
                 Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks Learning Environments
                            from Forware Systems

Roo is a half of the package which consists of two parts. Another part
is called Robby. The full package is available by mail upon registration.
You may get your registration fee back and win unlimited amount of money
if you accept our Black Box Challenge.

Content:

0. Preface
1. The description of Roo&Robby package
2. The description of SchoolWorks package
3. The Black Box Challenge
4. About The Authors
5. Registration

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0. Preface


This version of the Roo Environment is being distributed as shareware. You may
freely copy and distribute it provided that:

1. No fee beyond normal media, duplication, and shipping costs may be charged.

2. Shareware vendors and computer user groups who charge less than $7 per disk
   may distribute the Roo Environment, but Forware Systems must be supplied
   with a copy of the first catalogue issue offering the Roo Environment.

3. Others may only distribute the Roo Environment with the written permission
   of Forware Systems. In all cases, it must be clearly stated to the purchaser
   that he or she is receiving an unregistered copy of a shareware product.

4. The distribution files must be distributed in their original forms.


                             Trademarks

Roo&Robby/SchoolsWorks is a trademark of Forware Systems.

All other products or services mentioned are trademarks, registered trademarks,
or service marks of their respective owners.


                             Disclaimer

Forware Systems makes no warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied,
including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose.

In no event shall Forware Systems be liable for any errors contained herein or
for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of the Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks product or documentation.


                             FORWARE SYSTEMS

               Headquarters: 7 Bebo K., Budapest 1039 Hungary
                 The Branch: 46-101 Studencheskaya, Ekaterinburg 620049 Russia
Representatives in the U.S.: 3125 Vine St, Lincoln NE 68503
                             phones: 402 4351537
                                     402 4775077
                              email: msapir@hoss.unl.edu

                             Gene Linetsky and Mark Sapir

         To download by FTP:        ftp lovelace.unl.edu
       The name of the user:        mark                
                   Password:        frwsys              
        Don't forget to type        bin                 
                      before        get roo.zip         

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1. The description of Roo&Robby package


Roo and Robby are LOGO-like environments. Roo teaches basic algorithmic
constructions (without study of data structures) and the step-by-step design
method. Robby teaches the main data structures in algorithms: variable, array,
file, stack.

Algorithmic languages used in these environments have the same syntax of
algorithmic constructions but different sets of possible actions (see
the file LANGUAGE for the syntax). In particular, it allows one to avoid
the confusion between constructions and actions, and makes it possible to
extract the pure images of algorithmic constructions.

Since the execution of a computer program includes both language interpretation
and performing corresponding actions, we use special personages for executors
(Roo and Robby), and for interpretators (a boy Chris and a girl Milly).

There are four modes in the Roo and Robby environments: Program mode, Game
mode, Test mode, and Demo mode.

In the Program mode, one can type a program on the special program sheet. For
this, one can use a full-sheet text editor.  Deep syntax detection forbides
one to write incorrect programs.  Depending on the context, function keys help
one in fast typing.  Nine keys are enough for typing any program.  Before
running the program full logical analysis takes place. One can leave the
program sheet. When cursor is outside of the program sheet, all commands are
carried out immediately. So it is possible to direct Roo (or Robby) without
creating the program.  One can entrust Chris (or Milly) to trace and comment
on the carrying process.  Chris (or Milly) states every command and explains
the carrying out of the algorithmic constructions.

In the Game mode, one has to reconstruct a pattern program given the initial
positions and final result.  One can ask for prompts: Hint and Compare. Hint
shows how the pattern program is carrying out. Compare allows to start the
pattern and the user's programs simultaneously. It is easy to create new games
with a special option of the R&R environment. Any program may be converted
into a game.

In the Test mode, one must carry out a sample program instead of Chris. All
mistakes and other statistics are collected and then written into a special
file. One can create such tests just converting a program into a test with a
special option.

In the Demo mode, the environment gets a file containing explanations and key
codes. R&R outputs explanations in a special demo line and reacts to key codes
as the corresponding keystrokes.

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2. The description of SchoolWorks package


This system consists of "teaching versions" of a word processor, spreadsheets,
and database. Using SchoolWorks, you may acquaint your kids (or grandparents)
with essential features of corresponding professional applications. All three
programs are hosted by corresponding funny charachters as well.

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3. The Black Box Challenge


To accept the Black Box Challenge, you will need both Roo and Robby, so you
have to register first.

The goal is to win two "black box" games. Now you have the samples of such
games for Roo. Run game.bat for details.

