Franklin DCN-290 User manual


www.franklin.com
EXECUTIVE
DESK COMPANION
User’s Guide
DCN-290

License Agreement
READ THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT BEFORE USING THE ELECTRONIC REFERENCE.
YOUR USE OF THE ELECTRONIC REFERENCE DEEMS THAT YOU ACCEPT THE
TERMS OF THIS LICENSE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THESE TERMS, YOU MAY
RETURN THIS PACKAGE WITH PURCHASE RECEIPT TO THE DEALER FROM WHICH
YOU PURCHASED THE ELECTRONIC REFERENCE AND YOUR PURCHASE PRICE
WILL BE REFUNDED. ELECTRONIC REFERENCE means the software product and doc-
umentation found in this package and FRANKLIN means Franklin Electronic Publishers,
Inc.
Limited Use License
All rights in the ELECTRONIC REFERENCE remain the property of FRANKLIN. Through
your purchase, FRANKLIN grants you a personal and nonexclusive license to use this
ELECTRONIC REFERENCE. You may not make any copies of the ELECTRONIC REFER-
ENCE or of the data stored therein, whether in electronic or print format. Such copying
would be in violation of applicable copyright laws. Further, you may not modify, adapt, dis-
assemble, decompile, translate, create derivative works of, or in any way reverse engineer
the ELECTRONIC REFERENCE. You may not export or reexport, directly or indirectly, the
ELECTRONIC REFERENCE without compliance with appropriate governmental regula-
tions. The ELECTRONIC REFERENCE contains Franklin’s confidential and proprietary
information which you agree to take adequate steps to protect from unauthorized disclo-
sure or use. This license is effective until terminated. This license terminates immediately
without notice from FRANKLIN if you fail to comply with any provision of this license.
1

Introduction
Your DCN-290 is a speller, thesaurus, calculator and a clock with a choice of two
modes – UK and US. The default display is the clock. There are three main keys at
the bottom of the unit that take you to the three main functions: TIME brings you to
the clock from any location, CALCULATOR takes you to the calculator, and
SPELLER & THESAURUS takes you to the Enter a word screen, where you can
enter a word to look up. The available keys and functions on the display change
depending on the mode you are in. The stylus is stored in the top right-hand corner.
Use this to tap the keys and functions on the display.
Getting Started
This unit uses 3 AA batteries. You must install the batteries before getting started.
To install or change the batteries, do the following:
1. Turn the unit over.
2. Remove the battery cover by pushing the tab in and lifting the cover off.
3. Install 3 AA batteries following the
markings in the compartment.
4. Replace the battery cover.
2

The unit starts up and you must select the mode you want.
Tap / to move between US mode and UK mode. When the one you want
flashes, tap ENTER to select it.
❐Understanding the Modes
The default clock settings and the language in the thesaurus change according to the
mode. In the UK mode, the language in the thesaurus and speller is British English. In
the US mode, the language in the thesaurus and speller is American English.
❐Making a Selection
In the clock Settings menu and the Games menu, a flashing item or word means that
it is ready for selection. Tap ENTER to make the selection.
❐About Screen Illustrations
Some screen illustrations in this User’s Guide may differ slightly from what you see on
the screen. This does not mean that your unit is malfunctioning.
3

Setting the Clock
The default settings in the clock depend on the selected mode.
The defaults for the US mode are
12 mm/dd/yyyy, DST off, Eastern (Standard) Time and temperature display in
Fahrenheit.
The defaults for the UK mode are
24 dd/mm/yyyy, DST off, and temperature display in Celsius.
To go to the clock Settings menu at any time, tap MENU at the clock screen. To return
to the clock, tap CLEAR.
To set the clock, do the following.
1. Press the TIME key to go to the clock (if necessary).
2. Tap MENU at the clock screen to see the Settings menu.
Display format flashes.
3. Tap ENTER to select it.
4

