
                              DC CHALLENGE
                       ELECTRONICS TRAINING SYSTEM

                          COPYRIGHT 1994-1996
                                   by
                               C. E. Ormon
                           All Rights Reserved


                      Distributed by ETCAI Products
                            Old Spanish Trail
                             P. O. Box 1046
                           Gautier,  MS  39553
                                   USA


This program is to be used only for limited time review by professors, students, and
industrial trainers. Reviewers may produce evaluation copies of this program for others
so long as no fee is charged. The free review time for this program is 30 days.
Distribution by CD, disk, or or other media for compensation, even expenses, is
strictly prohibited.  Offering this program for down-load for any compensation,
even expenses, is likewise prohibited.   

                             ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We greatly appreciate the many suggestions and recommendations  from educators.  The 
material in the current release of  DC & AC Challenge is the third major update and 
revision of the training material.   Special thanks are extended to the educators listed 
below for the many hours of review time and detailed update suggestions. 
    
Mr. LaVere "Smilie"  Burnett -- Carrigan Career Center,  TX 
Mr. Gary Free -- Mississippi Delta Community College,  MS 
Mr. Robert King -- Texarkana College, TX 
Mr. Kevin Knight -- Oxford-Lafayette B&I Complex,  MS 
Mr. Tom Paramore -- Alabama Aviation and Technical College, AL 
Mr. Glenn Robison -- Southern State Community College,  OH 
Dr. Gerald Schickman  --  Miami-Dade Community College, FL 
Mr. Joseph Sloop  --  Surry Community College, NC 
Mr. William Welch -- Western Wisconsin Technical College, WI

DOS INSTALLATION

DC Challenge  requires no installation procedures to run under DOS.
Enter the directory containing the DC Challenge files. Type DC to start
the DC Challenge program.

WINDOWS INSTALLATION

Windows 3.1 - Select the Run option from the Files menu. Type
C:\DCFILES\SETUP.EXE. Press enter. (Where C:\DCFILES\ is the directory
containing the DC Challenge files.) 

Windows 95 - Select RUN then type C:\DCFILES\SETUP.EXE. Select OK or
press enter. (Where C:\DCFILES\ is the directory containing the DC
Challenge files.) 
 
LIMITED  WARRANTY 
 
ETCAI PRODUCTS DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES RELATING TO THIS 
SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESSED  OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS 
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. NEITHER ETCAI PRODUCTS NOR ANYONE 
ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR 
DELIVERY OF THIS SOFTWARE SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, 
CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR 
INABILITY TO USE SUCH SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ETCAI PRODUCTS HAS BEEN 
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR CLAIMS.  THE PERSON 
USING THE SOFTWARE BEARS ALL RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND 
PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE. 
 
 
 
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Mississippi 
and shall inure to the benefit of ETCAI Products 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 Jackson County, Mississippi. The parties hereby consent to in
personam jurisdiction of said courts.  
 
                          SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The DC Challenge System consists of a set of exercises useful for aiding
instruction of electricity, electronics, and avionics. A significant
feature of the exercises is that each student activity  consists of
randomly selected component values and parameters. Further, the sequence
of presentation is randomized where possible. The topics covered are
appropriate for high school, community college, and technical school
electrical and electronics training. The exercises can be used for drill
& practice, testing, remediation, and placement determination. Each
exercise prints out a "certificate" after each run with the student's
name, elapsed time, and grade earned. DC Challenge is a good first
introduction to computer use since the interface is so easy to learn.
Graphics are used extensively in the exercise set.

DC Challenge uses an intuitive push-button shell named DC. Students need
only type DC to start the DC Challenge System. The exercises are selected
from the menus using either a mouse, the keyboard, or both. Where useful,
the ESC key will evoke an on-screen calculator. All DC Challenge programs
have full-screen editing while accepting answers from students. This
allows students to make any number of changes before selecting READY.
Most of the exercises have a QUIT option that can be found on the ESC
menu. Pressing the ESC key either produces an innocuous action or will
offer options.

The exercises within DC Challenge were developed to aid and supplement
training, not act as the primary instructional method. Instructors should
find some exercises useful whether the main instructional method is
self-paced, lecture/laboratory or CAI. The exercises can play various
roles in a training program including competency testing, drill and
practice, and placement determination. In any application, the exercises
provide varied on-line activity with the advantages of immediate feedback
and scoring. Increasingly, students are enrolling in Electronics
Technology training programs with weak math and academic backgrounds. The
typical student today requires more practice and individual attention to
reach an acceptable level of competence than was required in times past.
Computers and suitable software can help students reach their competency
goals.  A computer and DC Challenge can present a student with any number
of problems that are instantly corrected and graded. Rapid feedback,
which immediately points out errors and/or congratulates success,
encourages mastery of the subject. With computers having infinite
patience, the diligent student can practice as long as needed to master a
procedure. A cost of several hundred to several thousand dollars per user
has kept many schools from using CAI. DC Challenge was developed to make
computer aided instruction available for electrical and electronics
training at a very reasonable cost.

