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OS/2 Help File
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1997-01-08
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ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Conversion Pro v1.6 (build: 1.601)
Conversion Pro for OS/2 is a 32-bit Presentation Manager application which
enables the user to perform some 1,800 scientific and engineering unit
conversions. It is the most comprehensive utility of its kind and unequalled in
its capability to accept custom conversions. Please read the product overview
for more information.
Conversion Pro for OS/2 v1.6 now includes
Floating button bar
Button Calculator
Temperature Converter
Loan Pro
Time Pro
Base Converter
Conversion Pro v1.6 has also been cosmetically enhanced for OS/2 Warp 4
(Merlin). Check out the new feature list for Conversion Pro version 1.6.
Installing is Easy!
A product overview and installation instructions are also included in this
on-line document. Additional Product Information about Conversion Pro, where to
purchase Conversion Pro, how to register, and where to obtain user support is
available.
Thanks for supporting Conversion Pro!
Jon F. Kaminsky
NEGC Software
Tacoma, Washington
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Welcome to Conversion Pro for OS/2
Conversion Pro includes about 1,800 conversions, was originally intended for
scientists, engineers, architects, students, and teachers, but now that the
data customization has been enhanced, virtually anyone should find a use for
Conversion Pro. Click on one of the feature topics below to learn more about
that feature.
FEATURE TOPICS
Main Window
Menu bar
Conversion list-box
Factor display box
Numeric format radio buttons
Icon Bar (feature buttons)
On-the-fly converter
Floating Button Bar
Temperature Converter
10-key Button Calculator
Settings Notebook
Loan Pro
Base Converter
Time Pro
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. New Features in v1.6 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Conversion Pro for OS/2 v1.6 includes many new features. For the complete
feature list click here. Version 1.6 enhancements* include:
o BMT Micro is now handling the marketing of Conversion Pro. With this
change, a registration key is required to unlock all the features of
Conversion Pro.
o Cosmetic changes to take advantage of the new user interface presented in
Warp 4 (Merlin).
o Usability enhancements such as the window drop-down feature. This allows a
smaller initial footprint of several of Conversion Pro windows while
providing access to most of the functionality. A simple click on a check
button drops down the rest of the window. The feature buttons have been
expanded into a full size icon bar which is located across the top of the
main window menu. The Calculator now includes a menu selection which
automatically inserts the current conversion factor in the calculator
display for further mathematical operations
o Loan Pro- Loan Pro is a mortgage amoritization utility that can be run
within or outside of Conversion Pro.
o Base Converter- this utility converts strings into several formats
including character, decimal, hexidecimal and binary.
o Time Pro- this utility connects by modem with official government
timekeeping clocks, downloads the official time, and resets your internal
computer clock to the correct time and date.
o Settings are now saved in an OS/2 binary ini file.
*Build 1.601, December 25, 1996
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.3. Complete feature list ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Conversion Pro for OS/2 v1.6 includes many features. The complete feature list
and bug fixes as of version 1.6, (build 1.601*) is outlined below. See the New
Features list for version for changes since the last release.
o BMT Micro now handling the marketing of Conversion Pro! A registration key
is now required to unlock all the features of Conversion Pro.
o Loan Pro mortgage calculator - amoritizes loans.
o Base Converter - converts strings to and from ascii character, decimal,
hexidecimal and binary notation.
o Time Pro- this utility connects by modem with official government
timekeeping clocks, downloads the official time, and resets your internal
computer clock to the correct time and date.
o Warp 4 cosmetic enhancements.
o Smaller window footprints (main and Loan Pro) with optional drop-down.
o Product Information window now shows version and date of VROBJ.DLL that
Conversion Pro is using.
o Installation program that can be run in "make object" mode if desktop
objects are lost or program files are moved.
o Faster loading- The small delay in the loading of pre-1.5 versions of
Conversion Pro was due to the two giant data files consisting of some 1800
conversions. The data files have now been broken up into 21 different data sets.
o Custom data- Users now have a user-defined custom conversion data file
where they can create there own conversions. Note however, that all 21 of
the data files are editable.
o Any of the 21 data files can be specified as the default on program
startup. The complete data set is still available if users want to load
all the data at once.
o Conversion Pro includes a floating Button Bar. Each button loads one of 21
different conversion data files. The Button bar can be used to hide the
main window to reduce Desktop clutter. Several icons were changed for v1.6
o User settings- Users are now able to save some basic settings that control
the operation of Conversion Pro in an OS/2 binary ini file:
The default data set that is loaded when Conversion Pro starts can be specified.
The default numeric format Conversion Pro uses on start-up can be specified.
Whether the new button bar loads automatically on start-up can be
specified. The position can now be set as well.
Colors of the data fields can be set.
