Document tnytap.txt V1.1 (Mar 15 93) Title : Tiny Tapper for Toddlers A child's very first computer learning game. Introduction ------------ A game that allows very young children to "TAP" safely at the keyboard. Each key produces a different sound, picture or activity. The child actively participates and is always left in control. When my small son first started to play with my computer keyboard I was distressed to find how often his random tapping would call up programs or totally freeze the computer. I therefore looked around for some suitable software, which would amuse him and protect my PC. Although the few software programs that I found were impressive in their presentation and graphics and praiseworthy in their attempts to teach the young player, I felt that often the actual game was tedious or required too high a level of competence . I therefore decided to write my own software. I decided that the main principles of the S/W should be that the child should be amused, that it should be simple but still have variety, that events should not happen too quickly, that the child should participate and retain control and that he should learn without being conscious of it. Tiny Tapper thus developed to keep pace with the capabilities and interests of my son as he grew from 1 to 3 years. The simplest features require the pressing of only one key, thus each of the digits 0 to 9 produces a different sound. These sounds include a drip and a doorbell. Pressing "O" causes a star to be drawn on the screen subsequent pressing of a key causes another 10 concentric stars to appear. Pressing "P" passes the game into "Piano" mode, each key then produces a different frequency sound; "Escape" or "Return" allow this mode to be exited. As the child gains experience he can try pressing "G" he is then required to type "BRM" (in any order), further pressing of keys causes a picture of an automobile to be drawn step by step; for younger children the necessity to type "BRM" may be by-passed by pressing "Escape". The key "D" causes the game to go into "Draw" mode, the cursor keys are then used to draw lines on the screen. Other keys hide a ringing telephone, a helicopter and a boat. Keeping him busy had been the main priority, even so he learnt his way around a keyboard and soon remembered which letters or numbers produced his favourite effects. The game has proved to be a good preparation for other children's software such as the excellent "Amy's Primer". No installation is required, Tiny Tapper may be run directly from a floppy disk. It is designed for a standard compatible PC with a VGA (640*480) graphics card (Not CGA compatible). Some Comments from those registering ------------------------------------ Erich is learning his letters and numbers at a rate that amazes me and I think the credit belongs to you. Wesley is only 10 months old and enjoys Tiny Tapper. I have recently loaded Tiny Tapper and I think it is absolutely wonderful. (Shira Ann) Please personalize Tiny Tapper for Sarah (2 years and 4 months) because she will love to see her name. Protection against bashing -------------------------- In order to protect Tiny Tapper running out of control if a child pressed too many keys at once or held one pressed down the following mechanisms have been built in :- (i) Keyboard buffer emptied regularly so that only a key pressed after the end of each section is taken into account. (ii) The same letter is not accepted twice in a row. (This rule is relaxed sometimes inside a game) Hardware Requirements --------------------- IBM PC or compatible. VGA 640x480 Not downwards compatible (CGA will not work (Regretfully)) No mouse required (or supported). Installation ------------ Tiny Tapper exists in two forms compressed and uncompressed. The compressed form is called TNYTAP.ZIP and the uncompressed form is called TNYTAP.EXE. In future it will only exist as TNYTAP.ZIP. TNYTAP.EXE may be used directly, TNYTAP.ZIP must be first unzipped ie PKUNZIP TNYTAP Personalized versions may be named after the child concerned, for example SARAH.ZIP. Warning Some downloaders such as CIM download files as NONAME.TMP. NONAME.TMP should be renamed to TNYTAP.ZIP and then unzipped. PHILOSOPHY ---------- Child should participate and feel in control! Any child able to sit up, or be held up to the keyboard, should be able to have have fun playing Tiny Tapper. Keyboard entry slowed down so that the game does not race ahead of the child, even if the child is very rough with the keys. Games short and non tedious. Difficult bits may always be by-passed with ESCape (and sometimes return) (enter). Lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Educational element is modest :- Introduction to a keyboard Memorisation of which key does what. Learning the relationship between action and reaction. I hope Tiny Tapper can give children the confidence to tackle other children's educational programs. Instructions per key -------------------- Key A Ant ---------- An "ant" moves in a random fashion until he hits an edge. No child participation required. Key B ----- Each key press draws a smaller concentric ring. If no key is pressed the rings appear automatically. Key C Chasing Game ----- The four cursor keys are used to bring the "O" up to the "*". When the two symbols touch they both disappear in a tangle of color. The chased * moves randomly to try and escape the chaser (O). (pressing ESCape or enter ends the game) Key D ----- The four cursor keys are used to draw lines on the screen. Every time the direction is changed or the edge of the screen is reached the color changes. After a certain number of direction changes the lines move diagonally. Extra feature touching the home or "end" keys causes the line to change from being square to round. (pressing ESCape