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- Bert's Coloring Programs
- Bert's African Animals, Bert's Christmas, Bert's Dinosaurs
- Bert's Prehistoric Animals, Bert's Whales and Dolphins
-
- Shareware Version 4.6
- User's Guide
-
- Introduction
-
- This instruction manual covers the use of all of the different
- Bert's Coloring Programs.
- Bert's Coloring Programs are enjoyable coloring programs for
- children of all ages, but are especially useful for introducing young
- children to the computer. Bert's Coloring Programs were designed by
- educators to be used by young children with a minimum of assistance by
- adults. Bert's Coloring Program series is superior to many other
- children's coloring programs in that it allows the user to place the
- various images, all in four different sizes, on a variety of
- backgrounds. This allows children to easily create their own picture
- before coloring. The opportunity to create their own picture will allow
- children to take pride in their unique creation. Bert's Coloring
- Programs also have a voice feature, which can be turned on or off,
- allowing the images to speak their names, much to the delight of
- children.
- When first started Bert's Coloring Programs display a title screen
- and then the drawing surface with eight buttons on the left. Children
- can operate the program with the mouse alone. A window is provided which
- allows children to write a short story about their picture using the
- keyboard. The fact that they created the picture will help provide the
- motivation to write about it. One of the best ways for children to learn
- to read is to write, even if their initial attempts include phonetic
- spelling which is not always correct. If your child is not ready to
- attempt writing his/her story, then another good strategy is for you to
- type in your child's story as he/she dictates it to you. Then have your
- child read back the story he/she created. This is another very effective
- beginning reading strategy. They will love creating a setting, writing
- or dictating their own story and printing out a copy.
-
- Installation
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs require an IBM compatible computer with at
- least 512K of memory, a VGA display and a Microsoft compatible mouse. A
- Sound Blaster card is optional. The program installation process is
- quite easy. (Users obtaining .ZIP files from the Internet or a BBS can
- skip this installation section.)
- First, make a backup copy of your Bert's Coloring Programs program
- disk. If necessary consult your PC-DOS/MS-DOS manual for a description
- of the DISKCOPY command. Save the original program disk in a safe place
- and use the copy as the working program disk.
- Second, while it is possible to use Bert's Coloring Programs on a
- floppy disk system, a hard disk system is a necessity for reasonable
- speed and storing a number of pictures your child has created. To
- install Bert's Coloring Programs on a hard disk use the following steps:
- 1. Insert the floppy disk in your computer in drive A. (or B if
- necessary)
- 2. Type A: (or B:)
- 3. Type INSTALL A C (or INSTALL B C)
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 1
- Any hard drive letters can be used, for example INSTALL B D will
- install the program from floppy drive B to hard drive D. The
- installation will create a directory called BERT4 on your hard drive and
- you will need to enter a CD\BERT4 to change to the Bert's Coloring
- Programs directory before running the program. Once installed just type
- BERT to start the program. If your computer gives a series of beeps when
- you run Bert's Coloring Programs it is probably because it cannot find
- the image files it needs to run, and other problems may be showing up as
- well. All the files for Bert's Coloring Programs need to be in the same
- directory for the program to operate successfully. You should not mix
- the .DOT image files from Bert's Coloring Programs with those of
- versions previous to 3.0 as they are in a different format.
- This version of Bert's Coloring Programs has an improved Sound
- Blaster interface which interacts directly with the on card circuitry.
- It should operate with all Sound Blaster brand cards as well as a number
- of "Sound Blaster compatible" cards.
- If sound is not coming through the Sound Blaster, it is possible
- that your current Sound Blaster setup is incorrect. First, check your
- AUTOEXEC.BAT file in the root directory. It should have some lines that
- look something like this:
-
- SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6
- SET SOUND=C:\SB16
- C:\SB16\SB16SET /M:220 /VOC:220 /CD:220 /MIDI:220 /TREBLE:0
- C:\SB16\SBCONFIG.EXE /S
-
- Your parameters may very well be different, depending on what I/O
- port address, interrupt number and DMA channel your system is using. You
- can check the SET statements by just typing SET from the C: prompt.
- These values must match the hardware setting on your sound board.
- The Bert's Coloring Programs are DOS programs and should be run in
- DOS mode, ie. started from the C:> (or D:>) prompt. Running the Bert's
- Coloring Programs from Windows may cause some problems.