The AC Challenge+ program is supplied only to registered users of DC
Challenge. AC Challenge is operated in the same way as DC Challenge.
Users select options by "pushing buttons" with the mouse or keyboard
cursor keys.

                          STARTING THE PROGRAMS

The DC Challenge programs are started by simply entering the directory
containing the program and typing DC.  Changing directories may be
confusing to new students and users of the programs who do not have DOS
experience. Starting the programs can be simplified to "turn the computer
on and type DC"  if the batch file below is created and stored in the
root directory of the hard drive.  You do not need to make this file if
you selected the option to create startup batch files in the installation
procedure.

REM Batch File DC.BAT
REM This file starts DC Challenge in ECBT
@ECHO OFF
CD ECBT  REM (Change to the DC Challenge directory)
DC
CD\ ( Back to original directory )

Name the batch file DC.BAT. Students can now start the system by simply
turning the computer on and typing DC. The above program assumes that DC
Challenge is in the ECBT directory. Change the CD line if a different
directory name is used.

                                 OPTIONS

PRINTING
The Challenge programs offer the user the option to print a simple
certificate on completion of each exercise.  The certificate includes the
exercise title, user name,  score, time on task, and date.  The default
mode for printing is designed for printers using continuous form paper
where form feeds are never issued. The certificates are printed a short
distance apart allowing each to be removed by use of the tear bar on the
printer.  This mode of paper handling may not be suitable for inkjet and
laser printer which use cut sheets of paper.  Another mode of operation
can be selected which ejects a page( form feeds)  after printing each
certificate.  This mode of operation is particularly useful where an
inkjet or a laser printer is shared by several computers. A third mode of
printer operation excludes all printing of certificates. This option can
be used in cases where the Challenge programs are being used for practice
only on net-worked systems. Printing options are selected by running the
program OPTION.EXE from the DOS prompt while in the directory containing
the Challenge programs. Enter the Challenge directory then type OPTION.
The OPTION.EXE program is only available in the registered version of DC
Challenge.  Use your mouse to select the desired printing option. The use
of the OPTION program creates or modifies an .INI file in the Challenge
directory.  The file OPTION.EXE should generally be eliminated from the
Challenge directory  on net-worked systems to reduce the chance of
unauthorized option changes. The .INI file in the Challenge directory can
also have its attributes changed to read only for additional security.

SCREEN PRINTING
The graphics screens produced by DC Challenge can be printed. The DOS
file GRAPHICS.COM must be made active before running DC Challenge to get
graphic output to the printer. This can be done in two ways. (1) Execute
the command GRAPHICS/R in response to the DOS prompt before running DC
Challenge. (2) Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file adding the line GRAPHICS/R.
The second method is preferred in that the graphics capability is
installed upon booting your system. The /R option tells DOS to print a
reverse image to the printer which appears as dark on light as in DC
Challenge. A  graphic screen printout can now be requested any time by
pressing the PRINTSCREEN key or Shift/PrtSc combination (which one
depends on the  keyboard type). Move the mouse cursor to the edge of the
screen before requesting graphic printouts unless you want to use it as a
pointer. Being able to receive screen printouts is useful to both
students and instructors. Students can get printouts of problems missed
to determine how they went wrong off-line. Instructors can use screen
printouts to "cut and paste" handouts, examples, and test items. For
example, display a problem on the screen. Do a screen print with the
requested answers blank. Next, select the ready button. DC Challenge
will, of course, say you are wrong on all items and print the correct
answers. Do another print screen. You now have a test item and the answer
sheet!

The previous paragraph assumes that you are using DOS 6.2 and a printer
compatible with the GRAPHICS.COM  output from DOS. No assurances can be
given that graphics screen printing will perform properly on all
hardware/software combinations. Some inkjet and all laser printers may
require options in the GRAPHICS command line to properly set up graphics
printing. For example, many HP laser printers require the command line:
GRAPHICS LASERJETII /R to produce graphic printscreen output. ETCAI
Products does not directly support screen printing as the performance of
the process is dependent on many hardware/software variations.  Consult
your DOS manual and printer operator manual for proper set-up to produce
graphics printscreen output.