or enter ends the game) Key E ----- A coil of loops is drawn. No participation is possible. Key F ----- A grid containing the letters A, B & C appears typing these three letters (in any order) causes with each subsequent key press a randomly positioned star to appear. (Pressing ESCape bypasses the grid) Key G ----- A grid containing the three letters B,R & M appears,typing these three letters (in any order) allows the child to construct a car with successive key strokes. (Pressing ESCape by-passes the grid) Key H ----- Successive key presses construct a helicopter. When complete there is a realistic helicopter noise. Key I ----- A series of balls are drawn following a projectory. (No participation) Key J ----- A grid containing the three letters B, I & K appears, typing these three letters (in any order) allows the child to construct a bike with successive key strokes. (Pressing ESCape by-passes the grid) Key K ----- A series of concentric radar rings are drawn. Subsequently planes track across the screen. (No participation) Key L ----- Each key pressed draws a randomly placed, colored and sized circle. Key M ----- A series of mazes are drawn on the screen, each of a different color. These mazes are drawn slowly using thick lines. (No participation) Key N ----- A series of mazes are drawn on the screen, each of a different color. These mazes are drawn quickly using thin lines. (No participation) Key O ----- Each key press draws a progressively larger concentric star. Key P ----- Each key pressed produces a "note" calculated from the key's ASCII code. (pressing ESCape or enter ends the game) Key Q ----- A series of noises are emitted produced using the random feature. (No participation) Key R ----- Successive key presses construct a rocket with a celestial backdrop Key S ----- A flying saucer crosses the screen. The backdrop is of a 1000 flashing stars. (No participation) Key T ----- Successive key presses construct a telephone, when complete there is a realistic ringing noise. Key U ----- A grid containing the three letters B, A & L appears, typing these three letters (in any order) allows the child to construct a series*/ of progressively smaller concentric balls. (Pressing ESCape by-passes the grid) Key V Personalised ------------------- Key V is the personalised key for those having registered. The child's name appears on the screen written in small characters Pressing the letters in the name cause the characters to grow larger. When the characters are at their maximum size a butterfly dances across the screen. If two child's names have been registered these names appear alternately. Key W Write (Typewriter mode) ------------------------------ Up to 48 characters may be written to the screen. When the screen is full the characters disappear one by one. Key X Ship ----------- A grid presenting the digits 1,2 & 3 appears pressing these digits allows a ship to be constructed. Key Y ----- Each Key pressed causes a match-stick man to jump. (ESCape or enter terminates the game) Key Z ----- A tune is played. (No participation) Key 0 ----- A chaotic series of circles, stars and letters appear on the screen. (No participation) Key 1 ----- Each key press produces a randomly drawn polygon Key 2 ----- A noise of a stone dropping is made. Key 3 ----- The noise of a phaser is made. Key 4 ----- The noise of a charge is made. Key 5 ----- The noise of a photon is made. Key 6 ----- The noise of a bird is made. Key 7 ----- The noise of water dripping is made. Key 8 ----- The noise of a buzzer is made. Key 9 ----- The noise of a flying saucer is made. Key # ----- Displays the hex worth of each key pressed. Key RETURN ---------- Key \ or / A three by three grid is displayed containing the digits 1-9. Once these 9 digits have typed (in any order) subsequent key presses construct a tank engine (Pressing ESCape bypasses the grid) History ------- V1.0 Nov 1990 Creation V1.4 May 1992 Uploaded to Compuserve (EDFORUM) V1.5 Jul 1992 Distributed by Pearl Agency in Germany Nov 1992 Tiny Tapper is featured in Compuserve magazine (page 8) V2.0 Nov 1992 Exit from Tiny Tapper only with confirmation facility added. V2.1 Jan 1993 Control C or Break exits immediately facility added. V2.3 Feb 1993 Color aliasing problem solved. V2.4 Mar 1993 Write (typewriter) feature added Future improvements ------------------- Screen Saver (March 1993) Grid BAL and BIK to be updated to BALL & BIKE Final word ---------- I wrote Tiny Tapper out of my love and pride for my son Thomas, I hope this shows in the game. It is intended to be a child's very first introduction to a computer, when this is the case, even older children have can have great fun exploring all the nooks and crannies of Tiny Tapper. Registering ----------- Registered users have the right to receive a personalised version, one or two children's names may then be incorporated into Tiny Tapper. They will thus automatically receive the latest version of the program and the documentation. A registered version includes a built-in screen-saver, the screen-saver operates automatically if no key is pressed within a two minute period. Tiny Tapper is freely distributable (but must not be altered), and may be passed on to friends and family. Registration Fee ---------------- At Present I intend to donate ALL fees received to a children's charity. Further details will follow. The registration fee of $12 or 20DM or 8 pounds entitles you to the full version, which may be personalised (send forenames of up to two children) and has a built-in screen-saver. (Part of the proceeds will go to a childrens charity) David Rayner Mozartstr 31 D W7257 Ditzingen-Schoeckingen Germany Home (010 49) 7156 8948 Fax (010 49) 7156 18275 E-Mail (INTERNET) 100010.1040@compuserve.com Program : Tnytap.zip (approximately 49KB)