- Operation of Bert's Coloring Programs is quite easy. The ten buttons
- are configured to do the following when the left mouse button is clicked
- on them:
-
- The Command Buttons
-
- SELECT AN IMAGE
-
- When beginning a new picture six small backgrounds are displayed.
- The user clicks with the mouse on the selected scene to have it drawn on
- the screen full size.
- Next, a group of six sample images are displayed. If the stop sign
- is clicked on, no image will be selected and you are returned to the
- drawing surface.
- Clicking the mouse on the box between the stop sign and the green
- arrows, sets the voice status. Voice can be set to on, off or voice only
- - meaning the images only say their name through the sound card.
- If the down green arrow is selected the next group of images will be
- displayed for possible selection. The up arrow returns to the previous
- group of images. Clicking the mouse on any one of the images will select
- it.
- The selected image appears in four different sizes. After the image
- of the desired size is chosen, a rectangle outlining its size will
- appear in the upper left. When the left mouse button is held down on the
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 2
- rectangle it can be dragged into its desired position. When the left
- mouse button is released, the image will be drawn and any previously
- drawn lines under it will be erased. This allows you to place one image
- in front of the next. It is best to first place all the desired images
- on the drawing surface before filling with color, as some colors cannot
- be drawn over with an image outline. An additional feature is that the
- image figures can also be drawn in reverse. To reverse a figure simply
- hold down the right mouse button as you release the left one when you
- position the image on the drawing surface.
-
- SELECT A COLOR
-
- When this button is clicked a group of forty-eight colors is
- displayed. When a color is chosen it fills the crayon in the button.
- This color will fill the portion of the picture clicked on. Clicking
- outside the color box restores the screen with no action.
-
- WRITING A STORY
-
- Clicking on this button displays a window where a story can be
- typed. Along with the normal alphanumeric characters, the backspace and
- delete keys will erase characters. In addition the left and right arrow
- keys will move the cursor to any position in the window. The complete
- window is displayed, which consists of 8 lines of 38 characters.
- Pressing the Enter key or filling the entire 8 lines closes the story
- window. If you have problems displaying the window because it was
- previously filled to overflowing try typing a backspace before opening
- the window with a mouse click.
-
- ERASE
-
- This selection will erase the current drawing surface as well as the
- story area. The user must verify the erase by choosing a happy face for
- erase or sad face to cancel the erase.
-
- DRAW
-
- Clicking on this button places the program in draw mode. When the
- cursor moves to the drawing surface it changes to a pencil. Holding the
- left button down allows the user to draw black lines with the cursor.
- Holding the right button down draws white lines, a simple eraser for
- mistakes. After drawing closed line shapes the DRAW command button is
- clicked on again to return to the coloring mode. The newly drawn closed
- line shapes can then be filled with color in the normal way.
-
- SAVE
-
- The drawing surface and story area can be saved by clicking on this
- button and then selecting the save box with the arrow pointing inward.
- While simple for adults, this function may need explaining with young
- children. Care must be taken because selecting the retrieve box with the
- arrow pointing outward will load the stored image and story, erasing the
- one currently on the screen. When storing an image the user is prompted
- for a name. It should be a simple eight character or less file name with
- no extension or path name. When retrieving an image a large window
- appears containing the names of the images previously saved. Simply
- clicking on a name will retrieve the image. Many drawings can be stored
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 3
- by giving them different names. Again, this may be confusing for small
- children. A suggestion is to use his or her name with numbers for easy
- recall, ie. bert1, bert2, bert3, etc. Clicking outside the load/save box
- restores the screen with no action.
-
- PRINT
-
- The image can be printed on several different types of printers:
- Epson or IBM dot matrix printers that support either 9 or 24 pin
- graphics, the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet series of printers and the
- Hewlett-Packard DeskJet printers. Color printing is supported on color
- capable Epson dot matrix printers, the DeskJet 500C and PaintJet
- printers. Certain other dot matrix printers, such as Panasonic, support
- the Epson color mode when equipped with a color kit. Other printer
- brands that support any of these formats will also be compatible. Color
- printing, because of large overheads, is much slower than black and
- white printing, so be patient. In addition, be aware that the print
- drivers create temporary disk files when printing and space will be
- needed for this. This requirement may cause failure of the program if
- you attempt to print while running on floppy disk only.
- The user need only click on the type of printer he has to begin
- printing. Once a printer has been selected, the program will remember
- the last printer selected and assume that it will be used for future
- printing. Clicking on the print button will then use this as the default
- printer. If the type of printer needs to be changed simply hold the
- right mouse button down while clicking the left one on the print button.
