Bert's Coloring Programs
Bert's African Animals, Bert's Christmas, Bert's Dinosaurs
Bert's Prehistoric Animals, Bert's Whales and Dolphins
Shareware Version 4.2
User's Guide
Introduction
This instruction manual covers the use of all of the different
Bert's Coloring Programs.
Bert's Coloring Programs are enjoyable coloring programs for
children of all ages, but are especially useful for introducing young
children to the computer. Bert's Coloring Programs were designed by
educators to be used by young children with a minimum of assistance by
adults. Bert's Coloring Program series is superior to many other
children's coloring programs in that it allows the user to place the
various images, all in four different sizes, on a variety of
backgrounds. This allows children to easily create their own picture
before coloring. The opportunity to create their own picture will allow
children to take pride in their unique creation. Bert's Coloring
Programs also have a voice feature, which can be turned on or off,
allowing the images to speak their names, much to the delight of
children.
When first started Bert's Coloring Programs display a title screen
and then the drawing surface with eight buttons on the left. Children
can operate the program with the mouse alone. A window is provided which
allows children to write a short story about their picture using the
keyboard. The fact that they created the picture will help provide the
motivation to write about it. One of the best ways for children to learn
to read is to write, even if their initial attempts include phonetic
spelling which is not always correct. If your child is not ready to
attempt writing his/her story, then another good strategy is for you to
type in your child's story as he/she dictates it to you. Then have your
child read back the story he/she created. This is another very effective
beginning reading strategy. They will love creating a setting, writing
or dictating their own story and printing out a copy.
Installation
Bert's Coloring Programs require an IBM compatible computer with at
least 512K of memory, a VGA display and a Microsoft compatible mouse. A
Sound Blaster card is optional. The program installation process is
quite easy. (Users obtaining .ZIP files from the Internet or a BBS can
skip this installation section.)
First, make a backup copy of your Bert's Coloring Programs program
disk. If necessary consult your PC-DOS/MS-DOS manual for a description
of the DISKCOPY command. Save the original program disk in a safe place
and use the copy as the working program disk.
Second, while it is possible to use Bert's Coloring Programs on a
floppy disk system, a hard disk system is a necessity for reasonable
speed and storing a number of pictures your child has created. To
install Bert's Coloring Programs on a hard disk use the following steps:
1. Insert the floppy disk in your computer in drive A. (or B if
necessary)
2. Type A: (or B:)
3. Type INSTALL A C (or INSTALL B C)
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 1
Any hard drive letters can be used, for example INSTALL B D will
install the program from floppy drive B to hard drive D. The
installation will create a directory called BERT4 on your hard drive and
you will need to enter a CD\BERT4 to change to the Bert's Coloring
Programs directory before running the program. Once installed just type
BERT to start the program. If your computer gives a series of beeps when
you run Bert's Coloring Programs it is probably because it cannot find
the image files it needs to run, and other problems may be showing up as
well. All the files for Bert's Coloring Programs need to be in the same
directory for the program to operate successfully. You should not mix
the .DOT image files from Bert's Coloring Programs with those of
versions previous to 3.0 as they are in a different format.
This version of Bert's Coloring Programs has an improved Sound
Blaster interface which interacts directly with the on card circuitry.
It should operate with all Sound Blaster brand cards as well as a number
of "Sound Blaster compatible" cards.
If sound is not coming through the Sound Blaster, it is possible
that your current Sound Blaster setup is incorrect. First, check your
AUTOEXEC.BAT file in the root directory. It should have some lines that
look something like this:
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 H5 P330 T6
SET SOUND=C:\SB16
C:\SB16\SB16SET /M:220 /VOC:220 /CD:220 /MIDI:220 /TREBLE:0
C:\SB16\SBCONFIG.EXE /S
Your parameters may very well be different, depending on what I/O
port address, interrupt number and DMA channel your system is using. You
can check the SET statements by just typing SET from the C: prompt.
These values must match the hardware setting on your sound board.
The Bert's Coloring Programs are DOS programs and should be run in
DOS mode, ie. started from the C:> (or D:>) prompt. Running the Bert's
Coloring Programs from Windows may cause some problems.
Operation of Bert's Coloring Programs is quite easy. The ten buttons
are configured to do the following when the left mouse button is clicked
on them:
The Command Buttons
SELECT AN IMAGE
When beginning a new picture six small backgrounds are displayed.
The user clicks with the mouse on the selected scene to have it drawn on
the screen full size.
Next, a group of six sample images are displayed. If the stop sign
is clicked on, no image will be selected and you are returned to the
drawing surface.
Clicking the mouse on the box between the stop sign and the green
arrows, sets the voice status. Voice can be set to on, off or voice only
- meaning the images only say their name through the sound card.
If the down green arrow is selected the next group of images will be
displayed for possible selection. The up arrow returns to the previous
group of images. Clicking the mouse on any one of the images will select
it.
