Celeration Technologies TFW FAQ

Questions	Answers
When I am using Point-to-Image channel, if I have fewer than four alternative images, image choices from previous cards 'spill over' to subsequent cards.	This bug was uncovered recently (November, 2000). You need to update to the latest version of the software, available on the website.
How can I keep track of the image files used in a deck?	Beginning with the August 18, 2000 release, ThinkFast for Windows Utility has a new function that lists the image dependencies for a deck.
Is there a version for the Mac?	No. However there are at least two software solutions to running Windows software on a Mac. One is called Virtual PC and the other is called SoftWindows. I have not tested ThinkFast for Windows on a Mac using either of these emulators. However, one user successfully ran an earlier version of ThinkFast on his Mac using SoftWindows, and a new user just reported success on a Power Book using Virtual PC (version 3). Another possible Mac solution would be to add a PC card to your Mac. I have seen one on the Internet: OrangePC Windows® Compatibility Card
When I start the program, a 20-character license number is requested. What is that number?	There is a license number for the demo version of the software (103823-201207-760410), and special license numbers for registered users. Be sure to enter the 18 digits and the two hyphens exactly. If you have problems, send me an email (joeparsons@home.com).
I'm interested in using your software with my own children, whom we homeschool. Do I need to purchase an Instructor License for myself and Learner Licenses for each child?	To accommodate homeschoolers we have put together a package that allows parents to create learning modules using ThinkFast for Windows for their own children at one low cost. Check out our special Homeschool price.
When I tried to install ThinkFast for Windows it reported a system date problem, but my computer's date is set correctly. What's the problem?	Chances are that your computer uses the day/month/year way of designating dates. Prior to March 21, 2000 ThinkFast for Windows used day/month/year exclusively to check the system date. The current compile of the program fixes the problem. You can remedy this by downloading the NEWFILES.ZIP file and copying TFW32.EXE and TFWU.EXE over the top of the previous files of the same name. That ought to fix the problem.
When I try to run the setup program for TFW or TFWU I get an error message that a file cannot be found. For example, when running setup for TFW it says that Incorrect.wa_ cannot be found. What's wrong?	The likely cause of this sort of missing file error during the installation is that when the files were unzipped, the file names were truncated to 8 characters plus a 3-character file extension. For example, the file called Incorrect.wa_ might have been truncated to be incorrec.wa_ (missing the "t"). You can correct this error by making sure that your unzip program is not set to truncate file names to 8 characters.
How do I close TFW? There is no "X" on the top right of the window!	Use the File menu and select Exit. This fully closes ThinkFast and recovers all memory.
I don't see an icon for TFW on my desk. How do I start it?	You can start TFW from the Start\|Programs menu. If you want a shortcut to TFW on your desktop, consult the Windows Help system.
The decks don't seem to shuffle. How can I fix this?	Use the Options menu. Select the General tab and enable the Shuffle Cards option. Then, click the "Save Current" button before closing the Options window.
The sounds are driving my roommate crazy. How do I turn them off?	There are several ways to accomplish this. In the Options menu, go to the Sounds tab. There you can set it to No Sounds. Another alternative is to get a set of earphones and plug them into your sound card. That way you get the feedback and your roommate stays sane.
When I practice with a deck, it seems to repeat some of the cards. What's happening?	One possibility is that the deck has duplicate cards. You should be able to check this in the Browse channel. Another possibility is that you have the Timing set to a specific length, and ThinkFast will repeat cards to fill out the timing period. You can change this in the Options menu, Timing tab.
Can I change the sounds?	Yes. In the Options menu, Sounds tab, right side, you can click on the rectangular button for each sound, and use the dialog box to select another sound. Be careful not to use sounds that are too long in duration for Correct, Incorrect or Typo, as that will inhibit your speed.
Will ThinkFast run on a Mac?	If your Mac can run Windows 95 software, then it can probably run ThinkFast for Windows. There are no current plans to develop ThinkFast for the Mac environment. Sorry.
Will ThinkFast for Windows work with Windows 3.1?	ThinkFast for Windows requires the power of a 32-bit operating system. Unfortunately, it will not function with versions of Windows prior to Windows 95. Sorry. If your user machines are older Windows 3.1 systems, then you can use ThinkFast for DOS, running it from Windows.
What are the steps to create a deck?	I suggest that you look at the file called "Create Learning Module.doc" which is part of the download package (after 1/22/2000). If you downloaded TFWU prior to 1/22/2000, then send an email to me and I will send the file to you as an attachement.

