ReadMe File for
BINGO(C) The Number Dog Version 3.0
Copyright Bill Buckels 1989-1999
All Rights Reserved.

Program Description
-------------------

BINGO is the third program in the Small Packages Collection. This
collection has been designed to provide unique computer experiences for
preschool and primary school level students.

The software is directed towards mathematics students in grades 1
through 6. Activities are provided in an accessible manner to avoid
frustrating students who can not yet grasp the mathematical concepts
well enough to complete the game levels.

The Bingo Program is divided into 6 basic activities; Counting,
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, and pattern based
problem solving. BINGO increases familiarity with the foundation of
simple mathematics structures and relationships within the 6 basic
activities.

BINGO is a GRAPHICAL MATHEMATICS program. GROUPS of DOG BONES are used
to represent NUMBERS and the NUMBERS are also displayed in normal format
at the bottom of the screen. Music and Graphics and that infernal
"dogface", Bingo the Number Dog, make Addition, Subtraction,
Multiplication, Division, and problem solving with numeric combinations
up to 20 into quite a party.

BINGO also offers other interesting activities, like a "Rotating Number
Match Game", "Dancing Numbers", and "Karioke-Style" Musical Playback
with words. See the "Rolling Credits" by clicking on the "Maple Leaf" in
the Options Control menu, and listen to some very good music while you
read a little about how we made BINGO.

If you have a soundcard, BINGO has a very high quality soundtrack, and
many very good background music selections to accompany game play.

Sound Card Support
------------------

You need an ADLIB compatible sound card to use BINGO properly (the
Creative Labs Soundblaster is an example of a sound card that is ADLIB
compatible).

A Sound Card is not absolutely required. Music will play through the PC
Speaker within its limitations. The Sound Card capabilities of BINGO are
superb and the PC Speaker Music is poor by comparison.

Note that an older XT compatible computer (from the early 1980's) with a
older standard VGA and with or without an ADLIB sound card will run
BINGO.

Windows 98 and Windows 95 (and Windows 3.1)
------------------------------------------

When running under Windows, BINGO (like many DOS applications) should be
run as a full screen application. However, BINGO does not run at its
best under Windows, even as a full screen application. Windows runs
BINGO much slower than MS-DOS especially regarding screen
updates,animation, and playability, so consider running BINGO in MS-DOS
mode.

BINGO runs excellently under Windows 98 in MS-DOS mode. If you do not
run BINGO in MS-DOS mode, music will not play properly. i.e. If you get
no sound from your sound card, run BINGO in MS-DOS mode.

Note: The mouse driver must be loaded in order to use the mouse in
MS-DOS.

BINGO runs excellently with really great music and colors, and it is
well worth the effort to create a shortcut to run in MS-DOS mode. In
Windows 98 you will likely be prompted to run in MS-DOS mode and to have
a "shortcut" created for you. Just say yes, and make sure the mouse is
checked on the "wizard" prompt. Windows 98 is great, and takes care of
the rest.

Alternately, a Windows "LAUNCH" program called WINBINGO.EXE is provided
to run BINGO in a clean DOS environment when run from Windows. Again,
the MS-DOS mouse driver must be loaded in order to use the mouse in
MS-DOS. This is for Windows versions which are not as accomodating as
Windows 98.

Installing and Running BINGO
-----------------------------

Install BINGO by "UNZIPPING" BINGO.ZIP complete with pathnames to the
drive of your choice. If you decide to install BINGO to Drive C:, BINGO
will be installed into the directory C:\BINGO.

In DOS, start BINGO by typing BINGO and press [ENTER].

In WINDOWS, start BINGO by clicking on BINGO.EXE. You can also start
BINGO by clicking-on BINGO.PIF. This is a Windows 3.1 PIF, and Windows
98 and 95 will rewrite it to accomodate their own additional
information.

In Windows, alternately, if your sound card does not work, start BINGO
by clicking on WINBINGO.EXE or SPEAKER.BAT. (Read the BINGO User's Guide
for more information.)

The BINGO User's Guide
-----------------------

The BINGO User's Guide is a very high quality document and contains all
the information that you will probably ever need about BINGO.

Please see the BINGO USER'S GUIDE for information not included in this
ReadMe. The BINGO USER'S GUIDE is available for viewing or download
from the Teacher's Choice WebSite:

http://www.escape.ca/~bbuckels/kidstuff

The BINGO USER'S GUIDE is in HTML format. An Internet Browser like
"Microsoft Internet Explorer"tm or "Netscape Navigator"tm is required to
use and to print the USER'S GUIDE.

To Install the BINGO USER'S GUIDE, "Unzip" complete with PathNames.

INSTALLING THE BINGO USER'S GUIDE
---------------------------------

Install the BINGO USER'S GUIDE by "UNZIPPING" BINEUSER.ZIP complete with
pathnames to the drive of your choice. If you decide to install to Drive
C:, the BINGO USER'S GUIDE will be installed into the directory
C:\BINGO\EUSER. After installing, "Click-on" C:\BINGO\EUSER\index.htm to
begin.

Copyright and Licence Agreement
-------------------------------

BINGO is distributed as ShareWare. Registration is $10.00 for A Single
Family for Home Use, or for a Single Computer for Commercial Use.
Commercial Users like DayCares etc. must purchase a Commercial Licence
at $10.00 per licence for each computer that BINGO is used on.

You must register with the Author if you use BINGO beyond a 30-day
evaluation period, or you must remove BINGO from your computer.

Send registration in the form of cheque, or money order to:

Bill Buckels
589 Oxford Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3M 3J2

Email: bbuckels@escape.ca
WebSite: http://www.escape.ca/~bbuckels

Disclaimer and Conditions of Use
--------------------------------

BINGO and its associated files are Copyrighted by their author, Bill
Buckels. BINGO is not a derivative work of any other author and is the
exclusive property of its author, Bill Buckels.

The graphics and music used in BINGO were produced by Bill Buckels (the
author) and as such are the author's own expression, and a fair use of
content that is believed to be in the public domain. You may use these
in any way you find useful, provided you do not compete with Bill
Buckels or his agents, and that you agree that Bill Buckels has no
warranty obligations or liability whatsoever resulting from any
associated loss or damage.

If you redistribute the BINGO program, please distribute it its
entirety. If you are missing files, you can download a complete version
from the internet at:

http://www.escape.ca/~bbuckels/kidstuff

This program may be distributed freely. This program may not be
distributed for personal gain, with the exception of a modest
duplication fee.

End of ReadMe
