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S T O R Y M A K E R + VGA Version 1.0d Copyright (c) 1992-1995 All rights reserved Elson Embry 145 Plaza Drive #471 Vallejo, California 95491-3703 Phone: (707) 647-2258 Internet Email Address: embryev@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------- D O C U M E N T S E C T I O N S ---------------------------------------------------- A - Shareware File Descriptions B - Program Description C - Differences Between VGA and EGA Versions D - Disclaimer/Warranty E - Hardware Requirements F - Copyright/Registration/Ordering Information G - Initializing or Updating the Program H - Running the Program I - Data File Descriptions J - Trademarks and Credits ------------------------------- A - SHAREWARE FILE DESCRIPTIONS ------------------------------- Files contained in the current version: FILE_ID.DIZ - Shareware package description README.1ST - Pre-installation text file HISTORY.DOC - Log of program versions VENDOR.DOC - Vendor information STORY.DOC - Software information REGISTER.FRM - Registration form SMVINIT.EXE - Initialization/update utility STORY.EXE - Main program HELP.DAT - Program file PHONEME.DAT - Program file PRULES.DAT - Program file SBINST.DAT - Program file SCREEN.DAT - Program file SMR.DAT - Program file SMFONTS.DAT - Program file PHONEME.DCT - Program file KIDS.SBK - Demo storybook KIDS.SPL - Demo picture library KIDS.SSL - Demo script file JUNGLE.TXT - Demo text file *.CMF - CMF FM files *.SML - Melody files *.VOC - Digital sound files ----------------------- B - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ----------------------- Storymaker+ VGA is a multimedia kit for creating interactive storybooks with sound, music, and text- to-speech. Storybooks of up to 99 screen pages can also be compiled into stand-alone, personalized pro- grams for easy distribution among friends, family, or for educational and commercial purposes. The software is designed for the use of elementary- school-aged children as a creativity and learning tool for arts,music,reading and writing. Parents who are interested in participating in the education of their younger children can also use it as a teaching tool. Storymaker+ VGA has separate editor modules for music,graphics,text and the designing and reading of storybooks. Children can use the Melody Maker, with its animated piano, to explore music and sound; the Scenery and Shape Editors with their special tools, to explore shapes and colors; the Book Editor with its varied animation tools, to do creative and log- ical thinking; the Text Editor even with its simple features, to do some writing and have some fun; the Book Reader to share their creations with others. Other users of the program are computer learning centers and educational institutions which will find it useful as a teaching tool for reading, writing or multimedia introduction. Some unexpected users of the EGA version are professionals who find the pro- gram useful as a therapeutic tool especially for disabled children. The Screen Keyboard interface, a new feature in Sto- rymaker+ VGA will also be of special interest to those who, because of a physical handicap, can ope- rate a computer only through a device that emulates a mouse. By pointing and clicking at the interface keyboard diagram on the screen through the emulator device, a user may enter text without using the com- puter keyboard. Writers of children's books may also be interested to use the program as a low-cost, simple multimedia authoring system. Storybooks may be distributed royalty-free with no further arrangement with the author. Online help is available throughout the program. The help screens may also be saved into a special file that can be viewed or printed. -------------------------------------------- C - DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EGA AND VGA VERSIONS -------------------------------------------- Storymaker+ comes in two versions, the original Sto- rymaker+ which runs only in the EGA graphics mode, and Storymaker+ VGA, which runs only in VGA mode. Although most of the VGA version features came dir- ectly from the development of the EGA version, the two versions should be treated as two different pro- grams. You should not install Storymaker+ VGA in the same directory as the EGA version - or the other way around - to ensure that files that are incompatible with either version do not cause a problem when run- ning the program. This will also prevent any con- fusion when updating either version later. If you want to keep only one version, for example the VGA version, but want to use files created in the EGA version that the VGA version will accept, it is recommended that you copy or move the valid EGA files into the VGA data directories, rather than atttempt to install the VGA version in the EGA pro- gram directory. As for file compatibility, currently both the EGA and VGA versions use the same file format for Melody Maker's SML files and the Text Editor's TXT files and so any of these files can be used in either version. In addition, Storymaker+ VGA's editors will load graphics from the EGA version's SPL libraries. It will not however save graphics into an EGA library file,only into a VGA library file. Also an important to keep in mind if you have or