Category : Science and Education
Archive   : XYSEE30A.ZIP
Filename : XYSEE.DOC

<< Introducing XYSee 3.0a >>

High Performance Math!
Points to Parametrics...Lines to Lissajous

About XYSee:
XYSee supplements high school and college level studies in Algebra,
Geometry, and Trigonometry. XYSee's intuitive menu structure, com-
prehensive tutorial, and context-sensitive help, make it suitable
for home use without professional supervision.

With XYSee You Will:
o Conduct interactive "what if" analysis on a broad array of Functions
o Cover material found on the SAT, ACT, and Math Placement Tests
o Challenge problem-solving skills with ho-hum to horrific Puzzles
o Run easy-to-use Macros, saving keystrokes and automating tests
o Add your own custom macros and puzzles with the "smart" Editor
o Track progress with printable Performance Reports

XYSee's Advanced Features Include:
o Fully interactive, high-resolution Color Graphics
o Frustration free "Smart Mouse" menu selection
o Multi-level model expansion as in Y=sin(X)...Y=Asin(BX+C)+D
o Asymptote, vector, foci, and axis translation Visualization Aids
o Illustrated, step-by-step User's Manual for rapid familiarization

System Requirements:
o IBM-PC compatible computer with 384K memory and one disk drive
o PC/MS-DOS version 2.1 or greater
o VGA/EGA graphics card versions available
o Mouse and graphics printer optional

Can't Wait?...
You may "fast track" the review process as follows:
1. At the DOS prompt, key "XYSee"
2. Use your arrow keys or mouse to select the "Run Macro" option
3. Select the "Tutorial" option
4. Relax and enjoy!

NOTES: ISBN 0-9627172-1-5
XYSee has been approved by the New York City Board of Education.
XYSee is compatible with Windows' "full screen" mode.
Tandy Users: XYSee expects a Microsoft compatible mouse system to
be active. You should execute "Mouse.COM" to enhance
the internal DeskMate mouse driver.

<< FIRST THINGS FIRST >>


Review documentation:
XYSee is a large program...Because of disk space limitations, we are
unable to include all the documentation found in the full registration
package. However, when used in conjunction with XYSee's comprehensive
tutorial and example macros and puzzles, this brief document provides
an excellent overview of the program's new and exciting features.
NOTATION: Keystroke references will be indicated as
(Ex.: Enter key=).

Program Registration:
XYSee is supported entirely through user registration. Your under-
standing and support are crucial to the continued availability of this
unique educational tool. Upon registration, you will promptly receive:
o The latest registered version of XYSee
o The illustrated XYSee user's manual
o Additional demonstration macros and puzzles
o One year of free technical assistance
o One year of free major-version updates
To obtain your XYSee registration package, complete and mail the
convenient order form to:

Insight Advantage
4509 Yellowleaf Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76133

The ASP and You:
Insight Advantage is a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). 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 member's products. Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at
545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI 49442 or send a Compuserve message via
Compuserve Mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536.


<< PROGRAM EXECUTION >>


Starting XYSee:
To start the program, enter "XYSee" at the DOS prompt.
Ex.: A:\>XYSee

Getting Around:
You may use your mouse or arrow keys to navigate XYSee's menus.
a selection with your key or leftmost mouse button.
a selection with your key or rightmost mouse button.

"OK" Dialog Boxes:
XYSee uses dialog boxes to:
o Accept user input data and request confirmation
o Report program status and error conditions
You may , , or input the requested data as appropriate.

Setting Up XYSee:
You may configure XYSee to your particular Sound, Color, and Data drive
requirements. Because your review copy of XYSee may have been previously
configured by another user, we recommend selecting the "Reset Setup"
option prior to accessing any macro or puzzle files for the first time.

How XYSee Uses Colors:
Functions being plotted are colored yellow. Individual components of
Parametrics and Composites are plotted in red and blue with the combined
plot, in yellow. When present, visualization aids (offsets, vectors,
asymptotes, etc.) will be colored green. Puzzle functions (pieces) are
in white, with solution attempts in yellow. Outlier highlighting is in
yellow on the variables panel. If the vertical and/or horizontal scale
has changed since the last plot, the affected scale will be in red until
a subsequent plot returns it to white. The cursor display is in cyan.

Getting Help:
XYSee includes a comprehensive on-line "Tutorial" covering the program's
features and functions. In addition, should you get lost navigating the
program's structure, you may refer to the "Menu Tree" diagram in the
middle of the screen. Expanded edit-key assignment and file syntax
coverage is available in the editor. Finally, you may access XYSee's
extensive context-sensitive help system at any time by pressing the
function key.



<< PLOT OPTIONS MENU >>


The following short descriptions cover frequently used menu options.

Update Values:
A new plot display is produced each time you update an equation.
Equation changes typically affect the form, position, and orientation
of the display. This option allows you to explore these changes.
NOTE: Numerical limits for all XYSee variables are +/-99.

Cursor:
Highlights points of interest on a plot. May be single stepped in
manual mode with the arrow keys or mouse. Within a macro, the cursor
may be "jumped" from point to point with the step multiplier.
(Ex.: Up * 5 jumps up 5 steps)

Overlay Plot:
The "Store" and "Restore" options are used together to visually place
one plot display over another for on-screen comparison. Vertical and
horizontal scale factors are stored along with the plot. When the plot
is restored, these scale factors will be used to rescale (if necessary)
the active plot. The use of stored scale factors allows the direct
comparison of points between the plots.

