Copyright: © Copyright 2000 Spud City Software Co. All rights reserved.


Spud City Software Co.

Desktop Dozen Copyright © 2000-2001 Spud City Software Co.

Desktop Dozen:

Click here for Trial Version Information

Internet web site:

Do you want to read more about Desktop Dozen? Click here to open your browser and go to: spudcity.com

E-mail address:

Click here to open your e-mail program and address a message to Spud City Software Co.: desktopdozen@spudcity.com

Mailing address:

Spud City Software Co.

P.O. Box 16062

Boise, ID 83715  USA

Fax order line (orders only):

(208) 336-9108

Support

All support questions should be sent to our e-mail address, listed above.


Pricing

Here are Desktop Dozen's prices, stated in U.S. dollars:

NOTE: These prices are guaranteed to not rise through October 2001. After that date, check www.spudcity.com to find out if they have changed.

Number of	Price For

Copies	Each User

1 to 9	$15.95	(must be purchased in users' names)

10 to 49*	$12.95	(must be purchased in company's name)

50 to 199*	$9.95	(must be purchased in company's name)

200 to 999*	$7.95	(must be purchased in company's name)

1000 or more*	$5.95	(must be purchased in company's name)

*Site license

An order of 10 or more copies of Desktop Dozen is handled as a site license.

Instead of sending you an individual registration key for each user, your company will be mailed a custom site license certificate that includes a registration key based on the company name. The site license certificate grants your company the right to provide Desktop Dozen to the stated number of employees.

Ordering copies of Desktop Dozen on CD-ROM

When you buy Desktop Dozen, we assume that you already have a copy of it. So no disc is sent to you; just your registration code information. However if you want us to send you Desktop Dozen on cd-rom disc, we can do that. The cost for each disc is $10.00.

So, for example, if you are registering 5 copies of Desktop Dozen and you want 2 discs, your total price would be calculated as:

5 registrations x $15.95 = $79.75

2 discs x $10 = $20.00

Finally, $79.75 + $20.00 = $99.75

I want Desktop Dozen. How do I purchase it?

Click here to find out How To Buy Desktop Dozen

How many copies of Desktop Dozen do I need to buy?

You need to buy a copy of Desktop Dozen for each person who uses it. If there are 3 people at your company who will use Desktop Dozen, then you need to purchase 3 copies. If you have 300 people who will use it, you need to buy 300 copies.

What if I want to install Desktop Dozen for 50 people, but at any one time, only 30 of them will actually be running it? How many copies do I need to buy?

50.

I have a desktop computer and a laptop computer. Do I have to purchase two copies?

No, as long as you are the only person who will use Desktop Dozen on the two computers, you only need to buy one copy.

However, that doesn't apply if more than one person will use it. for example, if you have a fellow employee who shares that laptop with you and will run Desktop Dozen, then he/she needs to pay for a copy of it, too.

Do you offer additional discounts for schools/non-profit organizations/government agencies?

Sorry, no. The only price breaks are the ones that you see above.


How To Buy Desktop Dozen

Online ordering

You will find a link to secure on-line ordering at our web site, spudcity.com  This is the fastest way to buy Desktop Dozen, and requires a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards accepted).

After you authorize this payment, an e-mail receipt is sent to you automatically. A second e-mail message will be sent to you in a few days after we process your order and charge your credit card. The second e-mail message gives detailed information on how to enter your name into your copy of Desktop Dozen so that it is fully "registered." (See bottom of this page for details.)

Purchasing by mail or fax

If you would rather make your payment by mail or fax, you should use the Desktop Dozen order form. With it, you can make your payment by credit card or check (in U.S. funds, drawn on a U.S. bank).

To open the order form, follow these directions:

•	When running a Desktop Dozen program, press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select HOW TO BUY > PURCHASE > BY MAIL OR FAX. (If you are in the standard window view, these are under the HELP menu.)

•	Fill in the text boxes and print out a copy of the order form, then mail or fax it to us. Our address and fax number is printed on the form.

If your trial copy of Desktop Dozen has expired, then you should print the OrderForm.txt file that is in your Desktop Dozen directory. Fill it in, and mail it in with your payment.

What happens after I pay for Desktop Dozen?

After we receive your payment information, we will send an e-mail message to you (usually within two business days). This message includes a custom "registration" code and detailed instructions on how to enter the code into your copy of Desktop Dozen. After that code has been entered, your copy of Desktop Dozen is no longer a trial version, and will not expire.

Pricing

Trial Version Information


Trial Version Information

Try this fully-functional copy of Desktop Dozen for 45 days for free!

Desktop Dozen is not a free program. However, you are encouraged to run the trial version of Desktop Dozen on your computer at no cost.

If you choose to keep Desktop Dozen, then you need to pay for it. (After 45 days if you don't buy Desktop Dozen it will stop running.)

How much does it cost to buy Desktop Dozen?

The price to purchase Desktop Dozen for one person is $15.95. (U.S. funds)

That price does not include the program on disc, because we assume that you already downloaded it. If you want to purchase a disc with the latest version of Desktop Dozen on it, the additional cost is $10 per CD-ROM.

We also offer discount rates for 10 or more users. Click here to read all about it:

Pricing

How can I buy it?

By secure on-line web site, e-mail, fax, and snail mail. Click here for information on all of your options:

How To Buy Desktop Dozen

What happens after I pay for Desktop Dozen?

After we receive your payment information, we will send an e-mail message to you (usually within one or two business days). This message includes a custom "registration code" and detailed instructions explaining how to enter it into your copy of Desktop Dozen.

After that code has been entered, then your copy of Desktop Dozen stops being a trial version and will run indefinately.

NOTE: If you pay on-line using a credit card, you are sent an e-mail receipt immediately. This is not your registration code. Your registration code will be sent later in another e-mail message.

Are there any features that will be activated after I enter my code?

No, but you'll see several (ahem) enhancements removed.

Specifically, you won't see the window that encourages you to buy Desktop Dozen whenever one of its tools starts. Also, the reminders to pay that appear when you print something or save it to file will be gone. And the "trial version" message on each main window will be replaced with a different message that displays your name for a few seconds.


Measurement Converter Overview

The Measurement Converter tool easily and accurately converts the value of one type of unit into another type of unit. For example, you can calculate feet to meters, pounds to kilograms, square miles to acres, and much more.

Look at some examples of calculations that it can perform:

Area

•	1.253 square miles = 801.92 acres

•	2.4 square centimeters = 0.372 square inches

Length

•	4 miles = 253,440 inches

•	1.5 feet = 45.72 centimeters

Speed

•	8 knots = 13.5 feet per second

•	120 kilometers per hour = 74.56 miles per hour

Temperature

•	75 degrees Fahrenheit = 23.89 degrees Celsius

•	200 degrees Kelvin = -73.15 degrees Celsius

Volume

•	3.5 gallons = 56 cups

•	8 teaspoons = 2.67 tablespoons

Weight

•	150 pounds = 68.04 kilograms

•	82 grams = 2.89 ounces

In addition to the conversion units shown above, hundreds of other variations are possible.

Measurement Converter Two-Minute Tutorial

Measurement Converter Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


What Is Desktop Dozen?

Desktop Dozen is a collection of 12 tools that you can't live without (but never knew it).

Have you ever needed to:

•	Convert tablespoons to ounces? Or kilometers to miles? Or a Celsius temperature to Fahrenheit?

•	Mail something, but didn't know which post office service to use or how much it would cost?

•	Use a calculator, then print out a tape of the equation?

•	Look at a calendar for next year, or the year after? Or the year you were born?

•	Time an event with a stopwatch?

•	Be alerted by an alarm clock on your computer? Better yet, how about an alarm clock that can start other programs at specified times?

•	Calculate the number of days between two dates? Or calculate someone's age based on his/her birthday?

•	Add up units of time (for example, 26 minutes plus 107 minutes plus 218 minutes = ? hours and minutes)?

•	Figure out the city that belongs to a zip code?

•	Look up a city's area code?

•	Find the official postal abbreviation for a State or Canadian Province?

•	Know when the sun will rise and set tomorrow? Or when you'll see the next full moon?

With Desktop Dozen you can easily do all of these things AND MUCH MORE!

What do I need to know to get started?

Click here to read Getting Started With Desktop Dozen

What's the price?

Desktop Dozen is not free software, but it's delightfully inexpensive. Just $15.95 for all 12 tools!

Click here to learn more: Trial Version Information


Measurement Converter Two-Minute Tutorial

In this tutorial, you will perform a few calculations to answer the ever-elusive questions:

•	How many meters are in a mile?

•	If you want to measure two ounces of liquid using a tablespoon, how many times will you need to fill it?

