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Text File | 1990-07-01 | 60.1 KB | 1,985 lines

Grades (tm) Version 2.70 The future has arrived. Copyright (c) 1987-1989 by Manu Singh Copyright (c) 1989-1990 by SupremeSoft (tm) All Rights Reserved. Released July 01, 1990 Topics in this Manual: 1......Introduction to Grades........................2 2 .....Program Requirements..........................3 3......Configuring Grades............................3 4......Starting Grades...............................5 5......The SupremeSoft Interface.....................7 6......Data Entry Keys...............................8 7......About Prompts.................................8 8......Keys in the Interface.........................10 9......In Addition...................................10 10.....The Main Menu.................................11 11.....The Alter database Option.....................11 12.....Adding a New Class Option.....................12 13.....Test Entry....................................13 14.....Adding a Few Classes Option...................13 15.....Deleting a Class Option.......................14 16.....Searching for a Class.........................14 17.....Change View Option............................15 18.....Edit a Class Option...........................16 19.....Load a New File Option........................16 20.....Printing Option...............................17 21.....Help Option...................................18 22.....Quit Option...................................18 23.....The View Screen...............................18 24.....Test Score Screen.............................20 25.....Converting Data Files.........................22 26.....Error Messages................................23 27.....File Related Error Messages...................24 28.....Printer Related Error Messages................25 26.....Grade Point Average Calculation...............26 29.....Grade Prediction Analysis.....................27 30.....The Curve Prefiction..........................28 31.....Registering...................................29 32.....Things of interest............................30 33.....Warranty Information..........................30 34.....Notes on Program Size.........................31 35.....About SupremeSoft.............................31 This file contains the Shareware version of Grades. You are free to upload it and distribute it anywhere you like as long as modifications are not made. This includes modifications to the contents of this file, or it's time/date stamp. Grades Version 2.70 1 Grades Version 2.70 Continuing a tradition. Grades is a database, for...grades. This program is primarily intended for students who wish to keep track of all their academic achievements. The program allows you to keep track of all relevant course information, including course numbers, and grades. An added feature is the ability to include Test Scores and Dates along with other class information. With this, you can ask the program to predict your Grade in a course based on the currently entered Test Scores. In addition, the program will calculate your Grade Point Average. You can change any information recorded in the database so that you may substitute a <?> for the grade if it is unknown at the present time. With the Grade Predictor (tm) Feature, you can foresee what your Grade in a course will be, and also be able to find out how much effort you still need to put into a class. Armed with the Grade Prediction, you can then see how your projected Grade will affect your G.P.A. In a matter of seconds, you will find out whether your parents will be proud, or will lecture. The interface used in Grades is the standard SupremeSoft interface used in all of our products. You will find that Help is always available, and is quite extensive. This should help make learning the interface effortless and you will find that you can use the program to its fullest capabilities in a matter of a few minutes. Grades Version 2.70 2 Program Requirements: The following is the MINIMUM necessary to run Grades version 2.70: IBM PC/PCjr/XT/AT/386 or 90% clone. Monochrome Display Capability. One Floppy Disk Drive. 100K of free memory. This is what we SUGGEST you have: IBM PC/PCjr/XT/AT/386 or 90% clone. Color Display Capability. Hard Disk Drive. 256K of free memory. Grades will run in most Multitasking Operating systems such as Desqview (tm) and TopView (tm). Configuring Grades: You may change any of the default colors to colors of your own choice, including the Context-Sensitive Help colors. In addition you may modify any of the following Window features: Exploding Windows, Shadowed Windows, and Sound capabilities to the program. these are all easily disabled. There is NO configuration file. Instead all the information is in the GRADES27.EXE program itself. For this reason, do NOT rename the program file if you wish to re- configure the program. Use the supplied CONFIG.EXE to change the default colors and Window Features. The program is self-explanatory, but some information will be provided here. Use the Cursor Up/Down keys to move the highlight bar around. Use <Enter> to change the currently highlighted selection. If it is a color option, a color map will be displayed. Use the Cursor keys to move the small rectangular box around to the new color you desire and then press <Enter>. Press <Esc> to abort any changes. Grades Version 2.70 3 Pressing <Esc> while moving the bar around will choose the "Quit" option. This