- This will allow you to choose the printer you desire.
- A message box will appear during printing, and the print job can be
- quit by pushing <Esc>. When printing is finished another message box
- appears, reporting the final print status. Clicking on the mouse returns
- you to the drawing surface.
-
- UNDO
-
- Clicking on this button erases the last image that was placed on the
- drawing surface. Misplaced images can be removed with this command
- without effecting the image underneath. If the right mouse button is
- held down when releasing the left one the last color fill will be
- undone. In both cases the undo function will only work on the most
- recently placed image or color fill.
-
- PRINT MANUAL or REGISTRATION
-
- When this button is clicked the user can easily print a copy of the
- complete user's manual or the registration form. Be sure your printer is
- turned on and click on the option you want.
-
- STOP
-
- Selecting this button exits the program. A second check on a happy
- or sad face must be done to confirm stopping the program. After a
- support shareware message is displayed, clicking the mouse will return
- the user to DOS.
-
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- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 4
- Additional Programs Available
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs have been written in a way that they can
- restructure themselves depending on the image files that they find
- available. If image files for more than one of the Bert's Coloring
- Programs are found by the program, the user is prompted to choose which
- program to run. Each program contains a different set of topic images
- which your child will enjoy. The following programs are currently
- available and others may be added.
-
- Bert's African Animals
- Bert's Christmas
- Bert's Dinosaurs
- Bert's Prehistoric Animals
- Bert's Whales and Dolphins
-
- When registering your copy of one of the Bert's Coloring Programs
- these additional programs are available for a small increase over the
- registration price. Registered users may purchase additional programs at
- any time.
-
- Rachel's Fashion Dolls
-
- In addition to the Bert's Coloring Programs, Rachel's Fashion Dolls,
- a children's paper doll dressup and coloring program, is also available.
- This program will appeal to a wide age group and is easy enough for
- preschool age children to use with a minimum of assistance from adults.
- Children of all ages will enjoy placing dolls on a background and
- then dressing them with various clothing outfits. The outfits can be
- easily changed and the dolls can be removed and replaced as well. After
- an image has been created it can be colored from a palette of 48
- different colors, as well as saved for the future and printed on a
- variety of standard printers. For users with a Sound Blaster compatible
- card, turning the voice on and clicking on the dolls prompts them to say
- a variety of sentences. Children can operate the program with the mouse
- alone.
-
- Peter's Airplanes
-
- Peter's Airplanes is an enjoyable coloring program for children of
- all ages. Peter's Airplanes was designed to be used by young children
- with a minimum of assistance by adults. This program is superior to many
- other children's coloring programs in that it allows the user to place
- the various World War II vintage airplanes, in any size desired, on a
- variety of backgrounds. This allows children to easily create their own
- picture before coloring. The opportunity to create their own picture
- will allow children to take pride in their unique creation.
- When first started Peter's Airplanes displays a title screen and
- then the drawing surface with ten buttons across the top. Children can
- operate the program with the mouse alone. To begin you click on the
- image button and select a background and then place airplanes on the
- background. The child can choose the direction the airplane faces, and
- the exact size and placement of the airplane. Several airplanes can be
- placed on the same picture. After all airplanes are placed the entire
- picture can be color filled, using 48 different colors. After choosing a
- color simply click on an area of the picture and it fills with color.
- The program also includes notes about each airplane, which are
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 5
- displayed by clicking the Notes button. Finished pictures can be saved
- and later loaded for display. Pictures are saved in PCX format which can
- be easily imported into many paint programs. In addition, pictures can
- be printed on a variety of printers either before color filling or
- after. Those printed before being filled with color can be colored with
- crayons.
-
- Registration
-
- You may freely copy and distribute this shareware Version 4.6.
- Shareware users who find the Bert's Coloring Programs useful should
- support the author and register their copy. The form found below should
- be used for registration by mail, or you can phone us at 847-854-0489
- for credit card orders. Registered users will receive a copy of the most
- current version of Bert's Coloring Programs with additional images and a
- printed manual. Registered users will also receive support, by mail,
- e-mail or phone for one year from the date of registration.
- Bert's Coloring Programs are "shareware programs" and are provided
- at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with
- your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
- another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide
- personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and
- yet to provide an incentive for programmers to continue to develop new
- products. If you find this program useful and find that you continue to
- use Bert's Coloring Programs after a reasonable trial period, you must
- make a registration payment of $20. plus $2. shipping. The registration
- fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.