First let's figure out how many meters are in a mile. Calculations progress from left to right in the window. In other words, type your known quantity on the left side pane, and your answer will appear on the right side pane. Because of this, we'll set up the equation as 1 mile = ? meters.

•	Start the Measurement Converter

•	Click the LENGTH button because you'll be working with units of length.

•	In the left text box, type the number 1

•	In the left list, click MILES.

•	In the right list, click METERS.

•	You now have set up the Measurement Converter tool with this equation: 1 mile = ? meters.

•	Click the CONVERT button (it's located at the top of the main window) to calculate the answer.

•	The answer 1,609.34 appears in the right text box.

Now, we'll pretend that we need to measure two ounces of liquid, but the only measuring device we have is a tablespoon. So the equation we want to set up is 2 ounces = ? tablespoons.

•	Click the VOLUME button.

•	In the left text box, type the number 2

•	In the left list, click OUNCES.

•	In the right list, click TABLESPOONS.

•	Click the CONVERT button. The calculation is made, and you see the answer, 4, in the right text box.

But what if you want to know what two ounces of liquid equals in milliliters?

•	In the right list, click MILLILITERS.

NOTE: You see that the right text box has 'grayed out.' This indicates that the equation is no longer correct.

•	Click the CONVERT button. The answer, 59.15, appears in the right text box.

Measurement Converter Tips and Hints

Measurement Converter Overview


Measurement Converter Tips and Hints

What measurement system are the conversions based on?

They are based on customary United States units.

Can I speed up the process of running a calculation?

Yes, you really don't need to click the CONVERT button. Here's an example:

•	Click the VOLUME button.

•	In the left text box, type the number 15.

•	In the left list, select MILLILITERS (CC).

•	Here's where the procedure changes. In the right list, DOUBLE-CLICK on OUNCES. The calculation is complete.

Can I copy the answers to my Windows clipboard?

•	Yes. Press the ESC key (or right click on Measurement Converter's window) to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Click the CLIPBOARD tab, then select the level of detail that you want copied to your clipboard.

I don't want anything copied to my clipboard. How do I turn it off?

Follow the directions above, and select NOTHING from the CLIPBOARD tab.

I noticed the menu includes SAVE TO FILE. What does that do?

SAVE TO FILE will write your full equation to a text file. Similarly, there is a PRINT item on the menu, too. That will print out a sheet of paper that shows the current equation.

If I type in an equation, then exit the Measurement Converter, will my equation reappear the next time I start the program?

Yes. Your last equation will appear in the window. (Your answer is not restored, however. If you want the answer to appear, simply click the CONVERT button.)

I calculated an answer to an equation, then I changed something in one of the controls. The answer box turned gray. What's going on?

Because you changed an element of the equation, the answer became invalid. Measurement Converter automatically turns the answer box gray if the answer in the box is no longer correct. All you have to do is click the CONVERT button. The box will return to its regular color and you'll see the correct answer to your new equation.

Measurement Converter Overview

Measurement Converter Two-Minute Tutorial


Alarm Clock Overview

The alarm clock has four major functions:

1. Current Time

It shows you the current time and date.

2. Alarms

You can set up to five alarms for each day. You can customize each alarm with your own text message, graphic image, alarm sound, and you can even launch another program automatically.

3. Countdown Alarms

These include all of the features of the standard alarms, described above, but countdown alarms are reached after a specified amount of time has passed.

For example, if you want to take a 15-minute break from work, you could set a countdown alarm to go off in 15 minutes. When your break begins, click a button to start the countdown. When the 15 minutes are up, the alarm is sounded and your customized message appears. Countdown alarms can start another computer program for you, too.

4. Secondary Cities' Times and Dates

Is it a good time to call Wally in Italy? What is the current date in New Zealand? You can find out fast with this customizable display of the current date and time for two other cities.

Alarm Clock Two-Minute Tutorial

Alarm Clock Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Alarm Clock Two-Minute Tutorial

Okay, so maybe this will take longer than two minutes, but we think it's worth a little extra effort to learn about this tool.

•	Start the Alarm Clock program.

Notice the large LED panel at the top of the window. This LED shows the current time (and below it, the date) according to your computer's internal time and date.

If you are using the standard Windows (non-shaped) display, you will not see any LEDs, but all of the same information is shown.

You'll now learn about setting alarms.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select EDIT ALARM(S).

You see a window that lets you create up to five different alarms. Each row of text boxes represents the settings for a different alarm time.

•	Let's preview the first alarm. Click the top EXAMPLE button at the far right side of the window. In a moment you see the alarm message display, and hear some music play.

•	Click the OK button to close it.

•	Now change the text in the top alarm row from "It's the 8:17 a.m. sample alarm message!" to "Take a coffee break."

•	Click the same EXAMPLE button. You see the new text in the message. Click OK to close the message window.

Notice that you can change other elements of each alarm in addition to the time and message. The check boxes along the left side of the window indicate which alarms are active (checked) and which alarms are disabled (unchecked). If they are disabled, the corresponding alarm(s) won't go off.

The Sound list box indicates which sound will be played with the message.

The Picture list box allows you to choose a graphic file that will be displayed in the alarm message window.

The Launch list box is where you can identify another program to launch when the alarm goes off. For example, this might be used to launch a time card program or document that you need to fill in at 4:55 p.m. each day.

As you set the different choices for an alarm, you can always preview the result by clicking the corresponding EXAMPLE button.

NOTE: Alarms will appear on the main Alarm Clock window only when a time is entered in the Alarm Time text box.

•	Now let's look at how to set up a Countdown Alarm. Close the Edit Alarm Times window by clicking the OK button. You are now back at the main Alarm Clock window.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select EDIT COUNTDOWN(S).

Déjà vu, huh? This window looks almost identical to the other window, but this one is used to enter Countdown Times instead of Alarm Times.

•	Notice that the countdown time for the first entry is set to go off in 20 seconds. Change that to five seconds (we're in a hurry) by editing the text box to read 0:0:5

NOTE: The "h:m:s" displayed at the top of the time column shows you the format required for setting times; h = hours, m = minutes, and s = seconds.

•	Now click the OK button to save your change and return to the main Alarm Clock window.

•	On the main window, look for the text "Countdowns." Below that you see "0:00:05". That's the countdown alarm that you just edited! Click the button that's next to it to activate the countdown. After five seconds it goes off.

When the message window appears, notice that it includes a button that says 5 MIN. SNOOZE. (This feature can be used if you are too busy to deal with the alarm message at the moment, but don't want to forget about it. If you click the 5 MIN. SNOOZE button, the alarm message closes and will reappear in 5 minutes.)

•	Click the OK button to close the Countdown message.

•	At this point, you may be asking yourself, "How am I supposed to remember which alarm is for what task?" That's easy. Move your mouse pointer over the alarm times on the main window. You see the messages that are associated with them appear for a few seconds.

Finally, we'll look at the Secondary Cities feature.

•	Press the ESC key to view the menu.

•	Select EDIT SECONDARY CITIES. You see a window that allows you to display the date and time in two cities outside of your own time zone. Notice that City 1 is set using the controls at the top of the window, and City 2's controls are at the bottom of the window.

•	Click City 1's TIME ZONE list box at the top of the window. Scroll down (way down) and select the GMT -10 time zone for Hawaii. (If you are in Hawaii, just choose a different time zone.)

•	Next, click the checkbox that says SHOW ON MAIN WINDOW. You see a representation of how this city will appear on the main window.

•	If you like, you can change the CITY NAME field to something more personal, like Auntie Loretta.

•	You also can change the LED color and choose whether or not to display the date. When you're satisfied with your selections, click the OK button to close this window.

Notice that your Hawaiian time zone now appears on the main Alarm Clock window. Aloha!

Alarm Clock Tips and Hints

Alarm Clock Overview


Alarm Clock Tips and Hints

Can I change the way that the time and date information is formatted?

Yes. The times and dates are displayed according to your computer's settings. To change them in Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, and NT:

•	Open the Windows Start Menu by clicking the START button.

•	From the menu, select SETTINGS then CONTROL PANEL.

•	Double click REGIONAL SETTINGS.

•	Use the controls on the TIME and DATE tabs to choose the settings that you want.

Can I change the color of the big LED on the main window?

•	Yes. Press the ESC key to display the main menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Click the DISPLAY tab.

•	Click the round checkbox next to the color that you want.

•	Click the OK button to save your change.

In the edit alarm time window, what does the CLEAR ALL button do?

It blanks all five of your alarm times and messages, and it sets your alarm sounds and pictures to their default settings.

I just clicked the CLEAR ALL button accidentally! I want my old settings back!

If you haven't clicked the OK button yet, then you can click the CANCEL button to restore your old settings.

I have a WAV sound file that I want to use for an alarm sound. How can I do that?

•	Press the ESC key to display the main menu.