will NOT save your modifications! To save the modifications, choose "Save and Quit". Notes: Do not change the Default Curve Percentage unless you have read the information in CURVE.COM and know what you are doing. The default value should be correct for the majority of users. If you have a Monochrome Monitor system, you may still use CONFIG to change the color hues. We use a Color Mapping system to produce highlights and other types of visual display aids for the colors you select. CONFIG will display these changes for the color's you pick. If you have a Composite color system, you should experiment with different color types as most combinations do not display correctly on such a system. Toggling the Sound off will turn off the sound COMPLETELY. If you turn it on, not only will exploding windows explode with sound, but error messages will be accompanied by a short beep. If you receive a "Error Reading EXE File" this indicates that the configuration program could not find/open GRADES27.EXE. Make sure you have not renamed the file, or set the ReadOnly bit. Grades Version 2.70 4 Starting Grades: The program's calling syntax is as follows: GRADES27 [filename.ext] The filename.ext is completely optional. If none is specified, CLASS27 will be used. You may include an Enviornment Variable to let Grade know where it should look for itself and for the default start-up file. You should include this statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. The following is the sytax you should use: Set Grades=[Drive]:[Directory]\ Ideally you would want to set this as follows: Set Grades=C:\Grades\ This implies that you are using a Hard Disk as C: drive and have installed Grades in its own directory called GRADES. Please refer to your DOS manual for further information. When you first start Grades, you will be shown an initial welcome screen, which informs you of the limited license, and gives you the address for Registrations. If you have one of the Registered versions, you will be shown a different welcome screen which will not remain for as long as in the Shareware versions. Grades Version 2.70 5 After this screen removes itself, the Menu will appear. The screen will look as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Main Menu Options | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | Class Information Display Area | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | Grade Point Average Calculation Area | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help is always displayed in this area. Check it any time you need Help The Grade Point Average is constantly updated as you use the program, and it is correct at any given point in the program's operations. At times you may see "An attempt at computing the G.P.A. has failed!!". This is because you either have no class records, or no recorded Grades for any of the classes. Once you add classes, and grades, this will be cleared and replaced with the G.P.A. Grades Version 2.70 6 The SupremeSoft Interface: As you can tell from the above diagram, your monitor display is split into three parts. One being the menu, the bigger screen being the "View Screen" where classes are displayed, and finally an area for the Grade Point Calculation. There are four additional areas which will come up from time to time and they are shown as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Main Menu Options | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ===================|| | || || | || || | || || | || Window #2 || | ============================== || || | || Window #1 || || || | ============================== ||=================|| |==========================================================================| || || Window #4 || || || || || Window #3 ====================|| || || || || ============================================================================ Help is always displayed in this area. Check it any time you need Help Window #1 is the Error and Confirmation window. You will see it appear if any non-fatal error occurs, or if your confirmation is needed for a task to complete. For example, when you Delete a class you are asked for confirmation. Window #2 is the Data Entry window. This is where you will ALWAYS enter/edit any information for a class. The prompts will always be in the same order. Window #3 is the Test Score screen which overlays the Grade Point Average display. All the recorded Test scores for the current class will be displayed here. You will also be able to scroll through the Tests using the cursor keys, and then Edit the highlighted class. Which brings us to the last window... Window #4 is ALWAYS the Test Data Entry window. Here is where you will enter/edit the recorded information for a Test. Grades Version 2.70 7 Part of the beauty of the SupremeSoft interface is the use of consistent Data Entry keys. These keys are ALWAYS active when you are asked for a Numeric/String entry. However, it should be pointed out that at some prompts, only certain strings or numbers may be accepted. <Esc> or <Ctrl-Break> Abort the Entry. <Ctrl-D> Move Right one Character. <Ctrl-S> Move Left one Character. <Ctrl-Left> or <Ctrl-A> Move Left one Word. <Ctrl-Right> or <Ctrl-F> Move Right one Word. <Ctrl-G> Delete character at cursor. <Ctrl-Q><Y> Delete to End of Line. <Ctrl-Y> or <Ctrl-X> Delete Line. <Ctrl-R> or <Ctrl-Q><L> Restore Line. Note: All the cursor keys are available as well and act as they should. E.g. Cursor Right will move you right