Unit Converter is a desk accessory that allows you to easily convert between many different units of measurement.
Unit Converter features a large, multi-line "source" text box where you can introduce values to be converted. The converted results instantly appear in an adjacent text box, with each source value directly corresponding to its result.
Unit Converter supports the entry of single or multiple values. Values and results are remembered between conversions and between sessions. Unit Converter offers tremendous control over the numerical precision and formatting of input and output values. For example, you may choose to work with US or European numeric formats; to automatically insert the "thousands" comma separator; to display the result with precision ranging from 3 to 18 digits; or to easily switch between exponential (scientific) and decimal notation, just to mention a few options.
You can choose from 16 different classes of measurements, such as lengths, weights, speeds, and much more. Each class contains a large number of units, like inches, kilograms, or nautical miles per hour, which are conveniently sorted by increasing relative magnitude. All units may be used for source and target values. All in all, 223 different units are available for your use!
> MAKING CONVERSIONS <
Performing a conversion with Unit Converter is very simple:
a) From the "Type" popup menu, select the desired measurement class.
b) Use the "From" popup menu to select the unit of measurement in which the source value is expressed and the "To" popup menu to select the resulting value's unit of measurement.
c) In the left text edit, enter the value or values to be converted. Then choose "Convert" or simply hit the <Enter> key. Results will appear in the right text edit, following the guidelines previously set through the "Parsing" popup menus.
NOTE: When a resulting value (in the right text edit) no longer accurately displays the source value (for instance, if precision or formatting or unit of measurement has been changed), it is shown in italics. Additionally, erroneous source values are highlighted.
> SETTING GENERAL PREFERENCES <
By using the "General" popup menus you can modify the usage of unit of measurement symbols shown in the "From" and "To" popups, enable or disable automatic value conversion, and control the appearance of the popup menus themselves. To get access to the general preference menus, if not visible, select the zoom-window box in the top right of the window, inside the window bar.
1) The "Symbols" popup selects which information will be shown inside the "From" and "To" popup menus.
"Don't use unit symbol" means that only the name of the unit is shown in menus.
"Use unit symbol" means that both the name and the symbol of the unit are shown in menus.
"Use only unit symbol" means that only the symbol of the unit is shown in menus. Note that not all of the units have a symbol.
2) The "Conversion" popup enables the automatic conversion of resulting values. Once enabled, when a resulting value no longer accurately displays the source value (for example, because of a change in unit of measurement, formatting, or precision), Unit Converter forces a conversion, removing the need to select the "Convert" button.
3) The "PopUps" popup lets you change the appearance of popup menus, adding or removing the classic triangle label.
> SETTING THE PARSER <
The parser popup menus (the area called "Parser") let you select your preference among numeric conventions, number of digits in resulting value, stripping of decimal tailing zeros, and resulting value coercions and rounding. To get access to the parser menus, if not visible, select the zoom-window box in the top right of the window, inside the window bar.
1) The "Form" popup allows the selection of which numeric convention to use.
"US Form" means that the period "." will be used as a separator between the integer and decimal portions; also, the comma "," will be used as the thousands separator.
"European Form" means the opposite. The comma "," will be used as a separator between the integer and decimal portions; also, the period "." will be used as the thousands separator.
2) The "Separators" popup allows selection of whether the thousands separator ("," when the US form is in use, "." when the European form is in use) must be used in the integer part, in the decimal part, in each of these parts, or in none of them.
3,4) The "Fix Digits" popup chooses the total number of digits to be used to represent the result. The "Dec Digits" popup selects how many of these digits to use as the maximum for the decimal part (when possible). If a result can't be successfully represented using the fixed convention, it will be automatically promoted to the exponetial convention.
Consider the following examples using six as "Fix Digit" and two as "Dec Digits". Result 123456 will be shown as is. Result 1234567 will be shown as 1.234567e+6 because it's too big to be represented using six digits. Result 1.123 will be rounded to 1.12 because you chose to have only two decimal digits. Result 123456.123 will be rounded to 123456 since you chose to use a total of six digits, and integers use all of them, leaving no place for decimals. Result 0.00123 will be shown as 1.23e-3 to avoid losing value.
