Q: I would like to know if I would be able to put the single user software on my computer at school and at home? That would be much more convenient, I wouldn't be using it at both locations at the same time.
A: Yes, you may. I agree with you that it is well within our reasonable usage doctrine.

Q: I am interested in the selling idea also. If I like the software and want to sell what I generate later, could I update the license in the future?
A: Yes. The Distribution License (P/N 2002) is $199.00 and can be purchased at any time. This will give you the right to royalty-free, unlimited distribution of your tests along with our Study-It™ and Test-It™ software. (This specifically excludes the right to distribute our Make-It™ and Change-It™ software.)

Q: Do you take school purchase orders?
A: Yes. We require a cover letter on the school's stationary faxed or scanned and emailed to us with the purchase order and then payment within thirty days of the date of shipment in response to a school's purchase order.

Q: I teach photography and would want to include lots of images, audio, and some video clips to the tests.
A: The Test-It Series™ is a 16-bit application. It was a well thought-out business decision not to update to 32 bit and eliminate all of the older computers still in use in the less fortunate school districts and the military training functions. This requires that we explain that your images, audio and video clips be formatted for 16 bit usage.

Q: Are LviewPro™, Snag-It™ and Dub-It™ the best software to do that easily?
A: LviewPro™, Snag-It™, Dub-It™, and the new program, Camtasia™, in my opinion, are the easiest to teach and use. I personally use everything from The Shockwave Studio™ (a.k.a. - Director 8™ and Fireworks 2™) to Photoshop™ and Premier™. I continually find myself reverting to LviewPro™, Snag-It™ and Dub-It™. You must make that decision for yourself but the cost differences are phenomenal and all have "32 bit capture" and "conversion to 16 bit" capabilities.

Q: My classroom is crammed full of photo "stuff" and kids don't have much room to take a test. It is easy to look at the other kids paper. How hard would it be to have several different versions of the same test? I am assuming it is possible to print out tests (without the video and audio of course).
A: Sorry. For the first time I have to say "NO". This program was created to move testing from paper to the computer. Tests were to be given on the computer and only the test results printed out. Future versions may include a feature to print the test if the demand is great enough. Sorry.

Q: Is it possible to store all questions in one file and pick and choose questions appropriate for material I covered in a two-week period? Sometime you can cover more, other times there are assemblies etc. that change what can be covered in the same two weeks.
A: Yes. Create an "archive test" which includes all of your questions. It becomes you master test and is to be guarded and handled carefully. (I suggest that you use the Change-It password routine to protect it so that no person could add, delete, or change questions without your knowledge.) One of our military clients creates a "section" tests with all 500 of the approved questions in it. They then copy the test and work with the copy to create partial test and different versions of the same material. To create three separate tests on the same material, they make three copies of the "Sectional test", and delete different questions from each of the three copies. After they have done this once, they have these 3 separate tests for future use. Then, they run the 3 tests through Share-It™ to prepare them for distribution on CD's, disks, LAN's and WAN's. It is a one-time effort. Their potential is to have 100 different 50-question tests from the 500 question "Section test".

Q: I want my employees and students to open a test with Study-It™ on Monday through Thursday, so that the "Information Screen/correct answers" button is available for training and study purposes. On Friday, I want to hide and secure the answers and open that same test with Test-It™ for final testing purposes. Can I do it?"
A: YES. CLICK HERE to learn how to change the "file association attribute" from the program Test-It™ (*/test-it/test-it.exe) to the program Study-It™ (*/test-it/study-it.exe) and back again.

(Example: "Open *.tes files with Study-It™ until I instruct the computer to open it with Test-It™ on Friday.")

Q: If I buy a single license and other teachers want the software, could we upgrade?
A: Our "single-seat, no distribution license" (P/N 2001 - $99.00 + $10 S&H) allows a Licensee to create and give their test on one computer. If they later decide to upgrade to include distribution rights, they must prove ownership of their single-seat license and purchase an "unlimited, royalty-free, distribution license" at an additional $199.99. Our "single-seat, full distribution license" (P/N 2002 - $308.00) allows every teacher at your school, and anyone else, to sit at your computer (that's why we've chosen to call it a "single-seat license" and create as many tests as they wish. These tests may then be administered or taken only at you computer. If they wish to distribute their tests, it must be under your license. If they wish to create tests on a separate computer and distribute their tests, they must purchase a separate license of their choice. In this way we have limited the expense for exactly these types of situations.