Use / to scroll through the options and tap ENTER to select the time/date
display setting you want.
4. Select Set DST on the Settings menu and then select DST on or DST off.
5. Select Set Date on the Settings menu.
Use / to change the numbers. Use / to move between the fields. Tap
ENTER when done.
6. Select Set Temp. Unit on the Settings menu and select Fahrenheit or Celsius.
7. Select Set Time Zone on the Settings menu.
Note: This option is available in US mode only.
Use / to scroll through the four time zones.
Tap ENTER to select the one you want.
8. Select Set Time on the Settings menu.
Use / to change the numbers. Notice the aand pafter the seconds display.
Scroll through the hours until you have the correct a.m. or p.m. display. Use /
to move between the fields.
Tap ENTER when done.
9. Tap CLEAR to return to the clock.
5

Finding Thesaurus Entries
Most thesaurus entries include a brief definition and a related list of available syn-
onyms, antonyms, and Classmates
TM
(words related by subject). If a word has no the-
saurus entry, “Not in thesaurus” appears.
To find a thesaurus entry, do the following.
1. Press the SPELLER & THESAURUS key.
You go to the Enter a word screen.
2. Type a word. For example, type forte.
To erase a letter, tap BACK or .
To enter a space, tap .
To enter a capital, enter the letter first then tap / .
3. Tap ENTER to search.
6

If your word was spelled incorrectly, a list of corrections appears.
Use to find your word and tap ENTER.
If your word has more than one form, you see a Multiple Forms screen.
Use to find your word and tap ENTER.
If there is no entry for the word you typed, the message “Sorry can’t help” appears.
4. Tap to view the definition, and tap to view synonyms, antonyms and
Classmates
TM
.
A word may have more than one thesaurus entry.
Keep tapping to view all the entries.
5. Tap CLEAR to return to the Enter a word screen.
❐Follow the Arrows
The flashing arrows to the right of screen indicate which arrow keys you can tap to
view more text or information.
7

❐The Flashing T
A flashing Tto the right of the screen indicates the word on the screen has a the-
saurus entry. Tap ENTER to view the entry.
❐The Flashing ?
The flashing ?to the right of the screen indicates the word on the screen has
Confusables
TM
, which are homonyms and spelling variants that people often confuse –
for example, resume and résumé. Tap ?to view the Confusables. Tap CLEAR to
return to the Enter a word screen.
Correcting Misspellings
Your DCN-290 is also a spelling corrector. Try this example.
1. Press the SPELLER & THESAURUS key.
2. Enter a misspelled word.
For example, enter dezine.
3. Tap ENTER.
8

The Corrections screen appears with the correctly spelled word.
When there is more than one possible correction for the entered word, a list
appears. The flashing arrow to the right indicates more corrections are available.
Use / to scroll the list.
4. Tap CLEAR when done.
Finding Parts of Words
You can solve crossword puzzles and similar word games by entering ?in place of
each unknown letter. You can also find parts of words by entering ✽in place of a
series of letters. Try this example.
1. Press the SPELLER & THESAURUS key.
2. Enter a word with ?and ✽. For example, enter ?res
✽ .
To enter ✽, tap ?and then tap / .
3. Tap ENTER.
9

4. Tap / to move up and down the list of matches (if any).
A flashing Tor ?to the right of the screen indicates that the word on the screen
has a thesaurus entry or Confusables
TM
.
Tap ENTER to view the thesaurus entry.
Tap ?to view the Confusables.
5. Tap CLEAR when done.
Saving Words for Study
You can save words in a User List for personal study or review. Follow the steps
below to add a word to the user list.
1. Press the SPELLER & THESAURUS key.
2. Tap LIST to go to the User List menu.
10

3. Tap to see Add a word and tap ENTER to select it.
4. Enter a word to add and tap ENTER.
You can also add a word from any screen in the thesaurus by tapping LIST. The word
appears next to Add…. Tap ENTER to add the word.
To view the list, select View List on the User List menu. Use / to scroll.
To delete a word, select Delete a word on the User List menu. Use / to scroll the
list and find the word to delete. When the word you want flashes, tap ENTER to delete it.
To erase the list, select Erase list on the User List menu. Tap Yto erase the list. Tap
Nto exit without erasing the list.
Note: The words in your User List are saved as long as the batteries retain power.
Once the batteries lose power or are removed from the unit, the User List will be
erased.
11