The selected image appears in four different sizes. After the image
of the desired size is chosen, a rectangle outlining its size will
appear in the upper left. When the left mouse button is held down on the
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 2
rectangle it can be dragged into its desired position. When the left
mouse button is released, the image will be drawn and any previously
drawn lines under it will be erased. This allows you to place one image
in front of the next. It is best to first place all the desired images
on the drawing surface before filling with color, as some colors cannot
be drawn over with an image outline. An additional feature is that the
image figures can also be drawn in reverse. To reverse a figure simply
hold down the right mouse button as you release the left one when you
position the image on the drawing surface.
SELECT A COLOR
When this button is clicked a group of forty-eight colors is
displayed. When a color is chosen it fills the crayon in the button.
This color will fill the portion of the picture clicked on. Clicking
outside the color box restores the screen with no action.
WRITING A STORY
Clicking on this button displays a window where a story can be
typed. Along with the normal alphanumeric characters, the backspace and
delete keys will erase characters. In addition the left and right arrow
keys will move the cursor to any position in the window. The complete
window is displayed, which consists of 8 lines of 38 characters.
Pressing the Enter key or filling the entire 8 lines closes the story
window. If you have problems displaying the window because it was
previously filled to overflowing try typing a backspace before opening
the window with a mouse click.
ERASE
This selection will erase the current drawing surface as well as the
story area. The user must verify the erase by choosing a happy face for
erase or sad face to cancel the erase.
DRAW
Clicking on this button places the program in draw mode. When the
cursor moves to the drawing surface it changes to a pencil. Holding the
left button down allows the user to draw black lines with the cursor.
Holding the right button down draws white lines, a simple eraser for
mistakes. After drawing closed line shapes the DRAW command button is
clicked on again to return to the coloring mode. The newly drawn closed
line shapes can then be filled with color in the normal way.
SAVE
The drawing surface and story area can be saved by clicking on this
button and then selecting the save box with the arrow pointing inward.
While simple for adults, this function may need explaining with young
children. Care must be taken because selecting the retrieve box with the
arrow pointing outward will load the stored image and story, erasing the
one currently on the screen. When storing an image the user is prompted
for a name. It should be a simple eight character or less file name with
no extension or path name. When retrieving an image a large window
appears containing the names of the images previously saved. Simply
clicking on a name will retrieve the image. Many drawings can be stored
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 3
by giving them different names. Again, this may be confusing for small
children. A suggestion is to use his or her name with numbers for easy
recall, ie. bert1, bert2, bert3, etc. Clicking outside the load/save box
restores the screen with no action.
PRINT
The image can be printed on several different types of printers:
Epson or IBM dot matrix printers that support either 9 or 24 pin
graphics, the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet series of printers and the
Hewlett-Packard DeskJet printers. Color printing is supported on color
capable Epson dot matrix printers, the DeskJet 500C and PaintJet
printers. Certain other dot matrix printers, such as Panasonic, support
the Epson color mode when equipped with a color kit. Other printer
brands that support any of these formats will also be compatible. Color
printing, because of large overheads, is much slower than black and
white printing, so be patient. In addition, be aware that the print
drivers create temporary disk files when printing and space will be
needed for this. This requirement may cause failure of the program if
you attempt to print while running on floppy disk only.
The user need only click on the type of printer he has to begin
printing. Once a printer has been selected, the program will remember
the last printer selected and assume that it will be used for future
printing. Clicking on the print button will then use this as the default
printer. If the type of printer needs to be changed simply hold the
right mouse button down while clicking the left one on the print button.
This will allow you to choose the printer you desire.
A message box will appear during printing, and the print job can be
quit by pushing <Esc>. When printing is finished another message box
appears, reporting the final print status. Clicking on the mouse returns
you to the drawing surface.
UNDO
Clicking on this button erases the last image that was placed on the
drawing surface. Misplaced images can be removed with this command
without effecting the image underneath. If the right mouse button is
held down when releasing the left one the last color fill will be
undone. In both cases the undo function will only work on the most
recently placed image or color fill.
PRINT MANUAL or REGISTRATION
When this button is clicked the user can easily print a copy of the
complete user's manual or the registration form. Be sure your printer is
turned on and click on the option you want.
STOP
Selecting this button exits the program. A second check on a happy
or sad face must be done to confirm stopping the program. After a
support shareware message is displayed, clicking the mouse will return
the user to DOS.
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 4
Additional Programs Available
Bert's Coloring Programs have been written in a way that they can
restructure themselves depending on the image files that they find
available. If image files for more than one of the Bert's Coloring
Programs are found by the program, the user is prompted to choose which
program to run. Each program contains a different set of topic images
which your child will enjoy. The following programs are currently
available and others may be added.
Bert's African Animals
Bert's Christmas
Bert's Dinosaurs
Bert's Prehistoric Animals
Bert's Whales and Dolphins
When registering your copy of one of the Bert's Coloring Programs
these additional programs are available for a small increase over the
registration price. Registered users may purchase additional programs at
any time.