PRINTING SCREENS with INKJET PRINTERS

Many new model printers do not have graphics, GRAPHICS.COM, screen driver
programs for DOS. Pressing the PRINTSCREEN key under DOS will only print
text screens unless a GRAPHICS.COM program is executing which is
compatible with the printer in use. The GRAPHICS.COM program supplied
with most versions of DOS supports only a small number of printer types.
Where non- DOS supported printers are being used, the Challenge Series
programs can be run under Windows to utilize Window's screen capture and
printing capability.  See your Windows manual and Windows help data for
details on running DOS programs under Windows.

PRINTING SCREENS  under Windows  3.1 and 95

The instructions below apply when a Challenge Series program has been
launched from either the RUN option or an icon under Windows 95.  The
instructions do not apply to Challenge Series programs launched from the
DOS prompt under Windows 95. The instructions apply to all situations of
Challenge Series programs running under Windows 3.1.

Challenge Series programs must run in full screen mode under Windows. The
Challenge programs may not function properly in a partial screen window.

The PRINTSCREEN or PrtSc operates different under Windows as compared to
DOS. Pressing the key under DOS sends the screen image to the printer
immediately. Pressing the key under Windows sends the screen image to the
clipboard. The clipboard can then be transferred to a paint program
capable of sending the image to the printer. Producing screen printouts
under Windows can generally be achieved by the two step process described
in the following two paragraphs.

Step (1),  With the Challenge Series program running, capture the desired
screen by pressing the PRINTSCREEN key.  (On some keyboards you may have
to press SHIFT and PRINTSCREEN, or SHIFT and PrtSc, or on a few keyboards
ALT and PRINTSCREEN.)  The PRINTSCREEN key causes the entire screen to be
placed on the Windows Clipboard.  See the first paragraph of this section
for a description of the circumstances where this process applies.

Step (2),  Return to Windows either by exiting the Challenge Series
Program or fast switch to Windows by pressing ALT / TAB or other shortcut
keystrokes. Start an instance of Windows Paintbrush.  Select Edit then
Paste to display the last screen capture.  ( WIN 3.1 users should turn
off  "Tools and Linesize" and "Palette" under the VIEW  pull-down in
order to get a full screen display. This must be done prior to pasting to
get a full screen display. )  Select Print under the Files pull-down to
get your printout. The quality of the printout will be dependent on the
printer's capability and settings. Paint programs other than Windows
Paintbrush can be used to display and print the Challenge Series screens.

The screen printing instructions described above are for user information
only. ETCAI Products does not support the procedures nor can we  assure
users  that the instructions will work as described on all combinations
of hardware and software.  The processes described are the general
methods used to produce screen printouts for DOS programs running  under
Microsoft Windows version 3.1 and  version 95.  Consult your Windows user
manuals if the described procedures do not work on your computer system.

Using fast job switching,  ALT/TAB,  between the Challenge Series program
and Windows Paintbrush may cause occasional palette shifts , ( errors in
color ). The color errors generally disappear on the next screen update.

SOUND

Some of the exercises within the Challenge Series programs produce sounds
while running. These sounds may be annoying and distracting particularly
in computer centers where several computers are in a single room. The
default mode of operation for Challenge programs is sound turned on. The
sound produced by most exercises can be turned off by  use of the program
OPTION.EXE.  The OPTION.EXE progran is only available in the registered
version of DC Challenge. To use the program, enter the directory
containing the Challenge programs and type OPTION in response to the DOS
prompt. Use the mouse to select sound on or sound off. Use of the OPTION
program will create or modify a .INI file located in the Challenge
directory. Selected sound options will remain in force until changed by
running OPTION again. Network operators may want to delete the file
OPTION.EXE to reduce the possibility of unauthorized changes to operation
modes.

PASTE MODE
Exercises which allow calculator use have a paste mode which eliminates
the need to type answers to problems. Paste mode works automatically on
problems which require only one numerical answer. When the calculator is
dismissed the last result is pasted into the answer block on the screen.
Paste mode is not automatic on problems which have several answer blocks
to fill.  A two step sequence is required to use paste mode when the
paste jar icon is visible. Step one, select the paste jar icon by
clicking the left mouse button on the paste icon. Step two, click the
left mouse button on the desired answer block. The last calculator
result will appear immediately in the block. The number will be
truncated to fit the required user answer field. Paste mode is an
optional feature which can be ignored when the pop up calculator is not
used.

CALCULATOR
The pop-up calculator included with Challenge Series training programs is
intended eliminate the need for a hand-held calculator while solving
problems. The calculator remembers the prior calculation result through
each presented problem. The calculator is automatically zeroed at the
beginning of any new problem or exercise.

In a few instances, an instructor may want students to use a hand-held
calculator instead of the pop-up calculator. This can be done by deleting
the file CALC95_1.BBX from the directory containing the DC and AC
Challenge programs.  Selecting the calculator icon or button will have no
effect when the file is missing. ( There may be a screen blink on slow
systems where CALC95_1.BBX is not present).  Of course, a copy  of
CALC95_1.BBX  should be retained so that the calculator feature can be
restored.