Questions

Answers

When I am using Point-to-Image channel, if I have fewer than four alternative images, image choices from previous cards 'spill over' to subsequent cards.

This bug was uncovered recently (November, 2000). You need to update to the latest version of the software, available on the website.

How can I keep track of the image files used in a deck?

Beginning with the August 18, 2000 release, ThinkFast for Windows Utility has a new function that lists the image dependencies for a deck.

Is there a version for the Mac?

No. However there are at least two software solutions to running Windows software on a Mac. One is called Virtual PC and the other is called SoftWindows. I have not tested ThinkFast for Windows on a Mac using either of these emulators. However, one user successfully ran an earlier version of ThinkFast on his Mac using SoftWindows, and a new user just reported success on a Power Book using Virtual PC (version 3).

Another possible Mac solution would be to add a PC card to your Mac. I have seen one on the Internet: OrangePC Windows® Compatibility Card

When I start the program, a 20-character license number is requested. What is that number?

There is a license number for the demo version of the software (103823-201207-760410), and special license numbers for registered users. Be sure to enter the 18 digits and the two hyphens exactly. If you have problems, send me an email (joeparsons@home.com).

I'm interested in using your software with my own children, whom we homeschool. Do I need to purchase an Instructor License for myself and Learner Licenses for each child?

To accommodate homeschoolers we have put together a package that allows parents to create learning modules using ThinkFast for Windows for their own children at one low cost. Check out our special Homeschool price.

When I tried to install ThinkFast for Windows it reported a system date problem, but my computer's date is set correctly. What's the problem?

Chances are that your computer uses the day/month/year way of designating dates. Prior to March 21, 2000 ThinkFast for Windows used day/month/year exclusively to check the system date. The current compile of the program fixes the problem. You can remedy this by downloading the NEWFILES.ZIP file and copying TFW32.EXE and TFWU.EXE over the top of the previous files of the same name. That ought to fix the problem.

When I try to run the setup program for TFW or TFWU I get an error message that a file cannot be found. For example, when running setup for TFW it says that Incorrect.wa_ cannot be found. What's wrong?

The likely cause of this sort of missing file error during the installation is that when the files were unzipped, the file names were truncated to 8 characters plus a 3-character file extension. For example, the file called Incorrect.wa_ might have been truncated to be incorrec.wa_ (missing the "t"). You can correct this error by making sure that your unzip program is not set to truncate file names to 8 characters.

How do I close TFW? There is no "X" on the top right of the window!

Use the File menu and select Exit. This fully closes ThinkFast and recovers all memory.

I don't see an icon for TFW on my desk. How do I start it?

You can start TFW from the Start|Programs menu. If you want a shortcut to TFW on your desktop, consult the Windows Help system.

The decks don't seem to shuffle. How can I fix this?

Use the Options menu. Select the General tab and enable the Shuffle Cards option. Then, click the "Save Current" button before closing the Options window.

The sounds are driving my roommate crazy. How do I turn them off?

There are several ways to accomplish this. In the Options menu, go to the Sounds tab. There you can set it to No Sounds. Another alternative is to get a set of earphones and plug them into your sound card. That way you get the feedback and your roommate stays sane.

When I practice with a deck, it seems to repeat some of the cards. What's happening?

One possibility is that the deck has duplicate cards. You should be able to check this in the Browse channel. Another possibility is that you have the Timing set to a specific length, and ThinkFast will repeat cards to fill out the timing period. You can change this in the Options menu, Timing tab.

Can I change the sounds?

Yes. In the Options menu, Sounds tab, right side, you can click on the rectangular button for each sound, and use the dialog box to select another sound. Be careful not to use sounds that are too long in duration for Correct, Incorrect or Typo, as that will inhibit your speed.

Will ThinkFast run on a Mac?

If your Mac can run Windows 95 software, then it can probably run ThinkFast for Windows. There are no current plans to develop ThinkFast for the Mac environment. Sorry.

Will ThinkFast for Windows work with Windows 3.1?

ThinkFast for Windows requires the power of a 32-bit operating system. Unfortunately, it will not function with versions of Windows prior to Windows 95. Sorry. If your user machines are older Windows 3.1 systems, then you can use ThinkFast for DOS, running it from Windows.

What are the steps to create a deck?

I suggest that you look at the file called "Create Learning Module.doc" which is part of the download package (after 1/22/2000). If you downloaded TFWU prior to 1/22/2000, then send an email to me and I will send the file to you as an attachement.

Page last updated January 4, 2003

ThinkFast for WindowsFrequently Asked Questions

ThinkFast for Windows
Frequently Asked Questions