download Program (currently about 8 MB)

The english version of the program is VCAVENG2.BAS. The zip-file has to be copied to c:, and you should choose the option that allows to put the files in the appropriate folders automatically. C:\qbasic and the subdirectories C:\qbasic\vok, C:\qbasic\vok\pictures for the learning program, the learning data files, and the list of available dataa files (VOKDAT.LIS), C:\qbasic\vok\pictures\A for the images, C:\qbasic\vok\pictures\LxPic, C:\qbasic\vok\pictures\LxPic\LxPic_7.0 for the program LxPic, C:\Programme\Winamp for winamp.exe, and C:\qbasic\vok\pron for the sound files will be created.

The batch-file Vokav2.bat is in the directory C:\Windows\Desktop. It allows to run the program directly. If you put a link to it on your desktop, you can start the program directly from there. You may have to hit the button with the arrows in a square in ordert to use the whole screen.

Otherwise, after starting qbasic you open the program C:\qbasic\vok\VOKAV2.BAS under File/open and start it with Shift+F5.

Learning project

I have written a program for learning vocabulary. It is based on the belief that it is best to learn foreign words by learning typical sentences. The program can also be used for learning other stuff that works with the question/answer scheme, e.g. the theory for the driving licence or anatomy. Unfortunately I wrote it in qbasic, which can be downloaded here. It also uses images and sound files for alternation and in order to work on the pronunciation. The package includes winamp for the sound, and LxPic for the images. Thank you Stefan Peichl! If you already have winamp or LxPic you can put them into the folders where the program needs them to be - or you change the program code if you know how to. When you use winamp for the first time a window opens and asks you if you want to be informed about updates. As long as that window is open winamp does not play sound files. Altogether the package needs about 20 MB for the whole program.

If you are interested in the project let me know. I currently have files in English, French (with sound), Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan. To the latter two there is a link from the open textbook project wikibooks. Corrections or additions are more than welcome. The easiest thing to start with for improvements would be adding new vocabulary, sound files or images. Lists of interesting vocabulary not yet entered are in the zip file. A manual to the program will follow soon, although I think it is rather self-explanatory. One important thing: When an image shows up you get it away with escape. But do not press escape twice, since this will end the program. A little inconvenience I have to improve. In the long run the program should be rewritten in a better language. Than it should be possible to run the program with operating systems like linux as well. (In the meantime linux-users might find the following links helpful: "Basic interpreter which runs on almost all Macs" "linux application that enables the Linux OS to run many DOS programs" 3 4) Furthermore, after rewriting the program it should be possible to switch languages within the program. Up to now there is a different version of the program for each language.

You can find and contribute to an ongoing discussion of the project at my english wikipedia page.