plan to create VGA storybooks using graphics directly from EGA library files: you must keep the EGA library files in the VGA GRAPHIC directory in order to avoid missing pic- ture errors as storybook's graphics are loaded only from the original library files. Storybooks created in one version can not be read nor edited in the other version. ----------------------- D - DISCLAIMER/WARRANTY ----------------------- Sorry about the following legal stuff: THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS-IS" BASIS AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. YOUR USE OF THE SOFTWARE IS COMPLETELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. I ASSUME NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DA- MAGES CAUSED BY THE DIRECT OR INDIRECT USE OF THE SOFTWARE AND ANY OF ITS FILES. YOUR USE OF THE SOFT- WARE MEANS THAT YOU AGREE TO ALL OF THESE TERMS. ------------------------- E - HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS ------------------------- IBM or compatible computer, 640K RAM memory, hard drive, VGA graphics monitor, mouse device. A Sound Blaster compatible sound card is required for all sound effects. ------------------------------------------------ F - COPYRIGHT/SHAREWARE AND ORDERING INFORMATION ------------------------------------------------ Storymaker+ VGA is copyrighted by the author. All rights are reserved. Although Storymaker+ VGA is a low-cost software, it is not free - it took years of full-time work to de- velop and improve the product. It is distributed on the shareware concept of try-before-you-buy method of marketing software. The shareware concept appeals to the author as a special way to try to make a li- ving because users can test a product first before making a decision, but it is also hoped that users will see it also as what is primarily good about shareware or it would be time sooner or later to find another way to make a living. The author's income comes only from users register- ing the program and not from any payment you might have made for the shareware version as the author does not make any compensation arrangements with shareware distributors. Your obligation is to register the software if you decide to use it beyond trial purposes. The author however, does not feel comfortable to have the unli- mited shareware version widely and freely distri- buted with a legal obligation for registration att- ached to it (it would be preferable to release a li- mited or crippled version in place of or in support of the legal requirements) - so your obligation is a personal one: it is entirely your decision and personal responsibility. The registration fee is $26 U.S. dollars. There is a handling/mailing charge of $3.00 ($6.00 for orders outside the United States,Canada and Mexico). Checks from foreign countries must be drawn against a U.S. bank. California residents, please add the applic- able sales tax. Please call or write for site licenses, school dis- counts and quantity discounts. To order Storymaker+ VGA by mail, please print the file REGISTER.FRM. By a special arrangement, you can also order by cre- dit card from Public (software) Library with your MC, Visa, AmEx or Discover card by calling 800- 242-4775 (from overseas: 713-524-6394), or by FAX to 713-524-6398, or by CompuServe to 71355,470. Ask for item# 11139, Storymaker+ VGA version. These num- bers are for ordering only. The program's author can not reached at these numbers. To contact the author about site licensing, quantity discount, pro- duct shipment status, or for anything other than to place a credit card order, please call 707-647-2258, or by Internet email to embryev@aol.com. Or write to: Elson Embry 145 Plaza Drive #471 Vallejo, California 94591-3703 Shareware distribution of Storymaker+ VGA to others is permitted and encouraged as long as all files are included and no file is altered in any way. BBS's, vendors or anyone planning to distribute Storymaker+ VGA for a fee, please refer to the file VENDOR.DOC for distribution requirements and restrictions. ---------------------------------------- G - INITIALIZING OR UPDATING THE PROGRAM ---------------------------------------- IF YOU HAVE AN EGA VERSION OF THE PROGRAM, PLEASE READ FIRST THE SECTION ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE EGA AND VGA VERSIONS BEFORE INSTALLING THE VGA VERSION. If you already have an older version of the program, change the current directory to the Storymaker+ home directory. If not,then you need to create a separate directory for the program in your hard disk. For example: C: MD \SMVGA (Creates the directory) CD \SMVGA (Changes the current directory) Next, copy all files to the directory, then uncom- press any archived files. From example: COPY A:*.