Playing the Games
You can play eight word games at five skill levels ranging from Beginner to Wizard.
Using the Games Menu
1. Press the SPELLER & THESAURUS key.
2. Tap MENU.
3. Select Skill levels.
4. Use / to scroll through the list and tap ENTER to select the flashing level.
You return to the Games Menu.
5. Use / to scroll through the list of games. When the one you want to play
flashes, tap ENTER to select it.
12

Hangman
Hangman selects a mystery word and challenges you to guess it letter by letter. The
letters of the mystery word are hidden by question marks. The number of allowed
guesses is displayed to the right of the screen. Enter letters you think are in the mys-
tery word and tap ENTER.
To give up, tap ?.
To play again, tap .
To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
Anagrams
The minimum length of words flashes before the game begins. The number of words
that can be made appears to the right of the screen. Enter an anagram and tap
ENTER. Use / to view the anagrams already entered.
13

To give up, tap ?.
To play again, tap .
To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
Jumble
A jumbled word is displayed on the screen. The number of words that can be made
with the given letters appears to the right of the screen. Unscramble the letters to
form the word or words. Enter an unscrambled word and tap ENTER.
To give up, tap ?.
To play again, tap
To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
14

Spelling Bee
A word flashes on the screen briefly. Enter the word you saw and tap ENTER.
To give up, tap ?.
To play again, tap .
To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
Word Builder
Enter letters you would like to build words with and then tap ENTER. For example
enter wrda.
The words that can be formed with your letters appear on the screen.
To enter another set of letters, tap .
To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
15

Word Blaster
You must guess the mystery word before it appears on the screen. When there are
enough letters filled in on the screen for you to guess the word, tap ENTER and enter
your guess.
To play again, tap .
To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
Word Deduction
This is a decoder game. You have a limited number of tries (the number is displayed
to the right of the screen) to guess the word.
Type a word with the required number of letters, and then tap ENTER.
16

You see Pand Mwith numbers next to them. The number next to Pstands for the number
of letters in the correct position. The number next to Mstands for the number of matching
letters entered but in the wrong position. Continue typing words and tapping ENTER using
the information from Pand M. Use / to scroll through the previously entered words.
To give up, tap ?. To play again, tap . To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
Word Train
You and the train take turns entering letters to form a word. The one who enters the
last letter wins.
To give up, tap ?. To play again, tap . To return to the Enter a word screen tap CLEAR.
17

Using the Calculator
1. Press the CALCULATOR key.
2. Enter a number.
3. Tap a key for the math function you want.
Tap √for the square root.
4. Enter another number.
5. Tap ENTER to do the calculation.
Tap M+ to add the number to the number stored in memory.
Tap M- to subtract the number from the number stored in memory.
Tap MR to retrieve the number from the memory.
Tap MC to clear the memory.
6. Tap CLEAR to clear the calculator.
18

Resetting the Unit
If the display fails to respond or if the screen performs erratically, you may need to reset the
unit. To do this, use a paper clip to gently press the Reset button located in a recessed hole
on the back of the unit.
Specifications
Size: 12.7 (width) x 12.75 (length) x 4.1 (height-top)/1.3 (height-bottom) cm.
Weight: 260 g.
Batteries: 3 AA
ISBN: 1-59074-229-X
Product Care
To clean this product, spray a mild glass cleaner onto a cloth and wipe its surface. Do
not spray liquids directly onto the unit. Do not use or store your unit in extreme or pro-
longed heat, cold, humidity, or other adverse conditions. If you have a problem with
your unit, refer to the warranty.
© 2003 Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc. Burlington, N.J. 08016-4907 U.S.A. All
rights reserved.
19