Many settings for Time Pro are saveable.
o The Calculator, the Temperature Converter, Loan Pro, Time Pro and the
Floating Button Bar can be started from the feature buttons on the main window.
o The frame around the on-the-fly conversion calculator reflects what data
set has been loaded.
o Right mouse-button functioning- Right clicking over the Conversion list-box
will automatically pop-up a menu where a new data file may be quickly
selected and automatically loaded. Read the notes on this feature.
o The bug in the button Calculator is now really fixed (hopefully) as Fixpack
17+ and Warp 4 broke it again. In previous versions, pressing the <Enter>
key on the right-hand side of the PC 10-key pad would not calculate results
unless the <=> key had been previously pressed at some time. Either the
<Enter> key or the <=> key will now calculate results. The Calculator now
includes a menu selection which automatically inserts the current
conversion factor in the calculator display for further mathematical
operations
o The bug in the Temperature Converter that did not allow negative
temperatures (unless you typed very fast!) is now fixed.
o The issue with modal windows has been worked around. Previous versions
launched child windows (calculator, temperature converter) that disabled
the Main window until they were closed.
*Build 1.601, November 12, 1996
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 2. Installation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Installation of the Conversion Pro program is simple and can be accomplished by
following these series of steps:
1. If Conversion Pro came to you as a *.zip file, drag a folder onto the
desktop from the templates and unzip the archived file there. If
Conversion Pro came to on a floppy, you can install it directly from there.
2. In either case, you should have the following files:
cpro1_6.exe Conversion Pro executable
cpro1_6.ico Application icon
cpro1_6.hlp On-line help file
cpro1_6.inf On-line help file in INF book form
cpfold.ico Desktop folder icon
conpro.ini program settings file
calcul.exe Calculator executable
calcul.ico Calculator icon
loanpro.exe Loan Pro executable
loanpro.ico Loan Pro icon
loanpro.hlp Loan Pro help file
timepro.exe Time Pro executable
timepro.ico Time Pro icon
timepro.hlp Time Pro help file
****.dat 21 data set files
install.exe Installation program executable
install.ico install program icon
install.dat installation datafile
install.hlp Installation help file
readme.txt Read me info file
bmtorder.txt Ordering information
cpro1_6.txt Upload information template
Note: The current build-level is 1.601 (January 8, 1997).
3. Run the installation program install.exe. The default install directory is
C:\CONPRO16. This can be changed. The installation program will create
desktop objects for Conversion Pro. See the online help file in the install
program for more details.
4. If you haven't already got one, acquire a copy of the run-time library file
vrobj.dll with a date no earlier than 6/6/95 (version 2.1c) from Watcom.
There is a later one (2.1d) however, but may cause weirdness in some
versions of Warp. It is not included in the archive because many OS/2
programs require this file and therefore a waste of bandwidth to include it
in the download. You may already have it and don't know it! Conversion Pro
will complain if it isn't present (it won't run). This file needs to be
moved to any directory in your OS/2 LIBPATH such as X:\OS2\DLL or
X:\OS2\APPS\DLL where X: is the drive letter where the OS/2 operating
system files reside. Or, alternatively, you can leave the file in the
\CONPRO16 directory and add that directory to your LIBPATH.
Note: This step must be accomplished or the application will not run. If
you are uncertain what directories are included in the LIBPATH, the LIBPATH
is defined in the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file. Read the help file in the
installation program (install.exe) for more details on where to find vrobj.dll.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Customizing Conversion List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The conversion data files used in Conversion Pro can be customized using a text
editor. It sometimes convenient to use a text editor that displays the line
number in monospaced font such as the Enhanced Editor (EPM) that comes with
OS/2. The customization procedure is as follows:
1. Open one of the data files in the test editor. Place the new conversion
units into the proper position by alphabetical order. Be sure to observe
the proper format using the other conversions in the list as a template:
"meters""feet",3.281
2. Save the edited file, Start Conversion Pro, and the new conversion should
appear when the file is loaded.
3. If you want to create you own custom file with your favorite conversions,
use the cust.dat file. it is reserved for that purpose. The file only
contains a couple example conversions as examples of the proper format.
4. Caution! Under no circumstance should you rename any of the data files.
Otherwise Conversion Pro will not be able to find the file.
Note: The actual number of conversions in any one data set is finite, and that
number is about 1800 (give or take depending on a couple of things), which is
the current length of the data set containing all the conversions (alld.dat).
So, if you get too involved with customizing, you may have to delete some
conversions to keep the list below 1800.
Also, keep in mind that the smaller the list, the faster the program loads.
Therefore choosing the alld.dat data file as the default startup file will
cause Conversion Pro to load somewhat slower as it has to read in a large
amount of data. If this is not desirable, choose another data set as the
default startup file. Better yet, create your own custom set to load using the
cust.dat file.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Conversion Pro data sets ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Conversion Pro 1.5 and later versions provide the option to load individual
data sets corresponding to a certain topic such as energy or acceleration. Data
sets are loaded using the Units Category pull-down menu, the pop-up menu
(right-click over the conversion list-box), or by pushing the appropriate
button on the Floating button-bar.