* Then Use your decompression software if needed. Next, run the initialization utility SMVINIT.EXE. From example: SMVINIT The utility checks for Storymaker+'s VGA data sub- directories,creates the subdirectories if necessary, then transfers all new data files to their director- ies. If you are updating an older version, the utility also makes sure the setup file structure is current by reinitializing it to its default configuration. ----------------------- H - RUNNING THE PROGRAM ----------------------- Storymaker+ VGA is written to run under the DOS ope- rating system. It is not designed to run under the Microsoft Windows environment and will likely run erratically because of Windows use of shared resour- ces. But if you do need to run it under Windows, try assigning the program as much control as possi- ble for best results. A Windows version may be available in the future. If Storymaker+ is configured for the Sound Blaster card, the program looks for the Sound Blaster envi- ronment variable BLASTER. This is normally added to the AUTOEXEC.BAT in the root directory to specify the current Sound Blaster hardware configuration. The command for setting the environment string has the form: SET BLASTER=Appp Ii Dd Tt where: ppp = Base I/O port i = IRQ number d = DMA channel t = Sound Blaster card version number Example: SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 T1 If no environment string is found, Storymaker+ VGA attempts to auto detect the card using base I/O port 220h and IRQ 7 as default settings. It is preferable though that the BLASTER environment be used to avoid port problems that may cause the system to hang up. If you will be playing CMF files,the CMF file player SBFMDRV.COM must also be in memory before running Storymaker+. Please refer to your Sound Blaster manual for more instructions on the BLASTER environment strings and the SBFMDRV.COM driver. To run Storymaker+, change the directory to its home directory. The command line format is: STORY [/UNLOCK] [/READ file] [/BOOK] [/SPV file] Entries inside the brackets are command switches and are optional. Filename extensions are not required in the filenames. The command switches are: /UNLOCK Also accepts short form /U. This unlocks all utilities in the Utility menu. The program does not allow access to some utilities unless this command switch is invoked. /READ file Space optional.Also accepts short form /R file. This reads the storybook file <file> automatic- ally. It skips the main menu and opens the Book Reader to read a storybook in computer-help-me mode. The command is to enable a young child to use the program just to read a story. Repeat the command to read more than one file in one session. /BOOK Also accepts short form /B. This bypasses the main menu and allows access only to the Book Reader. The command is to ena- ble a young child to read storybooks only while using the program. /SPV file Space optional. This loads the Voicemaker SPV phoneme sound file <file> in place of Storymaker+'s phoneme sounds. A phoneme sound file contains the digi- tal speech data used by the program to make the computer talk. An SPV file is created through Voicemaker, a freeware speech program that also allows the user to record the phoneme's in his or her own voice and can be used as a companion program to Storymaker+. Voicemaker SPV files must be located in Story- maker+ home directory before it can be accessed by Storymaker+. Below are some examples of running the program: STORY Runs the program but does not allow access to some of the utilities. STORY /UNLOCK Runs the program allowing access to all of the utilities. STORY /BOOK Restricts access to the Book Reader. This pre- vents changing of data files and is intended for young children using the program. STORY /READ demo /READ vacation Reads the storybook file DEMO. Reads the book file VACATION next. Terminates program when done. STORY /READ demo /BOOK Reads the book file DEMO.Then continues running the program but allows access only to the Book Reader. STORY /SPV RICHARD Loads Voicemaker's file RICHARD.SPV (recorded Richard?), and uses it as the text-to-speech player's voice. -------------------------- I - DATA FILE DESCRIPTIONS -------------------------- This section describes Storymaker+ VGA data files. 1 - Picture Library Files A picture library contains the pictures for the sce- neries and animation shapes of a Storymaker+ story- book. A library file is created in either the Sce- nery Editor or Shape Editor module of the program and pictures are added to a library by using either graphics editor. Library files are located in the program subdirectory GRAPHICS and carry the file extension SPL. When saving a picture in a library file, Storymaker+ assigns an index number to it. The index number and library filename are used when adding the picture in a storybook. To avoid missing picture errors when loading storybooks,it is important to understand how pictures are saved in a storybook file. When designing a storybook in the Book Editor, the user selects which picture library to use from the available library files. If the selected library has not been used in the storybook,the Book Editor saves the library name in an indexed list it maintains in the storybook file. When the user adds a picture to the story, only the picture's index number and the library's index number are saved to reference the picture selected. The picture data, picture name or or description are not saved. When the Book Editor or Book Reader reads a page of the storybook, it uses the library's indexed name in the library list and then accesses the picture data itself through the picture's index number in the library file - it does not check nor use in any way the picture's name or description, only that the library exists and the picture's index number valid. If it can not load a picture, the program beeps to signal an error and loads a special internal picture in place of the missing picture. A picture that has been accidentally deleted from its library file therefore can not be restored in a story by simply saving a new picture in the same library under the same name, since the new picture will most most likely get a different index number. It can be restored only by additionally editing the storybook to delete every occurence of the deleted picture and then recreating the animation script under the new picture. Otherwise, a missing picture error will continue to appear or worse, a wrong pic- ture will show up in a story if the index number of the deleted picture has been reassigned to a new picture. 