Copyright: Copyright ® 1994
Citation: Glow-In-The-Dark Software


  Contents

- Introduction

- How to reach Glow-In-The-Dark Software

- Installing Number One Counter

- How Do I ?

- The About Screen

- The Main Screen

- The Control Panel

- Feature List

- Registering Number One Counter

- License Agreement

- Limited Warranty

- Technical Support

- Revision History


Introduction

See also:    About GITD Software	Features	Registering	Installation

Number One Counter is a program designed to teach basic counting skills to children between 1 and 3 years old, who are not yet speaking, or haven't yet developed their mouse or keyboard skills fully.

It teaches children to count (in order) and associate a number's character representation with its pronunciation and its finger representation. It does this by exposing the child to a picture of the character that represents the number (ie.- "1"), a pair of hands that shows the number (by displaying fingers) and a voice that pronounces the number, all simultaneously.

The shareware version is completely operational, but limits the range of counting to between one and five. Sounds for these numbers are included, and additional sounds can be recorded and used with little or no effort. See the section on registering for a list of all the bribes we offer for registering the program (And there's lots of them...).

The idea for this program sprang from watching in horror as my 2 year old pounded relentlessly on the keyboard, then switched to the mouse and completely rearranged my Windows desktop, then back to the keyboard, and well, you get the picture. I decided that if she was going to cause me that kind of grief, she was going to learn something in the process. About two hours later, after many downloads and software trials, I had discovered that there wasn't much shareware targeted at children in that age group, so I decided to write some.

Number One Counter is the first of a series of programs by Glow-In-The-Dark Software geared toward teaching children from 1 to 3 many of the skills they will need, and at the same time letting them enjoy pounding on the keyboard like their parents do <Smirk>.


  How to reach Glow-In-The-Dark Software

See also: 	Technical Support    Latest Version    Registering

Glow-In-The-Dark Software can be reached by any of the following means:

1. via Phone: 	(804) 845-9380  	(9am-9pm, EST)

NOTE: Tech support hours are from 6pm-9pm EST, Monday-Friday. Please have your computer nearby when you call.

2. via CIS:	72274, 2377

3. via Snail-Mail: 	Glow-In-The-Dark Software

1911 Roxbury St,

Lynchburg, VA 24501

4. via BBS E-Mail (Addressed to Desi Richards):

Nuttin' Fancy BBS  (14,400, V32.bis, N81)

Line 1: (804) 239-5434

Line 2: (804) 237-0766

5. The latest versions of our software can always be found in two places:

1) Nuttin' Fancy BBS (See above).

2) Compuserve Windows Shareware forum (Go WINSHARE).


Registering

See also:	Latest Version   Technical Support

Along with registration, you will get many extras, including:

1. You can feel good that you aren't ripping someone off.

2. The ability to set the program to count beyond one to five.

3. A set of sounds for the numbers negative 10 to 0 and 6 to 30.

4. Free technical support (Long distance carrier rates still apply).

5. A place on our mailing list, so that we can notify you of our new releases and updates when they are announced.

Price:

Latest version on disk (Specify disk type), printed manual, registration code,

and shipping and handling 	(US and Canada Only)..........	$15.00

(Overseas)...........................	$20.00

Please note: Volume discounts apply as follows:

 2 - 3 copies .............	 5% off

 4 - 9 copies .............	10% off

10 - 15 copies ..........	20% off

16 - 30 copies ..........	35% off

31+ copies ...............	45% off

There are several ways to register, as noted below:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHECK OR MONEY ORDER

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Send check or money order to:

Desi Richards

c/o Glow-In-The-Dark Software

1911 Roxbury St.

Lynchburg, VA 24501

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMPUSERVE ON-LINE REGISTRATION

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Orders can be placed on-line with Compuserve by typing GO SWREG at the prompt. The Compuserve system will ask you for the necessary information to process your order. The product ID code is 3058.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can order with Mastercard, VISA, American Express, or Discover from Public (software) Library by any of the following methods:

CALLing (800) 2424-PsL or (713) 524-6394

FAXing your request to (713) 524-6398

CIS Email to 71355, 470

MAILing your request to

PsL

P.O. Box 35705

Houston TX, 77235-5705

THE ABOVE NUMBERS ARE FOR ORDERS ONLY.

