RoamerWorld FAQ

RoamerWorld for the Valiant Roamer

These are the most up-to-date frequently asked questions for RoamerWorld. RoamerWorld software complements the Roamer floor robot by providing an on-screen environment for children to create projects and complete the supplied lesson activities with or without the floor Roamer as appropriate.

RoamerWorld was developed for Valiant Technology Ltd while I worked there during the 90s, and I continue to provide support and updates to users. Note that RoamerWorld has had about 10 bugs reported in the 10 years or more that it has existed. So, it's a very reliable and trouble-free product. This page lists all the things we know about, and we welcome reports of other issues so that we can make the product better than ever.

Latest Version of RoamerWorld?

Version 2.2 available from Valiant Technology Ltd

Does RoamerWorld run on Vista?

Yes. RoamerWorld is written in such a way as to virtually guarantee it will run, unmodified, on all future versions of Microsoft Windows - even beyond Vista (e.g. 'Windows 7'). This assumes that Microsoft will not make it impossible to run raw Win32 applications on later versions of Windows - and this seems unlikely, since it would strongly discourage users to upgrade due to all their existing software not being compatible.

RoamerWorld does use slightly older types of help files which Vista does not support 'out of the box'. But as soon as you download a free automatic update from Microsoft, RoamerWorld's Help files (and older help files from any other products you have) will work as normal. We are not allowed to install this update for you - it has to be carried out by the end user. A link is given by Windows each time you try to open an old-style helpfile until the update is applied.

Does RoamerWorld run on Linux?

Yes. RoamerWorld runs on Linux under the Wine system. Wine is software that runs on Linux to enable programs designed for Microsoft Windows to run. Please try the free RoamerWorld 30-day demo, available from Valiant Technology Ltd, before purchasing since we cannot guarantee that RoamerWorld will run as well on Linux as it does on Windows. Much depends on the versions of Wine, the flavour of Linux and various other factors beyond our control. If you are purchasing RoamerWorld for Linux, you do not need to state this, since you will be supplied with the Windows version.

When printing the Graphics Window (Floor), the printout is a solid black square that fills one quarter of the page. (The GO Listing prints correctly.)

Try printing at the lowest resolution that you can set for your printer. For example, if you are printing at 600dpi, try setting this to about 150dpi if your printer options allow this.

Try the latest drivers for your printer - available for free download from most printer manufactures' websites. (You may need Administrator privilages to install new drivers on networked or managed systems.)

If you have network printers, try printing to a printer connected to a recent version of Windows, such as Windows 2000, XP or later.

Upgrade to RoamerWorld 2. RoamerWorld 2 is compatible with modern high-resolution inkjet and laser printers.

I can't open the Activities. The error message, "The specified project could not be found. A default project will be created instead" is displayed after selecting an Activity.

Version 2.1 of RoamerWorld does not correctly open Activities if the user's Home Folder (My Documents Folder) is mapped to a single drive letter (e.g. H:).

Version 2.2 fixes this problem.

I'm having problems with the serial interface.

Check that you are using the correct serial lead (it should have a 2-inch square grey box halfway along the lead).

Check that you have selected an available com port. Try selecting a different com port (use the Settings menu).

If you use a whiteboard or other hardware connected to a comm port, check that it is not holding open the comm port when not in use.

Some laptop users have reported that RoamerWorld does not Upload and/or Download to the Floor Roamer. Sometimes the Roamer will beep continuously when connected to the comm port (even if RoamerWorld is not running). This seems to be a problem with a few manufacturers' setting up the uninitialised serial port differently to most other manufacturers.

Does RoamerWorld 2 use the 'My Documents' Folder for each user?

Yes. RoamerWorld 2 copies the supplied activities that the user is working on into their individual 'My Documents' folder. This means that, when used on a network, the user has access to their work from any workstation.

Note: Users with Windows 95 should have Internet Explorer 4 (or above) installed to take advantage of the 'My Documents' folder.

Also see: I can't open the Activities

Will RoamerWorld 2 run over a network?

Yes, RoamerWorld 2 can be installed on a server. Each user's menu can then be set up with a link to the network location. All activities that the student opens will be copied to their 'My Documents' folder.

Also see: I can't open the Activities

My Network Provider won't allow "3rd-party" programs to be installed because "they may interfere with the computer configuration".

When RoamerWorld is installed it performs the following operations:

1. It creates a folder called RoamerWorld2 in the 'Program Files' folder. (You are given the opportunity to change this location if required.)

2. It creates a series of sub-folders below the RoamerWorld2 folder. (Approximately 14 MBytes worth of data).

3. It registers the following file types: '.rwp' "RoamerWorld Project" and '.gop' "RoamerWorld Go Program"

RoamerWorld does not do any of the following:

a. Attempt to install or replace any system files.

b. Attempt to install or replace any files outside of its own installation folder.

c. Attempt to install any 'updated' Microsoft components.

RoamerWorld is a completely self-contained Win32 SDK program. It is not dependent on Visual Basic or MFC for any of its functionality. (RoamerWorld 2 can be 'installed' simply by dragging a copy of the RoamerWorld2 folder from one computer to another - and then manually registering the .rwp and .gop filetypes if necessary).

Should I upgrade to the most recent version for my OS?

It depends on which version you currently have. To take advantage of long filenames, upgrade if you are using version 1.x. If you are not interested in long filenames, use the table below to decide if you should upgrage.

What do the S, T and M keys do?

These keys allow the Sense, Two-State Output and Motor features of the floor Roamer to be used when it is fitted with the Roamer Control Box. These keys are ignored by the screen Roamer and correctly sent to the floor Roamer.

How do I create my own projects for the students to use in class?

You will need to make a copy of a supplied activity's project folder structure and then edit the .rwp file with a text editor, e.g. 'Birthday Present' and save it with a different name.

I still have unanswered questions.

If you have an unanswered question relating to RoamerWorld 2 you should contact Valiant Technology who will be able to answer any common problems promptly. If your problem cannot be answered by Valiant, they will forward a copy of your problem to us for resolving.

Valiant Technology Ltd's Website