one character. About Prompts: Grades uses "Tabbed" Data Entry forms allowing the user to move to any other prompt at will. You may use the following keys at any prompt: <Up>, <Shift-Tab> Moves you to the previous prompt. If you are at the first prompt, you are moved to the last prompt. Changes are NOT kept. <Down>, <Tab> Moves to the next prompt. If you are the last prompt, you are moved to the first prompt. Changes are NOT kept. <Enter> Accepts any changes made and moves you to the next prompt. At the last prompt it also exits the current input session. <F10> Accepts any changes made, and exits the current input session. Grades Version 2.70 8 Note: You will not exit the current input session unless you are at the last prompt and press <Enter>, or use <F10>. For example: Prompt 1) Enter Your Name Prompt 2) Enter Your Age If you press <Enter> at prompt 1) you move to prompt 2). If you press <Enter> at prompt 2) this will save the changes and end the input session. If you press <F10> at either prompt this will save the changes and end the input session. When you are at the last prompt, pressing <Enter> will cause any changes to be saved, and for you to end the current input session. Any changes made during that input session are then updated on disk. If you press <F10> at ANY prompt, it will save the changes for current prompt AND exit the current input session. Any cahnges made during the input session are then updated on disk. Pressing <Esc> at ANY prompt will abort the current input session making NO changes. Certain prompts will display a default response which will be used if you press the <Enter> key. Therefore, "Confirm Quit (Y/N) [N]" indicates you may only press: <Y>, <y>, <N>, <n>, <Enter>. No other keys are accepted. Pressing <Enter> is the same as responding <N> or <n>. If you input an invalid entry, the program will either Beep at you, or display "Invalid number". Naturally, you MAY enter in numbers for a string entry, but NOT vice versa. Grades Version 2.70 9 Keys used in the Interface: There is a small collection of keys which work universally in the interface and they are as follows: <F1> Displays Help. <Tab>, <F10> Switches to Previous Screen Location. <F6> Moves to Next Screen Location. <Del> Delete Highlighted Item. <Enter> Edit Highlighted Item. <Cursor Down> Highlights next Item if possible. <Cursor Up> Highlights previous Item if possible. <Page Down> Moves to next display page if possible. <Page Up> Moves to previous display page if possible. <Home> Moves to First display page. <End> Moves to Last display page. <Esc> Aborts current operation and returns to previous operation. Note 1: The Screen Location means either the View Screen, the Test Score Screen, or the Main Menu. Note 2: The <Esc> key will Abort whatever you are doing and return to the location from where you chose the current operation. E.g. It will back you up one operation, aborting the current one. Finally, anything which can be done at the Main Menu can also be done within the View Screen. This makes it convenient for both the "power" user and the "novice" user. You may move to the Main Menu for any of the functions, or remain in the View Screen. Grades Version 2.70 10 The Main Menu: This type of Menu is called a "Pull Down" Menu. Certain options have more choices underneath them, and you will notice this when you activate the top option. First, you should notice that a certain letter is highlighted. If you press this key (either uppercase or lowercase) it will select that function. You may use the cursor keys to navigate the menu. A highlight bar will indicate the current function. You may use the Cursor Right/Left keys, and the Home, End keys. In a sub- menu, you may use the Cursor Up/Down keys as well. As shown previously, a small Help line is displayed at the bottom of the screen. This will give you an idea of what the function does. If you need more help, press <F1> to bring up a CONTEXT-SENSITIVE help screen. Or, press <Alt-F1> to bring up the Help Index. Pressing <Esc> at any time within the program will always back up one action. (The true meaning of <Esc>... you "Escape" out of the current area). If you are at the Main Menu, <Esc> will automatically select the QUIT option. Pressing the <Tab> key will move you into the View Screen Panel. If there are no classes recorded, pressing this key has no effect. Now, on to the actual Options in the Main Menu and what they do. The Alter database Option: Activating this option will bring up a sub-menu, offering the following choices: 1) Add a new class. 2) Add a Few Classes. 3) Delete a Class. 4) Search for a Class. If you wish to Add only ONE class to the Database, choose the First option. Otherwise, to Add more than one class, choose the second. Grades Version 2.70 11 Adding ONE class: A window will pop-up and display some prompts for information as follows: 1) You will be asked for the Semester and Year. Enter both of these on the same line. For example: Spring 1988 <Enter> 2) You will be asked to enter the Class Section Name. This is usually the first three letters of the course. Ex: Physics is PHY. You have up to FOUR characters for this entry. Try to keep the codes that your school/ university/college uses. If the code is MATH, then use that. If it's MAT then use that. 3) You will be asked to enter in the Course Number. For example: 331.01. The Course Number may be any value between 0.00 and 999.99. 