Q: I am having a hard time trying to export (share the Test-It™, Study-It™ and the individual test). When I try, it exports the Make-It™ as well. That is something I do not wish to do. What can I do?
A: You do not export the "distribution disk set" files, nor do you use Share-It™ to prepare them. As a "one-time" operation, simply select the \testit\ sub-directory (on the Master CD) and drag each file to a separate disk. You may wish to create a subdirectory within you computer's /test-it/ subdirectory and drag them to it for future convenience. You can then use Send-It™ to make disk copies in a hurry.

Note: Your friend, associate or client must install your "Distribution 3 Disk Set" on their computer before they install any of your tests. You must provide them with a 3 disk set that allows them to run Study-It™ and Test-It™. You can prepare their disks by following the instructions below.

Assuming a standard installation on your computer (refer to the first chart in the first question on this page), your "resident files" are located in the c:\test-it\ subdirectory. It has a subdirectory named c:\test-it\test-it\ that contains all of the "Distribution" files (assuming a standard installation to the default location of C:\test-it\.) Your preparation process should be as follows:

OPTION 1 - 3 Disk Set:

1. Copy C:\test-it\test-it\setup.exe to a disk. Label it Distribution Disk # 1.

2. Copy C:\test-it\test-it\setup.2 to a separate disk. Label it Distribution Disk # 2.

3. Copy C:\test-it\test-it\setup.3 and C:\test-it\test-it\test-it.id to a separate disk. Label it Distribution Disk # 3.

4. Deliver Disk # 1, 2 and 3 to your client.

5. Repeat this process for each of your individual client's computers.

6. Save time by copying your disks with Send-It™. (Make 5 copies of Disk # 1, 2, etc.)

OPTION 1 - CD:

1. Use a CD writer program (like Easy CD Creator) to write your CD.

   • Use Share-It™ to prepare your test(s) for distribution.

   • Drag the resulting files (Setup.exe, Setup.lst, *.ldb, *.tes, *.gfx, and *.mmf) into a newly created subdirectory titled something like \newtest1\. If you are sending more than one test, place each set of test files in separate subdirectories (Example: \newtest1\, \newtest2\, \newtest3\.)

   • Drag \newtests\ into the CD writer's load screen.

2. Drag C:\test-it\test-it\setup.exe, C:\test-it\test-it\setup.2 and C:\test-it\test-it\setup.3 to the CD load screen. (Results is three files - setup.exe, setup.2 and setup.3.)

3. Write and then deliver your CD to your client.

4. Instruct your client to run Setup.exe to load The Test-It Series™ and then run \newtest1\setup.exe, \newtest2\setup.exe, \newtest3\setup.exe, etc., to install the new tests.

5. Repeat this process for each of your tests.

Important Note: You must have the file titled test-it.id on disk # 3 of the distribution set in order for it to install properly on your client's computer. If you fail to include this file, your copies will become inoperable.

WARNING: Use the files in this subdirectory only. If you use the files from your Resident Disk Set, you will be in willful violation of the Copyright Laws which are part of your acknowledged License Agreement with our company. The reason is that by copying the resident disk set files, you will be allowing your client to obtain the Make-It™ and Change-It™ applications illegally. Help prevent software piracy.

Q: I have some questions about the licensing (what I can and cannot do). Since it exports the Make-It as well, can I just copy the modules that I want to export (Test-it, Study-it, and the tests I create into a directory -- make a batch file to install to someone's hard drive. I don't know if this will work because of the .dll's. Does this violate your licensing? (my thought is that it does not violate because I have not modified the code --- not that I know how anyway, and your licensing agreements would still pop up when someone uses the software).
A: If you follow the procedure above, all of this is already done for you.

Q: Licensing --- I would like to get some copy protection software and protect this as well. Some require modifying the code. I realize I cannot do that. There are programs out there, that do not require modification --- Is that ok?
A: At present it is strictly prohibited, but I told you that I would be flexible with you and I will. I would need to know more about the method that you propose. If it prevents people from reaching the disabled versions of Make-It™ and Change-It™, so that it could not be activated by the presently integral licensing code, I am afraid that it might be unacceptable. If it allows a third party to continue to have the unrestricted option to buy a license to the Test-It Series™, then it may be in both of our best interests.