•	Depending on whether you want to set the sound for an Alarm time or a Countdown alarm, click either EDIT ALARM(S) or EDIT COUNTDOWN(S).

•	Go to the row for the alarm message that you want to change. Click the Sound list box.

•	Choose OTHER.

•	A dialog box appears that allows you to select a WAV sound file.

Are WAV files the only kind of sound file that Desktop Dozen can play?

Yes.

I have a picture of my dog that I want to display in the alarm message when it's time to feed Fido. How do I set that up?

•	Press the ESC key to display the main menu.

•	Depending on whether you want to set a picture for an Alarm time or a Countdown alarm, click either EDIT ALARM(S) or EDIT COUNTDOWN(S). (If you want to feed Fido, you probably want an alarm.)

•	Type "Feed Fido" in one of the Display Message boxes.

•	In the same row, click the Picture list box.

•	Choose OTHER.

•	A dialog box appears that allows you to select the picture file you want to display. You can use .jpg, .bmp, and a few other picture formats.

But my Fido picture is pretty big. Do I need to resize it to fit in the message window?

There's no need to do that. Desktop Dozen will automatically resize Fido.

Can I set up alarms so that they go off only on certain days, like Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays?

No, you can't do that automatically. However you can uncheck the alarm boxes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so that they won't bother you. (Of course, you'll need to recheck those boxes after Tuesdays and Thursdays so that they will go off on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You may be better off just letting the alarm go off every day, and just ignore its message on days you don't want it.)

I have a countdown alarm underway, but I want to pause it for a while. Can I do that?

Sure. On the main Clock window, just click the countdown's button, and it will pause. When you're ready to restart the countdown, click the button again.

I started a countdown alarm accidentally. I clicked the button again, and it stopped, but the time is still displayed, and I want it to disappear. How can I do that?

Double click the time display next to the button. That will clear the time display.

A secondary city's time is displayed on my Clock window and I don't want to see it anymore. What do I do?

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select EDIT SECONDARY CITIES.

•	Under the sample display of the unwanted city, you see a checkbox with the caption SHOW ON MAIN WINDOW. Uncheck that box.

•	Click the OK button to save the change you made and return to the main window.

Are the secondary cities' times adjusted automatically for changes in daylight savings time?

Yes.

I created an alarm message in the edit window, but it doesn't appear on the main Clock window. Why not?

For an alarm to appear on the main window, it must have a time associated with it. Go back to the edit window, and type in a time for the alarm.

There are checkboxes on the main window, next to each of my alarm times. What do they do?

Those checkboxes indicate whether or not an alarm will go off when that time is reached.

For example, if you have created a 2:30 p.m. alarm message, but you don't want it to go off, just uncheck the box. (Just be sure to check the box again when you want to set the alarm, otherwise it will remain off indefinitely.)

Can I make another program start when an alarm goes off?

•	Yes. Press the ESC key to display the main menu.

•	Click either EDIT ALARM(S) or EDIT COUNTDOWN(S), depending on whether you want the program to start in response to an Alarm time or a Countdown alarm.

•	Find the row for the alarm message that you want to change. Click the Launch list box.

•	Choose SELECTED.

•	A dialog box appears that allows you to select which program you want to start. To choose a program, select its .exe file.

NOTE: You also can launch programs so that they load specific files like a word processing document or a spreadsheet. Follow the same directions listed above, but in the last step, select the document file that you want launched instead of the program's .exe file. As long as it is associated with a parent program, it should start. For instance, files that are named with the extension ".xls" will always start with Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program (assuming, of course, that Excel is installed on your computer.)

If you want to launch a specific web site in your browser, first use your browser to create a bookmark (or "favorite") for that web site, then you can select that bookmark with the Alarm Clock tool as if it were a document, described above. Internet Explorer stores the bookmarks in C:/Windows/Favorites. If you are running Netscape Navigator, you will need to create a bookmark, then EDIT it and save it to your hard drive as a html file. Once that's done, you can select it in the Alarm Clock tool.

Alarm Clock Overview

Alarm Clock Tips and Hints


Area Code Finder Overview

•	Have you ever stared quizzically at an area code before dialing it, and wondered where the heck you were about to call?

•	Can you remember the phone number for someone out of town, but not the area code?

Then you're in luck…Area Code Finder is an easy, powerful tool designed to help you find the cities that belong to an area code, as well as the area code(s) for a city.

Area Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial

Area Code Finder Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Area Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial

Imagine that you received a phone message from a co-worker who is tending to his sick grandmother in Montana. He wants to know if you can do his work for another week, while he tries to nurse poor old Granny back to health. The phone number he can be reached at is (809) 555-3286. Before you call, you decide to look up that 809 area code. Here's how:

•	Start Area Code Finder.

•	Click the AREA CODE part of the split button.

•	In the small text box, type the area code number 809.

•	In a moment, you see a list of the cities that use the 809 area code.

The cities include St. Croix, VI and St. Thomas, VI. It looks like Granny is recuperating in the Virgin Islands!

Now its your turn for a vacation. Let's look up the area code for Orlando, Florida.

•	Click the STATE part of the split button.

•	In the states list box, choose Florida.

•	You now see a list of every city in Florida and its area code.

•	Scroll down to Orlando. You see that the area code there is 407.

Area Code Finder Tips and Hints

Area Code Finder Overview


Area Code Finder Tips and Hints

Does this tool include area code information for Canada or other countries?

No, only the United States and its territories.

How often is the information updated?

You can download updates for the most recent version of Desktop Dozen from our web site every three months.

It takes a while to scroll through those lists with my mouse. Can it be done faster using the keyboard?

Yes indeed. Here's how to look up the code for Shamrock, Oklahoma using your keyboard:

•	Start Area Code Finder. Notice that the State list box is highlighted by default.

•	Let go of your mouse, you won't need it.

•	Type the letters OK to jump to Oklahoma. (It doesn't matter whether you type in upper or lower case characters.)

•	The list of cities for Oklahoma appears, and the focus switches to that list automatically.

•	Now type the letters S H A M to jump to Shamrock.

NOTE: If you type too slowly, you will stop at the wrong city. If that happens, just wait a second or two, then start over typing S H A M.

I noticed area code entries for colleges and military bases. Those aren't cities. Why are they in the list?

The list includes an area code for every place in the United States that has its own zip code. Those colleges and military bases must have their own zip code assigned to them.

Can I print out a list of area codes for a city? How about a list of cities for an area code?

Yes and yes.

•	After you complete your area code search, press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select PRINT.

Can I control whether to include the date and page numbers in my printouts?

•	Yes. Press ESC to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	You see two checkboxes with the captions, PRINT DATE and PRINT PAGE NUMBERS.

•	Check or uncheck those boxes as desired.

•	Click the OK button to save your changes.

Can I have the results of an area code search saved to a text file?

Yes, you can do that. After you perform an area code search, press ESC, then choose SAVE TO FILE. You will be prompted to save the search results to a plain text (ASCII) file.

You can type in the name of a new file to create, or you can choose an existing text file in which to save your results.

NOTE: If you choose to save to an existing text file, anything that was in that file will be erased and replaced by your area code search results. (Before that happens, you'll see a warning message that gives you the chance to cancel the operation.)

Can I paste the results of a search into another program?

•	Yes. Press ESC to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	You see the Options dialog box. Make sure the box is checked next to COPY ANSWER(S) TO CLIPBOARD.

•	Click the OK button.

Now every time you run an area code search, the results will be copied to your Windows clipboard automatically.

Area Code Finder Overview

Area Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial


Astronomy Calculator Overview

No, it won't predict your future (that's astrology). Instead, Desktop Dozen's Astronomy Calculator keeps track of the sun and moon for you.

The rise and set times for the sun and moon are calculated based on your location. Do you want to know the dates of upcoming full moons? Astronomy Calculator will tell you.

You'll also see the exact dates and times for coming changes in the seasons (equinoxes and solstices). And as if that wasn't enough, you'll also be shown the dates and times of upcoming lunar eclipses.

Also, you can easily run these astronomical calculations for different locations and dates. Imagine the possibilities:

•	Have you always suspected that you were born under a full moon? Or during a pitch black night? Here's your chance to find out.

•	Do you want to pop the big question to your girl friend on your vacation next summer? Why not pick a night with maximum romance? Simply check to see when there will be a full moon rising low on the horizon (and avoid eclipses!) at your vacation spot.

Astronomy Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

Astronomy Calculator Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Astronomy Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Start the Astronomy Calculator.

•	If this is your first time using Astronomy Calculator, you are asked to enter your location and time zone in a dialog box. Follow the instructions to fill it in and click the OK button.

•	The main window shows a wide variety of astronomic dates and times.