                            GRADING STANDARDS

DC and AC Challenge grades numeric student answers based on a percentage
of accuracy. The tolerance percentage varies from 4% to 7% depending on
the number of "chained" calculations required in the exercise. Under
certain circumstances, this method of grading can appear to  defy
Kirchhoff's law. For example, suppose a series circuit consisting of two
resistors with 10 volts applied has actual voltage drops of nine volts
and one volt respectively. A student solves the problem inaccurately with
the respective answers 9.35 volts and .65 volts. The second answer was
derived logically  using Kirchhoff's law. The first answer would be
judged correct with an error less than 7%. However, the second answer
would be judged wrong with an error of 35%. You can quickly see that
students  will ask  " How can the first answer be right if the second is
wrong?". Yet the judgment is correct based on percentage of accuracy.
Students should be cautioned not to use zero and letter "O"
interchangeably. Doing so will cause the program to appear to grade items
wrong. Entering the characters 1O6,(one, letter "O", six ) looks like
106, ( one hundred six ) on the screen after being typed. However, the
exercise program considers a number ended after the last numeric symbol.
The exercise would consider 1O6, (one, letter"O", six ) to have the
numeric value 1, (one ).

Digital and multiple choice answers are graded for an absolute match with
the correct answer.

String (text) answers require that students answer with term variables in
a standard order. The exercises will accept terms in any order.
Instructions for order are present on the screen for such items when
needed. Students should be cautioned to avoid inserting extraneous spaces
in answers. DC and AC Challenge handle all non-decimal numbers as text.
The binary number 101 ,one zero one, and 101_ ,one zero one space, are
not identical. Extraneous spaces can cause what appears to be a correct
answer to be scored "wrong".

                          QUESTIONS and PROBLEMS

Part of my  screen was blank after the calculator was turned off. What is
the problem ?

You do not have sufficient free memory to properly run DC Challenge.
Although you may have 4MB or more of RAM in your  computer, you can still
have this problem. DOS programs such as DC Challenge and AC Challenge
must use the 640K System RAM.  Many computer users load several "handy"
TSRs via AUTOEXEC.BAT. Each TSR reduces memory available for DOS
programs. The solution?  Remove some TSR programs from your computer by
editing the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

The top portion of  a printout produced by DC Challenge was out of
alignment. What is wrong?

The printer should generally be turned on before starting DC Challenge
with the DC command. Turning the printer on while DC Challenge is running
will occasionally cause the effect you describe on the first print
request. DC Challenge expects DOS to have initialized the printer. How to
avoid the problem? Turn the printer on before starting DC Challenge.

My laser printer started to printing page after page of "garbage" when I
tried to print the screen. What happened?

You do not have the graphics driver program properly installed to print
graphic screens. See the topic SCREEN PRINTING in this document for more
information.

What convention does the Challenge Series programs use with phase angles
for AC Circuits?

All of the AC exercises relate phase angles to the circuit impedance and
are measured in degrees. Therefore, all capacitive circuits will have
negative phase angles while inductive circuits will have positive phase
angles.

Can DC Challenge teach electronics by itself ?

No. DC Challenge is designed to support and complement conventional
lecture/laboratory or self-paced multimedia delivery systems. No pretense
is made to be a self-instruction system. The author's contention is that
students learn best when a variety of delivery systems operate together
to create an interesting learning environment. DC Challenge is one of
several tools and aids that can be used to enhance instruction.

Are there plans to expand DC Challenge?

Yes.  Expansion of the exercise set and improvement of the existing
material is an ongoing process. We expect to produce expanded releases
every 12 to 18 months.

                                 SUPPORT

Registered users receive 90 days of free support. Contact ETCAI Products
for extended support prices. Mail support: ETCAI Products  POB 1046
Gautier,  MS  39553  USA, Phone support: 601-497-2566,  FAX support:
601-497-5147.

                                 LICENSE

DC Challenge and AC Challenge are NOT public domain programs.  Both
programs are copyrighted by ETCAI Products. This software and
accompanying documentation are protected by United States copyright law
and also by international treaty provisions.

You may not  rent, lease, sell, modify, decompile, disassemble, otherwise
reverse engineer, or transfer the licensed programs except as provided in
this agreement.  Any such unauthorized use shall result in immediate and
automatic termination of this license. All rights not expressly granted
here are reserved to ETCAI Products.



MORE TRAINING PROGRAMS FROM ETCAI PRODUCTS ---

ETCAI Products also publishes Digital Challenge, Device Challenge,
Meter Challenge, and Power Supply Challenge.