OS/2 Shareware BBS: Science/Science.zip/cpwar15b.zip/CPRO1_5.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1996-08-09 | 125KB | 738 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  Conversion Pro v1.5 (build: 1.503)

Conversion Pro for OS/2 is a 32-bit Presentation Manager application which
enables the user to perform some 1,800 scientific and engineering unit
conversions. So far it is the only OS/2 PM application of its kind. Please read
the product overview for more information.

Conversion Pro for OS/2 includes a floating button bar, a button calculator,
and a temperature conversion utility which can speedily convert temperature
data in either Fahrenheit, Celsius (centigrade), or Kelvin. Check out the new
feature list for Conversion Pro version 1.5.

Installing is Easy!

A product overview and installation instructions are also included in this
on-line document. Additional Product Information about Conversion Pro, how to
register, and where to obtain user support is available.

Thanks for supporting Conversion Pro!

Jon F. Kaminsky
NEGC Software
Tacoma, Washington


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Welcome to Conversion Pro for OS/2 v1.5!

Conversion Pro includes about 1,800 conversions, was originally intended for
scientists, engineers, architects, students, and teachers, but now that the
data customization has been enhanced, virtually anyone should find a use for
Conversion Pro. Click on one of the feature topics below to learn more about
that feature.

FEATURE TOPICS

 Main Window

Menu bar
Conversion list-box
Factor display box
Numeric format radio buttons
Feature buttons
On-the-fly converter

 Button Bar

 Temperature Converter

 10-key Button Calculator

 Settings Notebook


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. New Features in v1.5 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Conversion Pro for OS/2 v1.5 includes many new features. I am pleased to be
able to address some customer requests and also add a few ideas of my own.
Version 1.5 enhancements* include:

o   Faster loading- The small delay in the loading of earlier versions of
    Conversion Pro was due to the two giant data files consisting of some 1800
    conversions.  The data files have now been broken up into 21 different data sets.

o   Custom data- Users now have a user-defined custom conversion data file
    where they can create there own conversions. Note however, that all 21 of
    the data files are editable.

o   Any of the 21 data files can be specified as the default.  The complete
    data set is still available if users want to load all the data at once.

o   Conversion Pro now includes a floating Button Bar.  Each button loads one
    of 21 different conversion data files.  The Button bar can be used to hide
    the main window to reduce Desktop clutter.

o   User settings- Users are now able to save some basic settings that control
    the operation of Conversion Pro.

    The default data set that is loaded when Conversion Pro starts can be specified.

    The default numeric format Conversion Pro uses on start-up can be specified.

    Whether the new button bar loads automatically on start-up can be
    specified. The position can now be set as well.

    Colors of the data fields can be set.

o   The Calculator, the Temperature Converter and the Button Bar can now be
    started from the feature buttons on the main window.

o   The frame around the on-the-fly conversion calculator now reflects what
    data set has been loaded.

o   Right mouse-button functioning- Right clicking over the Conversion list-box
    will automatically pop-up a menu where a new data file may be quickly
    selected and automatically loaded.

o   The bug in the button Calculator is now fixed.  In previous versions,
    pressing the <Enter> key on the right-hand side of the 10-key pad would not
    calculate results unless the <=> key had been previously pressed at some
    time. Either the <Enter> key or the <=> key will now calculate results.

o   The bug in the Temperature Converter that did not allow negative
    temperatures (unless you typed very fast!) is now fixed.

o   The issue with modal windows has been worked around.  Previous versions
    launched child windows (calculator, temperature converter) that disabled
    the Main window until they were closed.

*Build 1.503, August 8, 1996


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Installation of the Conversion Pro program is simple and can be accomplished by
following these series of steps:

1.  If Conversion Pro came to you as a *.zip file, drag a folder onto the
    desktop from the templates and unzip the archived file there.  If
    Conversion Pro came to on a floppy, you can install it directly from there.

2.  In either case, you should have the following files:

    cpro1_5.exe         Conversion Pro executable

    cpro1_5.ico         Application icon

    calcul.exe          Calculator executable

    calcul.ico          Calculator icon

    cpfold.ico          Desktop folder icon

    ****.dat            21 data set files

    cpset.ini           program settings file

    cpro1_5.hlp         On-line help file.

    cpro1_5.inf         On-line help file in book form.

    install.exe         Installation program executable

    install.ico         install program icon

    install.dat         installation datafile

    install.hlp         Installation help file

    readme.txt          Read me info file

    cporder.txt         Ordering information

    cpwarp15.txt        Upload information template

Note:  The current build-level is 1.503 (August 8, 1996).

