TESTKEEPER (Version 5.2)

written by Carlos Moya



CONTENTS
---Installation and required files
---Overview
---Testkeeper and its datafiles
---Bugs fixed
---Why this program is free
---For interested programmers



**INSTALLATION AND REQUIRED FILES**

Required files:
VBRUN300.DLL - Microsoft Visual Basic runtime library
CTL3DV2.DLL - 3D control extensions for Windows
Both must be located in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory
(No other DLL's or VBX's required!) 
(For installation instructions see the INSTALL.TXT file)

*Testkeeper, Testkeeper Help, the Setup program, and
Testkeeper.ini must all be located in the same directory and the
directory must be the working directory when Testkeeper or its
Setup program starts.


**New Features**

The main bug present in previous versions of Testkeeper was
incompatibility problems with Windows 95. This is because
Testkeeper expected certain Windows settings to be present in
the windows.ini file. These settings were moved to the System
Registry in Windows 95. This problem has been fixed.

Testkeeper now has a new and improved user interface that is
consistent with Windows 95's. NOTE: Testkeeper is still a 16bit
program written for Windows 3.1. It is not a native 32bit
Windows 95 application. It still, however, runs in the Windows 95.

Various other bugs in Testkeeper's behavior have been fixed.
 

**OVERVIEW**

Testkeeper is a program for college students looking for a way
to organize the courses they have taken and the tests or papers 
they have written into a concise visual form. Testkeeper uses a 
folder/file cabinet metaphor to organize the data. There are two 
file cabinets: The Current Semester File Cabinet, in which you 
create folders that represent the courses that you are currently
taking, and the Past Semesters File Cabinet where the courses
you have taken are collected and organized for easy display. The
beauty of it all is that Testkeeper automatically calculates your
GPA and your accumulated credits. The program features a 
hypothetical GPA calculator, where you can input mock grades, and 
a progress graph of your GPA semester by semester.

I highly recommend you use the 'Create Program Manager Group' 
utility in Testkeeper Setup. Testkeeper has several command
line shortcuts that can be implemented from a Program Manager
icon. This utility will set up icons to use these shortcuts. 
Try it out!


**TESTKEEPER AND ITS DATAFILES**

Testkeeper stores its data in a database which can be located 
in any directory. NOTE: Only one database may be created in a
directory. In order for the program to run it has to be able to
find and access one of these databases at startup. The Testkeeper
Setup Program creates these files. The Setup program will prompt 
you to choose a directory where you want to keep your datafiles. 
You can setup more than one database (each has to be in a DOS 
directory of its own). The datafiles in a particular directory
are independent of datafiles in other directories. You can switch
to another database while running Testkeeper by choosing 
File|Open Collection in Testkeeper's Main Menu. You may never have
to use use this feature, but it allows for more than one person who
may share a computer to share one copy of Testkeeper. A database 
may also be specified on the command line before Testkeeper starts.
For more info, refer to the Help file and lookup under 
UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLE DATABASES.

If at some point Testkeeper doesn't start it may be because it
can't find it's INI file. Make sure that the directory which
Testkeeper is located in is the WORKING directory when it
starts- check the 'Working Directory' property by choosing
File|Properties in Program Manager. If that doesn't work it may
be that the INI file is corrupted. Use the Setup program to
reconstruct the INI file. 


**Known Bugs**

Some of the graphical elements of Testkeeper (like the 3D frames
found in certain parts of the program) are displayed out of
place when running windows in the "Large Font" mode that many
video cards offer. This is a serious limitation of the program...
believe me, I spend most my time in 1024x480 in Large Font mode
and the bugs are annoying.

"Not really a bug but a weakness":
The datafiles that Testkeeper uses to store your folders, tests,
grades and whatever can be EASILY corrupted. Testkeeper assumes
that the data in these files are in a particular order and if you
tamper with them you may upset that order! Do not tamper with the
files. Although now that I brought it to your attention you probably
will anyway.


**WHY THIS PROGRAM IS FREE**

This program is absolutely free!!! I'm so sick and tired of seeing
greedy wannabee entrepreneurs charging $10,$20, or more for little
2K programs. I've seen tiny Windows shutdown utilities going for
a registration fee of $20!!! Ridiculous!--a program that only calls
a couple of BUILT-IN Windows' API's!!!! Some shareware programs are
well worth their price- but most are just money-making scams.

While you are at liberty to use this program for free, you may , if
you wish, send a donation of any amount you wish that will go to my
college expenses. 

If you have questions regarding Testkeeper or if you wish to receive an
upgrade, I can be reached at the address listed below. If the first 
two addresses (mine) are out of order you may send your message to one
of the others.

be81756@bingsuns.cc.binghamton.edu
cmoya@spectra.net
         -or-
ndiaz@coral.bucknell.edu
ec7986@cnsvax.albany.edu



**FOR INTERESTED PROGRAMMERS**

 The 3D borders around the various windows throughout 
 the program are accomplished by implementing a couple 
 of tricks using CTL3DV2.DLL which, contrary to popular 
 belief, CAN be used to give the edges around VB forms
 a 3D look--not just the common dialog boxes. It still 
 however does not work on controls. The controls on the
 forms are given a 3D look via a subroutine that I wrote
 myself. If you are interested in the source code that
 accomplishes this feel free to e-mail me.

