Welcome to the world of IntelliBots! IntelliBots is a simulated software development environment where you learn basic programming principles by developing programs for "intelligent robots", also called IntelliBots (or IBots for short).
Table of Contents
I. About IntelliBots
II. What These Files Contain
III. IntelliBots Requirements
IV. Buying IntelliBots
V. Communicating With Intelligent Technologies
VI. IntelliBots For Educators
VII. Intelligent Technologies On The World Wide Web
I. About IntelliBots
We began developing IntelliBots in December of 1994. Prior to that time we had noticed that even though there were many people interested in learning about programming, there was very little in the way of tools or applications to help them. So we set out to develop such tools and started by observing a variety of students in the course of learning programming. We studied those aspects that seemed to discourage the students, and we began to develop a teaching aid that would promote the positive principles while avoiding the more difficult or confusing ones. We believe that this will prepare the student to deal with these topics at a later time.
IntelliBots is that teaching tool. It removes the outlying topics which seem to interfere with the learning process and it allows the student to focus on the most critical concepts. We have observed that almost all students that have used IntelliBots have learned those concepts faster, with less confusion, and have had more fun doing it.
The programming language used in IntelliBots is a form of assembly language. We use assembly so the student is able to get a grasp of how software really works, and what the interaction of the software is with the computer. High-level languages were created to hide the computer from the programmer, and as a result simplify the programmers work. Even though many high-level languages accomplish this goal, in doing so they inadvertently hide some of the processes that are most important in understanding how software works and, therefore, should be written.
The basic concept of IntelliBots is that you write programs that control IBots(simulated robots) on a Locale(map). You start by making the IBot move and turn, then you move on to identify and avoid other objects as well as carry out more complex assignments. At times your IBot must defend itself from attack and attempt to destroy enemy IBots. In all cases you are using a development environment that has all of the same basic features as today's commercial development tools. As you work through the manual, you learn how to program the IBot to accomplish specific tasks using the assembly language. Whether you are just learning or already know how to program, IntelliBots is a fun way to test your skills against others.
IntelliBots is now available for the Macintosh and will soon be available for Windows. We have intentionally developed the software so the IBot source and executable files you create can be used on both platforms.
II. What These Files Contain
The IntelliBots Evaluation Product is usually divided into two pieces for the convenience of downloading. The first piece is the documentation piece and it contains:
1. this README file, and
2. the first six chapters of the documentation in the Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Note: You must already have the free Acrobat reader (available for download elsewhere) in order to view this document!
The second piece is the application and data piece and it contains:
1. this README file, and
2. the application, called IntelliBots,
3. a folder titled "IBots" which contains all of the programs that are referenced in the first six chapters of the documentation, and
4. a folder titled "Locales" which contains all of the terrain maps that the IBots will run on for those chapters.
III. IntelliBots Requirements
IntelliBots for the Macintosh requires:
1. an Apple Macintosh or 100% compatible,
2. a 68020, PowerPC, or better,
3. MacOS 7.0 or better,
4. at least 4MB of memory (6MB of memory suggested),
5. a 13 inch color monitor or better,
6. and at least 5MB of hard disk space.
IV. Buying IntelliBots
IntelliBots is DemoWare. That means that if you want to use all of its functionality you must pay for it. Some functionality in the software is unavailable until you purchase it.
The features not available until the software is purchased are: simulations are limited to one or two IBots, IBot statistics are not enabled, mission statistics are not kept or reported, locking is not supported in the assembler, and tournaments and tournament reports are not functional.
To purchase the software, select the Purchase menu item in the Apple menu and follow the instructions. You will be allowed to cancel at any time before purchase. If you do buy the software, it will be shipped to you as quickly as possible (please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery).
V. Communicating With Intelligent Technologies
We are anxious to hear your feedback. If you have a comment, suggestion, or question that you would like to send to us, we can be reached in the following ways:
1. Regular mail can be sent to:
Intelligent Technologies, Inc.
P.O. BOX 2022
Orem, Utah 84059-2022
2. EMail can be sent to:
ITI1 on America Online,
ITI1 on eWorld, or
ITI1@AOL.COM on the Internet.
3. Faxes can be sent to:
(801)763-8690
VI. IntelliBots For Educators
If you are a teacher or you represent an educational institution then please contact us for more information about our educational pricing at the number (801)763-8690.
VII. Intelligent Technologies On The World Wide Web
If you have access to the World Wide Web then come by and check out our Web site at:
HTTP://www.xmission.com/~intltech/home.html
IntelliBots and IBots are Trademarks of Intelligent Technologies Inc.
Apple Macintosh is a Trademark of Apple Computer Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