3.  Run the installation program install.exe. The default install directory is
    C:\CONPRO15. This can be changed. The installation program will create
    desktop objects for Conversion Pro. See the help file in the install
    program for more details.

4.  If you haven't already got one, acquire a copy of the run-time library file
    vrobj.dll with a date no earlier than 6/6/95 (version 2.1c) from Watcom. It
    is not included in the archive because many OS/2 programs require this file
    and therefore a waste of bandwidth to include it in the download. You may
    already have it and don't know it! This file needs to be moved to any
    directory in your OS/2 LIBPATH such as X:\OS2\DLL or X:\OS2\APPS\DLL where
    X: is the drive letter where the OS/2 operating system files reside.  Or,
    alternatively, you can leave the file in the \CONPRO15 directory and add
    that directory to your LIBPATH.

    Note:  This step must be accomplished or the application will not run. If
    you are uncertain what directories are included in the LIBPATH, the LIBPATH
    is defined in the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file. Read the help file in the install
    program for more details on where to find vrobj.dll.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Customizing Conversion List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The conversion data files used in Conversion Pro can be customized using a text
editor.  It sometimes convenient to use a text editor that displays the line
number in monospaced font such as the Enhanced Editor (EPM) that comes with
OS/2. The customization procedure is as follows:

1.  Open one of the data files in the test editor. Place the new conversion
    units into the proper position by alphabetical order.  Be sure to observe
    the proper format using the other conversions in the list as a template:

        "meters""feet",3.281

2.  Save the edited file, Start Conversion Pro, and the new conversion should
    appear when the file is loaded.

3.  If you want to create you own custom file with your favorite conversions,
    use the cust.dat file.  it is reserved for that purpose. The file only
    contains a couple example conversions as examples of the proper format.

4.  Caution! Under no circumstance should you rename any of the data files.
    Otherwise Conversion Pro will not be able to find the file.

Note:  The actual number of conversions in any one data set is finite, and that
number is about 1800 (give or take depending on a couple of things), which is
the current length of the data set containing all the conversions (alld.dat).
So, if you get too involved with customizing, you may have to delete some
conversions to keep the list below 1800.

Also, keep in mind that the smaller the list, the faster the program loads.
Therefore choosing the alld.dat data file as the default startup file will
cause Conversion Pro to load somewhat slower as it has to read in a large
amount of data.  If this is not desirable, choose another data set as the
default startup file. Better yet, create your own custom set to load using the
cust.dat file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Conversion Pro data sets ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

New in Conversion Pro v1.5 is the option to load individual data sets
corresponding to a certain topic such as energy or acceleration. Data sets are
loaded using the Units Category pull-down menu, the pop-up menu (right-click
over the conversion list-box), or by pushing the appropriate button on the
button-bar.

Using the Settings Notebook, any data set can be specified as default.  The
default data set then becomes the list of conversion that are loaded when
Conversion Pro starts. As in earlier releases of Conversion Pro, you still have
the option of loading the entire data set containing some 1,800 different
conversions arranged alphabetically.

The 21 data sets and corresponding data files are as follows:

 Acceleration -         acce.dat

 All data -             alld.dat

 Angular -              angu.dat

 Area -                 area.dat

 Nuclear -              atom.dat

 Concentration -        conc.dat

 Custom user data -     cust.dat

 Density -              dens.dat

 Distance & Length -    dist.dat

 Electricity & Magnetism - elec.dat

 Energy and Work -      ener.dat

 Hydraulics -           flow.dat

 Force -                forc.dat

 Light -                lite.dat

 Mass & Weight -        mass.dat

 Miscellaneous -        misc.dat

 Power -                powr.dat

 Pressure -             pres.dat

 Time -                 time.dat

 Velocity -             velo.dat

 Volume -               volu.dat


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Main Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


The main window is composed of the following components:

 Menu bar

 Conversion list box

 Factor display box

 Numeric format radio buttons

 On-the-Fly Converter

 Feature buttons

All the features of Conversion Pro can be accessed from the main window. To
terminate (close) Conversion Pro, choose the exit command accessed under the
File menu in the upper right-hand corner of the main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Menu bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Menu bar is located near the top of the Main window.

