Anguilla Library Computer Club

Standard Club Directory Structure

• Path=c:\dos;c:\windows\command
• Install clubmenu.bat in c:\dos
• Last line of autoexec.bat should be clubmenu.bat
• md temp
• md clubmenu
  • Install menu_lcc.zip here. See below for instructions.
  • md adv, for Adventure
  • md tme, for Typing Made Easy
  • md aseasy, for Spreadsheet
  • md googol, for Googol Math Games
  • md gwbasic, for Basic04.zip
  • md sorting, for Sorting.zip
• md lcc
  • thankout.txt, thankout.doc, thankyou.txt
  • bagman10.zip
  • menu210.zip
  • basic*.bas
  • All files read only, attrib +r *

Software Tools

• Pkunzip is required to expand zip files. Put it in your c:\dos or c:\windows\command directory so it will be on the execution PATH.
• Unzip is used when Pkunzip fails.
• MENU Version 2 is a simple DOS menu that uses no memory and runs on anything. For DOS-only computers, we start the menu from the AUTOEXEC file, so that if a precocious student restarts the computer, they also restart the menu. For Windows computes, we put the Club's menu of DOS programs as an ICON in a Computer Club folder (the menu runs fine from Win 3.1 and Win95). This is shareware by the very clever and helpful Andreas and Heidrun Spiegl in Germany.
• Typing Made Easy teaches you how to type properly and runs on anything.
• AsEasyAs Spreadsheet version 4.0 (183K) is a reliable Lotus-Clone that runs on anything. The version here is very old. We have purchased the up-to-date version for older PCs, called Alite, but haven't found the time yet to update the lessons and all of the computers. You can download it from the TRIUS Web site. We received a nice email from Paris Karahalios at Trius who noticed our lessons for their product. He looked at the screen shot, saw we were using a VERY old version and immediately offered us a free upgrade to the current version (which naturally has a lot of great new features). Plus a copy of their CAD program for teaching. Very nice company and very reliable products.
• Googol Math Games (166K) are math versions of classic arcade games. Runs on anything with CGA or better.
• Math Rescue (489K) is a great arcade game for DOS that builds math skills. Does not run on old CGA machines, but will run under Win95. You can order the registered version with many more levels from the author in Hawaii.
• Word Rescue (430K) is a great arcade game for DOS that builds word skills. Does not run on old CGA machines, but will fun under Win95. You can order the registered version with many more levels from the author in Hawaii.
• Worder-Word Crossword Puzzle (561K) is a great spelling game for DOS, but does not run on old PCs or under Windows (3.1 or 95!).
• WordTrix (540K) is a phonics based Windows game.
• Textris (109K) is a falling letters game where you get points by forming words horizontally or vertically.
• Fun-2-3 (881K) builds novice math skills (counting, matching, music), but requires VGA and 286. Registered version available from Devasoft with several other educational programs thrown in.
• 3D Home Architect is Broderbund Windows software for designing a house. Download demo at their web site. Cost about $75. Amazing. For serious work you can buy the professional version, Chief Architect.
• Kid's Typing is an awesome typing game from Sierra On-Line Games, but requires CD-ROM, sound, etc.
• Spelling Blizzard is another great CD-ROM game from Sierra. We bought this classic game plus Kid's Typing and 4 others as a KIDS PACK for $19.

Program Installation Tips

• DOS looks for a BAT file first, then EXE or COM. If you want to be certain you are running the EXE file, type bagman.exe, not just bagman.
• There may be a CONFIG.EXE to configure graphics or sound options.
• There may be an INSTALL.EXE to copy the files to a final destination directory.
• If you see SETUP.EXE or a DLL, this is probably a Windows program, not DOS (same for OCX or VBX).
• Compatibility. Not all programs will run on all computers. Googol Math requires at least CGA (old color graphics), while Word Rescue requires EGA or VGA grahics. Some will require a 286 or 386 CPU.
• The MS-DOS prompt under Windows is okay for installs, but Windows is still around. You may have to shutdown Windows to run the program.
• PKUNZIP must be on your "PATH", which is a list of directories that DOS searches for programs. Type PATH to see your current path: PATH=C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.
• Self Extracting Archives are zip files packaged as EXE files. When you run them, they explode into many files automatically in the current directory.
• Commerical Products come on floppies or CD-ROMs. Look for an INSTALL program on the media and run it (SETUP for Windows products). This will copy the product to your hard drive, building directories, configuring sound, etc.

Running DOS Games Under Windows

However, many will run under Windows 95. Install them normally. Then use the Windows Explorer to create a New Shortcut to the .EXE file in your c:\windows\Start Menu\Programs\ directory. Now click the Right mouse button on the shortcut and select Properties. In the Program attributes, select Run Maximized and Close on Exit. For Fun-2-3 we had to go into the Advanced program attributes and disable Suggest MS-DOS mode as required; the authors at Devasoft suggest setting Prevent MS-DOS program from detecting Windows. Now go to the Screen attributes tab and select Full Window.

We haven't tried Windows NT yet, since the club doesn't have a WinNT system.

Return the the Club's Lesson/Software site.