Rachel's Fashion Dolls
In addition to the Bert's Coloring Programs, Rachel's Fashion Dolls,
a children's paper doll dressup and coloring program, is also available.
This program will appeal to a wide age group and is easy enough for
preschool age children to use with a minimum of assistance from adults.
Children of all ages will enjoy placing dolls on a background and
then dressing them with various clothing outfits. The outfits can be
easily changed and the dolls can be removed and replaced as well. After
an image has been created it can be colored from a palette of 48
different colors, as well as saved for the future and printed on a
variety of standard printers. For users with a Sound Blaster compatible
card, turning the voice on and clicking on the dolls prompts them to say
a variety of sentences. Children can operate the program with the mouse
alone.
Registration
You may freely copy and distribute this shareware Version 4.2.
Shareware users who find the Bert's Coloring Programs useful should
support the author and register their copy. The form found below should
be used for registration by mail, or you can phone us at 708-854-0489
for credit card orders. Registered users will receive a copy of the most
current version of Bert's Coloring Programs with additional images and a
printed manual. Registered users will also receive support, by mail,
e-mail or phone for one year from the date of registration.
Bert's Coloring Programs are "shareware programs" and are provided
at no charge to the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with
your friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to provide
personal computer users with quality software without high prices, and
yet to provide an incentive for programmers to continue to develop new
products. If you find this program useful and find that you continue to
use Bert's Coloring Programs after a reasonable trial period, you must
make a registration payment of $20. plus $2. shipping. The registration
fee will license one copy for use on any one computer at any one time.
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 5
You must treat this software just like a book. An example is that this
software may be used by any number of people and may be freely moved
from one computer location to another. There must be no possibility of
it being used at one location while it's being used at another, just as
a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same time.
The registration fee is $20. plus $2. for shipping and handling
($32. outside the United States.) A complete listing of the program,
which is written in Borland C/C++, is also available for an additional
$20.00. Additional programs such as Bert's African Animals, Bert's
Prehistoric Animals, etc. are available for $5.00 each when registering
your program. All prices are in U.S. dollars.
Checks should be made out to:
Theron Wierenga, P.O. Box 595, Muskegon, MI 49443
Ombudsman Statement
This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). The ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a shareware-
related problem with an ASP member by contacting the member directly,
ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a
dispute or problem with an ASP member, but does not provide technical
support for members' products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545
Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442-9427 USA, FAX 616-788-2765 or send a
CompuServe message via CompuServe Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.
+---------------+
---------------| |---------------------(R)
+---------------+ |
| | o |
| | | |
| o +---------------+ | Association of
| | | |-+ Shareware
| | | | Professionals
+---------| o |
| | |
------------ | | |-------------------------
+---------------+ Member
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 6
Registration Form
Bert's Coloring Programs 4.2
Name____________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________
City_______________________________________State_____Zip________
Disk size desired: 5 1/4 in._______ 3 1/2 in._______
Registration fee for first program . . . . . . $20.00 __________
Program name_______________________________________
Registration fee (Outside the USA) . . . . . . 30.00 __________
Borland C/C++ program code . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 __________
Additional program, Bert's African Animals . . 5.00 __________
Additional program, Bert's Christmas . . . . . 5.00 __________
Additional program, Bert's Dinosaurs . . . . . 5.00 __________
Additional program, Bert's Prehistoric Animals 5.00 __________
Additional program, Bert's Whales and Dolphins 5.00 __________
Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___2.00___
Total enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________
(All prices are in U.S. dollars.)
Method of payment: Check or MO______ MasterCard______ Visa______
Account number____________________________ Expir. date__________
Signature (necessary)___________________________________________
How did you receive your copy of this program?__________________
________________________________________________________________
Suggested improvements__________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Bert's Coloring Programs 4.2 is a software product of
Theron Wierenga
P.O. Box 595
Muskegon, MI 49443
Customer support and order phone 708-854-0489
mups_wiereng@wmich.edu
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 7
Registration Form
Rachel's Fashion Dolls, 2.2
Name____________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________
City_______________________________________State_____Zip________
Disk size desired: 5 1/4 in._______ 3 1/2 in._______
Registration fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $20.00 __________
Registration fee (Outside the USA) . . . . . . 30.00 __________
Borland C/C++ program code . . . . . . . . . . 20.00 __________
Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___2.00___
Total enclosed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . __________
(All prices are in U.S. dollars.)
Method of payment: Check or MO______ MasterCard______ Visa______
Account number____________________________ Expir. date__________
Signature (necessary)___________________________________________
How did you receive your copy of this program?__________________
________________________________________________________________
Suggested improvements__________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Rachel's Fashion Dolls 2.2 is a software product of
Theron Wierenga
P.O. Box 595
Muskegon, MI 49443
Customer support and order phone 708-854-0489
mups_wiereng@wmich.edu
Bert's Coloring Programs Version 4.2 Page 8