Statistics:
XYSee calculates up to seven statistics for each function. The number
and kind of statistics varies from function to function. Access the
individual function Help files for additional information.

Select Model:
XYSee employs a unique formula expansion technique to customize its
complexity to individual user needs. New students may start with the
most basic form of an equation. As they progress however, the student
may wish to explore more complicated models.
For example:(^ stands for squared)

o Basic parabolic equation form Y=X^
o With magnitude control added Y=AX^
o With single axis translation coverage added Y=A(X-H)^
o Magnitude and multiple axis translation (Y-K)=A(X-H)^

In this manner, XYSee adds over 50, fully interactive, levels of
complexity to its 20 core equations. Just as in our parabolic example,
this feature is specially well suited to the introduction of new material
characterized by distinct levels of complexity. The student may save the
custom selection of models for automatic activation in a future session.

Print Plot:
The current plot can be reproduced on an Epson or IBM compatible graphic
printer. The current function, its active model, and its variables are
printed with the plot. Puzzle file identification is also included.

Zoom Scale: {Puzzles}
Within the numerical limits of XYSee, it is possible to plot puzzle
functions partially or entirely outside the range of the display.
While attempting to identify these "hidden" functions, you can select
a different plot scale. XYSee scales extend from +/- 1 to +/- 10,000.

Show Outlier: {Puzzles}
A "Tolerance" value is associated with each puzzle. The tolerance sets
limits on how close a guess must come to be considered a match. The
"Show Outlier" feature highlights values that exceed these limits.
This allows you to "lock-in" correct guesses while refining incorrect
ones. Values from 0 (exact match) to 9 (rather far off) may be selected.

<< EDITOR REFERENCE >>


Editor-key Assignments:
-----------------------

CURSOR CONTROLS
Left/Right on line .F2 Cursor up .........Up-arrow
Right 10 spaces ...Tab Cursor down .....Down-arrow
Top of screen ....Home Cursor left .....Left-arrow
Bottom of screen ..End Cursor right ...Right-arrow
Previous screen ..PgUp Insert character .......Ins
Next screen ......PgDn Delete character .......Del
Top of file ........F3 Backspace/Delete .Backspace
Bottom of file .....F4

LINE FUNCTIONS
Copy line from .F5 Insert line ...F7
Copy line to ...F6 Delete line ...F8
Append line ...Ent Restore line .Esc

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
Print edit file .......F9 Help ..................F1
Quit/Check Syntax ....F10


File Syntax:
------------

MACRO COMMAND SYNTAX
(Line 1) {Comment}
Ex.: 3 Null Add a 3 second additional delay.

(Line 1) <"Message">{Comment}
(Line 2)
Ex.: 4 Message Display the next line.
This message will be displayed on the screen.

(Line 1) <"Entry">{Comment}
(Line 2)
Ex.: 2 Entry Select the "A" data-drive.
A

PUZZLE FUNCTION SYNTAX
(Line 1) {Comment}
(Line 2) {Comment}
(Line n) {Comment}
Ex.: Point Add this function to the puzzle.
1.2 "X" value.
3.4 "Y" value.

Notation convention: , {Optional},
"Literal", (Note only)

<< MACRO REFERENCE >>


XYSee Macro Commands:
---------------------

AUTOMATIC COMMANDS MANUAL COMMANDS
ACCEPT ......Enter key substitute "ACCEPT" ...Pause till "ACCEPT"
BEEP ..............Attention bell "CANCEL" ...........Abort Macro
CANCEL .....Escape key substitute
DOWN ...Down arrow key substitute SPECIAL COMMANDS
ENTRY .Character response follows 0-9 ..Numeric ENTRY response
LEFT ...Left arrow key substitute A-Z ...Letter ENTRY response
MESSAGE .....Message text follows
NULL ..........Non-executing line
OFF-KEY ........Lock the keyboard
ON-KEY .......Unlock the keyboard
RIGHT .Right arrow key substitute
STOP .............Terminate Macro
UP .......Up arrow key substitute
WAIT .........Pause till "ACCEPT"


<< PUZZLE REFERENCE >>


XYSee Puzzle Functions:
-----------------------

FUNCTION FORMULA VARIABLES
-------- ------- ---------
Point: P(X,Y) X, Y
Line: AX+BY+C=0 X, A, B, C
Circle: (X-H)^+(Y-K)^=R^ R, H, K
Parabola: (Y-K)=A(X-H)^ A, H, K
Sine: Y=Asin(BX+C) A, B, C
Tangent: Y=Atan(BX+C) A, B, C
Para: Y=Asin(BPiT);
X=Ccos(DPiT) A, C, B, D
Comp: Y=AX/B;
Y=-Ccos(DX) A, C, B, D

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Copyright (C) Insight Advantage, 1992, All rights reserved.

XYSee is a trademark of Insight Advantage.
IBM and IBM-PC are registered trademarks of International
Business Machines Corp.
MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
Epson is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corp.
Tandy and DeskMate are registered trademarks of Tandy Corp.