Pointing and clicking on any one of the menu headings opens a menu where you
can make additional selections. selections opens one of the following window:

The File Menu includes:

 Button bar- Selecting this choice loads the Conversion Pro Button Bar.

 Calculator- Selecting this choice loads the Conversion Pro 10-key Calculator pad.

 Temperature- Selecting this choice loads the Conversion Pro Temperature Converter.

 Exit- Close Conversion Pro program.

The Numeric Format menu includes selections for changing the numeric format of
the displayed conversions.  The available options are:

 Default notation

 Scientific notation

 Engineering notation

The Units Category menu includes selections for all of the available data sets.

The Help menu provides choices for help, access to information and help in
on-line book form, a selection for changing program Settings, and Product information.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ


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ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Conversion list-box ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Conversion list-box contains the conversion data for the currently loaded
file.  The colors of this objects can be set by the user.

Choose a conversion by clicking on the desired item in the list box. The
resultant conversion factor will be immediately displayed in the Factor Display
Box. In the example shown above, the area data file has been loaded into the
list box and the acres to sq. feet conversion has been selected.

Typing the beginning letters of any unit will scroll the list to that area. For
example, when the complete data set file is loaded (alld.dat), typing "r" will
move you through the list to the first unit which begins with an "r" which
happens to be radians.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Factor Display Box ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Factor Display Box is located in the upper right-hand corner of the Main window.

It displays the conversion factor for the currently selected conversion in the
Conversion list-box. The displayed factor can be selected and copied if
desired, and the numeric format can also be specified.

The colors of this object can be set by the user in the Colors page of the
Settings Notebook.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. On-the-Fly Converter ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

At the bottom of the Main window there are several text entry fields where you
perform on-the-fly conversions using whatever factor is currently displayed.

To perform a conversion, type a value in the right-most text entry box.  The
value entered will be automatically converted to a new quantity using the
conversion factor displayed in the middle text entry display box.  The result
from the conversion is displayed in the left-most text entry display box.

In the example shown above, centimeters/sec/sec are being converted to the
acceleration of gravity (g) using the conversion factor of 1.01972E-03. Note
that the frame title will always reflect the data set that is loaded into the
conversion list-box.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Feature buttons ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The feature buttons are located on the Main window.

Clicking on any one of the feature buttons will bring up either the Conversion
Pro Button Bar, the Temperature Converter, or the 10-key calculator. These
items can also be accessed under the File Menu of the Main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6. Numeric format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Numeric format is selectable by choosing the appropriate radio button.

The displayed format will change in three places-  the Factor Display Box in
the upper right-hand corner of the Main window, and both in the factor and
conversion result text display boxes in the On-the-Fly Converter. Numeric
format can also be changed by the appropriate selection under the Numeric
Format menu.

Three types of Numeric format are available for displaying numeric data in
Conversion Pro are as follows:

Default notation

Scientific Notation

Engineering Notation

Default notation reflects the notation of the number as it exists in the factor
database. Scientific and engineering notations are convenient for expressing
very large or very small numbers, and numbers which reflect a measurement and
thus a certain precision.  The notation Conversion Pro uses on start-up can be
set by the user.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.1. Scientific notation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Scientific notation is a format where a number is expressed by the product of
two numbers, one as a decimal, the other as a power of ten.  In the decimal
portion, one digit is placed left of the decimal place, and then possibly one
or more numbers follow on the right side of the decimal place depending on the
precision of the measurement (significant digits).  The power of ten portion of
the number is multiplied by the decimal portion.  Thus, the number 1.2E3 is
equivalent to 1200 (disregarding any argument we may have about numeric
precision or rounding off).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.2. Engineering notation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Engineering notation is a format where a number is expressed by the product of
two numbers, one as a decimal, the other as a power of ten.  However, in the
decimal portion, one to three digits are placed left of the decimal place, and
then possibly one or more numbers follow on the right side of the decimal place
depending on the precision of the measurement (significant digits).

The power of ten portion of the number is displayed by magnitudes of 1,000
only.  Thus, for a quantity such as 12,000 (twelve thousand) to be expressed in
engineering notation, you won't see it as 1.2E4, but you might see 12E3.
Typical engineer nonsense.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.3. Significant digits ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Your answer after conversion cannot be any more accurate than the least number
of significant digits used in any measurement value included in the conversion
expression. At a minimum, this will usually include your original value in the
original units and the conversion factor itself.

