PROBLEM: Button missing SOLUTION: (See Interface Irregularities)
PROBLEM: Copy Function Disabled SOLUTION: (See Mac Users)
PROBLEM: Cut Function Disabled SOLUTION: (See Mac Users)
PROBLEM: Errors 10 and 11 on Mac (the little bomb guys) SOLUTION: For now, just restart. (We're working on it!) We've had this report from several of our Mac users. It happens when kids try to run their programs, and we know that it's very frustrating. At this time all we can say is to restart your computer and try again. The good news is we're currently doing a little bit of work to try and stabalize the Mac version of FM. This is all being done on community service time, since FM is now an non-profit project within our company. But a dedicated engineer (who happens to be a real Mac whiz!) is hard at work and has already made some progress. We'll keep you posted as solutions are found.
PROBLEM: Error 3107 (or 31037) on PC SOLUTION: Do a manual registry edit
PROBLEM: Error 367 on PC SOLUTION: Redo the reg. edit procedure (above) and type very carefully!! One user reported this error after going through the registry edit procedure. He discovered that the error came up due to a typo he'd made in step 8 of the instructions. When he tried it again, everything went smoothly.
PROBLEM: Installation Difficulties (Compaq Presario Machines) SOLUTION: Reinstall Windows on your machine. One user in Switzerland reported trouble getting FM to completely install on her new Compaq Presario machines. After trying everything we could think of (including manually installing all the files for the FM application!), she finally discovered that the Windows '95 system on her Compaq's was slightly different than the standard version. By reinstalling the standard version of Windows '95, she was able to install and run FM with no trouble.
PROBLEM: Installation Difficulties, Windows '98 SOLUTION: (See "OLE [#] is write protected...")
PROBLEM: Interface Irregularities SOLUTION: Make sure the font size in Diplay Properties is set to Small Fonts. Many interface irregularities can be fixed this way. To check your PC's display settings, follow this path: Start button/settings/control panels/display/settings tab. Small Fonts should appear under Font Size. If it doesn't, choose it in the drop-down menu. If you still notice the problem after you restart FM, please contact us.
PROBLEM: Mac Version Irregularities SOLUTION: (See Mac Users)
PROBLEM: "OLE [#]...cannot be overwritten" (Install problem) SOLUTION: Make sure to exit all programs when installing FM. This problem was reported by someone trying to install FM on a Windows '98 system. We couldn't reproduce it, but he fixed it himself, although he's not exactly sure how. He thinks it may have helped to remove some of the many programs his new system had running in the startup list. (The startup list contains the names of all the little programs that automatically start up and run behind the scenes when you turn on your computer.) The main thing to remember is to quit anything running when you install FM on your machine. You can see everything that's running by pressing Control-Alt-Delete on your keyboard. Highlight the names of any applications and then click the End Task button.
PROBLEM: Paste Function Disabled SOLUTION: (See Mac Users)
PROBLEM: Plugin function difficuties SOLUTION: Check back next month for an update on the FM plugin...We apologize for this non-solution to the plugin problem. This month was the first we'd ever heard of anyone trying to use it. The truth is, the plugin function as not yet polished at the time of FM's release. Now that development on the product has been halted, it will be a while before we can offer any updates that work better. (See the KSI, Inc. web site for a complete product history.) The good news is that the plugin function does work with most simple programs. To make an .html file out of an FM program, click the File menu on the Toolbar and choose Make Plugin. You'll know it worked if you see the Syntax Checker run, the same way it does before when you click the Play button. Then , if you go to the folder where that program resides, you'll find a new directory named "plugin" which contains your new .html file. But here 's the thing: to test your plugin file in your browser, you need to add a couple of .dll files to the plugin folder of your browser. We're just now dusting off the existing beta version of these two files. They'll be available through the FM Teacher's Lounge as of October, 1998. But before you get TOO excited about making plugins, remember: all this plugin stuff is, and will probably remain, in beta form. That means it'll have lots of quirks and bugs, but it's still worth trying...
PROBLEM: Print Task Function Disabled SOLUTION: (See Mac Users)
PROBLEM: Registration Number Missing
PROBLEM: Sounds Cut Short SOLUTIONS: Use PLAY-N-WAIT SOUND, or add code to your program, or use LOOP commands to make your program repeat. The most common reason that sound effects are cut short is that the program ends before the sounds have a chance to play through. There are various ways to solve this problem. The command PLAY-N-WAIT tells the computer to stop everything until the sound is completely played. But if you want the action to continue while the sound is playing, then you just need to add more action! More code will do it, as will using Loops to make the program repeat several times. One user also suggested using the command SLEEP MAIN just before END TASK. This causes the computer to go on pause. Trouble is, you then have a program that doesn't have a way to end itself. You have to manually stop it using the Stop button on the Toolbar. Technically speaking, this is bad programming style. But as that user pointed out, it'll do in a pinch! |