This is the TTT help file.  Topics are searched using the keywords of the
form @<topic>, which must start a newline, and are read up to the next @.
The text is reformatted automatically in the MessageBox so any formatting
in this file, other than blank lines, is lost.

@general
SPEED ............... an easy way of measuring the speed of a typist using
selectable styles of text in various categories.  This mode does assume some
basic proficiency at touch typing.  The typist is allowed to practice with a
few lines of text before the proper measurement takes place.

TUTORIAL ............ a graduated series of lessons to enable anyone to
learn to touch type.  It does not assume any prior skill but will adapt itself
to the proficiency of the user.

GAME ................ designed to help you familiarize with finger placement
as well as provide some light hearted relief.
@speed
SPEED mode tests a typist's speed using a style of text selected from
the list.

Select WARM UP to get used to the testing method.  Select REAL
TEST to perform the actual test.

The clock will not start timing your responses until you type the first
character.  On making a mistake, you must type the correct character before
you can continue.  Do not use the delete or backspace keys.

At the end of the real test the results are saved to disk and
previous results can be viewed by
selecting the RESULTS DISPLAY menu item.
@tutorial
TUTORIAL mode presents you with a series of lessons which
gradually introduce more keys from the keyboard.  The computer assesses your
progress at the end of each completed lesson and decides whether it is time
to promote you to the next lesson.

Before you can start TUTORIAL mode you must create a new history file or
open an existing one by selecting NEW or OPEN in the FILE menu.  Your
name is used to personalize your history file.

The clock will not start timing your responses until you type the first
character.  On making a mistake, you must type the correct character before
you can continue.  Do not use the delete or backspace keys.
@game
This simple GAME is designed to teach familiarity with the positions of
keys and also to encourage consistency of typing speed.  

The key to winning this GAME is to type consistently while gradually increasing 
your speed.

The object of the GAME is to save our hero who seems to be trapped on a
moving conveyor belt heading toward a rather fearsome looking spear.

You notice a letter appears in a box and that typing the letter
allows our hero to jump away from the spear.  As more letters take its place,
you can type them until our hero makes it all the way to the left end of the
belt and safety.  

You may also notice, however that the belt seems to get faster too, and the spear 
gets closer  ...  GOOD LUCK !!
@style
Select a suitable style of text for use in the SPEED mode.  

You can modify the special CUSTOM style with your own text by selecting 
the DEFINE... option.

To define the text, type in your own text from scratch
or cut and paste from another file or the Windows Clipboard.  

You may also edit this file, called CUSTOM.TTX, using Windows Notepad if you
prefer.
@results
The results of every speed test are saved in the file called RESULTS.

Previous results can be viewed (latest first) by selecting the
RESULTS DISPLAY menu item.

The speed, accuracy and time of the test are stored, together with the
student's name if a student history file has been created or
opened.
@wpm
This option allows you to change the speed needed to progress to the next
lesson in the TUTORIAL.    If your speed matches or exceeds this value after
completing all the screens of a lesson then you will be promoted to the next
lesson.  

A value of 30 words per minute has been found appropriate to provide
a challenging goal for a fast learner, however you may select a higher or a
lower value to suit your own pace.  The lower the value, the faster you will
progress.

If you set the value too high, you may become frustrated by not seeming to
progress fast enough.  On the other hand, setting the value too low may give
you a false sense of achievement and cause you to complete the course without
actually learning to touch type properly.

Your selection will be remembered next time you start Touch Type Tutor.
@screen
This option allows you to change the number of screens that make up a lesson
in the TUTORIAL.

The value is not critical so you may pick whatever value suits the time you
wish to spend on each session with Touch Type Tutor.  

A value of six screens per lesson has been found appropriate for average 
attention spans.  Lower values may tend to give a false sense of achievement.

Your selection will be remembered next time you start Touch Type Tutor.
@lesson
This option allows you to change the lesson number currently set
for you in the TUTORIAL.

Forcing the lesson number will disrupt your learning progression but is 
provided for completeness.  

If you are unable to reach the required speed to progress through the lessons, 
a better way is to change the speed required for promotion to the next lesson 
(WPM threshold).

Your selection will be remembered next time you start Touch Type Tutor.
@history
The student HISTORY DISPLAY serves two purposes.  

Firstly, it saves the results of each lesson completed, together with the date
and then provides a record of your progress (latest first).

Secondly, the history file is used to save the current environment
which is remembered the next time you open your history file.  

The environment includes the beeper status, whether the status bar is
visible, the number of screens per lesson, the WPM threshold
and the game skill level.
@custom
You are about to edit the file CUSTOM.TTX.  You can either type in new text
by hand or paste in new text from another editor, for example the
Notepad editor.  You may also edit the file in Notepad if you prefer.
See your Windows manual for instructions on how to cut and paste text.

The line width has been set to an appropriate value and line wrapping is
automatic.  You do not need to add line breaks except for formatting
purposes in which case use Control-M to break a line.
@beeper
Select BEEPER or press F2 to toggle the status of the mistake beeper.

When enabled, the beeper will sound whenever an incorrect character
is typed during a speed test or a tutorial screen.  To continue you
must re-type the correct character.  Do not try to delete the
incorrect character.

You can quickly change the status of the beeper
even while typing by pressing F2.
@statusbar
Select STATUS BAR or press F3 to toggle the visibility of the STATUS BAR
at the bottom of the screen.

When visible, the STATUS BAR shows
the current lesson number and screen (if in tutorial mode), the
beeper status, the current speed in words per minute and the current
accuracy as a percentage of incorrect characters.
@