This is of mathematical necessity, and therefore, not a limitation of the
software.  There are rules for rounding numbers to the correct significant digits.

For example, the product of 30.19 and 12.2 is 368.318, but the answer must be
expressed to only three significant digits because 12.2 has only three
significant digits; hence the answer is actually 368 when correctly expressed
in the proper precision.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.4. Rules for rounding numbers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The rules for rounding numeric data to the proper number of digits are as follows:

1.  If the non-significant digit is more than 5 or is 5 followed by numbers
    other than zero, the non-significant digit(s) is/are dropped and the
    significant digit is increased by one. Example: 23.152 expressed to 3
    significant digits is 23.2 (the 5 and trailing 2 are non-significant).

2.  If the non-significant digit is less than 5, it is dropped and the
    significant digit remains the same. Example: 23.14 expressed to 3
    significant digits is 23.1 (the 4 is non-significant).

3.  If the non-significant digit is 5 and is followed by zeros, the 5 is
    dropped and the significant digit is increased by one if it is odd, and
    left the same if it is even. Example: 23.150 and 23.250 expressed to 3
    significant digits are both equal to 23.2 (the 5 and trailing 0 are non-significant).


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Button Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A new feature in Conversion Pro for OS/2 version 1.5 is the addition of the
floating button bar. Click here to learn more about how to use it.

The Conversion Pro Button bar allows you to quickly choose any of the 21 data
sets and load it into the conversion list-box in the main window. It also can
be used to hide (minimize the main window).

The Button bar menu contains selections to move the button bar, close the
button bar, open the Settings notebook, get help, or quit Conversion Pro altogether.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Using the Button Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The new Button Bar is used to quickly load data sets and reduce clutter on your
Desktop. Clicking on any one of the icons will load one of 21 data sets.
Fly-over help is available at the bottom of the bar to assist you in making a selection.

Choosing the Hide menu reduces Conversion Pro to the Desktop or the Minimized
Window viewer depending on your setup.  The Button bar will continue to float
however.  To restore Conversion Pro, simply click on one of the Button Bar
icons to bring Conversion Pro to the Desktop with data set corresponding tp
that icon.

Choosing the File menu allows you to make selections to:

o   Move the button with the pointer

o   Close the button bar

o   Open the Settings Notebook to change the Button bar start-up mode.

o   Get help for the Button bar

o   Quitting Conversion Pro


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Temperature Converter ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Temperature conversions can be calculated with the Conversion Pro Temperature Converter.

The Temperature Converter allows the user to convert between three units of
temperature. The value to be converted is entered in the Input box. The
converted result is calculated on-the-fly and displayed in the Result box using
the units currently selected beneath the result. The input and output units are
changed by clicking the appropriate radio button.

Choose Close on the menu bar to quit the Temperature Converter.  Selecting Help
on the menu bar will bring you to this help panel.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. 10-Key Calculator ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Conversion Pro includes a 10-key calculator pad. The calculator is accessed
under the File menu, or by pushing the right-most feature button on the right
side of the main window.

Click on a part of the calculator above to learn more about it.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden>  ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Calculator Memory Operations:

The 'M+' key stores the currently displayed value in memory for later
retrieval. Subsequent values are added to the current stored value by the 'M+'
button.  The 'M-' button subtracts the currently displayed value from the
current value stored in memory.  The 'MR' key recalls the current value stored
in memory.  The 'MC' key clears the value stored in memory.

As a reminder, when the memory is on, a red "M" will appear in the upper left
hand of the calculator display.


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Operating the key-pad

The keys on the calculator are operated by mouse clicking on the desired
number.  You can also use the calculator as a 10-key calculator pad by first
pressing the <Num Lock> key on the computer console.  The numeric keys on the
far right of the console are mapped to the corresponding keys on the Conversion
Pro Calculator.


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Available calculator operations

The Conversion Pro Calculator includes the basic operators for addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages.  To clear the display,
press the green button labeled "C" (or press the <C> key on the console).  To
clear the last entry, press the green button labeled "CE".

