WinFlash Main Index

New In WinFlash 2.0

Getting Started

WinFlash Data File Format

Obtaining Support


New In WinFlash 2.0

WinFlash 2.0 is a major upgrade adding the following new features and capabilities:

�	Customized dialog boxes provide easy-to-understand operation

�	Priority List associated with each question file tracks questions which

the user desires to be asked more frequently

�	Questions can be added to the Priority List when viewing the answer

�	Questions can be Disabled for future use when viewing the answer

�	Both the Priority List and the Disabled Question Settings can be

reset from the Priority List Options dialog box

�	A Range of questions from the overall question file may be asked more

frequently.  This is useful when the file has been segmented

into topic areas or when new questions have been added to

the file

�	The Frequency with which questions on the Priority List or within the

Range are asked can be varied from 1 to 99 percent of the time

in the Priority List Options dialog box

�	The current question file name is displayed in the Question and Answer

dialog title bars

WinFlash 1.1 was an interim release adding the following new feature:

�	Ability to re-display the question after viewing the answer

Allows for checking for understanding of the question or another attempt

at the question and subsequent check of the answer.  This cycle can be

repeated as many times as the user wishes


Getting Started

WinFlash is distributed as an archive file, FLASH-20.ZIP (FLASH.ZIP on CompuServe), containing the following files:

WINFLS20.EXE - The executable program file

WINFLS20.HLP - The help file supporting WinFlash

WINFLS20.REG - Information on shareware in Windows Write

 format - called by registration procedure

WINFLS20.FRM - Registration form in Windows Write

format - called by registration procedure

WINFLS20.FLS - Sample Question/Answer file

REGISTER.TXT - Registration form in ASCII format

README.WRI - The help documentation in Windows Write format

VENDOR.TXT - Information of interest to shareware distributors

and BBSs in ASCII format

FILE_ID.DIZ - Program description supporting automatic extraction

of description text by BBSs

An additional file, WINFLASH.INI, will be created by the program in your Windows directory the first time the program is executed.  This file contains the information relating to your default option settings and should be considered part of the WinFlash file set after its creation.

QuickStart

Introduction

WinFlash was written to help in memorizing written material.  It is useful in both scholastic and professional applications.  It is presently necessary for the user to construct the WinFlash data files (.FLS files) themselves, although future plans exist for pre-written files for popular subjects (History, Math, Geography, etc.).

Installation

To install WinFlash 2.0 copy WINFLS20.EXE, WINFLS20.REG, WINFLS20.HLP, WINFLS20.FRM and WINFLS20.FLS to your hard drive.  They can go in their own separate directory or into the WINDOWS directory as you wish.  Then install WinFlash using the normal Windows' File|New|New Program Item sequence in Program Manager.

Giving WinFlash To A Friend

Please pass on copies of the original FLASH-20.ZIP when giving WinFlash to a friend or associate.  This will allow them access to the full set of information on the program.  If you have no wish to print out any of the documentation, you need only retain the four WINFLS20.* files in your Windows directory.


WinFlash Data File Format

WinFlash 2.0 is designed to operate with WinFlash data files having a .FLS extension.  These files are simple ASCII text and can be created and edited with any word processor capable of outputting pure ASCII.  NotePad works very well for this application.

The file WINFLS20.FLS included in the archive file is a working example of the type of file you will need to create to use WinFlash.

The contents of the file are reproduced below:

[WinFlash]

MaximumQuestion=9

1=This is the first question for WinFlash

2=This is the first answer for WinFlash

3=This is the second question for WinFlash

4=This is the second answer for WinFlash

5=This is the third question for WinFlash

6=This is the third answer for WinFlash

7=This is the fourth question for WinFlash

8=This is the fourth answer for WinFlash

9=This is the fifth question for WinFlash.  This one is a longer one than the others, demonstrating the use of word wrap for multi-line questions.

10=This is the fifth answer for WinFlash.  This one is a longer one than the others, demonstrating the use of word wrap for multi-line answers.

The format shown should be followed exactly (note the square brackets around WinFlash).

Each question or answer can be up to 1000 characters in length.  Use the "Word Wrap" feature when editing/creating the file to wrap multiple line entries rather than "hard" carriage returns.  This will allow WinFlash to properly format its output text.  WinFlash reads a "hard" carriage return as the end of the question or answer and the rest of your text will not be displayed.

After entering your last question/answer pair, enter the appropriate number for MaximumQuestion on the second line.  In the case of WINFLASH.FLS, this number is 9.

Save your file with the extension .FLS -- this will allow WinFlash to list it in its FileOpen dialog box.

Note:  The first time you open your new .FLS file, WinFlash will show a dialog box announcing that "Default Priority Settings Will Be Written To Current .FLS File".  This will add some text to the end of your file which WinFlash uses to keep track of the Priority Mode and other settings which you adjust in the Priority List Options dialog box.  You should not edit this text directly, but you may remove it altogether and have WinFlash re-initialize the file should you accidentally alter it when making edits to the questions and answers in your file.

Start WinFlash and use your newly created .FLS file to help with your studies!!


OBTAINING SUPPORT

Registered users of WinFlash may obtain support by contacting the author via US Mail (the slow way) or via CompuServe Information Service 75236, 3243.

The author is a member of the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). 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  USA 49442-9247, FAX 616-788-2765, or send a CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.

Dick Bryant

Open Windows

P.O. Box 49746

Colorado Springs, CO  80949-9746