If you accept the Black Box Challenge, you will receive two problems (one for
Roo and one for Robby) in the form of game conditions. You will have to write
two programs solving these problems. No winning program will be longer than 99
lines (both Roo and Robby allow only one statement per line). No condition
of the game will consist of more than 5 situations (i.e. pairs of the initial
and the final positions).

Forware Systems will pay you THREE TIMES your Black Box Challenge deposit if 
you mail your two solutions to us by the SECOND BUSINESS DAY after receiving 
the conditions of the two problems (the problems come together with your 
order). For example, if your deposit is $30, you receive your order with the 
conditions of the two "black box" problems on February, 10, and you send us 
the correct solutions of the problems by February, 12 (i.e. your mail is 
postmarked not later than February, 12), your prize will be $120 so that you
gain $90 = $30 x 3. The check with your prize will be sent to you immediately.

Your order and the "black box" problems will be sent to you by certified mail
with return card. This will allow us to know the time distance between you
received the conditions and sent the solutions.

We will return your deposit to you if you send us the correct solutions
within five days after receiving the conditions.

And then, anyway, you will receive the correct programs either to make sure
that they do exist or to compare them with ones you developed. We guarantee
that there will not be any tricks of hidden terms: all you will have to do
is to write programs which make respectively Roo or Robby to transform the
initial positions into the final ones. We reserve the right to demand that
the solving programs must have not more than certain number of lines and
guarantee that the solutions consisting of these numbers of lines do exist.

The minimal deposit is $9. There is no upper limit for the deposit. The
deadline for accepting the Black Box Challenge is March 15, 1992.

You may choose to send us your solutions on the floppy disk by regular mail
(doesn't matter 3.5 or 5.25"), or by e-mail. IN ANY CASE, YOU WILL HAVE TO
SEND US, BY REGULAR MAIL, THE HARD COPIES OF YOUR SOLUTIONS.

If you have any questions, please feel free to write or call us.

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4. About The Authors

The authors of the Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks Learning Environments are Mark Sapir
and Gene Linetsky. We started to work together on our Computer Science
Courseware in 1984 in Sverdlovsk, Russia. Since 1985, there have been
750,000 copies of our "ABCs of Computer Science" textbook printed (and sold)
in Russian. The textbook and Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks software are recognized as
the official courseware for the IBM - U.S.S.R. Pilot Schools Project, and is
now used in 2000 schools all over the former Soviet republics. In 1991, our
Forware Systems company was registered in Budapest, Hungary, with branches in
Moscow and Sverdlovsk. In cooperation with IBM Arthur K. Watson Education
Center, Forware Systems helped to found the very first IBM Pilot Computer
Center of Russia in Sverdlovsk.

After getting positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Mark Sapir is
Visiting Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Gene
Linetsky is Research Associate at the Computer Science Department), we continue
our work in the field of education in America. In January, 1992, we started to
teach Saturday Computer Science Classes, based on the Roo&Robby/SchoolWorks
software, for 5-8 grade students in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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5. Registration


For only $19 registration fee, you will receive:

1. Robby Environment with the sample set of programs, demos, and games;
2. The exciting animated menu system for Roo&Robby Environments, which
   allows one to choose the operating mode without typing the options.

Add only $9 to receive SchoolWorks with its own menu system. If you order
SchoolWorks separately, the price for it is $19.

Shipping includes the cost of mail sertificate and return card.

Make your check payable to Forware Systems. Fill and enclose the Order
Form for quicker processing, especially if you order more than one copy.

Mail your payment and the Order Form to:

   Forware Systems
   3125 Vine St
   Lincoln NE 68503

Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

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            Roo&Robby/SchoolsWorks Order Form

                             Qty      Price         Total

 Roo&Robby on 3.5" Disk     ____       $19        $ _______

 Roo&Robby on 5.25" Disk    ____       $19        $ _______

                Add $9 per copy for SchoolsWorks: $ _______

                                       Sub-Total: $ _______

             Shipping and handling, $4 per order: $ _______

  I ACCEPT THE BLACK BOX CHALLANGE. MY DEPOSIT IS $ _______

                                           Total: $ _______

                                  Check enclosed: $ _______

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 Ship to:

 Name: ______________________________

 Company: ___________________________

 Address: ___________________________

 City: ______________________________

 State: _________   Zip: ____________

 Phone: (______) ____________________

 I agree with the terms of
 the Black Box Challange: _________________________________
                                 sign if you accept

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