* HOT_Ada Follow-up
@ 1994-11-12 18:06 Bard Crawford
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From: Bard Crawford @ 1994-11-12 18:06 UTC (permalink / raw)
HOT_Ada, the Hypertext course on Object Technology and Ada 9X,
was announced in AdaIC News of the Week, 11/28/94. I have
received a number of requests for more information, by e-mail
and in person at Tri-Ada.
Summarized below are brief answers to some of the questions.
Bard S. Crawford
Stage Harbor Software bscrawford.aol.com
TASC bscrawford.tasc.com
------------------------------------------
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What does the course cover?
---------------------------
HOT_Ada is a two-volume course/tutorial, distributed on floppy
disks. Volume 1, the "core" part of the course, provides a
pictorial introduction to object technology (OOA and OOD
presented in a language-independent manner) and a pictorial
introduction to Ada 9X, with emphasis on its OOP features.
Volume 2 provides an extended case study with a step-by-step
illustration of the OOA, OOD and OOP concepts outlined in
Volume 1. A mixture of classification and composition
approaches is illustrated. The OOA and OOD material is
strongly influenced by the Fusion Method, a fusion of OMT,
Booch, Coad-Yourdon, et al. HOT_Ada is designed for
individual, self-paced learning. One version runs on
Macintoshes. Another version runs on PC's with Windows.
There are many hypertext and hypergraphic features. For
example, you can click on a "hot word" to see its
definition in the Glossary, or click on a "hot icon" in a
diagram to jump to the corresponding line of Ada source code
in a previously hidden listing. A major theme of the
course is the reuse of patterns and parts.
Who can benefit from HOT_Ada?
-----------------------------
Several categories of people can benefit from self-study using
HOT_Ada. If you are familiar with Ada 83, and have begun to
study Ada 9X, you can supplement other efforts by reviewing
this picture-based material and the case study. If, as an
Ada software engineer, you want to learn more about object
technology in general, especially the Fusion approach,
HOT_Ada provides an ideal combination for learning and
"tying it all together." If you are a newcomer to Ada,
the visual approach of HOT_Ada may provide you with an
excellent way to start your learning process -- to be
followed up using traditional text and classroom methods.
What are the System Requirements? - PC
--------------------------------------
Any PC with Windows Version 3.0 or later should be fine. You
will need about six MB of free space on your hard disk.(Two
MB for the ToolBook runtime and three MB for the two volumes
of HOT_Ada.) The beta version had been distributed on 4 disks.
Version 1.1 has been compressed, and is being delivered on a
single disk. You will need to "unzip" it.
What are the System Requirements - Mac
--------------------------------------
Any reasonably modern Mac (e.g., Mac II or PowerBook) with two
MB of RAM or more should work OK, but older "small screen"
Macs will be awkward, due to a lot of graphical scrolling that
will be needed. Version 1.1 is being delivered on two disks,
without compression. (Each disk contains the HyperCard
runtime integrated with a volume of HOT_Ada.) You will need
about three MB of free space on your hard disk.
Compiler Included ?
-------------------
No, HOT_Ada does not include a compiler. It is similar to a
set of tutorial slides, except for the hyper-linking features
and the fact that you can proceed at your own pace and
accommodate your own learning style and needs.
Price?
------
The regular price is $29 for a single volume, $49 for the
two-volume set. During Tri-Ada and until 31 Dec 1994, an
introductory price of $30 for the two-volume set is in effect.
How did it go at Tri-Ada?
-------------------------
HOT_Ada was informally demonstrated to a number of people. The
reaction was generally good, and many interesting ideas and
suggestions for future directions were made. More than ten
sets were sold to indivduals, including non-US citizens --
from Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Australia. Several
discussions concerning future site licenses with companies and
Government agencies were initiatiated. In summary, I was
very encouraged. This effort will continue and future
improvements and new volumes will be created -- collaborators
who have domain expertise and wish to create focused case
study volumes are sought. (Your suggestions by e-mail are
welcome at any time.)
How about a Special Deal for SIGAda Members?
--------------------------------------------
Hal Hart initiated a discussion of possibilities for making
HOT_Ada available to SIGAda members, perhaps through the local
chapters, at favorable terms. We kicked around several
notions. I promised to consider this matter further and come
up with some sort of offer -- stay tuned. A free evaluation
copy was provided to Rush Kester, who chairs the DC SIGAda
chapter --Rush is interested in items that may support their
initiative in helping High School students learn about
software engineering, O-O, Ada, etc.
How to Order by Mail?
---------------------
Simply write a personal check for $30 to Stage Harbor Software
and mail it to Stage Harbor Software, 9 Patriots Drive,
Lexington, MA 02173. Be sure to specify the Windows or Mac
version of HOT_Ada, and include your e-mail address if you
have one. (Credit card orders cannot be accepted -- perhaps
later -- I will look into this.)To order from outside the USA,
you can send an International Postal Money Order or have your
bank wire funds to my account at The Cooperative Bank,
12 Nagog Park, Acton, MA,01720-9890, USA,
Account: Bard S. Crawford, Stage Harbor Software,
Account Number 03520457558
-- and let me know separately that you are dong so.
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