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Suzy B Software CD-ROM 2 (1994).iso
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alvin.txt
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1995-05-02
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////////// ALVIN v1.22 REALM Copyright 1993 //////////
Created by REALM
[1.0] ---- INTRODUCTION
[1.1] ---- LICENSE AGREEMENT
[1.2] ---- INSTALLATION
[1.3] ---- ALVIN a quick overview
[2.0] ---- HOW TO INPUT THE DATA
[2.1] ---- DECIMAL ENTRY
[2.2] ---- FRACTION ENTRY
[2.3] ---- UNIT ENTRY
[2.4] ---- SELECTING AN INPUT UNIT
via THE BUTTONS
[3.0] ---- HOW TO CONTROL OUTPUT
[3.1] ---- THE DECIMAL - FRACTION BUTTON
[3.1a] ---- CONTROLLING THE FRACTION
[3.2] ---- THE NORMAL - UNITS BUTTON
[3.3] ---- SELECTING AN OUTPUT
via THE BUTTONS
[4.0] ---- SHORT TUTORIAL
[1.0] ---- INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Alvin! Alvin is an ACC/PRG that converts various
common units into other various units. While Alvin is not a
complete conversion program by any means, it does offer some
interesting features, such as, full support for input and output
of both fractions and units. It also runs as an ACC making it
accessible from inside your favorite programs. If you have any
suggestions or bug reports, feel free to contact REALM! You may
reach me via GEnie E-Mail address: REALM or via real mail:
REALM
10504 Easum Rd.
Louisville KY 40299
Thanks for your support! Hope this helps out!
[1.1] ---- LICENSE AGREEMENT
REALM provides this program free of charge to the end user.
The user may distribute this program freely as long as the
following files are included:
ALVIN.PRG or ALVIN.ACC
ALVIN_H.RSC
ALVIN_L.RSC
It may also be included on PD Shareware disks or other developers
disks provided it is placed in a FREEWARE folder or stated that it
is provided free of charge. No funds may be directly charged for
this product.
This program is copyright 1993 by REALM. REALM is not
responsible for any damage occurring from the use or misuse of this
product. If the user does not agree to the above terms then
he/she/it must delete the software.
[1.2] ---- INSTALLATION
ALVIN runs as both a program and accessory. In order to use
as a program change the name to ALVIN.PRG. In order to use as an
Accessory change the name to ALVIN.ACC and place on your boot
drive. It's important to make sure both ALVIN_H.RSC and
ALVIN_L.RSC are included in the same directory with ALVIN. If not
ALVIN will either not install itself as an Accessory or inform you
it can't find the RSC's. ALVIN_L.RSC is only needed if you intend
to run ALVIN in ST Medium. ALVIN_H.RSC is required for all other
resolutions.
[1.3] ---- ALVIN a quick overview
ALVIN was designed with ease of use in mind. While it's a
little confusing on the surface it's really easy to master. Most
of the buttons will automatically update the answer so you can
quickly convert from one unit to another without reentering your
data.
At the very top of the dialogue screen is the title bar. You
may click there to bring up the info box. Once you have the info
box you may continue to the quick help screen or exit back to
ALVIN.
There are only two user entry box's on the ALVIN screen. The
first in the upper left hand corner is for entering your data.
The second is labeled USER: and relates to the fraction precision.
Directly below the input field is a toggle button labeled
DECIMAL and a button Labeled NORMAL. The DECIMAL button will
toggle between DECIMAL and FRACTION. The NORMAL button will
toggle between NORMAL and UNITS. Both buttons control the output
format of the answer.
Located to the right of the input field is the fraction
precision controls. It contains a group of radio buttons that set
the Denominator of the fraction.
Placed directly below, the above, is the answer field. The
answer or an ERROR message will appear in this box, depending on
your input.
In the lower left hand corner, taking up almost the entire
area of the dialogue screen, are the input buttons. These radio
buttons mark the unit chosen for input. (See Below for Details)
In the lower right hand corner, almost identical to the input
buttons, are the output buttons. These buttons mark the unit
chosen for output. (See Below for Details)
Located dead center is both the Convert Icon (ressembles
large arrows) and the EXIT button. The Convert Icon causes your
data to be converted, as does the RETURN key.
[2.0] ---- HOW TO INPUT THE DATA
ALVIN automatically accepts several types of input. You can
enter a straight decimal, a fraction or use the unit extenders.
ALVIN only recognizes negative numbers for the temperature units.
[2.1] ---- DECIMAL ENTRY
Entering a decimal is straight forward.
( For Example: 1254.3658 )
[2.2] ---- FRACTION ENTRY
Fractions must be entered exactly in the way shown or a wrong
answer will result. ( For Example: 12-1/2 ) Take note there are
no spaces and the hyphen must separate the whole number from the
fraction. The fraction itself must be divided using the "/"
symbol.
[2.3] ---- UNIT ENTRY
Unit entry is one of the more advanced features of ALVIN. It
allows the input to be typed in units. It's important the units
are entered in descending order according to size. Check the
abbreviation list below for a full explanation.
( For example: 1ml 7yd 12ft 4 )
Note the last unit of Inch's is left off. ALVIN always
assumes the last unit to be the smallest. If you wish to type "in"
it won't interfere nor will it hurt to leave out the spaces.
( For example: 1ml7yd12ft4in ) is also correct.
