What is A.T.A.C.? It's an acronym for Amperage, Theory, Analysis and Case studies, and it represents more than 2000 hours of time invested by its developer in providing techs with a deeper understanding of current theory, waveforms and diagnostic methods.

Once the CD boots up, the student begins by clicking on Door No. 1, which represents the theory portion of the program. Here, he's given an in-depth explanation of the benefits of current-over-time waveforms, characteristics of patterns, the various methods used to retrieve waveforms and how to best dissect a waveform to achieve a fix. Each section ends with a little quiz, and the student is always free to go back if things start getting a little hazy.

Door No. 2 gets you to the analysis portion of A.T.A.C. Here the student uses the knowledge gained from the theory section and applies it to a virtual repair shop with five distinct driveability problems. Analysis always begins with a review of the work order (just like a real shop). Once the student has an idea of the symptoms, he's then directed to a generic lab scope and low-amp probe for further analysis of fuel pump, ignition or injector circuit troubles. A nice touch is the information system within the analysis module, which provides actual specs and characteristics of the waveform under review.

Behind Door No. 3 is the case studies module. Here the student is provided with a database of over 175 waveforms for review. There's also pertinent information regarding each waveform, such as optimum voltage (amperage) and time base settings, as well as the actual test location and the hookup used to snare it. The waveforms themselves, by the way, are vector-based images garnered from actual vehicles, giving the program a lot of real-world flair.

There's a lot of talk in our business about the problems brought about by lack of adequate training. Well, if more people thought along the lines of the folks at Tools for Education, we suspect that's one less problem we'd all have to worry about!