- You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this
- software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved
- from one computer location to another. There must be no possibility of
- it being used at one location while it's being used at another, just as
- a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.
-
- The registration fee is $20. plus $2. for shipping and handling
- ($32. outside the United States.) A complete listing of the program,
- which is written in Borland C/C++, is also available for an additional
- $20.00. Additional programs such as Bert's African Animals, Bert's
- Prehistoric Animals, etc. are available for $5.00 each when registering
- your program. All prices are in U.S. dollars.
-
- Checks should be made out to:
-
- Theron Wierenga, P.O. Box 595, Muskegon, MI 49443
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- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 6
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- Ombudsman Statement
-
- This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
- Professionals (ASP). The ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
- principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-
- related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly,
- ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
- dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical
- support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545
- Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a
- CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
-
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- +---------------+
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- | o +---------------+ | Association of
- | | | |-+ Shareware
- | | | | Professionals
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- +---------------+ Member
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- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 7
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- Registration Form
- Bert's Coloring Programs 4.6
-
-
- Name____________________________________________________________
-
- Address_________________________________________________________
-
- City_______________________________________State_____Zip________
-
- Email address (if available)____________________________________
-
- Disk size desired: 5 1/4 in._______ 3 1/2 in._______
-
- Registration fee for first program . . . . . . $20.00 __________
- Program name_______________________________________
- Registration fee (Outside the USA) . . . . . . 30.00 __________
- Borland C/C++ program code . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 __________
- Additional program, Bert's African Animals . . 5.00 __________
- Additional program, Bert's Christmas . . . . . 5.00 __________
- Additional program, Bert's Dinosaurs . . . . . 5.00 __________
- Additional program, Bert's Prehistoric Animals 5.00 __________
- Additional program, Bert's Whales and Dolphins 5.00 __________
-
- Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___2.00___
-
- Total enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________
- (All prices are in U.S. dollars.)
-
- Method of payment: Check or MO______ MasterCard______ Visa______
-
- Account number____________________________ Expir. date__________
-
- Signature (necessary)___________________________________________
-
- How did you receive your copy of this program?__________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- Suggested improvements__________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs 4.6 is a software product of
-
- Theron Wierenga
- P.O. Box 595
- Muskegon, MI 49443
- Customer support and order phone 847-854-0489
- twiereng@remc4.k12.mi.us
-
-
-
- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 8
-
- Registration Form
- Rachel's Fashion Dolls, 2.6
-
-
- Name____________________________________________________________
-
- Address_________________________________________________________
-
- City_______________________________________State_____Zip________
-
- Email address (if available)____________________________________
-
- Disk size desired: 5 1/4 in._______ 3 1/2 in._______
-
- Registration fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 __________
- Registration fee (Outside the USA) . . . . . . 30.00 __________
- Borland C/C++ program code . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 __________
- Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___2.00___
-
- Total enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________
- (All prices are in U.S. dollars.)
-
- Method of payment: Check or MO______ MasterCard______ Visa______
-
- Account number____________________________ Expir. date__________
-
- Signature (necessary)___________________________________________
-
- How did you receive your copy of this program?__________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- Suggested improvements__________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- Rachel's Fashion Dolls 2.6 is a software product of
-
- Theron Wierenga
- P.O. Box 595
- Muskegon, MI 49443
- Customer support and order phone 847-854-0489
- twiereng@remc4.k12.mi.us
-
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- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 9
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- Registration Form
- Peter's Airplanes 1.4
-
-
- Name____________________________________________________________
-
- Address_________________________________________________________
-
- City_______________________________________State_____Zip________
-
- Email address (if available)____________________________________
-
- Disk size desired: 5 1/4 in._______ 3 1/2 in._______
-
- Registration fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 __________
- Registration fee (Outside the USA) . . . . . . 30.00 __________
- Borland C/C++ program code . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 __________
- Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___2.00___
-
- Total enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________
- (All prices are in U.S. dollars.)
-
- Method of payment: Check or MO______ MasterCard______ Visa______
-
- Account number____________________________ Expir. date__________
-
- Signature (necessary)___________________________________________
-
- How did you receive your copy of this program?__________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- Suggested improvements__________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- ________________________________________________________________
-
- Peter's Airplanes 1.4 is a software product of
-
- Theron Wierenga
- P.O. Box 595
- Muskegon, MI 49443
- Customer support and order phone 847-854-0489
- twiereng@remc4.k12.mi.us
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- Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.6 Page 10
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