			       PICTURES ABC
			   Distribution Version
		  Copyright (C) 1991 Vantage Software Co.

INTRODUCTION
------------

PICTURES ABC is a children's education program running under Microsoft 
Windows 3.0.  It is designed for children from 2 to 6.  The purpose of 
the program is to teach children the association between alphabets and 
words through the usage of pictures and voice.

This distribution version of PICTURES ABC is functionally identical to the
registered version of PICTURES ABC.  However, it only contains a small 
sample of the pictures available in the registered version.  All of the
sample pictures are in the default animal category, and they should give
you a taste of how you can teach and enjoy this program with your children.
If you find this program to be a fun and effective teaching tool, please
register to obtain the remaining 91 pictures for your children.

You are welcome to share this distribution version of PICTURES ABC with
your friends provided you do not alter the contents of this program.  Only
the distribution version of PICTURES ABC can be treated as public domain
software.  You may not distribute the registered version of PICTURES ABC.

FILE LIST
---------

The distribution version of PICTURES ABC contains the following files

		PICABC.EXE  -  the main executable
		PICABC.TXT  -  this readme file
		DOVOICE.DLL -  PC speaker sound DLL
		A.SPK       -  PC speaker voice file

All of the above files should be located in the same sub-directory for 
the program to operate properly.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
------------------- 

Since PICTURES ABC operates under Microsoft Windows 3.0 environment,
the following system configuration is recommended for PICTURES ABC
to run effectively.

	- PC/AT 286, 386, 486, or better computer operating
	  at speed greater than 10 MHz

	- Microsoft Windows 3.0 or later operating environment

	- Mouse pointing device

	- EGA, VGA, and XGA display system

INSTALLATION
------------

To install PICTURES ABC, just copy the files stated in the FILE LIST 
paragraph above into a sub-directory of your choice.  Then, you should
activate the Microsoft Windows 3.0 environment.  Next, select the 
"RUN" option under the "file" menu item of your Windows 3.0 Program 
Manager.  This will result a dialog box appears on your screen.  Under
the "Command Line" input, type in the directory path of PICTURES ABC 
and PICABC.EXE to execute the program.

If you want to permanently install PICTURES ABC in your Program 
Manager, please refer to Windows 3.0 User's manual for the procedures
to adding icons within Program Manager.

PROGRAM OPERATION
-----------------

Upon activating PICTURES ABC,  it will undergo an initialization process 
for a period of 15 seconds.  During this time, a message box will be 
displayed on the screen, and the mouse will be disabled.  When the mouse 
is re-enabled, you may click on the "OK" bottom to enter the main program.

After initialization, PICTURES ABC displays the twenty six alphabets with 
four selection categories.  The categories are:  animals, foods, people, 
and things.  Each category is identified by a graphic symbol displayed in 
the blue rectangular area.  The default category is animals.  You may 
select the category by clicking the mouse on the category symbol, or use 
the left and right arrow keys to high-lite the desired category symbol.  
However, only the animals category contains pictures and voice in the
distribution version.

After the selection has been made, you may start to enter any one of the
twenty six alphabets.  This can be done by either pressing the letters on 
the keyboard or using the mouse to click on the alphabet button displayed 
on the screen.  When an alphabet is entered, a picture will come up with 
the word associated with the alphabet written on top of the picture.  As
the picture appears on the screen, the PC speaker will generate the voice 
to pronounce the word.  Entering any other alphabet will cause a new picture
to appear and the old picture to disappear.  Clicking on the picture or 
pressing any non alphabetic key will make the current picture disappear.   
This process may be repeated until you wish to terminate the program.

For the ABC PICTURES distribution version, only the first thirteen 
alphabets of the animal category generate pictures and voice.  All 
other will generate registration messages.

FUTURE FEATURES
---------------

PICTURES ABC is capable of incorporating additional categories to the
basic four categories on the current version.  If you like to have 
your child learning a particular category of words, we welcome your
suggestion.  Just put the category name and words associate with 
the category in the registration form, we will consider it in the
expansion kit of PICTURES ABC.

Also, if you have other ideas and suggestion to PICTURES ABC, we also
like to hear it.  Again, please write them down in the registration
form, and we will consider it as future enhancement of PICTURES ABC.

LICENSE AGREEMENT
-----------------

The distribution version of PICTURES ABC is a freeware.  It serves as 
a demonstration for the registered version of PICTURES ABC.  However, 
it is copyrighted material, and it is protected by the copyright laws
of the United States.  You may not alter, decompile, nor disassemble
the program for any purpose.

We encourage you to share this distribution version of PICTURES ABC 
with your friends.  

REGISTRATION
------------

To register and obtain version 1.0 of PICTURES ABC software, please 
fill out the form below and send it with $20.00 registration fee to

			VANTAGE SOFTWARE CO
			P. O. BOX 612631
			SAN JOSE, CA  95161-2631
			(408) 248-4751

Upon receiving your registration form, we will send you the PICTURES ABC
version 1.0 within three weeks.

DISCLAIMER
----------
Vantage Software Co is not responsible for any damages or loss of data due
to usage of PICTURES ABC distribution version.



==========================================================================
		      PICTURES ABC REGISTRATION FORM
 

Name:________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________

City:________________________ State:_________ Zip:___________

Telephone: (________)-_______________________________________

Disk size: ________360K ________720K________1.2M________1.4M

Display type (VGA, EGA, etc.):_______________________________

Source of PICTURES ABC distribution version:

_____________________________________________________________

Suggestion and Comments:

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________ 