5) The "Exp Digits" popup allows selection of the maximum number of digits to be used for the mantissa of a number expressed in exponential form.
NOTE FOR POINTS 3,4,5: The maximum number of digits selections affect only the precision at which the result is shown; neither the result itself nor the computation are affected by these settings. All internal computations made by Unit Converter are performed at the full precision allowed by the SANE engine provided by Apple Computer (i.e. 80 bits, exponential form, following the IEEE Standard 754).
6) The "Dec Zeros" popup selects whether the decimal trailing zeros should be removed or left in the result. Trailing zeros are commonly removed to improve readability, but in scentific calculations the trailing zeros can be left to indicate the degree of accuracy of the value.
7) The "Coercion" popup selects which coercion will be used for the result.
"Leave same form" means the result should be in the form (fixed or exponential) of the source value, when possible.
"Force exponential form" means the result should be represented using the exponential form, regardless of the form used in the source value.
"Force fixed form" means the result should be represented using the fixed form, regardless of the form used in the source value. If a result can't be represented in fixed form, it will be promoted to exponential form.
8) The "Rounding" popup controls the rounding of the result.
"To nearest" means the result is displayed as the value nearest to the infinitely precise result.
"Upward" means the result is displayed as the designated format's value closest to and not less than the infinitely precise result.
"Downward" means the result is displayed as the designated format's value closest to and not greater than the infinitely precise result.
"Toward-Zero" means the result is displayed as the designated format's value closest to and no greater in magnitude than the infinitely precise result.
> TIPS <
Holding down the <Option> key while opening Unit Converter causes its window to be forced to the upper left corner of the main screen.
Holding down the <Control> key while opening Unit Converter allows you to be entertained by a funny opening effect.
> UNIT CONVERSIONS <
Following are the conversion values that Unit Converter uses to perform a conversion. All values are relative to a "Base unit". The Base unit is a unit that we choose, for each of the 16 measurement classes, as a reference for all conversions within the class.
For example, for lengths we used meter as the Base unit, and all other values are referred to meter for their relative magnitudes. We attempted to make these values as accurate as possible.
Units are grouped following their historical origin and usage. Inside a group, units are ordered relative to their increasing magnitude. Groups are ordered, as much as they can be, relative to their increasing magnitude; but pay attention that groups frequently overlap in magnitude.
This is an unregistered demo version Unit Converter 1.03. This version can be freely distributed. The demo version is identical to the real thing and it is a useful tool in itself, but most of the measurement units in the pop up menus are disabled. If you like Unit Converter and you would like to enable all of its features simply send in your registration fee. You will receive a "personal key code" which lets you register your copy and enable the entire set of over 220 measurement units!
To purchase your copy of Unit Converter send a check or money order for $9.95US payable to "Andrea Pessino". Please, don't forget to include your name, address, and phone number. We can send your key code by e-mail if you provide an address. Site licensing is available. Write to:
Andrea Pessino
1732 Hillcrest Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
USA
For questions and/or more information you can write to the above address or send e-mail to: lira.l@applelink.apple.com.
PLEASE NOTICE THAT ONCE YOUR COPY OF UNIT CONVERTER IS ENHANCED TO FULL FEATURES, IT WILL NO LONGER BE A DEMO AND YOU MUST NOT DISTRIBUTE COPIES OF IT.
> DISCLAIMERS <
Even though we have reviewed the content of this program and its documentation, WE MAKE NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THIS PROGRAM AND ITS DOCUMENTATION, OR THEIR QUALITY AND ACCURACY. AS A RESULT, THIS PROGRAM AND ITS DOCUMENTATION ARE DISTRIBUTED "AS IS". AND YOU, THE USER, ARE ASSUMING THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THEIR QUALITY AND ACCURACY.
USING THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS DOCUMENTATION YOU ARE AGREEING TO OUR TERMS OF USE UNDER WHICH WE IN NO EVENT WILL BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS DOCUMENTATION, FROM INACCURATE OR WRONG MEASUREMENT UNITS PRESENT IN THEM, OR FROM ANY DEFECT IN THEM.
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We hope that you are able to take advantage of our efforts spent in developing this software.
