Typing Tutor 1.6.0

About Typing Tutor

Typing tutor came about as a result of my school's network moving from RM Net LM to RM connect, and subsequently the old typing tutor which was written in BBC basic which ran emulated on the Net LM network no longer functioned. The original concept and implementation for the program was undertaken in about 3 evenings, however this version has had a considerable number of bug fixes included.

Typing Tutor is available in two different forms, a 16bit version suitable for Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Windows NT 3.51 (currently at v1.5.0), and a 32bit version which is suitable for Microsoft Windows 95/98 and Windows NT4 (and hopefully Windows 2000 although this has not been verified).

The program is designed to be used in a multi-user environment, and is compatible with RM Net LM and RM Connect, and installation Instructions for these follow. Typing Tutor can be used on a Standalone PC, and other Networking environments (however no support for the product can be guaranteed).

The product has been released as Freeware for educational establishments, and as CharityWare for any commercial use. What this means for the user is that Typing Tutor is completely free for any use in Schools, Colleges and universities, and by personal users. Typing Tutor is also free to anyone in education (teachers, Lecturers, etc.). If Typing Tutor is to be used for commercial purposes (i.e.. Charged for the use of the program) then all I ask is that I am notified, and that a reasonable donation is given to a charity of the users choice.

Although Typing Tutor is free, I ask that if you pass the program on directly to another user you also ask them to contact me. This means that I can keep track for the users, and con contact them if any bug fix versions are available. The latest version of the product will always be available on the Analytical Eye Website in the Typing Tutor Section.

Changes

Version 1.6.0 has been a major revision of the key press processing routines to enable the following additional features to be added:

Selectable options
Optional Backspace Functionality
The option to turn off the keyboard
Optional time and speed display
Coloured Keyboard
Case Sensitive Support
Better display of marking whilst typing

License Agreement

The program is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind,
either express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties
of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.  In no 
event will the author be liable to you for any damages, including
incidental or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the
program, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

You acknowledge that you have read this license, understand it and
agree to be bound by its terms as the complete and exclusive 
statement of the agreement between us, superseding any proposal or
prior agreement, oral or written, and any other communications between
us relating to the subject matter of this license.

Anyone distributing this product for any kind of remuneration including
magazine cover disks must first contact Analytical Eye Software for 
authorisation.

Installation Instructions

Installation of Typing Tutor is simple. When possible the program should be installed to a public network drive, which only administrators have write privileges (drive P: on RM networks). On a standalone workstation the software can be installed as usual by running setup.exe in the distribution zip and accepting the defaults.

RM Connect Installation

Installation varies for Primary school RM connect and Secondary School RM Connect, I will attempt to give both views.

Log on to the network as an administrator user.
Secondary: Launch the 'RM Application Wizard' and create a new package with descriptions configure the setup program as 'setup.exe'. Primary: Double click on 'Start Change'
Launch Setup Program. Primary: Start > Run > 'Drive:\location\setup.exe'
Install the software to 'p:\apps\32bitwin\Ttutor\'
When the installation finishes. Secondary: Launch the 'RM Application Wizard' and Finish the installation. Primary: Double click on End Change.
The software installation is now complete. Secondary: Now allocate the package to the other stations on the network which need to run the software. Primary: Repeat steps 1 to 5 on the stations that need to run the software.

RM Net LM Installation (for 16Bit version)

Log on to the network as an administrator user.
Run the Installation program (setup.exe) using Program Manager > File > Run
Install the software to your usual network location (usually drive p:)
The software installation is now complete. You need to add an icon to the users Program Manager layouts. Add the icon to a group and set the program to 'p:\location of ttutor.exe\ttutor.exe', and the working directory to 'p:\location of ttutor.exe\'

If you hit problems, E-mail me, I may be able to help (however no Guarantees).

Configuration

Typing Tutor requires no configuration if you are happy with the included exercises, however if you wish to change the lessons here is how:

**** Please note: The Next Major release of Typing Tutor will have 
a built-in editor,and many other features.****

The Exercises are contained in a text file located in the Typing Tutor installation Directory. This file is called 'typetut.txt'.
To modify the exercises simply change the text file, HOWEVER it is important that the file says in the same format as it is now.
This means that the file must be in two line pairs, the first gives the name of the exercise, and the second contains the exercise text. It is not recommended that the exercise text is made longer than 55 characters, including spaces.
Changes to the exercises will only take effect when Typing Tutor is restarted.

New In Version 1.6.0

There are now a few customisable options. When running Typing Tutor over a network, the changes must be made by an administrator user. These new settings are set, by default to the settings which make Typing Tutor similar to version 1.5.3. There follows a discussion of the additional features, all of which are available from the settings button on the main screen.

Allow Backspace - This enables the use of the backspace key, allowing the user to correct mistakes whilst typing by using the backspace key.

Case Specific - This makes Typing Tutor differentiate between upper and lower case characters in the exercises, and enables the shift keys on the keyboard.

Display Time - This option enables the display of the time taken for the exercise,an a calculation of average words per minute at the end of the exercise.

No Keyboard Display - When this option is on, the keyboard is not displayed on the exercise screen.

Allow Settings - If this is turned off the settings button is removed from the front screen. This is useful for school users. To re-enable the settings the ttutor.ini file must be altered from settings=0 to settings=1

Readme for Typing Tutor 1.6.0
Created: 16/5/99
Last Updated: 01/06/99

(c) Chris Alcock 1999