                   Chinese Abacus Version 1.05 for Windows 95/98

        Special Instructions:
                     After unzipping create a directory to hold the EXE and WAV files. VB6 runtime files required to run. The VB6 runtime files needed for this program can be found at this URL: http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/win95/dll.html                                By Keith L. Boettcher

Introduction:
                         This Program is dedicated to my Daughter Justine who, through her confusion as
to how an abacus counts numbers, led to the idea and ultimate undertaking of this project.  
Justine came to me one night after a recent open house at her school and said she was still
somewhat confused about the Chinese counting system using the abacus.  She asked if she could
look up items on the Internet pertaining to the abacus.  I told her I would go one better and find
her a computer program of an abacus. After hours of searching, and much to my amazement, I
found no such software except for a Java Applet version on a web page.  So I said I'll make one
for you.  I also thought it would be interesting to bring in touch a modern calculating machine
with an ancient one hence this program.  I hope you find it of use when trying to teach the use of
an abacus. 

Using the Abacus:
                         This abacus is like any other abacus in the way it counts numbers.
The top section (purple beads) is fives and the bottom section (blue beads) is the ones.  Each line
represents a place value starting at the far right and going left (line one = ones, line two =
tens, line three = hundreds, etc.).  Click the beads to move them up and down. You can
also click reset to start from scratch.  The "Hide" and "View" answers buttons are used if you
want the value of each row displayed.  This comes in handy if you are quizzing a youngster in the
use of the abacus.

Hex Converter
           In this version I added a hexadecimal generator which, when activated will convert the
numbers to their hexadecimal equivalent. When you start the program you will notice a textbox in
the lower right hand corner labeled "Bas 10".  For normal Abacus use ignore this feature.  During
base 10 operation it will add the value of all the beads on the abacus together.  This is useful to
younger children who are just leaning to count and add objects.  It is best to use this with the hide
answer button activated.  When you press the "hexadecimal" button any number that is in the box
will convert to its hexadecimal equivalent.  This feature may come in handy to some it does to me. 
Any number that is typed in the box via the keyboard while in base 10 mode, will convert
.However you cannot convert from
hex to base 10.  I may add this feature in future versions if there is a need.   That's about all there
is to it. I hope you enjoy it.


Special Instructions:
                     After unzipping create a directory to hold the EXE and WAV files. VB6 runtime files required to run. The VB6 runtime files needed for this program can be found at this URL: http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/win95/dll.html

You may contact me for comments and suggestions at: boetch56@netnet.net       