Days in a row streak counter

[arashmaz]

Hi all

I'm trying to create a 'days in a row' streak counter.

Where the learner where if the learner accesses the module on consecutive days in a row it would increase. If they missed a day it would basically start from zero again.

I can have a variable load and save to the browsers memory and could create a variable  that every time they complete the module, increases by one.

However, I need something in addition which recognises whether some time has elapsed since the last time the module was used and resets that variable to 0.

I know that Captivate has system variables such as cpInfoCurrentDay would not sure how I can integrate it into an Advanced or Conditional Action to make it work.

What does cpInfoEpcohMS do and would be useful in this instance?

[arashmaz]

So I 'think' I may have found a rough solution...

After doing a bit of a search around the cpInfoEpochMS variable and finding an answer by RodWard​

Create a counter (Vcounter) variable that displays the user's 'days in a row' score.

Create another variable (Vdate) that stores the cpInfoEPochMS/1000 (So it's in seconds) variable on completing the module.

Then on loading the module have a conditional action that goes as follows:

If Vdate is less than Vdate+86400 (total seconds in 24 hours)

Then Vcounter increment by 1

Else Assign Vcounter '0'.

In my head that sort of works...

[Lilybiri]

cpInfoEpochMS (category System information) keeps track of date/time in an absolute way, not referring to the start of a course like cpInfoElapsedTimeMS (category Movie Information). Maybe you could download the descriptive table with system variables  from this article:

System variables in Captivate 8/9 - Captivate blog

[arashmaz]

Yeah I don't need to know how much time has elapsed from the start of the course. I need to know how much time has elapsed outside from finishing the course to loading it back up again. Which is why I cpInfoEpochMS would be preferred.

[Lilybiri]

Even within a course I will often prefer cpInfoEpochMS, especially if it is a non-linear course. For some reasons it is working more accurately.

[arashmaz]

I've just realised I can't get my proposed logic to work as Captivate doesn't allow it..

I want the line as follows:

If Vdate is less than Vdate + 86000

Then...

But I can only add either a literal or a variable and can't have an expression under 'IF'.

Is there anyway around this?

[Lilybiri · Accepted solution]

I am confused now, Vdate will always be less than Vdate+86000? You will have to subtract Vdate from the present value of cpInfoEpochMS and see if the result is less than 86000. If you are using a conditional advanced action, you'll first need a decision that mimicks a standard action for the subtract Expression, then the conditional action. Something like this:

First decision 'Always'

   IF 1 is equal to 1

  Expression  v_subtract  = cpInfoEpochMS - Vdate

Second decision

  IF v_subract is less than 86000

      Increment v_counter by 1

ELSE

      Assign v_counter with 0

[arashmaz]

Hi Lily

This is perfect, Thank you. I'd come to the conclusion that I'd need an additional variable to do just that. But didn't realise I could mimic a standard action in one of the conditional action tabs. So that's really helpful, thank you!!

[Lilybiri]

Could have used Vdate as well (it will have to be reset after that anyway), but thought it would be easier to understand with a second variable. You should find my explanation of a mimicked standard action all over these forums (and in my blog).