The mathematical operators can all be invoked by mouse clicking the appropriate
button.  Alternatively, if the <Num Lock> key is set, the key pad on the far
right of the computer console can be used for these operations. The <Enter> key
on the computer console is now mapped to the <=> key.  You can still press the
<=> key and cause the same effect.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Settings Notebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Settings Notebook allows the user to save some basic program settings.  Its
accessed under the Help menu or from the Button Bar File menu. There are three
pages for the Settings Notebook:

o   The Main page- The Main page allows users to specify Settings for the
    default start-up data file and numeric format.

o   The Button Bar page- The Button bar page allows users to specify settings
    for automatic loading and screen position of the Button bar.

o   The Colors page- The colors page allows users to set background and
    foreground colors for the data display objects on the Main window:

You can get help for a particular page of the Settings Notebook by pushing the
"Help" button at the bottom of the notebook. To save whatever changes you have
made to these settings, push the "Save" button at the bottom of the page:

Note:  The settings are automatically saved to a simple ini file called
cpset.ini, which is stored in the \conpro15 directory. Please do not try to
modify this file.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.1. Settings Notebook - Main Page ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Main page of the Settings Notebook allows the user to save some basic
program start-up options.

The user can set the following items:

1.  The default data set- the default data set are the conversions that are
    loaded into the list box when Conversion Pro starts.  To change data sets,
    choose a new set from the drop-down list.  The current default file will be
    updated if you push the "Save" button.

2.  The default numeric format- this controls what numeric format that is
    default then Conversion Pro starts.  Click the radio button corresponding
    to your preference.

Push the "Save" button to save your settings for future sessions.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.2. Settings Notebook - Button Bar Page ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Button Bar page of the Settings Notebook allows the user to set options for
the Conversion Pro Button Bar.

 The following options can be set:

    Loading at startup- The user can set whether or not the Button Bar loads
     automatically on start-up by checking the indicated box.

    Button bar location- Users can set the location on their screen where the
     Button bar will appear whenever it is loaded.  Moving the sliders will
     cause the button bar to load in a different portion of the screen as
     measured in percent of total screen area.

As an example, a setting of 0% from the top and 0% from the left will load the
bar in the upper left hand corner of the screen as measured to the upper
left-hand corner of the button bar itself. Take this into account when setting
positions near the right hand side of the screen.  If you want the right edge
of the Button bar on the right edge of the screen, a value between 80% and 90%
is usually sufficient.  If you set the horizontal or vertical percentage so
that the bar is off the screen it will locate itself to center automatically
(so you don't lose it).  It may take some experimentation for your particular
screen size and video mode.

Note:  You can get an idea of how much to set by setting each slider to 100%
and checking the dimensions of your screen in twips in the box labled "Your
Screen".


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A twip is a twentieth of a point, and a point is 1/72 of a logical inch.  Twips
are a convenient unit of measurement for the sizes and positions of objects.
While twips vary in size between display types and video mode, two objects
measured in twips will retain their relative sizes when moved to different
display types. The actual size of a twip is automatically scaled to the current
display resolution as modified by screen size, thus twips vary in size as an
object's measurement in inches varies with display and video mode.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8.3. Settings Notebook - Colors Page ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Colors page of the Settings Notebook allows the user to change colors of
the data fields of the Main window.

Both background and foreground colors can be changed for the Conversion
list-box and the Factor Display box. Colors are changed by clicking on colors
for the object whose radio button is selected. The color changes for each will
be shown in the text field to the right of the respective radio button as they
are changed.

 If you want to immediately change colors for the current session push the
"Change colors now" button.  Pushing the "Save" button at the bottom of the
Settings Notebook will save the current colors settings for future sessions.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. How do I...? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Click on one of the topics below to learn how to perform the indicated task.
How do I...

 install Conversion Pro?

 change colors for the data fields?

 change the data set in the main window?

 convert a temperature?

 have the button bar load at start-up?

 maximize the main window with the button bar?

 minimize the main window with the button bar?

 perform on-the-fly conversions?

 set the default numeric format?

 set the default start-up data file?


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Product Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Conversion Pro for OS/2

Conversion Pro version 1.5 is Copyright (c) 1995, 1995 by J. F. Kaminsky.
Contact the author at the following company address:

J. F. Kaminsky
NEGC Software Co.
2522 North Proctor Street, Suite 135
Tacoma, WA  98406
e-mail: [e-mail]
Product support: [e-mail]
License Fee: $10.00 US

To Register Conversion Pro

Registration (License fee) is a mere $10.00 (US). Registered users are entitled
to free upgrades for future version 1.x releases. Please send a money order or
a check drawn on a U.S. bank to the address shown above.  Thanks to all
previous registrants of Conversion Pro!

Note:  For you users who have not yet extracted the Microsoft ring out of your
nose, a Windows version of Conversion Pro is also available.