ADVANCED FEATURES

This document supplies information useful for setting up the diskette score
storage feature. Other program options are also described. It is recommended
that instructors experiment thoroughly with the diskette grade storage feature
before applying its use with students. The student ID can be carefully designed
to help identify grades from particular classes and students.

SCORE STORAGE

Student scores can be stored on a diskette. A diskette must be in the drive

prior to choosing this option. Errors and possible loss of the score data may
occur if the drive does not contain a diskette. The file generated by the disk
storage feature is given a DOS compatible file name, gxxxxxxx.xx, where the
lower case "g" is always the first letter in the file name. The xxx... is the
student ID that is a sequence of two to nine numeric digits. The file is a
simple ASCII text file that can be read and examined with any word processor. Do
not examine and resave a student grade file under the original name with a word
processor! This can make the file appear corrupted by the score printout
utility. Word processors inject formatting characters into a file. This program
calculates and stores a code with each record in the student score file. This
Validity Code is a simple encryption signature designed to reduce the
possibility of file entry alteration and the generation of duplicate records.
The Validity Code provides some low-level security but is certainly not hack
proof. The validity of records can most easily be checked by use of the "Print
Grade File" option. This option produces a formatted printout of a selected
student grade file. Never attempt to use this option to print any other file
type. Each grade record in the file is validity checked. An "E!" is printed
after all records failing the validity test. The routine also checks for
duplicate records that are indicated by "D!" printed after the duplicate record.

This program stores student grade files on diskette drive A: by default. One may
want to store grade files on another drive or directory under some
circumstances. See the next paragraph for instructions on changing the path for
student grade files. The student records will be stored in a file named
gxxxxxxx.x where the x(s) represent the digits of the students ID Code. The ID
Codes are a series of numeric digits. The ID Code must be at least 2 digits long
but no longer than 9 digits. A DOS filename is generated with an appended lower
case g followed by up to 7 digits. Any additional digits are added after a
period to produce a legal DOS file name. The file is a simple ASCII text file
that can be viewed with any word processor. The score printing options in this
program can detect modifications to the file. In addition, individual records in
the file can be validity checked by use of a procedure in this program. These
validity-checking procedures are not intended to offer high data security.

INITIAL OPTIONS

This program reads the file "options.ini" on each startup. The file options.ini
is located in the same directory as the program file. The first entry sets the
condition for the certificate printing option default condition. The two
possible settings are:

CERTIFICATES ON or CERTIFICATES OFF

The second entry in the "options.ini" file sets the default condition of the
disk storage feature for grades. The two possible settings are:
DISK STORAGE ON or DISK STORAGE OFF

The third entry in the "options.ini" file sets the default condition of the
wallpaper option. The possible settings are:

WALL PAPER ON or WALL PAPER OFF

All characters in the above initialization options must be in upper case

characters. All characters are significant including spaces. Any error in
spelling, spaces, or case will cause the option to default to the ON setting.

Line 4 of the option.ini file contains the path for student grade file storage.
Errors in formatting this line may cause program execution errors. Any directory
or subdirectory paths given must exist prior to program execution. The program
will not create directories. No entry on line 4 will cause the program to
default to a:\ as the path for student grade storage. A few examples of paths
and explanations are given below.

b:\

The student grades will be stored on drive b:

c:\stuff\

The student grade files will be stored in the "stuff" directory of c: drive.
Caution! You must create the "stuff" directory prior to running the program.

c:\records\student\

Grade files will be stored in the "student" subdirectory of the "records"

directory of c: drive. Again, you must create the directory structure prior to
running the program.

Additional program options are documented in the file OPTIONS.INI. This file is
located in the install directory of the Trigonometry Challenge program. Caution
should be observed in making changes to the OPTIONS.INI file. Errors in some
entries can cause non-recoverable faults. Additional options include hiding
utility buttons and hiding the grader (graphic) on certain activities.

The OPTIONS.INI file has additional internal documentation. Use a plain text
editor to view or print the file. The OPTIONS.INI file must not be saved in a
word processor format. The program must always be saved in plain DOS text
format.

DISKETTES

Floppy disk data is easily corrupted or destroyed in several ways. Students

should be strongly advised to make backup copies of their floppy disk grade
files frequently to avoid data loss problems. Teachers can prevent massive data
losses by processing student floppy disk files often. This also encourages
students to have assignments completed on time.

VIDEO DISPLAY

This program should run on any Windows 95/98/Me/2K/XP platform. The program is a
heavy user of Windows 95/98/Me resources. The evaluation version of the program
should be tested on target machines prior to licensing the program. The best
display is obtained with a 16-bit or 24-bit color setting and either 480x640 or
600x800 resolution. The program can be used with any resolution of 480x640 or
higher. There will be some distortion caused by palette flash when used with
video set to 256 colors. Where resolutions above 480x640 are used, the working
window is centered with the unused area wallpapered by default with the image
chips.bmp found in the Trigonometry Challenge install directory. The wallpaper
will produce strange but interesting color patterns on systems set to 600x800 or
higher resolution with 256 colors because of palette flash. This will not affect
program operation. This program requires at least 256 colors to function.

WALLPAPER

The file chips.bmp can be deleted or renamed to allow normal task switching as
no wallpaper will be displayed. This can be useful to more advanced students who
are familiar with task switching. The wallpaper is useful to beginners because
accidental task switches are unlikely. Another bitmap file can be substituted
for chips.bmp. The file will be tiled as wallpaper across the unused portion of
super VGA displays. Some institutions may want to display school or department
logos on the wallpaper.