulation view and speed settings
	Remembers assembly status window size and position
	Permits a mission in a tournament to be terminated in a tie
	Improved random number options
	Added a new sound effect for the destruction of an IBot
	Fixed the assembly of the indirect and indexed indirect addressing modes
	Fixed error when loading a setup file

Version 1.1
	Released

2. ***** About IntelliBots *******************************
	We began developing IntelliBots in December of 1994.  Prior to that time we had noticed that even though there were many people interested in learning about programming, there was very little in the way of tools or applications to help them.  So we set out to develop such tools and started by observing a variety of students in the course of learning programming.
	We studied those aspects that seemed to  discourage the students, and we began to develop a teaching aid that would promote the positive principles while avoiding the more difficult or confusing ones.  We believe that this will prepare the student to deal with these topics at a later time.
	IntelliBots is that teaching tool.  It removes the outlying topics which seem to interfere with the learning process and it allows the student to focus on the most critical concepts.  We have observed that almost all students that have used IntelliBots have learned those concepts faster, with less confusion, and have had more fun doing it.
	The programming language used in IntelliBots is a form of assembly language.  We use assembly so the student is able to get a grasp of how software really works, and what the interaction of the software is with the computer.  High-level languages were created to hide the computer from the programmer, and as a result simplify the programmers work.  Even though many high-level languages accomplish this goal, in doing so they inadvertently hide some of the processes that are most important in understanding how software works and, therefore, how it should be written.
	The basic concept of IntelliBots is that you write programs that control IBots (simulated robots) on a Locale (map).  You start by making the IBot move and turn, then you go on to identify and avoid other objects as well as carry out more complex assignments.  At times your IBot must defend itself from attack and attempt to terminate enemy IBots.  In all cases you are using a development environment that has all of the same basic features as today's commercial development tools.  As you work through the manual, you learn how to program the IBot to accomplish specific tasks using the assembly language.  Whether you are just learning or already know how to program, IntelliBots is a fun way to test your skills against others.
	IntelliBots is now available for the Windows and Macintosh.  We have intentionally developed the software so the IBot source, Locales and executable files can be used on both platforms.

3. ***** What You Have ***********************************
You have received the software product called IntelliBots.  After installing it this product should contain the following items:

*	this README file,
*	complete documentation in the Adobe Acrobat PDF format.  You must already have installed the free Acrobat reader, which is available for download elsewhere or included on our CD-ROM, in order to view this document,
*	the application, called IBots,
*	a directory "IBots" which contains the programs that are used in the documentation,
*	a directory "Locales" which contains all of the backgrounds the IBots will run on, and,
*	a directory "Examples" which contains other sample files that are used in the documentation.

	If, after installation, any of these items are missing please contact us (see below).

4. ***** IntelliBots Requirements ************************
*	a PC with an 80386, or better,
*	Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51/4.0, Windows 3.1/3.11(with Win32s), or better,
*	at least 4MB of memory (6MB of memory suggested),
*	and at least 5MB of hard disk space.

5. ***** Installation ************************************
	Here are some things you should know before you install IntelliBots:
	The installer program SETUP.EXE, located in the INSTALL directory of the CD-ROM, is the only mechanism for installing IntelliBots.  It will ask where you want the IntelliBots directory located and what you want it to be called, though it will provide a default name.
	We have included the Adobe Acrobat Reader installer on the CD-ROM.  If you are planning on using the included online documentation, and you do not already have the Acrobat Reader installed,  then be sure to install it as well.  The installer can be found in the folder at OTHER\ESSENTLS\ADOBE and is named SETUP.EXE.
	We have also included an installer for the WIN32s extension which is necessary for Windows 3.1 and 3.11 to run a 32-bit application such as IntelliBots.  The installer can be found in the directory OTHER\ESSENTLS\WIN32S and is named SETUP.EXE.
	You may also want to install the additional IBots and Locales contained in the directories at OTHER\IBOTS\MOREBOTS.  These files will provide you with additional examples of programs and other Locales to try your programming skills on.
	
6. ***** Registering IntelliBots *************************
	We hope that you will take the time to register the software now that you have it.  In return for sending us a completed registration card we will send you a Programmers Quick Reference card containing many of the details of the IntelliBots assembly language on a convenient to carry and use card.

7. ***** Communicating With Intelligent Technologies *****
	We are anxious to hear your feedback.  If you have a comment, suggestion, or question that you would like to send to us, we can be reached in the following ways:

*	Regular mail can be sent to:
				Intelligent Technologies, Inc.
				P.O. BOX 2022
				Orem, Utah  84059-2022

*	EMail can be sent to:
				info@intellit.com

*	Faxes can be sent to:
				(801)431-0829

8. ***** IntelliBots For Educators ***********************
If you are a teacher or you represent an educational institution then please contact us for more information about our educational pricing at the number (801)431-0829.

9. ***** Intelligent Technologies On The World Wide Web **
If you have access to the World Wide Web then come by and check out our Web site at:
				HTTP://www.intellit.com/


IntelliBots and IBots are Trademarks of Intelligent Technologies Inc.
Apple Macintosh is a Trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