What's what

In the shaped Window version, the top gold bar shows the text: RISE, SET, TWILIGHT ENDS, and TOTAL SUN. Below each of these titles is a column of data, spread over two more gold bars. The middle gold bar represents the sun's times for TODAY and TOMORROW, and the bottom gold bar shows the TODAY and TOMORROW information for the moon.

So, when you look at the time displayed immediately underneath RISE, and just to the right of TODAY, that's the sunrise time for today. Following along to the right, the next time is the sunset time for today. To its right is the time that twilight ends today (and it becomes night), and finally at the far right you see the total hours of daylight for today. The next row down shows the times for those same events tomorrow. And the bottom gold bar shows the rise and set times for the moon.

To the left of the bottom gold bar, you see a picture of the moon. This shows the current state of the moon. For instance, if it's a full moon, then you'll see a full moon picture. If it's a first quarter moon, you'll see a picture of a first quarter moon, etc.

Below that is moon phase information. You see four columns of dates. The first column represents the dates of new moons (black), the second column is first quarter moons. The third column is full moons, and the last column is last quarter moons.

The bottom section of the window shows the dates and times of the next three lunar eclipses, as well as the dates and times of upcoming changes of season.

Let's get that on paper

•	Press the ESC key to display the main menu.

•	Select PRINT to print out a copy of the information.

Now change the date

•	Near the top of the window, in the date text box, click the tiny calendar icon. A calendar pops up.

•	Notice that the single arrow keys at the top of the calendar move the date forward and back one month a time. The double arrows move the calendar date one year at a time.

•	Move the calendar to July, and select July 4.

•	In a moment, the display updates to show the astronomic information for the 4th of July.

•	Look at the Twilight Ends time. That's when twilight will end on the 4th of July, and if you are in the USA, you should expect to see some fireworks.

Astronomy Calculator Tips and Hints

Astronomy Calculator Overview


Astronomy Calculator Tips and Hints

Why does the program need to know my zip code?

The various sun and moon events occur at different times depending on your location. For instance, during the Summer, days are much longer in the Northern United States than in the Southern United States. That's why your longitude and latitude are needed.

Few people know their longitude and latitude, so we made it easy for you. If you enter your zip code or click on one of the cities, then the program looks it up for you.

I'm going on vacation out of town. Can I find the sunrise and sunset information for my destination?

Sure. As an example, let's see when the sun is due to set in Cairo, Egypt.

•	Press the ESC key.

•	From the menu, select OPTIONS.

•	Click the LOCATION tab. Here is where you can specify a different location to calculate.

•	Click the NON-US CITY option button. The list of cities is activated.

•	In the list of cities, choose EGYPT - CAIRO.

•	Notice that Cairo has been placed automatically in the City Name box.

•	In the time zone box, select the time zone for Egypt. (You should find it at GMT +02).

•	Click OK to save the changes.

•	The display now shows celestial information for Cairo, Egypt.

How come the Astronomy window shows a moonrise, but not a moonset for today?

The moon doesn't always rise and set within a 24 hour period. For example, it may rise today, but not set until tomorrow. Likewise, it could set today, but not rise today.

That's also why you may see a moonrise time that's LATER than a moonset time. Imagine that the moon rises on Tuesday afternoon but doesn't set until Wednesday morning. Then later on Wednesday evening the moon rises again. This means that on Wednesday, the moon rise time is later than the moon set time. It's enough to drive you loony.

How far forward (and back) can I set the dates?

For the best accuracy, limit your Astronomical calculations to dates that fall between the years 1800 to 2100.

How accurate are the times?

They are usually accurate to within 2-5 minutes of the actual events.

Your program says there is a lunar eclipse coming up, but I've heard that you can only see it from New Zealand and Australia. I live in the United States!

All lunar eclipses that are visible from planet Earth are listed. Whether you are able to view them depends on your location.

Check the Moon Rise and Moon Set information for the eclipse day to see if the moon will be up in the sky at your location at the time of the eclipse.

Astronomy Calculator is running VERY slowly on my computer, especially when I try to use the menu. What can I do?

That can happen on older computers. Fortunately, there's a fix:

•	Press the ESC key.

•	From the menu, select OPTIONS. (You may have to click it several times to make the Options dialog box appear.)

•	Uncheck the SMOOTH ANIMATION box.

•	Click the OK button.

•	Close the Astronomy Calculator.

•	Restart Astronomy Calculator.

After doing this, the moon animation will flicker, but Astronomy Calculator's performance should match the other Desktop Dozen tools.

Astronomy Calculator Overview

Astronomy Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial


Calendar Overview

Do you ever go hunting for a wall calendar for next year (or last year) and can't find one? Wouldn't it be nicer if you had a simple calendar to sit on your computer screen that can go to any year? A calendar that you can refer to while doing other tasks?

Desktop Dozen's calendar tool takes that basic idea and adds some features to make it even more useful.

•	You can choose to view a 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month calendar.

•	Easy navigation control. Scroll through months and years quickly.

•	The United States standard for calendar weeks runs from Sunday to Saturday. But what if your payroll period runs Thursday to Wednesday? With this tool, you can set the weeks to start on any day.

•	You can turn on and off the display of week numbers.

Calendar Two-Minute Tutorial

Calendar Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Calendar Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Start the Calendar tool.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Notice the box entitled MONTHS VISIBLE. You have the choice of 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.

•	Click on one that is not checked, then click the OK button.

•	The calendar has changed its size to show you the new number of months.

•	Go back to the Options dialog box and try each size. When you are ready to continue with this tutorial, switch to the 6-month view.

It's time to scroll around a little.

•	Notice the round four-way button in the bottom right of the main window. The up and down arrows on it scroll the calendar one year at a click, while the left and right buttons scroll the calendar one month for each click. Try it.

•	Now click on one of these buttons, and hold it down. At first, it moves you through the dates slowly, but eventually speeds up. This is useful when you need to move many years in the future or past.

•	Now stop using your mouse, and instead, try using your keyboard's arrow keys to scroll.

After playing with these buttons, your calendar display is probably far away from the current month.

•	To quickly jump to today's month, press the T key on your keyboard.

Now we'll turn on week numbers.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Click the SHOW WEEK NUMBERS checkbox.

•	Click the OK button.

•	Notice that week numbers now appear on the left side of the months.

Calendar Tips and Hints

Calendar Overview


Calendar Tips and Hints

When I exit the program, is the date saved so that the next time I start the calendar it displays the same month?

Yes.

Is there a quick way to move to the current month?

Yes. On your keyboard, press the T key or the ENTER key.

Can I change the weeks so that they run from Monday to Sunday instead of Sunday to Saturday?

Sure. Here's how:

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Under WEEK START DAY, click Monday.

•	Click the OK button.

If I change the week start day, will the week numbers change too?

Yes. If you have the SHOW WEEK NUMBERS checkbox turned on in your Options dialog box, and you change your week start day, the week numbers are recalculated according to your new week style.

How does the calendar determine what constitutes the first week of a year?

Week number one is considered the first week in January that has at least four days in it.

Why do the months shrink down when I switch to the 12-month view?

That's to save screen space. If the 12 months were displayed at the same size as in the 1-, 3-, and 6-month calendars, then it would take up too much room on most users' screens.

When I change the number of months visible in the calendar, I noticed that it sometimes appears in a different part of my screen. Why?

Each of the calendar sizes, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month, have their location saved when you exit the calendar program, or switch to a different size.

This is because some users like to position their calendars on their screens according to size. For example, you may like to tuck your 1-month calendar in the lower right corner your screen, but when it's displayed as a 3-month calendar, you want it in the upper left of your screen, and you like your 12-month calendar right in the middle of your desktop.

What range of dates can the Calendar Tool display?

You can view months between February 1600 to November 3999.

Calendar Overview

Calendar Two-Minute Tutorial


Date Calculator Overview

Date Calculator can save you a lot of time and frustration when you need to perform some calendar-related calculations. For example:

•	Imagine that 100 days from today you have to deliver something to a government agency (we all know how flexible they are.) What is that date? You could look at a wall calendar and count. Twice. Maybe three times to be sure you didn't make a mistake.

•	If people have to be 21 years old to buy alcohol, they need to be born no later than what date?

•	What if you want to buy tickets for the November 12 performance next year of a blockbuster musical show that's always sold out, but the box office won't sell tickets until 240 days before the performance? What day is that?

•	Do you ever need to know how many days are between two dates? For instance, the number of days between your birthday and today?

•	And speaking of birthdays, if someone's birthday is June 8, 1984, how old is she?

All of these questions, and more, can be answered in a few seconds when you use the Date Calculator tool.

Date Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

Date Calculator Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Date Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

First, we'll calculate the date 500 days from today.

•	Start the Date Calculator tool.

•	Click the DATE + button.

•	In the date box, click the miniature calendar icon. A calendar pops up.

•	Move to the current month. (Use the calendar's single arrow keys to move the months forward and back, and the double arrow keys to move the years.)