4) Next, you will be asked to enter in the full Course Name. You have up to 40 characters to do this. 5) You will be asked to enter the Teacher's Name (up to 25 characters). 6) You will be asked for the number of Credits for the course. The maximum number of Credits that you may specify for a course is 9, and the minimum 1. 7) You will be asked to enter in the Grade. You may enter either up to two characters. E.g. A, A- , C etc. or P, F, I or ? for Unknown. The program will ignore the P, F, I and ? when computing the G.P.A. (An "I" signifies an Incomplete Grade) After you press <Enter> at the last prompt or <F10>, all additions are saved and you will go on to the Test Entry Section described next. If you are unhappy with any input, use the cursor keys, or the <Tab>, <Shift-Tab> keys to move to the prompt where you want to make modifications. (Refer to About Prompts above) You may press <Esc> at ANY prompt to abort the entry, and you will be taken back to the Menu. Grades Version 2.70 12 Test Entry: In the Shareware versions of Grades, you may enter up to eight (8) Test Scores. The Registered versions allow up to twenty-four (24). You will be prompted for the following information: 1) The Test Date. 2) The Score YOU received. 3) The Total possible Score. You do NOT have to convert the score into 100% format. That is, if you got a 40 out of 50, answer <40> to prompt number two, and <50> to prompt number three. The program will automatically convert to 100% format for you if necessary. Prompt number three (3) asks for the TOTAL number of points that you COULD have received. The program will cycle back to the first prompt for the next test score automatically. The only exception is if you have reached the Maximum amount of Test Scores for the version you are running. Therefore, to stop adding Test Scores before that point, you MUST press <Esc> at any prompt to return. Adding a Few Classes: Adding a few classes is exactly like adding one class, except you will cycle back to the "Semester and Year" prompt. To stop adding classes, press <Esc> at any prompt. The Semester entry from the previous class is kept as the default Semester for this new class. Naturally you may change this if you wish. Grades Version 2.70 13 Deleting a Class: Choosing this option will Delete the currently Highlighted class. A window will open up asking you to "Confirm Delete (Y/N) [N]". The default is <N>o, and accepting this, or pressing <N> will Abort the Delete. Pressing <Y> will cause the Class, and it's Test Scores, to be PERMANENTLY Deleted. Search for a Class; Choosing this options will allow you to search for a class by its Section Name and/or Course Number as follows: 1) Enter in the Section Name or <Enter> to match any Name. (This is case-insensitive... i.e. MAT = mat) 2) Enter in the Course Number or <-1> to match any Number. For Example: 1) <Enter> 2) 325.10 Will highlight the first class that has a Course Number of 325.10 and any Section Name. 1) Mat 2) -1 Will highlight the first class that has Section Name Mat or any case combination of those three letters, and any Course Number. 1) PHY 2) 432.10 Will highlight the class whose Section Name is PHY or any case combination of that, and a Course Number of 432.10. (Unless your school is peculiar, there should only one class that has these values) If the class is NOT found, an error message will appear saying: "Class was not Found...Press <Esc>". Press <Esc> to return to the Menu. Grades Version 2.70 14 Change View: There are three possible display formats you can choose from and depending on the viewing orientation you choose, the following information will be displayed: Normal View: Semester (including the Year). The Section Name. The Course Number. The Class Name. The Grade. The Number of Credits. Extended View: The Class Name. The Teacher's Name. The Section Name. The Course Number. Test Score View: Test score Date in MM/DD/YY format. YOUR score on that Test. The TOTAL score possible for that Test. Your 100% average for that Test. You will automatically be put into the View Screen starting at the Highlighted position. Please refer to the View Screen section of this manual for further information. Grades Version 2.70 15 Edit a Class: This will open up a window (the same window as when you added the class) and display the usual prompts. At this point, you may change any information you wish. You may move to any prompt as before. Remember that pressing <Enter> at the last prompt will save all changes. To save changes before the last prompt, press <F10>. Pressing <Esc> at ANY prompt will Abort the operation, making no changes. Load a New File: This option, rather obviously, allows you to load in a new Data File. If the file is not present, it is created automatically for you. You may view a directory listing for the CURRENT disk/ Directory if you wish. You can NOT view a directory on a different drive. Press <F10> or <Enter> when prompted for the file name and you will see a directory listing come up with a highlight bar. Move the highlight bar to the file you wish to use and press <Enter>. The program will then use that filename. (Standard Editing Keys work here) You will notice that there are some names which have a backslash at the end, i.e. TEMP\. These are sub-directory entries, and if you press <Enter> when the highlight bar is over one, you will move to that sub-directory. As usual, pressing <Esc> will abort and bring you back to the Main Menu. Since there is no information in a new Data File, you will not be allowed to enter the View