Abbreviations in descending order:
ml - Mile km - Kilometer
yd - Yard me - Meter
ft - Feet cm - Centimeter
et - English Ton mt - Metric Ton
lb - Pound kg - Kilogram
gal - Gallon dl - Dekaliter
qt - Quart
You may leave out units when entering but you may not enter
in the wrong order. ( 4yd 6-1/2 ) is considered, 4 yards, 6-1/2
inches. ( 4yd 6ml 2) is considered 4 yards, 6 inches not 4 yards,
6 miles, 2 inches. It will result in a wrong answer.
The case (upper or lower) of the abbreviation is unimportant
but the spelling must be correct. I tried to use the correct
abbreviations but some had to be altered for the programs search
to work properly. Meters had to be changed to "me" instead of "m"
for example. The abbreviations are listed in the programs help
screen for easy reference.
[2.4] ---- SELECTING AN INPUT UNIT via THE BUTTONS
The input unit is defined by the group of buttons in the
lower left hand box. ( For example: INCH, FEET, YARD, Etc...).
When you click on a new unit the answer will automatically be
updated to that unit. If you select FEET then your input data is
considered to be in feet. If you select OUNCE then your input
data is considered to be ounces. Simply select the unit your
entering.
When entering in units (EX: 12ft 4in) the buttons will be
ignored. If however you are in a section of non compatible units
the answer will ignore the entry. For instance if you have OUNCES
selected and type (EX: 12ft 4in) everything after 12 will be
ignored. This is due basically because you can't convert feet
into pounds.
[3.0] ---- HOW TO CONTROL THE OUTPUT
The output is controlled buy several factors. It can be in
Decimal form, fraction from, unit form or a combination of the
above. You also have complete control over fractions up to 1/999.
When using UNITS some rounding errors may occur. I've attempted
to round the answers correctly to get the results needed. For
example, 1-1/3 feet does read 1ft 4in even though 1/3 is (.3333-)
of a foot. If you take 12 and divide by (.3333-) and you get (1ft
3.9999in) so the answer is rounded to give a closer answer.
[3.1] ---- THE DECIMAL - FRACTION BUTTON
Selecting this button will instantly change the answer from
"DECIMAL" form to a "FRACTION" form. ( For example: 12.5 will
become 12-1/2 ).
[3.1a] ---- CONTROLLING THE FRACTION
The Fractions denominator may be controlled by selecting
one of the choices next to the input field. Directly left of
the field is a group of 6 numbers positioned over a long
"user" button. Each one of those buttons represents the
denominator of the fraction. For example: 2 would round all
fractions to the nearest 1/2, 4 to the nearest 1/4, 8 to the
nearest 1/8, 16 to the nearest 1/16, 32 to the nearest 1/32
and 64 to the nearest 1/64. After the fraction is rounded it
will be reduced so even if you have "32" selected your answer
may still be 1/2.
The "user" button allows the user to enter any
denominator from 1 to 999. If you wish to have an answer to
the nearest 1/3 simply enter 3 in the "USER:" field, then
select the "user" button. All fractions are still reduced.
[3.2] ---- THE NORMAL - UNITS BUTTON
Selecting this button will instantly change your answer from
the "NORMAL" form to the "UNITS" form. (For Example: 12.5 may
become 12-1/2in). The amount of units involved are controlled by
the output buttons. For instance, if you have "FEET" selected as
your output unit the answer will be given as "ft" then "in". If
you have "KILOMETERS" selected, your answer will be given as
"km","m","cm" then "mm".
[3.3] ---- SELECTING AN OUTPUT UNIT via THE BUTTONs
The output unit is defined by the group of buttons in the
lower right hand box. ( For example: INCH, FEET, YARD, Etc...).
When you click on a new unit the answer will automatically be
updated to that unit. If you select FEET then your output data is
considered to be in feet. If you select OUNCE then your output
data is considered to be OUNCEs. Simply select the unit you would
like for your answer.
[4.0] ---- SHORT TUTORIAL
For this tutorial will assume you have ALVIN installed an
running. If you've already destroyed the programs default
settings you may want to start over so the defaults are set
correctly.
First lets start by entering 145-1/2. You'll notice INCH
is selected in the input area. This means we have entered 145-1/2
inch's. In the output area, FEET is selected, so hit the RETURN
key now to convert 145-1/2 inch's to 12.125 feet. Next lets try
yards by clicking on the YARD button just below FEET. You can
see it's 4.0417 yards. This is the basic method of converting
from one unit to another.
Now lets leave that alone and click on the DECIMAL button.
It'll change to FRACTION and our answer will become 4-1/32 yards.
Just for fun lets change our fraction to 3rd's. Click on the
USER: field and enter 3 without hitting RETURN. Now choose the
user button in the fraction area. Our answer will change to 4.
This is caused by the answer being to small to create an entire
1/3 fraction so it becomes just the whole number. Lets try
something a little more precise like 256. This time after
entering a denominator in the USER: field, click on the large
arrows icon to activate the entry. Now we have 4-11/256 yards.
Next click on the NORMAL button. This will toggle to UNITS
and our answer will become 4yd 0ft 1-1/2in. Thats 4 yards, 0
feet, 1-1/2 inch's. If you would like to know what that is in
feet, simply click on the FEET button directly above yards. Now
the answer will be 12ft 1-1/2in.
Well... thats about all there is too it. Hope this will help
fill your conversion needs!