[{"TitleName":"Adding & Subtracting","Publisher":"Widgit Software Ltd","Author":"","YearOfRelease":"1983","ZxDbId":"0009032","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"ZX Computing Issue 10, Dec 1983","Price":"£1.85","ReleaseDate":"1983-11-25","Editor":"Roger Munford","TotalPages":196,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"ZX Computing\r\nVol. One\r\nNumber Ten\r\nDec/Jan 1984\r\n\r\nEditor: Roger Munford\r\nAdvertising Manager: Barry Bingham\r\nManaging Editor: Ron Harris\r\nManaging Director: T J Connell\r\n\r\nOrigination and design by MM Design & Print, [redacted]\r\nPublished by Argus Specialist Publications Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nZX Computing is published bi-monthly on the fourth Friday of the month. Distributed by: Argus Press Sales & Distribution Ltd. [redacted]. Printed by: Henry Garnett Ltd., Rotherham.\r\n\r\nThe contents of this publication including all articles, designs, plans, drawings and programs and all copyright and other intellectual property rights therein belong to Argus Specialist Publications Limited. All rights conferred by the Law of Copyright and other intellectual property rights and by virtue of international copyright conventions are specifically reserved to Argus Specialist Publications Limited and any reproduction requires the prior written consent of the Argus Specialist Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Argus Specialist Publications Limited 1983"},"MainText":"ADDING AND SUBTRACTING\r\n16/48K Spectrum\r\nPRICE: £5.00\r\nCOMPANY: Widget\r\nAddress: [redacted]\r\n\r\nThe three programs on this tape are brilliant. Great use of machine code and Hi-res graphics.\r\n\r\nIn 'Adding', you count the number of blocks put onto the two wagons of a train, then you add them together. If you get your sums right, the train moves off in a Hi-res scroll, puffing smoke as it goes. 'Subtracting' shows you a graphical picture of a port. You then type in the number of crates you can see on the boat. If you get this right, a little man runs down and takes some of the crates off - you then type in the number he has taken off followed by the number left.\r\n\r\n'Ducks', the last program on the tape, is a combination of addition and subtraction. My favourite educational tape!","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"80","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Peter Shaw","Score":"10","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"10/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer News Issue 49, Feb 1984","Price":"","ReleaseDate":"1984-02-23","Editor":"Cyndy Miles","TotalPages":90,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editorial\r\nEditor: Cyndy Miles\r\nDeputy Editor: Geof Wheelwright\r\nManaging Editor: Peter Worlock\r\nSub-Editors: Harriet Arnold, Leah Batham\r\nNews Editor: David Guest\r\nNews Writer: Ralph Bancroft\r\nHardware Editor: Ian Scales\r\nFeatures Editor: John Lettice\r\nSoftware Editor: Bryan Skinner\r\nPrograms Editor: Ken Garroch\r\nPeripherals Editor: Piers Letcher\r\nListings Editor: Wendie Pearson\r\nEditor's Assistant: Nickie Robinson\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nArt Editor: David Robinson\r\nAssistant Art Editor: Floyd Sayers\r\nLayout Artist: Nigel Wingrove\r\nPublishing Manager: Mark Eisen\r\nAssistant Publishing Manager: Sue Clements\r\nPublishing Secretary: Jenny Dunne\r\n\r\nAdvertising\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Pat Dolan\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Sarion Gravelle\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Mark Satchell\r\nSales Executives: Christian McCarthy, Marie-Therese Bolger, Laura Cade, Julia Dale, Paul Evans, Deborah Quinn\r\nProduction Manager: Eva Haggis\r\nMicroshop Production: Nikki Payne\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Karen Isaac\r\nSubscription Enquiries: Gill Stevens\r\nSubscription Address: [redacted]\r\nEditorial Address: [redacted]\r\nAdvertising Address: [redacted]\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]\r\n© VNU 1983. No material maybe reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\nPhotoset by Quickset, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Chase Web Offset, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Seymour Press, [redacted]\r\nRegistered at the PO as a newspaper"},"MainText":"SCHOOL FOR SPECTRUM\r\n\r\nSimple programs for small children? Read what Daphne Sullivan and Mike Gerrard have to say.\r\n\r\nAdding & Subtracting (£5.25) [redacted]\r\n\r\nLetters and Numbers (£5.50) Jim Jams Software, [redacted]\r\n\r\nQuick Thinking (£6.95) Mirrorsoft, [redacted]\r\n\r\nADDING AND SUBTRACTING\r\n\r\nThree programs are included on this cassette to provide practice in addition and subtraction of numbers up to 20 for pre-school and primary children. To make the task more fun, the sums are presented in both picture and standard numerical form.\r\n\r\nThese programs teach or test a child who is learning the basic concepts of addition and subtraction, by both completing computer-set sums and by setting their own questions.\r\n\r\nThe first program displays a number of blocks at the bottom of the screen. An engine pulling two trucks enters and halts in the centre of the screen. Some blocks are loaded onto each truck, and when the player has correctly counted them and has pressed the relevant number, the written form of the sum is displayed. As soon as the correct solution to this sum has been typed in, the train chugs off the screen, leaving behind the written sum together and the remaining unused blocks.\r\n\r\nIn the second of the programs, a boat laden with blocks appears, in a similar procedure, blocks are unloaded onto the quayside in order to illustrate a subtraction sum.\r\n\r\nThe final program Ducks provides practice in both addition and subtraction. A group of ducks sit on the bank of the river. The player is required to count how many leave the bank to take a swim or, alternatively, how many return.\r\n\r\nAlthough this program is great fun for those already confident and competent in manipulating numbers, it is misleading to the uncertain. In each of the programs, the written sum does not correspond to the picture displayed, eg in the Ducks program the written sum may be 2 + 3 = 5 but the screen display shows two ducks in the water and 7 more ducks on the bank. Another point worth noting is that none of the programs include the concept of zero.\r\n\r\nThe graphics are imaginative and attractive and fun to watch, but for any real benefit to be gained, parental help is a must.\r\n\r\nLETTERS AND NUMBERS\r\n\r\nAlthough this program does not profess to be educational, it is concerned with helping children, aged 2 years and over. In the skill of identifying numbers 1-9 and the alphabet letters.\r\n\r\nThe purpose of the program is to identify correctly the letter or number randomly selected by the computer and to press the corresponding key.\r\n\r\nEach correctly identified letter (both upper and lower case are displayed) or number is rewarded by a picture which either shows an article with the same initial letter or with the relevant number of items. Some pictures are accompanied by an appropriate tune/sound, eg when the xylophone appears (for 'x') each key on it lights up as its note on the so-fa scale is heard. If a wrong key is pressed the letter remains until correctly identified.\r\n\r\nFor parents who want to leave a child alone to complete the task, the player's success rate is recorded and displayed in the form of a percentage after each letter or number.\r\n\r\nIn spite of the imaginative graphics, this program falls short of either teaching or reinforcing any educational skills. Presumably the program aims to assist children in the acquisition of the pre-reading skills of recognition and matching. But since the letters and numbers displayed do not resemble their keyboard equivalent, matching is almost impossible.\r\n\r\nQUICK THINKING\r\n\r\nThe Daily Mirror has entered the software market with Mirrorsoft, and has done so with some style.\r\n\r\nMirrorsoft's aim is said to be 'computing for the family', with the purpose of the two games on this tape. Sum Vaders and Robot Tables, being to teach addition, subtraction and multiplication by using simplified arcade-style games.\r\n\r\nThe packaging is handsome, a large sturdy wallet including screen shots on front and back and comprehensive instructions both here and as options when the programs are loaded.\r\n\r\nBoth games can be played by one or two people. They are designed so that even the youngest players can safely be left to cope alone by disabling the Break key and including only the simplest of error-trapped instructions to follow. The graphics might not satisfy the arcade addicts, but they're smoothly done and should appeal to their audience.\r\n\r\nSum Vaders tests addition or subtraction and offers five skill levels; the easiest deals only with numbers up to 9, the hardest up to 99. A space ship slides across the top of the screen and a robot starts to descend. There is a number on both the ship and the robot. The player must add or subtract the two numbers and type the answer before the robot reaches the ground. Only one chance is permitted as a wrong answer jams the keys. Right answers score points, but if five robots manage to land then that's the end of the game and the total score is given. There is also a high score record.\r\n\r\nIf you're proving to be good at the game the space ship flies lower and lower demanding quicker responses.\r\n\r\nRobot Tables is naturally enough a test of the multiplication tables. The five skill levels range from two times tables only through to 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12 times tables at the hardest level. The setting is a robot factory, with the raw material for a robot appearing on a conveyor belt at the top left of the screen. Each piece of material has a number on it, and you must say if that number is the next one in sequence for the table being tested, which is shown on the side of one of the machines. Only two keys are needed for this game, 1 if you accept the number and SPACE if not.\r\n\r\nIf you correctly spot the wrong numbers this raw material disappears in one of several ways, and if you're correct with the right numbers then a perfect robot pops out at the end of the sequence of conveyor belts, mincers and machines. You're aiming to get ten good robots in a row at the foot of the screen, but if you get a wrong answer then the robot produced is of distinctly inferior quality. The game sounds easy enough, but it is a good test of your knowledge of the multiplication tables. There isn't much time in which to enter your answer.\r\n\r\nThis is an enjoyable package of two games, good value for money, and a welcome attempt to bring a little learning into the mass software market.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"59","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Daphne Sullivan","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Mike Gerrard","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]