•	Click on today's date. The calendar disappears and the date is entered in the date box.

•	In the next box, type in 500.

•	The equation should now be (Today's Date) + 500 Days =

•	Click the CALCULATE button. The answer appears.

The DATE - button is very similar. Here's how it works:

•	Click the DATE - button. You see that this calculation would subtract the requested number of days from a date, instead of adding them. (We only have two-minutes for this tutorial, so we'll move on.)

Let's figure out how many days you've been alive.

•	Click the DATE DIFF button.

•	In the left date box, enter your birth date. You can either type in the date box directly, or use the pop-up calendar.

•	In the right date box, type in the word "today" (without quotation marks).

•	Click the CALCULATE button. It's funny, you don't look that old.

Let's confirm your age.

•	Click the AGE SAGE button.

•	Enter your birth date in the date box.

•	Click CALCULATE. Hmmm. I guess you are that old, after all.

If someone has to be at least 18 years old to buy tobacco, when do they need to be born?

•	Click the BIRTHDAY button.

•	In the top text box, type 18.

•	Click CALCULATE. You see your answer.

Date Calculator Tips and Hints

Date Calculator Overview


Date Calculator Tips and Hints

Sometimes when I try to type a date into the calendar, the window seems to freeze up and I can't run the calculation. What's going on?

The date that you have typed isn't in the correct format. Be sure to type it in the same format as is shown when the program first starts. (In the United States, that's usually the format M/D/Y, for example: 4/25/02 to represent April 25, 2002).

I want to paste my date calculations into another program. How can I do that?

•	Press ESC to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	You see the Options dialog box. Make sure the box is checked next to COPY ANSWER TO CLIPBOARD.

•	Click the OK button.

Now, every time you perform a date calculation, it will be copied to your Windows clipboard automatically.

In the pop-up calendars, the weeks run from Sunday to Saturday. Can I change that?

•	Yes. Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Click on the DISPLAY tab.

•	Select the week start day that you want.

•	Click the OK button.

If my computer's internal date is wrong, will the calculations be wrong, too?

Yes, some of them. The functions that rely on your computer system's date are AGE SAGE and BIRTHDAY.

Here's how to check (and correct) your system date in Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, and NT 4.0:

•	Click the Windows START button.

•	From the menu, select SETTINGS, then CONTROL PANEL.

•	Double click the DATE/TIME icon. You see a calendar and clock.

•	If needed, adjust the calendar and clock.

•	Click the OK button.

Date Calculator Overview

Date Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial


Postage Calculator Overview

Postage Calculator helps you make smart decisions about which U.S. Postal Service delivery method is best for your needs.

For instance, if you have a small package that you want to send across the country, do you know what your options are? What if you need it there tomorrow? What if you could wait a week? What are the costs?

Even more puzzling to most people are international rates and services. What are your options for mailing a parcel to Canada? What about Japan?

The Desktop Dozen Postage Calculator tool:

•	Simplifies the process of choosing domestic and international services for single letters/packages.

•	Provides a guideline to help you determine the time it will take for your piece to be delivered.

•	Lets you choose whether to display the rates for certain services. (For example, if you never want to see what it would cost to send your items by the Parcel Post Non-Machinable rate, by golly, you don't have to.)

•	Includes concise written summaries of each of the postal delivery services. (For your reading enjoyment, they have been painstakingly translated from Bureaucratese to English.)

Postage Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

Postage Calculator Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Postage Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

First, we'll determine the cost to mail a package to Boise, Idaho.

•	Start the Postage Calculator tool.

•	Click the USA button to make sure you're working with domestic rates.

•	The package weighs 15.2 ounces. So type 15.2 in the OUNCES box.

•	In the FROM (ZIP CODE) text box, type your 5-digit zip code.

•	In the TO (ZIP CODE) text box, type 83715. (That's a zip code in Boise.)

•	Click the CALCULATE button.

•	You see several possible rates appear in the big box.

If you are in a hurry to ship this package, it looks like Priority Mail gives you the best value of speed vs. cost. But what is Priority Mail?

•	Click on the Priority Mail row.

•	Click the SERVICE INFO button.

•	You see a description of Priority Mail. Notice that you can scroll down to see more information. Also you can click on the other tabs to read about other services.

•	Click the DONE button to remove the Postal Information window.

Now we'll figure out the cost to mail a 1.2 ounce letter to Canada.

•	Click the INTERNATIONAL button.

•	You see a country selection box appear next to the INTERNATIONAL button. Click on it, and choose Canada.

•	Remove your previous weight information from the OUNCES boxes, and type in 1.2 instead.

•	Click the CALCULATE button. You see your International choices.

Postage Calculator Tips and Hints

Postage Calculator Overview


Postage Calculator Tips and Hints

What if my package weights 1.5 pounds? Should I type that as 1.5 in the POUNDS box, or do I need to type 1 in the POUNDS box and also type 8 in the OUNCES box?

Both ways work fine. You could even type it as 24 ounces. Enter pounds and ounces in whatever combination suits your style. It all gets calculated properly.

What if postage rates go up? Will this program give me the correct prices?

Within 10 days of any rate increases being officially approved (not merely proposed), we will post on our web site a newer version of this software that incorporates the changes. That updated version of Desktop Dozen will continue to calculate postage costs for you at the old rates until the day is reached when the new rates take effect. From that date forward, your postage costs will be based on the new rates.

But what if my computer's date is set incorrectly?

That could cause problems. When there is a rate increase, the Postage Calculator tool relies on your computer's system date to determine whether to use the old rates or the new rates. If that system date is wrong, the rate calculations could be too high or too low.

It's important that your system date is set correctly, not only for Desktop Dozen, but for your other computer programs as well.

How do I check to see if my system date is correct?

Here's how to check (and correct) your system date in Windows 95 and 98:

•	Click the Windows START button.

•	From the menu, select SETTINGS, then CONTROL PANEL.

•	Double click the DATE/TIME icon. You see a calendar and clock.

•	If needed, adjust the calendar and clock.

•	Click the OK button.

The delivery time listed for most international services is 'Varies,' why?

Each country operates its own postal service, so delivery speed and efficiency differs from country to country. Your local post office may be able to provide you with more detailed time estimates based on recent deliveries to the country in question.

Why don't you include rates for other delivery services, like UPS, Federal Express, Airborne, etc.?

We may add other delivery service calculations in a future version.

Why don't you show rates for bulk mailings?

Bulk mailings are best left to the professionals. There are many issues regarding the pieces' content, preparation, sorting, rates that change by quantity, etc. that are beyond the ability of this program to try to present to the casual mailer. Most homes and offices only need to mail individual pieces. So that's the scope of Desktop Dozen's Postage Calculator.

I live in Canada (or Australia, or England). Will you ever add a postage calculator for my country?

Anything is possible. However at this point, Desktop Dozen is designed for users in the United States.

Postage Calculator Overview

Postage Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial


Printing Calculator Overview

"Calculator? Who needs a calculator? My copy of Windows already came with a calculator."

And a fine little calculator it is. However, it has some limitations.

Here's what you can do in Desktop Dozen's Printing Calculator that you can't in your standard issue Windows calculator:

•	Print your calculations.

•	View a running tape of your calculations.

•	Display the number of items in your calculations.

•	Automatically copy answers (and optionally, full calculations) to your clipboard.

•	Set the number of decimal digits that you want displayed.

•	Hide the buttons for maximum calculation display space (standard Windows screen only).

•	Resize the screen to view LONG calculations or to fit into tight display spaces (standard Windows screen only).

Printing Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

Printing Calculator Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Printing Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

What is 25 divided by 3? Let's find out.

•	Start Printing Calculator.

•	Using your mouse or keypad, enter 25

•	Click the ÷ button to enter the divide symbol.

•	Click the 3 button.

•	Finally, click the = button (or ENTER key on your keyboard) to get the answer.

By default, Printing Calculator is set to a floating point display. That means that you see 8.33333333333333 as the answer to the above equation.

However, many people don't need that level of precision. If you are working with money, for instance, you just want to see dollars and cents. You don't care about tenths or hundredths or thousandths of a penny. Here's how to adjust your display:

•	In Printing Calculator, press the ESC key to display the main menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Select the DISPLAY tab.

•	Find the DECIMAL DIGITS box. Click the 2 DIGITS option.

•	While you are in this dialog box, make sure that the SHOW ITEM COUNT box at the top of the window is checked. (SHOW ITEM COUNT doesn't have anything to do with Decimal Digits, but you will need it selected to demonstrate something else later.)

•	Click the OK button to close the Options dialog box.

•	Now rerun the same calculation, 25 divided by 3. Your answer this time is 8.33, because the decimal is limited to 2 digits.