2 - Melody Files Melody files are located in the program subdirectory MELODY and carry the file extension SML. Melodies are entered in the program module Melody Maker. The Book Editor adds a melody to a storybook by sav- ing the melody's filename - actual data are copied only in the run-time file. 3 - Text Files A text file adds sound effects to a story when read by the text-to-speech player. Text files are located in the program subdirectory TEXT and carry the file extension TXT. A screenful of text may be entered in the Text Editor module. Storymaker+ also accepts larger files from other editors, although these can not be edited in the Text Editor; copy the files into the TEXT directory. The Book Editor adds a text file to a storybook by saving its filename - actual data are copied only in the run-time file. 4 - Digitized Sound Files Digitized sound files add sound effects to a story- storybook when played by the digital sound player. Sound files are located in the program subdirectory SOUNDS and carry the file extension VOC. Sources of digitized sounds are BBS's and shareware vendors. You can also record your own with your sound card and a microphone. Currently, Storymaker+ will play sounds files saved under Sound Blaster's 8-bit unpacked VOC format. Files that do not the Sound Blaster's VOC header will be played as 8-bit raw data, 8000hz sampling rate. Storymaker+ saves a digitized sound file to a story- book by saving its filename - actual data are copied only in the run-time file. 5 - FM Music Files Another type of sound effects that can be added to a storybook are Sound Blaster CMF music files. CMF files are FM synthesized music files with up to 11 musical instruments. You need the CMF player utility SBFMDRV.COM to play these files under Storymaker+. Storymaker+ as distributed has a few CMF files;among sources of CMF files are BBS boards and shareware vendors. Copy the files into Storymaker+ subdirect- ory FMMUSIC. The Books Editor adds a CMF music file in a story- book by saving its filename - actual data are copied only in the run-time file. 6 - Storybook Data and Run-time Files Storybooks are created in the Book Editor module and saved cin the program csubdirectory BOOKS. The files carry the file extension SBK. A storybook can also be compiled into a run-time EXE file which is an executable program that will run by itself even in a floppy disk. A run-time file is created by compiling all the data used in a storybook and Storymaker+ reader program into a single file. The EXE storybook has its own screen book cover that can be personalized and other special options that are not normally available when reading the book through the main program's Book Reader. A very important thing to keep in mind: a run-time file is not editable - it is for reading books only, so you should keep the original files if you want to retain the capability to make changes in the story- book. 7. Script Files Script files are object animation files created in the Book Editor module and are saved in the program subdirectory SCRIPTS. The files carry the file ext- ension SSL. 8. PCX Files PCX files are standard graphics files saved under the PCX format and carries the file extension PCX. As the PCX file format is supported by most stand- ard graphics editor, Storymaker+ VGA includes the capability to export graphics from the graphics edi- tor and Book Editor into PCX format for use, edit- ing or printing in other applications. Exported gra- phics are saved in Storymaker+ library PCX. Storymaker+ VGA also has the capability to import into its graphics editor PCX files created from other application. You can import PCX files from any directory in the current drive. You also have the option of capturing any portion of a PCX in its actual size or scaled-down size if necessary. ------------------------ J - TRADEMARKS & CREDITS ------------------------ The sample storybook Kids,Kids,Kids including most of its graphics, the main part of the Storymaker+ VGA's title screen, the run-time BookReader cover screens, the caption boxes in the Book Editor, and the better-looking picture icons were provided by Loraine Wauer. Loraine is the author of Billy Bear Storybooks,a series of children's storybooks created through Storymaker+. The CMF files distributed with the program are pub- lic domain files. IBM is registered trademark of the IBM Corporation. Microsoft and Microsoft Windows are registered trademark and trademark respectively of Microsoft Corporation. Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Labs,Inc.