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Technical
Notes
Input
Easy
updated
May 5, 2000
Files
inputez.exe the 16-bit version of the program for Windows®
3.1 and 3.11
Input Easy.exe the 32-bit version of the program for
Windows® 95 and above
inputez.rtf this document in "rich text" format -
for all word processors
readme.txt basic information about the program
Other
files that will be created
inputez.ini OR Input Easy.ini : one per computer - like
most Windows® programs, this program specific initialization file
will be created in your system directory (usually c:\windows) the
first time you start the program.
When you create a learning file it will have the file extension '.iez'.
You can delete the following files at any time (even while you are
working with the program).
When you open an existing learning file, a backup of the learning
file will be created with the file extension '.bak' in the same
directory as your learning file. This way, you always have the
previous version handy if you accidentally delete some big section of
information in the learning file, and you will easily be able to find
it if you move your learning file.
In the program, you can enter a 'File Owner' for each learning file.
If you activate automatic activity logging for a learning file, your
activity will be logged automatically into a file. There will be
exactly one log file created per 'File Owner' name, independent of
how many learning files they use. This log file will be in the
directory where the program is located. It will have the '.txt'
file extension. You can open it with your word processor, and it is
comma separated so that you can easily load it into a spreadsheet.
There are several other files that you can automatically create and
name from within the program. These files include tests, answer
sheets, study sheets, a progress checklist, import files and export
files. All of these files are text '.txt' files.
To remove the program from your computer, just delete all the files.
System
Requirements
There is a 16-bit version and a 32-bit version of Input Easy.
Minimum system requirements for the 16-bit version are a 386 computer
with 4 Mb. of RAM., a screen resolution of at least 640x480, and
Windows® 3.1 or above.
The only notable requirement for the 32-bit version is Windows®
95 or above.
Both versions use the same file format. You can use your learning
files with both versions. Learning files have the "iez"
file extension.
The 16-bit version can be used on Windows® 3.1, Windows®
3.11, Windows® 95 and Windows® 98. On Windows® 95/98 it
is wise to use the "8.3" filename convention (for instance:
myfile00.iez) and not use too many levels of directories for storing
files. The depth of directory support will vary from computer to
computer, depending on the length of your directory names.
The 32-bit version can be used on Windows® 95 and Windows®
98. It supports long filenames.
Program
Handling
1.
Program Start
The start up is a bit unusual but it is very fast. If you are opening
the last file you used, you simply open the program and hit Enter twice.
Input Easy does not change your system registry automatically. The
first time you double-click on an Input Easy learning file (instead
of the program) your system will ask you which program you wish to
use to open that type of file. On the bottom of that screen there is
a 'Browse' button. Simply locate the program file and select it. From
then on, you will be able to open your Input Easy learning files
directly with a double-click.
2.
Program Exit
You must exit the same way you came in. While learning, it is
didactically sound to go from the general to the specific and back to
the general in each learning exercise.
To make it easier to get out of the program, the 'Done' buttons are
all lined up. You can simply click each one without having to move
your mouse. You can also hold down the <Alt> key and press the
letter 'd' until you are out of the program.
3.
Help Files
There is no external help file. Each screen has a Help button, and
there is this documentation. The F1 key does not work.
The program is very simple to use. Eliminating the help file simply
reduces the size of the program when downloading, and makes it easier
to manage your files.
4.
Save As
There is no 'Save As'. If you wish to make a copy of the file, you
can do this using standard Windows® commands. You can copy a
file, even if you are currently working with the file.
5.
Multiple Selection Lists
You may find this information handy when you are working with your
list of facts.
(This is standard Windows®). To choose a single line, click on
it. To choose several lines you use <Ctrl>-click to select
them. If you are selecting a long, contiguous list of items, you can
click on the first item, then <Shift>-click on the other end of
the list.
6.
Minimize, Maximize, Close
The standard "minimize", "maximize" and
"close" buttons in Input Easy do not work. It was necessary
to leave them displayed so that the menu at the bottom of the
Windows® 95/98 screen would not disappear.
In Windows® 95/98 there are several standard possibilities for
working with multiple programs.
You can use the standard 'Desktop' icon button to see your desktop
(which minimizes the program). You can start another program at any
time with the 'Start' menu button. You can switch to another active
program at any time by pushing its active icon on the menu bar at the
bottom of your screen.
In Windows® 3.1 and 3.11, you will have to start the other
program (such as your word processor) before you start Input Easy.
You can switch to the other program using <Alt>-<Tab>.
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