Any questions about the status of the shipment of the order, refunds, registration options, product details, technical support, volume discounts, dealer pricing, site licenses, etc., must be directed to:

Glow-In-The-Dark Software

1911 Roxbury St.

Lynchburg, VA 24501

To insure that you get the latest version, PsL will notify us the day of your order and we will ship the product directly to you.

Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery. (Where applicable).


How Do I ?

See Also:   Contents   Features

Listed below are the most commonly asked questions about Number One Counter. Click on the question for directions on accomplishing that task.

Register?

Get the latest version?

Set the Count Range?

Change the Font?

Change the Count Direction?

Change the Voice (Sound files)

Change the Counting Speed?

Start Counting Over Again?

Exit the Program?


License Agreement

Glow-In-The-Dark Software is not and never has been public domain software, nor is it free software.

Non-licensed users are granted a limited license to use our software on a 21-day trial basis for the purpose of determining if it is suitable for their needs. Any use of our software, except for the 21-day trial, requires registration. The use of unlicensed copies of our software, outside of the initial 21-day trial by any person, business, corporation, or government agency or any other entity is strictly prohibited.

A single user license permits a user to use one copy of the licensed sotware on one computer. Licensed users may use the software on more than one computer, but not on more than one computer at the same time.

No one may modify or patch any of our executable files in any way, including but not limited to decompiling, disassembling, or otherwise reverse engineering our software programs.

A limited license is granted to copy and distribute our shareware software only for the trial use of others, subject to the above limitations, and also the following:

1) The software must be copied in unmodified form, complete with the file containing this license information.

2) The full machine-readable documentation must be included with each copy.

3) Our software may not be distributed with any other product without a specific license to do so from Glow-In-The-Dark Software.

4) No fee, charge, or other compensation may be requested or accepted, except as authorized below:

A) Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (sysops) may make use of our products available for downloading only as long as the above conditions are met. An overall or time-dependent charge for the use of the bulletin board system is permitted as long as there is not a specific charge for the download of our software.

B) Vendors of user-supported or shareware software approved by the ASP may distribute our products, subject to the above conditions, without specific permission. Non-approved vendors may distribute our products only after obtaining written permission from Glow-In-The-Dark Software. Such permission is usually granted. Please write for details (Include your catalog). Vendors may charge a disk duplication fee, which, when pro-rated to each individual product, may not exceed eight dollars.

C) Non-Profit user groups may distribute copies of the products to their members, subject to the above conditions, without specific permission. Non-Profit groups may collect a disk duplication fee not to exceed five dollars.


Limited Warranty

Glow-In-The-Dark Software guarantees your satisfaction with this software product for a period of 90 days from the date of original purchase. If you are unsatisfied with the product within that time period, return the package in saleable condition to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Glow-In-The-Dark Software warrants that all disks provided are free from defects in material and workmanship, assuming normal use, for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase.

Glow-In-The-Dark Software warrants that the program will perform in substantial compliance with the documentation supplied with the software product. If a significant defect in the product is found, the purchaser may return the product for a refund. In no event will such a refund exceed the price of the product.

EXCEPT AS PROVIDED ABOVE, GLOW-IN-THE-DARK SOFTWARE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT. SHOULD THE PROGRAM PROVE DEFECTIVE, THE PURCHASER ASSUMES ALL RISK OF PAYING THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICEING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION AND ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT WILL GLOW-IN-THE-DARK SOFTWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DAMAES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION AND THE LIKE) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THIS PRODUCT EVEN IF GLOW-IN-THE-DARK SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Use of this product for any period of time constitutes your acceptance of this agreement and subjects you to its contents.


About Screen

See Also:	Main Screen   Control Panel

The About screen lets you know the version information, and gives you the ability to type in the registration code that you receive when you purchase Number One Counter. Press any of the four buttons for a description of what they do.


