	 Markin Version 2.0 Readme.txt file

 CONTENTS

1. What is Markin? 
2. What's New in Version 2.0? 
3. Shareware Distribution 
4. LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY 
5. REGISTRATION 
6. Installation 
7. Getting Started 
8. Distributing Markin 
9. Contacting the Author


			1. What is Markin?

Markin is a program for Marking student writing on the computer. Any student text in electronic form can be loaded into the program and marked using a system of buttons and annotations (which are fully customizable by the user). The marked work can then be automatically compiled into a World Wide Web page in which points in the student's text are hyperlinked to annotations and comments from the teacher. Error statistics are also automatically compiled and included in the text. The Web page (along with a Rich Text version for editing or printing) can then be sent back to the student by e-mail. 

Markin is a Windows 95/98/NT4/2000 program.


                2. What's New in Version 2.0?

Version 2.0 is a complete rewrite of the program, incorporating many changes and enhancements, including:

1. Unlimited annotation buttons
There is now no limit on the number of negative (previously "error") and positive (previously "praise") buttons you can create.

2. Free-floating button bar
You can now position and size the button bar any way you like. You can set it up to display all the buttons you use, or reduce its size so that the most commonly-accessed ones are visible, and others can be accessed by scrolling.

3. Drag-and-drop to move annotation buttons
You can now drag buttons around on the button bar to order them the way you want.

4. More sophisticated statistics
Negative and positive annotations can now be assigned to categories (for example, you could assign all verb-related errors to a category "Verb"). Annotations can also be given values, so that more serious errors can be weighted more heavily in the statistics than trivial ones.

5. Automatic generation of an annotation key
The program will now generate for you a key to all the annotations you have defined, in the form of a printable Web page. You might wish to give this to your students.

6. More control over colours
You can now choose the colours of annotations, comments, linked text and other features in the text, and see your colours reflected immediately in the Markin environment, as well as in both the Web page and Rich Text Format output.

7. Resizable comment/feedback window
The comment/feedback window is now separated from the main marking text box by a "splitter" bar, which you can use to resize the two windows relative to each other.

8. More advanced Web page output
Markin now creates two different kinds of Webpage: a simpler HTML page, targetted at older browsers, and a new DHTML page with more sophisticated pop-up features. Both types represent an improvement over the old export format.

9. XML file formats
Markin's native (*.mrk) files are now in XML format (although some RTF information is still saved in the file). Button set files (*.btn), which contain sets of marking buttons, are also in XML. XML files can be opened and read by an increasing number of other applications.

10. Bookmarks saved in files
When marking long texts, you can insert bookmarks enabling you to find specific parts of the text easily. These are now saved in the .mrk file, and reloaded when you reopen it, so they can be preserved between sessions.


			3. Shareware Distribution

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software before buying it. Markin is distributed as a "light" freeware version which will allow you to mark short texts. If you want to mark longer texts, you will have to register the program (see below).

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and retail software, and the copyright holder retains all rights. You may distribute Markin to other users free of charge, PROVIDING THAT YOU PASS ON THE PROGRAM IN ITS ORIGINAL ARCHIVE FORM, AND DO NOT ADD OR REMOVE ANY FILES FROM THE ARCHIVE.


		 4. LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY 

 THIS SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS (INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE) ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. FURTHER, THE AUTHOR DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE, OR THE RESULTS OF USE, OF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN MATERIALS IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY THE USER. IF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN MATERIALS ARE DEFECTIVE YOU, AND NOT THE PROGRAM'S AUTHOR OR ITS DISTRIBUTORS, ARE LIABLE FOR ANY COSTS INCURRED.

BY USING THE SHAREWARE VERSION OF Markin YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS LIMITED WARRANTY, UNDERSTAND IT, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS. 

This Limited Warranty shall operate in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom and Canada.


				5. REGISTRATION

Markin can be registered for a fee of 20 UK Pounds (about US$31).  For education institutions, a site licence agreement can provide extra seats at a reduced cost.

Payments can be made by Mastercard or Visa credit cards to:

	Creative Technology (MicroDesign) Ltd

Address: 	
	Park House, 
	Park St, 
	Uttoxeter, 
	Staffordshire, 
	ST14 7AG, 
	England 

Telephone:	+44 1889 567160 
Fax: 		+44 1889 563548 
Email:		markin@cict.co.uk

You can also register via the Worldwide Web site, at

http://www.cict.co.uk/markin/


				6. Installation

Markin is distributed on the WWW as a self-extracting zip file (Markinxx.exe, where "xx" is the version number). Simply copy the file into an empty directory and run it. The program files will be extracted. Then run "setup.exe" to install the program. An icon will be added to the Start menu. Installation will copy all of the files to Markin's own directory. 

Markin includes a full uninstall program. To remove the program from your system, use the Add/Remove Programs applet in the Windows Control Panel.


				7. Getting Started

Markin comes with a detailed HELP file and a tutorial which you can load into the program to help you familiarise yourself with its main features. Choose Tutorial from the Markin Help Menu to start the tutorial, or click on the Tutorial icon in the Markin folder. Please note that you will need access to a Web browser program in order to view the tutorial.


	 	 	 8. Distributing Markin

You are encouraged to pass a copy of the shareware version of Markin to your friends or colleagues for evaluation, providing that you comply with the conditions stated under SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION above.


	 	 	 9. Contacting the Author

You can contact the author of Markin, Martin Holmes, by e-mail at:

	mholmes2@compuserve.com or
	mholmes@halfbakedsoftware.com 