The 'ExHAMiner' program  for Canadian amateur radio candidates.

A multiple-choice exam simulation program including:
 - The creation of a text log file with missed questions
    after an exam is completed (useful for review).
 - An emphasis on questions the program has never presented
    to you (unless you prefer a random selection). 
 - A brief explanation for each valid answer.
 - The creation of partial exams on given Lessons.

This program is freeware.
 
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System requirements:
 - This is a 32-bit program.

 - Runs on Microsoft Windows 95 through Windows 11.

    Note about Windows 95:
     COMCTL32.DLL (Common Controls) must be at least version 4.70.
     This update coincided with version 3.01 of Internet Explorer (1996).
     Upgrade from Microsoft was originally called com32upd.exe and
     was superceded by 40comupd.exe, 401comupd.exe and 50comupd.exe
     Otherwise, the program will not start-up and Windows will
     report "missing export COMCTL32.DLL:InitCommonControlsEx".

 - Works under Linux aided by Wine: e.g., tested on Linux Mint 21.3.

 - Display must be at least SVGA (800 x 600 pixels, 256 colours).

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Installation:

Be sure to also download one or more Question bank(s).

The attached .EXE file is not a self-extracting archive;
it is the program itself, ready to run.

You must create a FOLDER (i.e., directory) on your hard disk
and place the program and corresponding Question Banks
(text files) in that folder yourself.

You can create a SHORTCUT afterwards to facilitate launching the
program.

The program writes a log for every exam plus an history file
common to all sessions to the folder from which it runs.

Files named MISSED*.txt will accumulate in that folder
as you run the program.  These need to be deleted by hand.

The program includes a brief "Help" window.

The program does NOT use the Windows Registry.
Uninstalling the program is a simple matter of deleting all the
files.

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Restrictions:
The program cannot distinguish between users: i.e., all sessions
are logged to the same history file.

If more than one person is using the program on the one computer,
replicate the program and Question Banks in different folders
and have each user run it from a separate folder.

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Version History:

V3.0  2025 07
      Structure of Question Banks changes: answer options are
       no longer pre-shuffled. Randomization occurs at run time.
      Command line parameter /E makes Explanation available
       at all times.
      This release coincides with the publication of a new Basic
       question bank. It would be wise to suppress your accumulated
       history by deleting ExHAMiner_Log.txt
              
V2.5  2014 03
      If only one question bank is found, read it automatically.
      Permit selecting "Missed Only" within the same session.
      Add vertical scroll bar to explanation box.
      Remove spaces and accents in file names: more compatible.
      Adapt to 2014 revised Industry Canada question numbering.
      Executable now carries digital signature.

V2.2  2012 07
      Correct a bug for Mac users running Parallels Desktop
       for Mac. Correctly determine folder where executable runs
       so program can find question bank.

V2.1  2009 11
      Option under "Tools" permits manual advance at all times.
      This selection is carried over to next exam.

V2.0  2009 07
      Font and font size match Windows default per
       Display Properties > Appearance > Font Size
        (normal, large, extra large).

      User has further control over font through command line
      parameters:
       /F=font_name,font_size permits specifying
          the desired font:  e.g., /F=Tahoma,12
       /A=n permits bumping up the default font by
          a given number of points:  e.g., /A=2

      Partial exams allow up to 125 questions so a larger sample
      is possible when selecting a few lessons.

      Sample size on partial exams defaults to maximum available.

      Program now considers your last 100 exams to determine
      if a question is new/known/missed.

      Simplified interface available for blind users equipped
      with screen reading software (speech synthesis):
       - everything presented on a single screen.
       - answer buttons replaced by checkboxes.
       - program comes up in simplified mode when launched
         with /S command line parameter.

      Audible clues available to signal success/failure upon
      answering questions (see Tools on menu bar).

      Explanation box made larger and repositioned.

      Main window can be resized and maximized.

      Accessibility:  limit use of colours in text areas to
      respect high-visibility display settings.

      Multi-monitor awareness:  launch on same monitor
      as current mouse pointer.

V1.11 2007 02
      Add "New only" and "Missed only" as criteria.

V1.1  2006 12
      Offer Selection By Lesson as a tool.
      Read Question Bank earlier in the process.
      Add language selection button on main window.
      Add French prompts and error texts.
      MISSED* files become ERRONES* in French.
      Remember language used on last exam.

V1.0  2006 10 First public launch.

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Franois VE2AAY, member of Radio Amateurs of Canada.