Latest Version

See Also:	Contents   Registering

The latest version of all Glow-In-The-Dark Software products are available in two places:

Compuserve:

Windows Fun Forum

(Go WINFUN)

BBS:

Nuttin' Fancy BBS  	(14,400, V32.bis, N81)

Line 1: (804) 239-5434

Line 2: (804) 237-0766


Setting the Count Range

See also:	Features	How Do I?

The counting range can be configured by these three easy steps:

1) With the main screen showing, press <ALT-F10>. This brings up the control panel.

2) Change the numbers in the 'Count From' and 'Count To' fields to the range you want to count from and to.

NOTE: The unregistered version is limited to a range between 1 and 10, although you can reduce this range (i.e.- 1 to 5) by following these steps. The range for the registered version is -32,000 to +32,000.

3) If you want to save this range so that the next time you start the program it is already configured, press the 'SAVE' button. Otherwise, press the 'OK' button.

 That's it! You should be returned to the main screen and the number should be set to the first number in your range.


Changing the Font

See also:	Features	How Do I?

You can change the font that Number One Counter displays the number with by following these simple steps:

1) From the Main Screen, press <ALT-F10>. This brings up the control panel.

2) Press the 'Font' button.. The Font dialog box should appear.

NOTE: Only installed Truetype fonts will show up in the font dialog box. See your Windows User's Manual for information on installing Truetype fonts on your system.

3) Select the font that you wish to use. The size of the font will be set automatically by Number One Counter, so don't worry about choosing the right size.

4) Press the 'OK' button on the font dialog box.

5) If you want to save this font selection so that the next time you start the program it is the default font, press the 'SAVE' button. Otherwise, press the 'OK' button.

That's It! You should be returned to the main window, the new font will appear, and the program will start counting from the starting point again.

NOTE: It may take a minute for your computer to generate the new font in memory, so be patient.


Changing the Count Direction

See also:	Features	How Do I?

You can change the direction that Number One Counter counts in by following these simple steps:

1) From the Main Screen, press <ALT-F10>. This brings up the control panel.

2) On the Control Panel,choose either the 'Count Up' or 'Count Down' option button.

3) If you want to save the count direction so that the next time you start the program it is the default, press the 'SAVE' button. Otherwise, press the 'OK' button.

That's it! You should be returned to the main window and the program will start counting from the starting point again. If you selected 'Count Up', then the program will start counting from the lowest number, and if you selected 'Count Down' it will start counting from the highest number.


Changing the Voice

See also:	Features	How Do I?

You can change the voice that is used to pronounce the numbers very simply. This is a good idea if you want your child to hear your voice when the numbers change, or if he or she is losing interest in the voice that comes with Number One Counter.

To change the voice, follow these steps:

1) Using your favorite sound recorder / editor (Not included in version 1.X, but slated for 2.X), record the voice you want to use as it pronounces the numbers you want to have changed.

2) Using the editor, select each number's pronunciation one at a time and save it as a wave file. The name of the wave file is determined as shown below:

A) The first four characters of the filename are "N1C_"

B) The next four characters are a four-digit number representing the number pronounced in that file, i.e.-"0001" for number 1. For a negative number, the first character is "m". For example, the number negative one (-1) is "m001".

C) Add an extension of ".WAV" to the end, and you have the full name of the sound file for that number. Here are some examples:

Number	Filename

   1	N1C_0001.WAV

  10	N1C_0010.WAV

  -1	N1C_M001.WAV

 -10	N1C_M010.WAV

3) Make sure that the files are saved in the wave file directory for Number One Counter.  The wave file directory is listed in the N1C.INI file found in the Windows directory. Normally it is the same directory that the program files are found in.

4) The next time that the program counts it will use the new pronunciation.

NOTES:

1. You must have an MCI Wave device installed in your computer to hear the sounds that accompany Number One Counter. See your Windows User's Manual for more information on installing a sound device into your computer.

2. Of course, in order for the program to pronounce anything outside of the range of 1 to 10, you must have a registered version of the program.

3. The file naming scheme limits you to files that pronounce numbers from -999 to +9999. We don't think this is too limiting, but if you require a larger range call Technical Support and let them know.


Features

See also:	Contents	How Do I?

