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Technical Updates | Documentation | FAQs
Technical Updates The following technical updates are currently available. You will need your CD Key to access the Tech Updates. You will find your CD Key on a green sticker affixed to the outside of the software CD sleeve. If you need help finding your CD Key, please email Support@KnowledgeMatters.com. Virtual Business - Retailing 3.0.3 DOWNLOAD (You must own Version 3.0 to be able to access this update)
Virtual Business – Management 2.0.2 DOWNLOAD (You must own Version 2.0 to be able to access this update)
Virtual Business – Sports 1.0.5 DOWNLOAD
Virtual Business – Personal Finance 1.0.4 DOWNLOAD
Documentation Virtual Business Installation Instructions Virtual Business - Personal Finance Virtual Business - Retailing 2.0 Virtual Business - Management 2.0 Virtual Business - Sports FAQs Purchasing
Installation
Integrating Virtual Business Into Your Class
Running the Simulations
What are the system requirements? - Windows 98/NT/2000/ME/XP with Microsoft .NET Framework* - 250MHz+ CPU - 32 MB RAM - 20MB hard disk space - SVGA display - CD ROM drive - Windows compatible mouse/keyboard - Local Area Network (LAN) connection** * Installed with Virtual Business if not already present. ** Only required for multiplayer functionality. Can a site license be used for the entire school district? No. A site license is purchased for a specific school and you may use the software on as many computers as you wish at that school. How many computers can run your software with a Lab License? The lab license allows the software to be used on 25 computers simultaneously. It is OK to install the software in 2 labs as long as no more than 25 computers are running the software at the same time. Is your software something I have to buy every year (a subscription)? No. It is a one-time cost, and you can run the software forever. Are you a sole source provider? No. Our products are also available through our partner, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. Installation How do I get an activation code? Go to www.KnowledgeMatters.com/activate. You will need your CDKey which is affixed to the CD sleeve in your binder. The CDKey is not the activation code. I just got new computers and need to reinstall the software but I don't have my activation code, what do I do? Call us at 877-96-LEARN and we will look it up for you. Does this software run from the Internet or is it installed? It is installed. Can this application be used on a Novell network? Yes. What network protocol does multiplayer use? TCP/IP How much bandwidth does multiplayer use? The bandwidth used is minimal (< 1 Mbps) because all graphics are kept locally and only small data packets are exchanged. Does this software work in a Citrix environment? Yes. How do I install the software? Locally or on a network? The software may be installed locally or on a network. If you choose a network installation, you will need to complete a lite client install on the student workstations. Do you have Mac versions? Not at this time. However, there are educators that are running Virtual Business on Macintosh computers using a 3rd party product called Virtual PC. Information on this product can be found at the Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac website. I'm doing a network install. Does the .NET Framework have to be installed on the server? No. I'm doing a network install. What does the lite client install do? It installs .Net on the client and gives security permissions to run the executable from the server. What if I don't have the .NET Framework? The software CD will install it for you if it is not already present. Can I run Virtual Business products with Fortres? Yes. To run a Virtual Business program with Fortres: Make it a privileged application. The executables are: for Virtual Business - Retailing, kmi.cstore.exe found in (by default) Program Files\KMIVBR2 for Virtual Business - Management, KMI.VBM2.exe found in (by default) Program Files\KMIVBM2 for Virtual Business - Sports, KMI.VBS1.exe found in (by default) Program Files\KMIVBS1 Give the application unlimited access to its data files: for Virtual Business - Retailing, *.VBR2 files for Virtual Business - Management, *.VBM2 files for Virtual Business - Sports, *.VBS1 files You may also need to uncheck *.dll under General File Protections or (for Fortes 5.0) Read Only/No Write under File & Registry Settings. Integrating Virtual Business Into Your Class What type of support materials come with the software? Training DVD, Tutorial & Instructor's Manual with solutions. There is also an optional Assessment CD. How many course hours should I plan on dedicating to the simulation? Each lesson takes 1-2 class periods (50 min.) and there are 13 VBR lessons, 11 VBS lessons, and 12 VBM lessons. The project takes approximately 5-10 class hours. For the multiplayer competitions, we recommend 5 class hours. How do I integrate your software into my class? Common methods include using the software: - throughout the semester, say on Friday, to cement concepts covered during the week - as a reward or carrot near the end of the semester - as a self-paced activity for students ahead or behind in the class Isn't this software affiliated with DECA or FBLA? VBR & VBS are both used in an official DECA competitive event and VBM is used for an official FBLA event. Running the Simulations In Virtual Business - Personal Finance, I get an error when filing my tax return after selling a mutual fund. Why is this happening? This occurs only if you try to sell a fund of which you own zero shares. This problem will be fixed in future updates. In the meantime, avoid trying to sell funds of which you own zero shares. In Virtual Business - Retailing, my students are ordering baby formula and none is appearing on the shelves. What's wrong? Have the students do a Physical Inventory from the Actions menu. It is likely that a lot of baby formula has been shoplifted. The automatic ordering system doesn't know the units are gone, so it doesn't order more. The physical inventory will correct this. To see how much was stolen, click the Products button and select Stolen Goods. Is a student able to save his/her work? If so, where do they save it? Yes. They save it to the directory of your choice, like they would with a Word document. I'm trying to set up a multiplayer session and don't know what my computer's name is? To find the name of the computer that you will designate as the host: - Windows XP: Right click My Computer, select Properties. Choose the Computer Name tab. - Windows 2000: Right click My Computer, select Properties. Choose the Network Identification tab. - Windows 98: Right click Network Neighborhood, select Properties. Choose the Identification tab. Give the network name to the instructor. If you are running a non-Windows network operating system, identifying the computer may be slightly different from the above instructions. The instructor can then follow the directions under Multiplayer Competitions in the Instructor's Manual to run a multiplayer session. How many students/teams can join a multiplayer session? - 6 for Virtual Business - Retailing 2.0 - 8 for Virtual Business - Sports - unlimited for Virtual Business - Management 2.0 Can I save a multiplayer session and restart it another time? Yes. The host (generally the teacher) is the only one who can save a multiplayer sim. When you restart Virtual Business and open the saved sim, the program automatically knows it's a multiplayer sim and asks for a session name. This can be the same name you used previously or different; just let the students know what it is so they can join in. Can I set the stop and start time of the simulation? No. You need to monitor the date changing in the lower left hand corner of the simulation screen. Some students are making a profit. Others are losing money. Is there a way for me to tell what they did? Yes, the Actions Journal under the Reports menu contains a detailed list of every action they took. I installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 and now multiplayer won't run. What do I do? Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 turns on the Windows Internet Connection Firewall. This will prevent students from seeing the host computer in Virtual Business multiplayer mode. To allow Virtual Business to run in multiplayer mode with the Windows Firewall on: Click on the Start Menu. Select Control Panel and then choose Windows Firewall. Select the Exceptions Tab. Click the Add Program button. Select all Virtual Business programs. 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Support Contact Support@KnowledgeMatters.com Virtual Business Challenges VBCCentral@KnowledgeMatters.com Phone 413-587-9917  |