Q: What is the most universal solution to most common problems encountered when using this software on a (1) desktop PC, (2) local access network (LAN) or a (2) wide area network (WAN)?
A: The ultimate trouble shooting hint for the Test-It Series™ software system is based on the proper location of the subfiles of each, individual test. A number of different situations arise, but are all interrelated. Most common is the Licensee's clients movement of files or subdirectories. The software expects to find certain types of files in specific places. One you know the logical and simple pattern of files, many customer created problems can be eliminated quickly.Three subdirectories are created within the ../test-it directory when our software is installed on your computer. They are labeled ..\graphics, ..\results and ..\tests.
NOTE # 1 - *.ldb and *.tes MUST BE in the ..\test-it\tests\ file for proper operation. Each test has at least two files. One is a label file (*.lbd) and the other is the actual test file (*.tes). Make sure that all *.ldb and *.tes files are located in or placed in the ..\test-it\tests subdirectory.
NOTE # 2 - *.gfx and *.mmf MUST BE in the ..\test-it\graphics\ file for proper operation. Make sure that all *.gfx and *.mmf files are located in or placed in the ..\test-it\graphics subdirectory.
NOTE # 3 - If you opt to add pictures, drawings or graphics to any of your INFO screens, a ..\graphics subdirectory will be added by default to contain graphic files (*.gfx) and video, midi, and sound files (*.mmf).
When tests or individual questions are deleted, any *.gfx and *.mmf files, in the ..\graphics subdirectory, are unaffected because they may be shared in two or more questions. You must manually delete any *.gfx or *.mmf files that you no longer want. If you paste a large video into an "Info" screen, which is linked to a specific question and then change your mind and delete it, a copy of that same video file remains in the *.gfx file (for sharing purposes) and can make the file quite large. If you choose to save a scored TEST RESULTS SCREEN, a subdirectory titled ..\results will be created by default. The results screen will be saved in it as a text (*.txt) file if you choose the PRINT TO FILE option in the Window's "Print" dialogue box and do not change the default destination.

Q: I don't have a printer attached to my computer and the Summary screen's "Print To File" function will not work.
A: An attached printer is required to enable the "Print (to printer)" and "Print (to file)" options. A printer must be (1) correctly installed and (2) physically connected to the computer being used before it will allow you to save a "scored test result screen" to a file.

Q: How do I play a multimedia file that has been inserted in the Info screen?
A: Any *.wav, *.mid, or *.avi is represented by a button labeled "Click Here" and is also deleted or handled as a graphic would be in a text file. To play the multimedia file, click the "Click Here" button. When a *.avi file is playing, click on the video screen to pause it and click on the video screen again to restart it. (Specific operation methods depend on the specific video application you have installed and associated with *.avi files on your computer.)

Q: How do I move or delete a video, sound, or graphic from an "Information Screen":
A: Several things happen anytime you paste a multimedia file of any type into an "Information Screen". First, a "Click Here" button is inserted for sound or video files. A graphic is inserted in a text placeholder on the Info screen and is manipulated exactly like text. Any 16 bit *.bmp, *.wmf, *.tif, *.gif, or *.jpg file can be placed as a graphic or photograph in the "Information Screen" and is handled as a graphic would be in a text file. To move it, cut or copy and paste the graphic, or the button for any sound, or video file, just like you would move a letter or sentence in any text editing program. To remove a video, sound, or graphic from an "Information Screen", place the cursor immediately before it (at the text line level) and press the "Delete" key or place the cursor immediately to the right of it (at the text line level) and press the "Backspace" key. (See the next Q&A for a step-by-step procedure.)

Q: My graphics storage file ( /testit/graphics/ ) has become a very large file. I've noticed that if, while creating or changing a test, I paste a video in an Info screen and then later delete it or replace it with a different or smaller video file, both video files remain in the software's /graphics directory. How do I remove these safely from the files so that my final test will be much smaller in size for distribution.
A: A multimedia file may be shared across several questions. If it was deleted from the /graphics file when you pasted and then deleted a graphic or "CLICK HERE" button, it would break the link to all other questions using that deleted file. The Test-It Series™ does not delete a multimedia file from the *:\test-it\graphics\ file nor the the *.gfx or *mmf file. They must be manually deleted. Deleting a file that is shared across several test questions would probably not make you happy. This is a decision for the test creator to make. Only you can decide if the file is truly not needed or shared with other questions. To delete a multimedia file, follow the procedure listed below:
Step 1: Delete the "CLICK HERE" button or graphic from the Info screen.
Step 2: Open the *:\test-it\graphics subdirectory in Windows Explorer.
Step 3: If you are sure that the graphic is not being shared with another question's "Information Screen" then delete the actual video file or graphic file (examples: *.gif, *.jpg, *.bmp, *.tif, *.bmp, or *.avi) from the *:\test-it\graphics subdirectory.
Step 4: Open the appropriate *.gfx or *.mmf file (with any text editor program) and delete the listing of the same named video or graphic file(s). Save and close.

