Directory Structure and Permissions

The software uses different methods depending upon the version you have. The educator's version contains extra software functionality to deal with a large number of pupils, using different tests. The home version assumes that there is only one user attached to each instance of the program.

Details for the educator's version

When you install the software, the program asks you to choose a location for the data files. This location should be at readable for students, and read/write for teachers.

Administrative Locking

When the program is started with the -admin switch, the administrator screens are displayed. Only one administrator can be logged in at a time. To enforce this the program creates a file named admin_lock. If for any reason, this file is left behind after the program exits, the program will refuse to start.

If you find yourself in this situation, simply delete the file.

The Group File

The user groups are stored in a file named groups. Each group is assigned a unique number as it is created, and that number will never be changed.

The group file stores the hierarchy of groups, and all the names of the students stored in each group. In addition, it stores an email address for each group, which is used to send the results of tests to. It also stores a record of which test is the default test. If you make any changes to the items contained in this file, you will be asked if you want to save changes when you exit the program.

The Spelling Tests

Associate with each group is a single file that contains all of the spelling tests for that group. This file will be named Spellings-NNNNN, where the NNNNN is the group number. This file contains the list of words, and their alternate pronunciations, and usage in a sentence for each test, as well as the names of the tests.

Details for the Home Version

There is a single file, that contains all of the tests in the home version. This file is installed in the program directory beside the .exe file. The file will always be named Spellings-00001.