•	Notice that the left side of the calculator tape displays 002. That indicates that two numbers were used in this calculation. If you were to add up a list of 9 numbers, then this would display 009. If you don't want this feature, uncheck the SHOW ITEM COUNT box in the options dialog box.

Now you can print out a copy of your work.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select PRINT.

Printing Calculator Tips and Hints

Printing Calculator Overview


Printing Calculator Tips and Hints

If I set Decimal Digits on the Options dialog box to 2 digits (or anything other than Float), will it round off the answer?

Yes. For instance, if your decimal digits is set to 2, the answer 2.6666666666666 will display as 2.67.

Can I have the answer to my calculations copied to the clipboard automatically?

Yes, you have several options:

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Click the CLIPBOARD tab.

•	You can choose to have just the answer copied to the clipboard each time you run a calculation, or you can have the entire tape copied to the clipboard. If you don't want the Printing Calculator to copy anything to the clipboard, select NOTHING.

On the menu, I noticed SAVE TO FILE. What does that do?

Save To File creates a plain text file that contains whatever is displayed in your tape. You are given the choice of where to save the file.

On the Options dialog box I see checkboxes for PRINT DATE and PRINT PAGE NUMBERS. What do those do?

Those allow you to show (or hide) the current date and page numbers on your printouts.

What do the CE, CA, and CT buttons on the calculator do?

Those are your clear buttons; Clear Entry, Clear All, and Clear Tape.

Use Clear Entry (CE) to correct mistakes in your numbers as you enter them. For example, if you entered the number 294, but meant to enter 284, click CE immediately after entering 294 and your line will blank out. Now you can enter 284. (Also, you can use the backspace key to achieve the same result, erasing one character at a time.) CE works only with the current number on your display; if you made a mistake on a different line of your calculation, you'll want to use the CA button, described below.

Use the Clear All (CA) button to stop the current calculation and reset the Printing Calculator for a new calculation. Use this when you goof up a calculation that CE won't fix.

NOTE: CA does not clear the tape display. If you want to erase your tape display, use the CT button, described below.

Clear Tape (CT) erases everything on the tape display. However, it does not clear any part of the internal calculation itself. So, for example, if you add up 5 numbers, click CT, then continue to add 5 more numbers, the calculation will show the sum for all 10 numbers, although your tape display will only show the last five numbers.

What are the functions of the M+, M-, MR and MC buttons?

Those are memory buttons; Memory Add, Memory Subtract, Memory Recall, and Memory Clear, respectively. They all operate on a number that is stored in memory. This number can be added to, subtracted from, recalled for use in other calculations, and cleared.

Use Memory Add (M+) when you want to add the currently displayed number to your stored memory number.

Memory Subtract (M-) subtracts your displayed number from the stored memory number.

Memory Recall (MR) copies the stored memory number into your current display.

Memory Clear (MC) resets the stored memory number to zero.

Are there any keyboard shortcuts?

Yes.

Main Keys:

0 to 9 	0 to 9

* or X	Multiply

/ or \	Divide

-	Subtract

+	Add

.	Decimal

Enter	Equals

=	Equals

Copy And Paste:

Ctrl+C	Copy the answer to clipboard.

NOTE: In the Options dialog box, you can set the calculator to always copy to clipboard when you finish a calculation, including copying the entire tape.

Ctrl+V	Paste a number from the clipboard to the calculator.

Clear Functions:

Backspace = Erase last character

Delete = Clear entry

Ctrl+Delete or Shift+Delete = Clear all

Ctrl-T = Clear tape

Ctrl-L = Memory Clear

Memory Functions:

Ctrl +	Memory Add

Ctrl -	Memory Subtract

Ctrl L	Memory Clear

Ctrl R	Memory Recall

I always use my computer's keyboard, and never use the keypad on the calculator's screen. Can I remove it to save space?

Yes, if you are using the standard Windows (non-shaped) display.

•	From the menu, select FILE then OPTIONS.

•	Click the DISPLAY tab.

•	Uncheck the SHOW CALCULATOR BUTTONS box.

•	Click the OK button.

All that you see now are the calculation box and the calculator tape.

I am running a long calculation and want to see as much of it as possible. Can I resize the calculator to extend the tape display?

or

I'm juggling several programs on my computer screen, and I want the calculator to shrink down. Can I do that?

The answer to both questions is yes, if you are using the standard Windows (non-shaped) display.

Just click on either the top or bottom edge of the calculator, hold the mouse button down and drag it in the direction that you want, either up or down. When you let go, you will see that the display has gotten longer or shorter.

When you exit Printing Calculator its size will be saved. The next time that you start Printing Calculator, it will start in the same place on your screen, in the same size configuration.

HINT: If you make the display very small, you should consider setting the STAY ON TOP option on. Otherwise, the little calculator window could get lost among your other programs.

Printing Calculator Overview

Printing Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial


State Abbrevations Overview
State Abbreviations Overview

Quick, what's the postal abbreviation for Connecticut? CO, CT, or CN?

What about Iowa, is it IO or IA? Then Oregon is ON, or maybe OR?

Well, everybody knows that the official postal abbreviation for Street is ST and Avenue is AVE. But what about Causeway? CWY? CSW? (Hint: It's neither.)

Circle is CRL, right? (Wrong.) Mall is ML. (No, actually it's MALL.)

To help you muddle though these marvels of inconsistency, Desktop Dozen offers up the State Abbreviations tool.

As you will discover, State Abbreviations goes beyond its stated purpose. It also includes the official abbreviations for common (and uncommon) mailing address terms, as well as the abbreviations for U.S. Territories and Canadian Provinces.

State Abbreviations Two-Minute Tutorial

State Abbreviations Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


State Abbreviations Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Start State Abbreviations.

•	On the map, click a few of the states.

•	You see that as you click on each state, its corresponding name and abbreviation is highlighted in the large list box.

•	Now click around in that list box.

•	You see that the map returns the favor by highlighting the states as you click on their names.

•	Now try clicking the four blue buttons at the bottom of the main window to add and remove the corresponding information in the list box. As you click and reclick the buttons, notice how their subjects are added and removed from the list. (When the text next to a blue button is white, then its entries are part of the list.)

•	Do you see another list with the word 'Alley' in the first line? If so, continue to the next step. If you don't see another list, press the ESC key, select OPTIONS, check the SHOW MISC. ABBREVIATION LIST box, then click the OK button.

•	This second list includes a hodgepodge of words used in mailing addresses along with their official U.S. Postal Service abbreviations.

State Abbreviations Tips and Hints

State Abbreviations Overview


State Abbreviations Tips and Hints

Some of the Full Name items in the state list have a "(cn)" added to the end of them. What does that mean?

It means that they are Canadian provinces.

How can I remove the secondary list from my main window? I never use it.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Uncheck the box marked SHOW MISC. ABBREVIATION LIST.

•	Click the OK button.

When I click on some of the names in the main list, nothing gets highlighted on the map. Why?

That happens when you select an item that is not a U.S. state.

I'm clicking on the map, but nothing gets highlighted in the list. What's the matter?

You don't have STATES AND DC included in your list. Click on the STATES AND DC button to add those names to the list. Now try clicking the map.

State Abbreviations Overview

State Abbreviations Two-Minute Tutorial


Stopwatch Overview

Do you ever try to run a mental stopwatch in your head? Perhaps you whisper to yourself slowly, "One, two, three....", as you try to gauge the time passing by, but you know that your accuracy is pretty limited. If that sounds familiar, then you'll appreciate Desktop Dozen's Stopwatch.

Like a standard hand held stopwatch, Desktop Dozen's Stopwatch calculates to 1/100 of a second, and includes a split/reset button.

But unlike a hand held model:

•	It's cheaper.

•	The batteries last forever.

•	You won't forget which drawer you put it in.

•	You can customize the color of the LED display.

•	It displays the times of day when you started and stopped the stopwatch.

•	You can have the total elapsed time automatically copied to your clipboard. (The Windows clipboard, coach.)

Stopwatch Two-Minute Tutorial

Stopwatch Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Stopwatch Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Start Stopwatch.

•	The top button is your START/STOP button. The one below it is your SPLIT/RESET button.

•	Click the START button. You see the time speeding by in the display. Notice, too, that the caption of the button that you just clicked has changed to STOP.

•	Click the STOP button.

•	The display stops and you see the elapsed time. Below it, you also see the time of day that you started the stopwatch, and when you clicked the stop button.

You will now learn how to restart the stopwatch. This can be used when the event you are timing is temporarily stopped, then starts up again. For instance, you were working on the tutorial, clicking buttons and things, and now you're just sitting there reading this sentence. Well, it's time to get started again!

•	Click the START button. Because the display wasn't reset, your stopwatch jumps into restart mode, and adds time to the previous time total.

•	Click the STOP button.

•	Now click the RESET button. Everything clears out.