Q: I don't have a printer. My "Print To File" option does not work? Why?
A:"Print to File" - Depending on your computer's configuration, this printing option may require that a printer be (1) correctly installed and (2) physically connected to the computer being used before it will allow you to save a "scored test result screen" to a file.

Q: How do I add my name to my test so customers will contact me?
A: Lock your tests so that a pirate cannot change your banner to his name.

1. Open a COPY of any test in Change-It™.
2. On the first screen, titled License Agreement, pull down menu SYSTEM > SETUP.
3. Modify TITLE TEXT LINE 1 and TITLE TEXT LINE 2, and add a password.
4. Your banner advertisement is now secured.

Q: How do I add answers to my test so my students can study it?
A: Make a copy of each test and then use Change-it™ and place the correct answer in the "Info" screen that is linked to each question.

1. Open a COPY of any test in Change-It™.
2. Proceed to the first question's screen and click on the INFO button.
3. Type in your correct answer (as full text or a simple button letter like A, B, C, TRUE, etc.)
4. Click on the SAVE AND EXIT button to go back to the question screen.
5. Click on the NEXT button and repeat or click on the SAVE AND EXIT button to exit.

Q: How can I add password protection to my tests? Why would I?
A: Password protect the Change-It™ and Study-It™ access to your tests. Supply your generic password only to the person administering the tests and only upon a request (that you approve). Others will not be able to access it the INFO screen and the correct answers.

1. Open a COPY of any test in Change-It™ and proceed to the first question's screen.
2. Pull down menu TEST > TEST INFORMATION AND SECURITY.
3. Enter passwords in either the Change-It™, Study-It™, and/or Test-It™ blocks.
4. You have now restricted access. (Example: You stop students from using Study-It™.)

A simple senerio would track as follows:

Monday AM thru Thursday AM:
A restricted password is on the computer lab's Test-It™ access to the test which is a 50 question version of Test ~A.
No password restriction is on the Study-It™ access to the 250 question, full version of Test ~A, including the correct answers in the INFO screen.

Thursday PM:
You reverse the passwords so that no access is granted to the 250 question version with the Info screens and answers, but the 50 question test version is ready for use on Friday AM.)

Friday AM & PM:
Each student enter the computer lab at his or her convenience and takes the 50 question version of the test and prints out one copy of the results which the lab assistant controls for the formal "score" file.

Q: How do I remove a video, sound, or graphic from an particular questions "Information Screen" only. It is shared with other questions and I do not want to delete it from the other questions' Info screens. Can I do this?
A: Several things happen anytime you paste a multimedia file of any type into an "Information Screen".

1. Any *.bmp, *.wmf, *.tif, *.gif, or *.jpg file is placed as a graphic or photograph in the "Information Screen" and is handled as a graphic would be in a text file.

2. Any *.wav, *.mid, or *.avi is represented by a button labeled "Click Here" and is also deleted or handled as a graphic would be in a text file. To play the multimedia file, click the "Click Here" button. When a *.avi file is playing, click on the video screen to pause it and click on the video screen again to restart it. (Specific operation methods depend on the specific video application you have installed and associated with *.avi files on your computer.)

3. To remove a video, sound, or graphic from an "Information Screen": Place the cursor after it and press the "Backspace" key to delete it (or place the cursor before it and press the "Delete" key.) To move it, cut and paste the graphic just like you would move a letter or sentence.

Q: I have finished the "making" and "changing" of my tests and am ready to distribute them. My hard drive's /testit/graphics/ subdirectory seems to contain all of the multimedia files that I experimented with. Can I delete the ones that I no longer want, safely?
A: Yes. The Test-It Series™ does not delete a graphic file from the *:\test-it\graphics\ file nor the the *.gfx file when you delete it from one or all questions. To permanently delete a multimedia file, take the following steps: Step 1 - Open the *:\test-it\graphics subdirectory. Step 2 - If you are sure that the graphic is not being shared with another question's "Information Screen" then delete the actual video file or graphic file (examples: *.gif, *.jpg, *.bmp, *.tif, *.bmp, or *.avi) from the *:\test-it\graphics subdirectory. Step 3 - Then open the appropriate *.gfx file and delete the listing of the same named video or graphic files.

Q: Which files do I send to my customers so that they can run my tests?
A: See the "Installation Media" graphic below. Also, you can send your test to you clients by email like this and tell them to install the Distribution Media and then place the new test files you sent to them in the new sub-directories like this.

Alternately, load your original CD but cancel the installation process when it begins, click on the CD's label in Windows Explorer and this is what you will see: