Document for:
KSHAPES.PRG--Kidshapes
(For Children Ages 2-8)
and
KSHAPESP.PRG--Kidshapes Plus
(For Children Ages 8 and Up and Adults)
Yet Another KIDPRG (#14 and #15!) in GFA Basic
by D.A. Brumleve
Kidshapes, a graphics design program patterned after my
sons' magnet board sets, comes in two versions. The version for
young children features large targets for the mouse and limited
choices. The version for older children (and adults!) includes a
larger number of choices, with the possibility of creating more
complex pictures, and offers a "Flash" option: selected squares
on the design grid can be turned on and off for a variety of
effects.
Help files on the disk will get you started making pictures
and designs with Kidshapes. (In Kidshapes Plus, separate help
files are available in the design and flash modes, so be sure to
read both. Please instruct all users to leave the disk in the
drive at all times while using the program. You should be
aware also that the pictures provided will be overwritten (and,
thus, lost) if you choose to save your own pictures to disk.
For this reason, I would recommend that you make a back-up copy
of the original disk. I would also suggest that you provide each
member of the family who will use the program with a personal copy.
It is also a good idea to provide for autobooting if young children
will use the program. I have therefore provided AUTOSHPS.PRG
(for Kidshapes) and AUTOSHPP.PRG, which, when inserted in an auto
folder on your Kidshapes disk, will load the program automatically
when the disk is inserted in Drive A and the reset button on the
back of your computer is pressed. To take advantage of this option,
place your Kidshapes disk in Drive A and click the Drive A icon on
your Desktop. Then click "New Folder" in the File menu and type
"AUTO" (no quotation marks). Click "OK". An AUTO folder will be
created on your disk. Now copy the appropriate AUTOSHP*.PRG into
the AUTO folder.
Please note that this program, while freely distributed, is
not quite public domain. It is offered to you as CAREWARE. If
you enjoy using this program and would like to share the joy of
computing with others, please send your tax-deductible donation
($10 suggested) to:
LEAL SCHOOL ST FUND
C/O 607 WEST ILLINOIS STREET
URBANA, IL 61801
U.S.A.
Please make your check payable to "Leal School". (This is a
public elementary school in my neighborhood.) Your generosity
will be most appreciated. Thank you, and enjoy Kidshapes!
GEnie Address: D.A.BRUMLEVE
Files Provided by the author:
Kidshapes: KSHAPES.PRG--The compiled GFA Basic program.
KSHAPES.DAT--This one stores your saved pics.
KSHAPES.PI1--Degas file, the Kidshapes screen.
SAMPLE.DAT--The sample of the house on the title screen.
SAMPLE1.DAT--The sample of the car on the title screen.
KSHAPES.TXT--This document.
AUTOSHPS.PRG--Put this in an AUTO folder.
Kidshapes Plus: KSHAPESP.PRG--The compiled GFA Basic program.
SHAPES.PI1--The Kidshapes Plus screen.
SHAPES.DAT--This one stores your saved pics.
SAMPLE.DAT--The sample of the house on the title.
FLASH.DAT--Info on what boxes flash on each pic.
KSHAPES.TXT--This document.
AUTOSHPP.PRG--Put this in an AUTO folder.
Only the .PRG and .PI1 are absolutely necessary for the program
to run. You must either have KSHAPES.DAT/SHAPES.DAT or 90000K
of diskspace on your disk to save your pictures.
Commercial product:
MichTron has produced "PreSchool Kidprogs", a disk of three programs
by the same author. The disk includes Kidgrid+ (graphics design),
Kidkeys (on-screen piano/organ and tune-player), and Kidblocks
(multi-sided block puzzle), all available from an icon menu in an
autobooting shell program. Recommended for ages 2-6.
The KIDPRGS series by the same author (freely distributed):
Graphics Design
Kidgrid
Kidgrid2
Kidgraph
Kidshapes
Kidshapes Plus
Kidsketch
Desktop Publishing
Kidpublisher
Music
Kidpiano
Kidnotes
Kidmusic
Makin' Aiken (Kidsong1)
Games (well, I call them games)
Kidpuzzle
Kidmixup
Kidstory
Kidpotato