Screen until you Add at least one class. Grades Version 2.70 16 Printing Feature: This feature is only available in the Registered versions of the program. Activating it in the Shareware versions will produce an error message. First, make sure you have the printer turned on, otherwise you will receive an initial error. Otherwise, you will be prompted "Print Database (Y/N) [N]". Press <Y>es to start the printing, otherwise pressing <N>o or <Enter> will return you to the Main Menu. The report generated will include ALL recorded information including all the Test Score information, and will end with the Total number of Credits, and the Computed Grade Point Average as follows: Semester Section Name Number Class Name Teacher Grade Credits Test # Date Your Score Total Possible Average The Test Scores will print until there are no more recorded tests and then printing continues on to the next class. If there are no Tests recorded at all, then printing skips on to the next class. If a printer error occurs during the printing, the program will inform you as follows: "Printer Error...Press <Esc> or <R>". You MUST press either <Esc> or <R>, <r>. Pressing <R>, <r> will cause the program to continue printing. Pressing <Esc> will Abort the Printing. Once printing has finished the program will display: "Printing Completed...Press <Esc>". Press <Esc> to indicate your acceptance. Help: Choosing this option has the same effect as pressing <Alt- F1>. It will bring up a list of all the Help Topics Available. Press the Cursor Keys: Up, Down, Left, Right, Home, End to move the Highlight Bar over the Topic you need Help on. Press <Esc> to return to the Menu. Grades Version 2.70 17 Quit: This will Exit the program. A window will open asking, "Confirm Quit (Y/N) [N]". The default is <N>o. Pressing <Enter> or <N> will bring you back to the Main Menu. The View Screen: Now that you have seen all the Main Menu options, you can get accustomed to the View Screen panel. You can tell whether you are at the Main Menu or in the View Screen by looking at the Menu itself. If no option is Highlighted, and the words "View Screen", just below the menu, have changed to the Menu's color then you are in the View Screen. The first thing you should notice is that there is a Highlight Bar, which causes one particular line of information to stand out. This is the current "selected" class which you may now act upon using the following keys: <Enter> : Edits this Class. <Delete> : Deletes this Class. <Alt-S> : Switches between Display Formats. <Alt-F> : Searches for a Class. <Cursor Up> : Selects the previous class. <Cursor Down> : Selects the next class. <Page Up> : Moves to the previous page of classes, and selects the FIRST class on that page. <Page Down> : Moves to the next page of classes and selects the FIRST class on that page. <Home> : Selects the very FIRST page in the Database. <End> : Selects the very LAST page in the Database. <F6> : Puts you in the Test Score Screen. <Tab> : Returns to the Main Menu. <Esc> : Returns to the Main Menu. <F10> : Returns to the Main Menu. <F1> : Displays Help. Grades Version 2.70 18 In addition the following are the Main Menu hotkeys you may use to activate any of the Main Menu items. Note that you are taken OUT of the View Screen and placed at the Main Menu: <Alt-A> : Pulls down the Alter Database Main Menu Option. <Alt-C> : Pulls down the Change View Main Menu Option. <Alt-E> : Since you are already in the View Screen, this has the same effect as pressing <Enter>. You will remain in the View Screen. <Alt-L> : Activates the Load new File Main Menu Option. <Alt-H> : Activates the Help Main Menu Option. <Alt-P> : Activates the Print Main Menu Option. <Alt-Q> : Activates the Quit Main Menu Option. The Edit and Delete operations work just as described earlier, except you DON'T have to return to the Main Menu to activate them. Choosing <F6> will bring you into the Test Score Screen which will display the Tests entered for the currently selected class. The Test Score Screen is described next. Grades Version 2.70 19 Test Score Screen: You will suddenly find that the G.P.A. calculation is covered by a large window. This is the Test Score Screen, and it displays the following information: 1) Test score Date in MM/DD/YY format. 2) YOUR score on that Test. 3) The TOTAL score possible for that Test. 4) Your 100% average for that Test. Again, notice how one line is Highlighted. This is the currently "selected" Test Score, and you may act on it using the following keys: <Enter> : Edits this Test. <Delete> : Deletes this Test. <Cursor Up> : Selects the previous Test. <Cursor Down> : Selects the next Test. <Page Up> : Moves to the previous page of Tests, and selects the FIRST Test on that page. <Page Down> : Moves to the next page of Tests and selects the FIRST Test on that page. <Home> : Selects the very FIRST page. <End> : Selects the very LAST page. <Alt-P> : Predicts your Grade. <F6> : Predicts your Grade. <Tab> : Returns to the View Screen. <Esc> : Returns to the View Screen. <F10> : Returns to the View Screen. <F1> : Displays Help. Grades Version 2.70 20 Some things deserve some more notice and your attention, even though they aren't complicated. 1) Editing a Test is done the same as when you add tests. Except, the entry fields will be filled in with information already. 2) Deleting a Test simply clears out all the recorded information for that Test. That is, the scores are set to zero (0), the Date is cleared and so is the Average. 