Now we'll look at the split time feature, which is useful if you need to keep the stopwatch running, but want to take note of an interim time. (This is sometimes called Lap Time, in stopwatch lingo.)

•	Click the START button.

•	Click the SPLIT button. The time display freezes at the moment you clicked SPLIT, but the red lights continue to cycle. These indicate that the calculator is still running.

•	Click the SPLIT button again.

•	The display jumps ahead to show the actual elapsed time since you started it. Click the SPLIT button several times to see how it freezes, then catches back up with the true elapsed time. When you are done, click the STOP button.

You may increase your accuracy as a timer if you use your keyboard rather than your mouse to run the stopwatch.

•	To toggle the STOP/START button, use the ENTER key.

•	To toggle the SPLIT/RESET button, use the SPACEBAR key.

Stopwatch Tips and Hints

Stopwatch Overview


Stopwatch Tips and Hints

Can I change the color of the LED numbers?

Certainly.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	In the black LED Color box, select the color that you want your numbers to display.

•	Click the OK button.

How can I copy the answer to the clipboard?

That can be done automatically.

•	Press the ESC button for activate the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Select the GENERAL tab.

•	Make sure the COPY TIME TO CLIPBOARD box is checked.

•	Click the OK button. Now, whenever you stop the stopwatch, the elapsed time is copied to your clipboard, ready to be pasted into another program.

How long can the stopwatch run?

The display can show up to 99 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.

I have a slow computer. The stopwatch seems to slow it down even more. Can I do anything about it?

Yes. The Stopwatch program can slow down some computers because the 1/100 second display puts a strain on the system. The solution is to switch off the 1/100 second display as the calculator is running. Here's how:

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	In the Display Speed box, select SLOW.

•	Click the OK button.

•	Now run the stopwatch. The time display now updates just once per second. However, it's just as accurate as before. Whenever you click the STOP or SPLIT button to freeze the display, you see the true elapsed time including 1/100 second increments.

What's the difference between the Fast and Very Fast display speeds on the Options dialog box?

It's just a difference in how many times per second the 1/100 second display is actually updated. For most users, the Fast setting works fine. If you want to push the envelope, you can switch to Very Fast.

Just remember that no matter which display speed you choose, Slow, Fast, or Very Fast, the stopwatch's accuracy remains constant.

Stopwatch Overview

Stopwatch Two-Minute Tutorial


Time Calculator Overview

If you've ever had to add up a list of hours, minutes, or seconds, then you'll appreciate the Time Calculator tool.

Time calculator behaves like a standard calculator, but it deals in units of time. You can add, subtract, multiply, and divide hours, minutes, and seconds.

For instance, you can quickly run calculations like:

•	3 hours and 30 minutes ÷ 4 = 52 minutes, 30 seconds.

•	45 seconds x 18 = 12 minutes, 30 seconds.

•	And easily add up long lists of hours, minutes, and seconds.

Time Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

Time Calculator Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Time Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Start Time Calculator.

Notice the hourglass design on the left side of Time Calculator's shaped window. That's to help remind you that this is a time calculator, not a mathematical calculator.

Also, the default display mode will show your calculations in terms of hours, minutes and seconds (h:mm:ss).

•	You will now calculate the sum of  3 hours, 41 minutes, 57 seconds plus 34 minutes, 5 seconds.

HINT: If using your keyboard, type a period (.) to enter the colon (:) symbol.

•	Enter this equation   3:41:57 +  :34:5   =

•	The total displays 4:16:02

As you performed the above calculation, you probably noticed some unusual things.

•	First, if you used your keyboard to enter periods (.), each was automatically converted to a colon (:).

•	Second, the numbers you enter can contain as many as two colons (or periods). A regular calculator only accepts one period to represent the decimal point. (You can enter two colons in Time Calculator because they serve as markers between the different units of time. The first time you click a colon, you change from hours to minutes; the second time, from minutes to seconds.)

•	Third, your individual time entries were formatted to align identically on the Tape (:34:5 became 0:34:05). Zeros were added to make each time unit the same width. That makes it easy to view your work.

•	Also, after typing 34, you typed .5 to represent 5 seconds. For a person who is used to using a regular calculator, .5 would normally represent .50 (one-half), not .05.  However with this time calculator, the values between colons represent a whole number, not a fraction. Therefore .5 equals 5 minutes, .50 equals 50 minutes, and so on.

Multiplication and Division

When you use the divide or multiply keys, be sure to enter your time units BEFORE you enter the number that you want to divide or multiply by. For instance, you will now calculate 12 times 45 minutes

•	Enter this equation   .45 x 12 =

•	Your total is: 9:00:00 (9 hours), which is correct.

The wrong way to enter that calculation would have been 12 x .45  =

If you did that, your total will be: 5:24:00 (five hours, 24 minutes), which is incorrect. That's because when you click a multiply or divide key,  Time Calculator assumes that the next thing you input will represent a regular number, not a unit of time. Always type your regular number AFTER the multiply or divide key.

Time Calculator Tips and Hints

Time Calculator Overview


Time Calculator Tips and Hints

How do I enter 20 seconds? (I am in HH:MM:SS mode)

::20

As you see, it's okay to type two colons next to each other.

I want to use 325 minutes in a calculation. Do I have to convert minutes to hours before I enter it in Time Calculator?

No, Time Calculator will do it for you automatically. Just type in your 325 minutes. For example, :325  + ::1 =  (the answer is 5:25:01)

I add up hours and minutes that were worked by our employees. I'd like to have a printout of my calculations to put in the payroll folder along with my other paperwork. Can I do that?

Sure. Press the ESC key to display the menu, then select PRINT.

On the menu, I noticed SAVE TO FILE. What does that do?

Save To File creates a plain text file that contains whatever is displayed in your tape. You are given the choice of where to save the file.

What are the CE, CA, and CT buttons?

Those are your clear buttons; Clear Entry, Clear All, and Clear Tape.

Use Clear Entry (CE) to correct mistakes in your numbers as you enter them. For example, if you entered the number 29:01, but meant to enter 39:01, click CE immediately after entering 29:01 and your line will blank out. Now you can enter 39:01. (Also, you can use the backspace key to achieve the same result, one character at a time.) CE works only with the current number on your display; if you made a mistake on a different line of your calculation, you'll want to use the CA button, described below.

Use the Clear All (CA) button to stop the current calculation and reset Time Calculator for a new calculation. Use this when you goof up a calculation that CE won't fix.

NOTE: CA does not clear the tape display. If you want to erase your tape display, use the CT button, described below.

Clear Tape (CT) erases everything on the tape display. However, it does not clear any part of the internal calculation itself. So, for example, if you add up 5 numbers, click CT, then continue to add 5 more numbers, the calculation will show the sum for all 10 numbers, although your tape display will only show the last five numbers.

I only work with minutes and seconds. I don't want to use hours. Can I change the display?

Yes.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Click the DISPLAY tab.

•	Choose the MINUTES AND SECONDS option.

•	Click the OK button.

Can I have the answer to my calculations copied to the clipboard automatically?

Yes, you have several options:

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Click the CLIPBOARD tab.

•	Notice that you can choose to have the answer copied to the clipboard each time you run a calculation, or you can have the entire tape copied to the clipboard. If you don't want the Time Calculator to copy anything to the clipboard, you can choose NOTHING.

On the Options dialog box I see checkboxes for PRINT DATE and PRINT PAGE NUMBERS. What do those do?

Those allow you to show (or hide) the current date and page numbers on your printouts.

Are there any keyboard shortcuts?

Yes.

Main Keys:

0 to 9 	0 to 9

* or X	Multiply

/ or \	Divide

-	Subtract

+	Add

. or :	Time unit separator (i.e. hh:mm:ss)

Enter	Equals

=	Equals

Copy And Paste:

Ctrl+C	Copy the answer to clipboard.

NOTE: In the Options dialog box, you can set the time calculator to always copy to clipboard when you finish a calculation, including copying the entire tape.

Clear Functions:

Backspace = Erase last character

Delete = Clear entry

Ctrl+Delete or Shift+Delete = Clear all

Ctrl-T = Clear tape

I always use my computer's keyboard, and never use the keypad on the calculator's screen. Can I remove it to save space?

Yes, if you are using the standard Windows (non-shaped) display.

•	From the menu, select FILE then OPTIONS.

•	Click the DISPLAY tab.

•	Uncheck the SHOW CALCULATOR BUTTONS box.

•	Click the OK button.

All that you see now are the calculation box and the calculator tape.

I am running a long calculation and want to see as much of it as possible. Can I resize the calculator to extend the tape display?

or

I'm juggling several programs on my computer screen, and I want the calculator to shrink down. Can I do that?

The answer to both questions is yes, if you are using the standard Windows (non-shaped) display.

