DMASTR (DisplayMaster) is a suite of programs written for IBM compatible PCs  by K.I.Forster and J.C. Forster at the University of Arizona. The software is designed for the measurement and analysis of reaction times in language processing tasks, such as lexical decision, naming, picture naming, RSVP, masked priming, same-different matching, semantic categorization, self-paced reading, etc.  

    There are two versions of DMASTR.  One version consists of a set of DOS programs (DM/DMTG) and these run on 386 machines or better.  The other is written for Windows 95/98 (DMDX), and runs on Pentiums.

    The software was originally written in Macro assembly code for a PDP-11 running under RT-11 (hence the six-letter name), supporting four separate experimental testing stations and a number of editing stations running asynchronously. This work was done at Monash University in Australia, beginning in 1975. Subsequently the code was rewritten in C for a PC/XT, and graphics and speech capabilities were added by Jonathan Forster at the University of Arizona.

    As of the summer of 1999, we have added the Windows 95/98 version, called DMDX.  This has all the features of the DOS versions, plus some new ones.  Contrary to popular belief, running under Windows does not necessarily compromise the accuracy of timing.  DMDX makes use of DirectX (which comes as part of Windows 98, or as an add-on to early versions of Windows 95), which gives the programmer better control of the hardware.

Click here for DM/DMTG (DOS) Home Page

Click here for the DMDX (Windows) Home Page

    Please note that we distribute this software as is, with no guarantees as to its reliability. It may not be redistributed for sale.

    The DMASTR software is distributed free of charge, and we ask only that you acknowledge use of the system in publications (e.g., "The experiment was run using the DMASTR software developed at Monash University and at the University of Arizona by K.I.Forster and J.C.Forster."). 

    Although the software has been in constant use for more than 20 years, it is constantly evolving, and hence there is always the possibility that new releases may contain bugs. We do not assume any legal responsibility for the software, but we do assume the responsibility of advising you as rapidly as possible of any bugs that we do detect. For this reason, it is important that you get your name onto the user list serv if you plan to use the system on a regular basis.

 

Prepared by Kenneth Forster

Department of Psychology

University of Arizona

Last Updated: August 2, 1999