
                            DIGITAL CHALLENGE
                      ELECTRONICS TRAINING SYSTEMS

                          COPYRIGHT 1994, 1995
                                   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

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

WINDOWS INSTALLATION

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

Windows 95 - Select RUN then type C:\DIGFILES\SETUP.EXE. Select OK or
press enter. (Where C:\DIGFILES\ is the directory containing the DIGITAL
Challenge files.) 

                          SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

The Digital Challenge System consists of a set of exercises useful for
teaching or learning 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. Digital 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.

Digital Challenge uses an intuitive push-button shell named DIG. Students
need only type DIG to start the Digital 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 Digital
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 Digital 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 Electronic 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 the Challenge
programs 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. The Challenge programs were developed to bring computer aided
instruction to electrical, electronics, and avionics training centers  at
a very reasonable cost.

The Device Challenge+ program supplied to registered users of Digital
Challenge has seven activities related to semiconductor devices. Device
Challenge exercises  operate in the same way as the Digital Challenge
exercises. Users select options by "pushing buttons" with the mouse or
keyboard cursor keys.

                          STARTING THE PROGRAMS

The Digital Challenge programs are started by entering the directory
containing the program and typing DIG.  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 DIG"  if the batch file below are 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 DIG.BAT
REM This file starts Digital Challenge in DIGTAL
@ECHO OFF
CD DIGTAL  REM (Change to the Digital Challenge directory)
DIG
CD\ ( Back to original directory )

Name the batch file DIG.BAT. Students can now start the system by simply
turning the computer on and typing DIG. The above program assumes that
Digital Challenge is in the DCBT 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 feed), 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. The file OPTION.EXE is only available in the
registered version of Digital Challenge. Enter the Challenge directory
then type OPTION. Use your mouse to select the desired printing option.
The use of the OPTION program creates or modifies a .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 have its attributes changed to read only for additional security.

SCREEN PRINTING

The graphics screens produced by Digital Challenge can be printed. The
DOS file GRAPHICS.COM must be made active before  running Digital
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 Digital Challenge or Device 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 Digital and Device 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. To
get 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. Digital 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
printers 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.

PASTE MODE

Challenge 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
throughout each 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 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

Digital and Device 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. Digital and Device 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 Digital and Device
Challenge. Although you may have 4MB or more of RAM in your  computer,
you can still have this problem. DOS programs such as  Digital 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.

Insufficient memory is a common problem in running large complex programs
such as Digital and Device Challenge. The DOS command MEM /C will cause
the available memory to be displayed if DOS 5.0 or higher is being used.
You may experience problems running Challenge Series programs if ther is
less than 500KB of memory available for DOS programs.

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. You may need to refer to your DOS manual and printer manual
for details on setting up your computer for printing screens.

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

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

Can Digital Challenge teach digital electronics by itself ?

No. Digital 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. Digital and Device
Challenge are one of several  tools  that can be used to enhance
instruction.

SITE REGISTRATION:

Registration fees are $15.00 per user station. The minimum site license
fee is $75.00 plus shipping ($4.00). The user station count should
include direct on site copies plus copies to be issued or loaned to
students to run on their personal computers. Send all orders and fees to
the address given above. Purchase orders are accepted from any
credit-worthy institution or organization. Purchase orders can be faxed
to 601-497-5147 or mailed. Payment can also be made by check, U.S postal
money order, International postal money order, and USA currency.
Registered sites will receive a copy of the latest version of Digital
Challenge, a printed copy of the Digital Challenge operating
documentation, three months of support for the current version of Digital
Challenge and a signed license agreement. As a bonus, your site will also
be registered to use Device Challenge+ at no additional cost. An
unlimited site license is available for $395.00. This allows an
institution to use an unlimited number of copies of Digital Challenge and
Device Challenge+ at the physical licensed site. The unlimited site may
also allow enrolled students and employees to use one copy each on a
single computer off site. We negotiate and supply unlimited site price
quotations on request. Some small institutions qualify for reduced
unlimited license fees.

LIMITED WARRANTY

THIS SOFTWARE AND MANUAL ARE PROVIDED FOR EVALUATION ONLY, ON AN "AS IS"
BASIS.  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.