Listed below are some of the more important features of Number One Counter. Click on the items in the list below to get more information about them.

Automatic sizing of fonts

Counting hands

Pound-proof operation

Adjustable count direction

Adjustable counting speed

Adjustable count range

Adjustable fonts

Editable sound files


Changing the Counting Speed

See also:	Features	How Do I?

You can change the speed that Number One Counter counts at by using the 'Time Delay' parameter. This parameter is the amount of time (in seconds) that Number One Counter will wait between numbers before it looks for another key press or mouse click. For instance, if  the time delay is set to 2, then Number One Counter waits two seconds before looking for the next key press or mouse click.

To change the time delay, follow these steps:

1) From the Main screen, Pres <ALT-F10>. This calls up the control panel.

2) Change the time delay to the number of seconds that you want to wait between numbers. You are limited to a number between 0 and 10 seconds.

3) If you would like this time delay saved so that the next time you run Number One Counter it is used as the default, then press the 'SAVE' button. Otherwise, press the 'OK' button.

That's it! You will be returned to the main screen and Number One Counter will start counting over again from the starting point, using the new time delay.


Starting the Count Over Again

See also:	Features	How Do I?	Changing the Count Direction

You can start Number One Counter over again at any time by pressing <ALT-F9> from the main screen

The number that it starts at is determined by the Count Direction and the Count Range:

If the count direction is UP, then Number One Counter starts counting at the lowest number in the count range.

If the count direction is DOWN, then Number One Counter starts counting at the highest number in the range.

For example, if the range is -1 to 5 and the count direction is UP, counting starts at -1. If the count direction is down, counting starts at 5.


Exiting Number One Counter

You can exit Number One Counter in two ways:

1) By pressing <ALT-F4> from the main screen.

2) By pressing the 'Exit' button in the Control Panel.


Technical Support

See also: 	How to Reach GITD Software   Registering

Technical Support is available from 6pm - 9pm EST Monday - Friday.

Registered users receive free lifetime technical support for each of the products they have registered.

Unregistered users are invited to call technical support if they are having problems getting Number One Counter to work, if they have questions about its features, or if they have suggestions on how to make it better. We recognize that good technical support is a key ingredient to success, and will strive to provide the best service possible.

Technical Support may be reached by contacting Glow-In-The-Dark Software by any of the means listed in the How to reach Glow-In-The-Dark Software topic.


Revision History

See also: 	Latest Version

Below is the revision history of Number One Counter:

1.02	Revised how negative	9/5/94

numbers are named

1.01	Changed forum for 	7/18/94

latest version info.

1.00 	Original release	7/18/94


Installing Number One Counter

See Also:	Contents	Technical Support

Installation of Number One Counter couldn't be simpler. Just follow these three steps to get yourself up and running:

Special Note: You must have the file VBRUN300.DLL in your Windows system directory. If you do not have this file, it can be easily found on almost any public bulletin board system, or you can probably get it from one of your friends.

1) Unzip all of the files in this archive into the directory of your choice. These files should include:

N1C.EXE	Number One Counter executable

N1C.HLP	Number One Counter Help file

SPIN.VBX	The *.VBX files are support files

THREED.VBX	for the program. If they already

MCI.VBX	 in your Windows or

MHAS200.VBX	Windows\System directory then

CMDIALOG.VBX	you may be able to delete them.

N1C_0001.WAV	Wave sound files for the numbers

N1C_0002.WAV	(MCI wave driver required)

N1C_0003.WAV

N1C_0004.WAV

N1C_0005.WAV

N1C_0006.WAV

N1C_0007.WAV

N1C_0008.WAV

N1C_0009.WAV

N1C_0010.WAV

2) Create a program manager group to hold the Number One Counter Icon. The steps for doing this are quite easy:

A. From the program manager menu, select 'File' then 'New', and then 'Program Group'.

B. Fill in a brief description for the group and then press 'OK'.

3) From the file manager, click the left mouse button on the file N1C.EXE and drag it over to the group that you just created in the program manager. Drop it on the group and Windows takes care of the rest!

