Robert J. Deutsch 1152 N. 14th St. Allentown, PA 18102 (610) 434-0723 RIDDLE BALLOON V1.0 RIDDLES/SPELLING FOR KIDS README file for parents/teachers (If you have a printer, you could print this for reference.) Riddle Balloon is a colorful program that helps kids minds develop and is a good choice for parents or teachers looking for good learning software for kids. A delightful host named Little Robby guides your child through a series of fun riddles designed to teach spelling, logic, and co-ordination of mouse and keyboard. A pre-set bank of riddles starts the fun, rewarding your child with humorous comments and splashes of colorful balloons along the way. The registered version for only $24.99 brings a larger riddle base but more interestingly, a library editor that allows you to create custom riddle banks! These banks can be saved on floppy disks as well as the hard drive making it useful if you have many children or in a classroom setting. He or she will surely smile when Little Robby asks questions specifically custom made! You can create as many file banks as you can imagine, tailoring them to your childrens' needs. We think you will enjoy Riddle Balloon and your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Playing and learning with Riddle Balloon is easy. When you start the program, the character Little Robby will give instructions. This involves clicking on colorful blocks of letters which fly across the screen into an answer field near the bottom of the screen. The keyboard may also be used. Sometimes Little Robby will ask to clic the right mouse button. This is usually to continue a line of text. Tapping the ESC key at any time ends the session. If you have the registered version and have some of your own riddle banks made, tap the @ key (shift+2) to bring up the parent/teacher screen. It is self-explanatory and will allow you to examine your files on disks, load them, etc. This is the real heart of Riddle Balloon because you can tailor the program to quiz/spell on almost anything. That's about all you need to know to play, except to remember that the run file is called RIDDLE.EXE and could be run from the DOS prompt if you like, but it would probably be easier to set it up for WINDOWS with it's own run icon. This is easy and here are some brief instructions on how to set it up: -Pick a PROGRAM group by clicking its' top bar once -Clic File at the upper left, then NEW -Make sure program item is checked. It should be already -Clic on OK -In the description field, type Riddle Balloon -Clic the mouse into the command line area. The command line depends on what directory RIDDLE.EXE resides in. We will use C:\SAMPLE as an example. -Type in the command line: C:\SAMPLE\RIDDLE.EXE but don't press ENTER yet! We want to pick a fancy icon! -Right after you do that, you'll see the 'change icon' button lite up near the right. Click it! -You might see the 'no icons' window pop up. No problem - just hit OK -You should see some icons flash up. You can click on one, then OK, or clic the BROWSE button. -Clicking the BROWSE button will bring up a scrolling window on the left. Scroll down it until you see a file called moricons.dll -Double-clic on it. There are many icons here. My personal choice is the yellow kite with the smile because it makes me think of Little Robby from the game. Choose any you like by clicking once on it. -Then clic OK - this returns to the main window. -Clic OK again and there it is! -All you need do is double clic the icon to start the program. If you have the registered version, you can set up the LIBRARY.EXE file maker the same way. It is menu-driven with instructions built-in. If you like this program, then you'll love the full version which includes a larger riddle bank and, even better, a neat utility which allows you to create your own riddle files for your children or students. Easy to use, you can make and store as many as you need, storing them on your hard drive or floppy disk. This allows multiple copies to be made which would be useful in, for example, a classroom. With the library utility, one of the nicest things is how you can create custom riddles and words which relate to your child specifically. He or she will be delighted when Little Robby asks custom-made riddles! This concept can also be extended to a classroom or other setting where tests or quizes may be made, or different files for different age groups. We are dedicated to creating quality 'edutainment' software in the hopes of stimulating your child's thinking in a fun and interesting manner. Right now I am working on a math version and have other educational products in the works. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. If you have any ideas or suggestions for this or future products, feel free to write or call. As an Uncle to fifteen nephews and neices I would be happy to hear from any parents or teachers about products like this. And thank you for supporting the shareware concept! From Little Robby and the rest, good day! * * * Thank you for evaluating the shareware version of Riddle Balloon. If you have found this program useful you may register for the full-blown version for only $24.99 check or money order. You'll get a larger riddle base plus the library editor allowing you to make your own riddle banks. And thank you for supporting the shareware concept. You may mail your registration of $24.99 check or money order to: Robert J. Deutsch 1152 N. 14th St. Allentown, PA 18102 If you have any questions concerning the program or suggestions, feel free to write or call me at: (610) 434-0723 My answering machine is there even when I'm not so I can get back to you. Thank you, and enjoy Riddle Balloon! -Robert J. Deutsch