3) In the Shareware versions, you may only have eight (8) Tests, and this takes up only ONE page of information. 4) Attempting to go past the last possible page brings up an error window with the message "No more Tests Available.... Press <Esc>". Here you MUST press <Esc> to return. 5) Predicting your Grade will cause the program to add up all the AVERAGES and then simply divide by the total number of Tests it had averages for. The program will then "Curve" this grade and display a range of Grade possibilites. Please see the section conerning the Grade Predicition below. You may choose to make the Optimum Predicted Grade the actual Grade for the class. You are asked if you wish to do so. The default answer is <N>o. Press <Enter> or <N> not to update the Grade, or press <Y> to update it. Updating the Grade allows you to have the program help you determine how your G.P.A. will be affected by your current grade in a class. You need to return to the View Screen to see the newly computed G.P.A. as the Test Scores obscure that display. Note: If you choose to add a new Test Score to this class, add the test to the NEXT empty slot. If you skip Test Score entries and wish to print out the Database, it will not print out correctly since the printing of Tests stops at the last valid Test Score entry. Grades Version 2.70 21 Converting version 2.50 Data files: After much deliberation, we have chosen NOT to include the Conversion program with the Shareware versions of the program. We have seen many people distributing pirate copies of the Beta Test Versions, and other "hacked" versions, and have tried to make things difficult on them. Of course, we also know that many people use the program, but haven't registered it. Call it lack of faith in Shareware, but we must protect ourselves in some way and so we decided to make it harder on those users who feel they can "freeload" and upgrade easily to the new versions. To convert your old version 2.50 files, place CONVERT.EXE into the same directory or disk as CLASS25. Then type <CONVERT>, and the program will respond with "Done...", or if an error occurred, "Disk Error occurred". The conversion should be error free, and the only errors that could trigger the latter error are as follows: 1) The Disk is Full 2) CLASS25 has it's ReadOnly attribute set. (Use SupremeSoft's SETATTR to clear it) 3) CLASS27 already exists, and is ReadOnly. Converting version 2.60 Data Files: There is no need for you to convert any of your Data files produced by Grades v2.60. The only change is in the default start-up file. Grades will look for CLASS27 and not CLASS26. Therefore you must rename the file if you have not done so at installation. To rename, make sure you are in the same directory as CLASS26 and type: RENAME CLASS26 CLASS27 and then press the <Enter> key. Grades Version 2.70 22 General Error Messages: As much as the program tries to recover from errors, some are unavoidable. The following is a brief, yet incomplete, list of possible errors generated. Some errors include a short description, and error code, and an error address. If you wish to write to us regarding a problematic error, please include ALL of this information. Window Allocation Error - This is a particularly nasty error that may occur during a screen operation. The program can NOT recover from this error. It is suggested that you remove some TSR programs, and make more memory available to the program. Cannot access EXE file - The GRADES27.EXE program could not be accessed. The program MUST access it's own file for the configuration information. Make sure you have not renamed the program, or specified the ReadOnly attribute. No more Tests Available - You have reached the maximum number of Test Scores available for the version you are using. For Shareware versions the limit is eight (8), while for Registered versions, the limit is twenty-four (24). Not in Shareware version - The option you chose does not exist in the Shareware versions of Grades. Grades Version 2.70 23 File Related Error Messages: Grades will atttempt to recover from any non-fataal error if it is possible to do so. A window will appear with an error message and a solution. The following is a listing of the error messages and their solutions: Error : Data File Access Violation. Cause : The file is marked with either its ReadOnly, Hidden, or System bit. Solutuon: Use SupremeSoft's SETATTR to clear all the attributes. Or use the DOS ATTRIB program to do the same. This is a fatal error. Error : Drive not ready Error. Cause : The drive door is open. Solution: Close the Drive Door. Error : Disk in Default Drive is Write-Protected. Cause : The disk has its Write Protect Tab on. Solution: Either change disks or remove the Write Protect Tab. Error : Unknown Disk Format on Default Drive. Cause : The disk in the drive is corrupt or a non-DOS disk. Soultion: Remove the disk and insert a new one. Error : General Failure Error on Default Drive. Cause : A non-DOS disk or a corrupted disk is in the drive. Solution: Remove the disk and insert a new one. Error : Disk Write Error on Default. Cause : The Disk is full or has been changed. Solution: This is a fatal error becuase of the way Grades defines its Data format. Error : Disk Read Error on Default Drive. Cause : Either the Disk is corrupted or has been changed. Solution: This is a fatal error. Error : CRC Error on Default Drive. Cause : A corrupt disk or controller. Solution: This is a fatal error. Error : Seek Error on Default Drive. Cause : A corrupt disk or controller. Solution: This is a fatal error. Grades Version 2.70 24 Error : Sector not Found. Cause : A corrupt FAT table. Solution: The disk is hopelessly corrupt so this is fatal. Error : Disk Error has Occurred. Casue : Unknown cause. Solution: This is fatal. Error : Fatal Error has Occurred. Cause : Unknown Memory or File Error. Solution: This is fatal. Printer Related Errors: Printer Error - Something went wrong with the Printing operation, press <Esc> to Abort or <R> to Retry the print operation. Common causes of Printer Errors: 1) Printer is not turned On. 2) Printer is off-line. 3) Printer is out of paper. Cautions about Printer Errors: 1) If you have a large printer buffer and a printer error occurs, the program will not inform you of an error until the buffer becomes full. 2) If you retry the print operation, you may duplicate a line of output if you have a printer buffer. Grades Version 2.70 25 About the Grade Point Average Calculation: The G.P.A. is calculated in the following way: G.P.A. = Quality Points / Credits. The Quality Points are determined by the following scale: A+, A : 4.0 Points A-: 3.7 Points B+: 3.3 Points B : 3.0 Points B-: 2.7 Points C+: 2.3 Points x # of Credits for the course C : 2.0 Points C-: 1.7 Points D+: 1.3 Points D : 1.0 Points D-: 0.5 Points F : 0 Points These Point distributions have been found to be consistent with a vast majority of Schools/Universities/Colleges. However, this does not mean that they are correct for YOU. The following are a few problems which may exist with the G.P.A. calculation for some users: 1) These values will NOT be consistent with the Junior High or High school levels. At these levels, most schools base their G.P.A. calculations on strange criteria. In addition, some don't even give a G.P.A. calculation. Solution: When you register, please specify that you need to change the Quality Points assigned to the grades, and provide us with the new Quality Points that you need assigned to each letter grade. 2) Most Schools/Universities/Colleges will give you credit for a Pass/Fail course, but will not include that course into the G.P.A. calculation. As such, this program will also NOT include that course into it's calculations. However, there have been some schools that WILL include the course into the G.P.A., but only if you have FAILED it. (Time to get out of there!) This program will also do this. We realize that most schools/universities/colleges will NOT do this; however, there have been A LOT of cases where user's have complained. Grades Version 2.70 26 To clarify: If you take a course and pass it, you enter in <P> for the grade. The program will ignore that class in it's G.P.A. calculation. Now let's assume you entered in <F>, the program WILL include that class in the G.P.A., and give you 0 quality points. Solution: If your school does not include a P/F class into the G.P.A at ALL, then just put in a <PP> for a Pass, and <PF> for a Fail. This way the program ignores the class in the G.P.A. Computation, and you can still record your Grade for the class accurately. 3) Finally, some Schools/Universities/Colleges give different quality points for courses of less than 4 credits. Solution: Inform us at the time of Registration and, if possible, fully describe your schools policy. A program will be tailored to your special needs. About the Prediction Analysis: The program will add up all averages for your Test Scores, then divide by the total number of Test Scores it added. This produces a number which is then rounded off to the nearest whole number. The program will then give you a LETTER grade based upon this number. The following are the letter grade categories as used by the program: 0..59 : Grade Displayed is F 60..63: Grade Displayed is D- 64..65: Grade Displayed is D 66..69: Grade Displayed is D+ 70..73: Grade Displayed is C- 74..75: Grade Displayed is C 76..79: Grade Displayed is C+ 80..83: Grade Displayed is B- 84..85: Grade Displayed is B 86..89: Grade Displayed is B+ 90..93: Grade Displayed is A- 94..95: Grade Displayed is A 96..100: Grade Displayed is A+ An invalid computation receives a ?? as the Grade. As with the G.P.A. computation, this may not strictly be accurate for your needs. This is the grading scheme used by most schools, but it is by no means a standard grading system. If you need different numbers, please provide us with a COMPLETE list of Grade categories, and with your Registration you will receive a version which incorporates your needed categories. Grades Version 2.70 27 About Grading Curves: Many users would like the program to predict their grades based upon a grading "curve". For those unfamiliar with this concept, a grade curve is when your numeric grade has no direct correlation to the letter grade you recieve. For instance if you receive an 86 out of 100 which is usually a B, with a curve you may receive a B+ or A-. As nice as this concept is, a grading curve is very unpredictable and usually up to a teacher's discretion. Some teacher's will follow a set pattern, while other's will curve based upon the highest and lowest scores received. As you can see, there are thousands of different curve possibilities. It would be irresponsible for a program to tell the user what their grade is based upon some strange curve procedure. (If you wish more information about the problems of grade curves, please run CURVE.COM) Grades v2.70 will predict your grade