Note: It is possible to place the wave files into another directory and then configure Number One Counter to read them from the new directory. Simply place the correct path into the N1C.INI file in the Windows directory. The line that controls this path is:

[File Paths]

Wavefiles=C:\N1C\Wave\

The trailing slash must be present in order for it to work correctly.


OK Button
OK Button - Pressing the OK button will take you to the main screen, where the program will begin counting.


Quit Now Button
Quit Now Button - The quit now button will exit the program immediately. Press this button if you do not agree with the terms of the license agreement.


Register Now
Register Now - The Register Now button provides you with a dialog box that allows you to enter the registration code you received when you registered the program. See Registering for the juicy details about all the extras you get when you register.


Registration Information Button
Registration Information Button - The registration information button takes you to this help file, straight to the registration info section.


The Main Screen

See Also:	About Screen   Control Panel

The main screen is shown below. Press on the various sections to see a brief description of what that part of the screen does or shows.


Menu Area
Menu Area - The Menu Area shows the available key combinations from the main screen that will do something besides count another step. These combinations are your only options from the main screen of Number One Counter. To configure the program, Press <ALT-F10> and go to the Control Panel.


Hand Area
Hand Area - The hand areas show, using a finger representation, the number that is currently being pronounced and that is showing on the screen. By showing this at the same time as the number, an association forms that will help with later development (i.e.- writing numbers)


Number Character Representation
Number Character Representation - The number character representation shows, in arabic numerals, the character representation of the number that is being pronounced and shown in the hand area. By showing this at the same time as the hands and the voice, an association will develop that will aid the child in later development (i.e.- Writing numbers)


The Control Panel

See Also:	About Screen   Main Screen

To get to the control panel, press <ALT - F10> from the main screen.

The control panel is the place where all program configuration takes place. Press on the areas of interest in the picture below for a description of what that items does.


Sounds On / Off

Sounds On / Off - This area lets you turn the sound capabilities on or off. Number One Counter will either use the Wave file output device, or will beep for each number as it is presented. Turning the sounds off disables this function.


Count Direction

Count Direction - This area lets you set the direction of counting, either up or down. Setting this to up will increment the numbers (i.e.- 1, 2, 3, etc.), and setting this to down will decrement the numbers (i.e.- 10, 9, 8, etc.).


Count From
Count From - The count from area defines the lowest number that Number One Counter will reach when counting. This number can be changed either up or down by pressing the spin button to the right of the text box.


Count To
Count To - The count to area defines the highest number that Number One Counter will reach when counting. This number can be changed either up or down by pressing the spin button to the right of the text box.


Time Delay
Time Delay - The time delay area defines the amount of time that Number One Counter waits before it looks for another key press or mouse click. This prevents rapid scrolling through the numbers if your child is continuously holding down a key.


Registration Status
Registration Status - This window will show a message that corresponds to your registration status.


Control OK Button
OK Button - Pressing this button will prompt you save your changes as default, and then take you back to the main window, applying to the program any changes you have made.


Cancel Button
Cancel Button - Pressing this button returns you to the main window, without making any changes to the behavior of the program.


Save Button
Save Button - Pressing this button updates the program configuration to the one shown in the control panel, and saves that configuration to disk as as the default startup configuration.


Help Button
Help Button - Pressing the help button launches this help file.


Quit Button
Quit Button - Pressing the quit button exits the program.


Font Button
Font Button - Pressing the font button lets you choose the font that Number One Counter uses to display the number's character representation. Only truetype fonts will appear in the font selection window. You can choose either bold or regular text for each font.


Automatic Sizing of Fonts

The font that Number One Counter uses to display the character representation of the number is sized automatically to fit on the window.  When selecting a font from the control panel, you do not have to select the point size for that font, since it will be done for you.


Counting Hands

See Also:	Contents	Features

Number One Counter uses a pair of hands to display numbers between zero and ten. This helps young children associate a quantity (the number of fingers) to a character representation and pronunciation of the number.


Pound-Proof Operation

See Also:	Contents	Features

Since Number One Counter is designed for children that haven't yet mastered control of the mouse and keyboard, it prevents the standard windows hot keys (ALT combinations, etc) and mouse clicks from having an effect on the Windows environment.