Just click on either the top or bottom edge of the calculator, hold the mouse button down and drag it in the direction that you want, either up or down. When you let go, you will see that the display has gotten longer or shorter.

When you exit Time Calculator its size will be saved. The next time that you start Time Calculator, it will start in the same place on your screen, in the same size configuration.

HINT: If you make the display very small, you should consider setting the STAY ON TOP option on. Otherwise, the little calculator window could get lost among your other programs.

Time Calculator Overview

Time Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial


Zip Code Finder Overview

You know the feeling. You're filling out an address on a envelope, and you're almost done, but you don't know the destination zip code. It's incomplete, and you feel bad that you're sending it out zipless. You're also worried that the lack of a zip code will delay its delivery.

It sounds like you need Zip Code Finder.

Use Zip Code Finder when you:

•	Want to look up the zip code(s) for a city.

•	Already know a zip code, but want to find its city and state.

Zip Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial

Zip Code Finder Tips and Hints

Getting Started With Desktop Dozen


Zip Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial

What's the zip code for Arco, Idaho? Let's find out.

•	Start Zip Code Finder.

•	Click on the state list and select Idaho.

•	Click on the city list and select Arco.

•	The zip code 83212 appears.

Some of the lists can be very long. Here's how to use your keyboard to make the search easier. We'll look for Truckee, California.

•	Click once on the state list.

•	Type the letter C

•	California appears and the city list is now highlighted.

•	Type the letters T R U

•	The zip codes for Truckee appear.

What is the city that has 12345 as its zip code?

•	Click the ZIP CODE button.

•	In the box, type 12345.

•	The answer appears.

Zip Code Finder Tips and Hints

Zip Code Finder Overview


Zip Code Finder Tips and Hints

Can I have the answers sent to the clipboard automatically?

Yes, you can set that feature in the Options dialog box.

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select OPTIONS.

•	Check the box that says COPY ANSWER(S) TO CLIPBOARD.

•	Click the OK button.

On the Options dialog box I see checkboxes for PRINT DATE and PRINT PAGE NUMBERS. What do those do?

Those allow you to show (or hide) the current date and page numbers on your printouts.

I want my answer printed out. How can I do that?

•	Press the ESC key to display the menu.

•	Select PRINT.

On the menu, I noticed SAVE TO FILE. What does that do?

Save To File creates a plain text file that contains your most recent answer(s). You are given the choice of where to save the file.

Zip Code Finder Overview

Zip Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial


Acknowlegements
Acknowledgments

Thank you to:

•	The graphics wizards Brad and especially Randy, who converted dreams into bitmaps.

•	Graeme at Gajits.com for the software that conjures up the shaped screens.

•	ESB Consultancy and Primoz Gabrijelcic, who kept me on time.

•	Alexander Miachin, for helping me to state a point (or is it vice versa?).

•	Carter Campbell, who contributed mightily to the editing of this help file and testing of the program.

•	The various Delphi geniuses who freely share their knowledge.

•	And most of all, to Kathy and Becky, who supported and survived this program's creation.

-Chris


License

Unless you have a different license agreement signed by Spud City Software Co. your use of this software indicates your acceptance of the following terms.

Evaluation and Purchase

Desktop Dozen is not free software. Subject to the terms below, you are hereby licensed to use and evaluate this software without charge for 45 days. If you use this software after the 45-day evaluation period, a license fee of $29.95 (U.S. funds) to Spud City Software Co. is required.

Payment may be made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) or by check (drawn on a US bank). Detailed information regarding payments and quantity discounts are described in the Desktop Dozen help topic, Trial Version Information.

Unpaid use of Desktop Dozen after the 45-day evaluation period is in violation of U.S. and international copyright laws.

Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Idaho.

Disclaimer of Warranty

DESKTOP DOZEN IS LICENSED "AS IS" AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES AS TO PERFORMANCE OR MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTIES WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. Because of the various hardware and software environments into which Desktop Dozen may be put, NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS OFFERED.

The user must assume the entire risk of using Desktop Dozen. ANY LIABILITY OF SPUD CITY SOFTWARE CO. WILL BE LIMITED EXCLUSIVELY TO PRODUCT REPLACEMENT OR REFUND OF THE USER'S LICENSE FEE, IF REQUESTED WITHIN 45 DAYS OF USER'S PURCHASE DATE.

Distribution of Trial Copies

You are hereby freely licensed to make as many copies of the TRIAL version of this software as you wish and make it available for download from your Internet or BBS site, distributing it to whomever you wish, provided: 1. You distribute only exact copies of the original trial Desktop Dozen installation program,  2. You do not charge any money, or request donations for any such copies, and 3. You do not distribute discs of Desktop Dozen combined or packaged with other products (commercial or otherwise) without prior written permission from Spud City Software Co.

Registration Key Confidentiality

You must never reveal any Desktop Dozen registration key to anyone who is not registered and licensed by Spud City Software Co. to use Desktop Dozen.

Copyright 2000-2001 © Spud City Software Co.


Getting Started With Desktop Dozen

The first thing you'll notice when you run Desktop Dozen's tools are their unusual shapes. Obviously, they don't use the common Windows interface (menu across the top of the window, etc.).

Still, it's easy to work with Desktop Dozen. You just need to know a few tricks before you start.

Activating the main menu in a shaped window

The most important thing to know is how to display the main menu when you are using a shaped window. When you work with any Desktop Dozen tool, simply click the small round button with three lines on it (the Menu button), press the ESC key on your keyboard, or use your mouse to right-click somewhere on the tool's window. The main menu for that tool appears.

From that main menu, you can perform standard Windows operations, such as minimize the window, exit, set options, etc.

Common main menu features

Each tool's main menu is different, but they all have these common features:

•	MINIMIZE

This makes the main window minimize to your taskbar (or to your icon tray, if you have that option set. See MINIMIZE TO ICON TRAY, below.). This is the same as clicking the Minimize button in the upper right corner of a standard window.

•	OPTIONS

This opens the Options dialog box, allowing you to configure the tool to suit your needs. The options common to all Desktop Dozen tools are:

•	SHAPED WINDOW

You have the choice of seeing Desktop Dozen's tools with uniquely shaped windows (sometimes called the 'skinned' look), or with the standard Windows screen. Use this option to choose your preference.

NOTE: Whenever you change this option, a message will appear, asking if you want to make the same change to all 12 Desktop Dozen tools.

•	START UP MUSIC

Each tool has its own startup music that plays for a few seconds when it is started. Use this option to choose whether or not this music is played.

NOTE: Whenever you change this option, a message will appear, asking if you want to make the same change to all 12 Desktop Dozen tools.

•	HEAR BUTTON CLICKS

When you click the buttons in Desktop Dozen, they make clicking sounds. You can turn this sound on or off.

NOTE: Whenever you change this option, a message will appear, asking if you want to make the same change to all 12 Desktop Dozen tools.

•	STAY ON TOP

You can set the tool's main window to always float on top of your other programs. This comes in handy when you use a Desktop Dozen tool while working with another program. For example, performing a calculation in Desktop Dozen that is based on numbers in a word processing document.

•	MINIMIZE TO ICON TRAY

This option makes the Desktop Dozen tool appear in your icon tray (usually located in the lower right corner of your screen, containing your clock and/or volume control). If this option is unchecked, the Desktop Dozen tool will minimize to your taskbar like most Windows programs. If it is checked, the Desktop Dozen tool will minimize to the icon tray.

•	TOOLS

This is a fast way of opening other Desktop Dozen tools. Each of your installed Desktop Dozen tools appears in a list here. Simply click its name to open it.

•	HELP

This opens the help topic for the Desktop Dozen tool.

•	ABOUT

This opens the Desktop Dozen's About window, containing version and copyright information.

•	REGISTRATION

This menu item has several sub-items that allow you to read registration information, fill out a registration form, enter your registration code, etc.

•	EXIT

Click on EXIT to close the program. This is the same as clicking the Close button in the upper right corner of a standard window.

Moving a shaped window

Normally, you move a standard window by clicking its title bar and dragging it around the screen. Since Desktop Dozen's shaped windows do not have title bars, you have to move them around using a different technique. It's easy. Simply click and hold your mouse on a blank portion of the shaped window and move it around the screen.

NOTE: If you click on top of a control, such as a label or text box, and try to drag it, the shaped window won't move. Simply release your mouse button, move the mouse pointer to a part of the shaped window that is free of controls, click there, and the window should move.

How to use each tool

In this help file you'll find detailed information, including two-minute tutorials, for each of the dozen tools.

•	Alarm Clock Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Area Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Astronomy Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Calendar Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Date Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Measurement Converter Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Postage Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Printing Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

•	State Abbreviations Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Stopwatch Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Time Calculator Two-Minute Tutorial

•	Zip Code Finder Two-Minute Tutorial