using a pre-defined curve percentage, and makes NO guarantee that this is the type of curve that will be used. When you configure the program, you will be asked what curve percentage to use. Unless you find that the program is consistently wrong when it comes to the curve, do NOT change the default value! You will then be asked if you wish to update your Grade with the "Optimum Grade" that the prediction produced. As before, Press <Y>, <y> to update and <N>, <n>, <Enter> to return to the Test Score Screen. (Please consult the file CURVE.COM for further information) Grades Version 2.70 28 Registering Grades: You are granted a limited license to use this program twenty (20) times ONLY!! After this time, you MUST Register it. You will be guaranteeing future versions, and modestly repaying the authors for their extensive effort in time and money. The program does warn you when you have used it ten (10) times, and we suggest you do not use the program past this number, without registering it first. If you find this program to be of use to you, you are asked to Register it. Registering will give you any support that you may need. (And you may need more than you think.) As a registered user, you will be informed of any future updates to the program and provided with any Bug fixes. In addition you will be provided with a new EXE file with the Shareware restrictions removed. This includes the eight (8) Test Score limit, and the Printing limitation. To Register, send $20.00 to: SupremeSoft 105 Deerfield Drive Easton, CT 06612 Please include your Name, Address, Telephone Number, the Version you have, and where you obtained it from. Also, include any problems or special needs that you may have. To order, print out the supplied Order form, ORDER.DOC. Grades Version 2.70 29 Things of interest: 1) Pressing <F1> at ANY time during the program will bring up a context-sensitive help screen for your specific area. 2) If you wish to view an index of all Help Topics, press <Alt-F1> when at the MAIN MENU ONLY! This will not work in any other area of the program. 3) EGA/VGA detection as well as Monochrome detection has been added. However, if you are using a color adapter (CGA, EGA, VGA, MCGA, PGA, etc) with a MONOCHROME display, the program will adjust itself for a color adapter. There is NO way for a program to determine this possibility. Therefore, you must EXPLICITLY put the adapter in Monochrome mode. Type MODE BW80 (or 40) to place it in this mode. The program will then run fine. 4) Memory requirements. This program will take over as much memory as it needs. If it can take over ALL available memory, it will do so. However, it will run perfectly well in 100K. 5) Grade entry: You will notice that the grade is FORCED to uppercase when you enter it. 6) You may press <Alt-F10> while at the Main Menu, View Screen or the Test Score Screen to being back the opening display. Warranty: There is NO Warranty either expressed or implied. The Author shall not be responsible for any damage that use of this software may bring unto the user's system. You may NOT hold SupremeSoft or Manu Singh liable for any damage that use or misuse of this program may incur. You may not hold the author's accountable for any damages to your academic standing for any reason. The author's do NOT imply that your academic standing will rise or fall as a result of your use of this program. Your use of this program indicates acceptance of the above disclaimer. The program is hereby placed into the Shareware arena. It is NOT Public Domain software. If you use the program you are expected to register and pay for it. Grades Version 2.70 30 Notes on Program Size: If you are a previous user of Grades, the first thing you will notice is the increase in size of the program itself, and the Data File. Actually, the program now uses LESS memory than before, even though the size of the EXE has gotten larger. The increase in size of the Data File is proportionate to it's functionality and so we feel it is a rather small price to pay. For you programming buffs, Grades version 2.70 is written in mixed Pascal, Modula-2, C and Assembler code. This has helped us bring down the memory requirements of the program while still adding new features. About SupremeSoft: SupremeSoft is dedicated to bringing easy to use and easy to learn programs into the Shareware market. We currently distribute a number of programs. Please refer to the PRODUCTS.TXT file included with this program for more information. At the start of this manual we stated "the future has arrived". What is this future? The future is a new concept designed to keep a natural interface across a variety of different products, making modification only when absolutely required. After much research we have developed such an interface . It is both easy to use and easy to learn. This makes it much easier for users to get a program up and running. Knowing what actions certain keys take cuts down the learning curve dramatically. We would like any comments you may have about the interface. Good or bad, we would like to know what exactly you find fault with. If it is key assignments, then please specify which keys you have a problem with. Print out COMMENTS.TXT for a Question/Answer/Comments form. Thank you for your continued support!! Grades v2.70 is Copyright 1987-1990 by SupremeSoft and Manu Singh All Rights Reserved. SupremeSoft, Grades and Grade Predictor are Trademarks of Supremesoft based in Easton, CT Grades Version 2.70 31