Using the Settings Notebook, any data set can be specified as default. The
default data set then becomes the list of conversion that are loaded when
Conversion Pro starts. As in earlier releases of Conversion Pro, you still have
the option of loading the entire data set containing some 1,800 different
conversions arranged alphabetically.
The 21 data sets and corresponding data files are as follows:
Acceleration - acce.dat
All data - alld.dat
Angular - angu.dat
Area - area.dat
Nuclear - atom.dat
Concentration - conc.dat
Custom user data - cust.dat
Density - dens.dat
Distance & Length - dist.dat
Electricity & Magnetism - elec.dat
Energy and Work - ener.dat
Hydraulics - flow.dat
Force - forc.dat
Light - lite.dat
Mass & Weight - mass.dat
Miscellaneous - misc.dat
Power - powr.dat
Pressure - pres.dat
Time - time.dat
Velocity - velo.dat
Volume - volu.dat
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Main Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The main window is composed of the following components:
Menu bar
Conversion list box
Factor display box
Numeric format radio buttons
On-the-Fly Converter
Icon Bar (Feature buttons)
All the features of Conversion Pro can be accessed from the main window. To
terminate (close) Conversion Pro, choose the exit command accessed under the
File menu in the upper right-hand corner of the main window.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Menu bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Menu bar is located near the top of the Main window. Pointing and clicking
on any one of the menu headings opens a menu where you can make additional
selections. selections opens one of the following window:
The File Menu includes:
Button bar- Selecting this choice loads the Floating Pro Button Bar for
selecting data files.
Calculator- Selecting this choice loads the Conversion Pro Calculator pad.
Temperature- Selecting this choice loads the Conversion Pro Temperature Converter.
Loan Pro- Selecting this choice loads the Loan Pro utility.
Time Pro- Selecting this choice loads the Time Pro utility.
Base Pro- Selecting this choice loads the Base converter.
Exit- Close Conversion Pro program.
The Numeric Format menu includes selections for changing the numeric format of
the displayed conversions. The available options are:
Default notation
Scientific notation
Engineering notation
The Units Category menu includes selections for all of the available data sets.
The Help menu provides choices for help, access to information and help in
on-line INF book form, and Product information.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Conversion Pro provides full on-line context-sensitive help. Help is obtained
by pressing the F1 key when any window or child control is activated. Help is
also accessed from the Icon bar (features buttons), under the Help menu in the
main window, or from under the File menu in any of the other modules of the
program. A separate User's Guide is provided that can be viewed outside of the program.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Conversion list-box ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Conversion list-box contains the conversion data for the currently loaded
file. The color of this object can be set by the user in the Colors page of
the Settings notebook.
Choose a conversion by clicking on the desired item in the list box. The
resultant conversion factor will be immediately displayed in the Factor Display
Box. In the example shown above, the area data file has been loaded into the
list box and the acres to sq. feet conversion has been selected.
Typing the beginning letters of any unit will scroll the list to that area. For
example, when the complete data set file is loaded (alld.dat), typing "r" will
move you through the list to the first unit which begins with an "r" which
happens to be radians.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.3. Factor Display Box ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Factor Display Box is located in the upper right-hand corner of the Main
window. It displays the conversion factor for the currently selected conversion
in the Conversion list-box. The displayed factor can be selected and copied if
desired, and the numeric format can also be specified.
The colors of this object can be set by the user in the Colors page of the
Settings Notebook.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. On-the-Fly Converter ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
At the bottom of the Main window there are several text entry fields where you
perform on-the-fly conversions using whatever factor is currently displayed.
This feature is rolled up by default. Clicking the down arrow on the Icon Bar
will swing it down.
To perform a conversion, type a value in the left-most text entry box. The
value entered will be automatically converted to a new quantity using the
conversion factor displayed in the middle text entry display box. The result
from the conversion is displayed in the right-most text entry display box.
In the example shown above, centimeters/sec/sec are being converted to the
acceleration of gravity (g) using the conversion factor of 1.01972E-03. Note
that the frame title will always reflect the data set that is loaded into the
conversion list-box.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Icon Bar - Feature buttons ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Icon Bar contains several feature buttons which speed access to the modules
of Conversion Pro. The Icon Bar is located on the Main window.
Clicking on any one of the feature buttons will bring up either the Conversion
Pro Button Bar, the Temperature Converter, the 10-key calculator, Loan Pro,
Time Pro, the Base Converter, Settings, or Help. Several of these items can
also be accessed under the File Menu of the Main window. In addition, pushing
either of the arrow buttons will drop down or roll up the On-the-fly Converter.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Pressing the down arrow swing the bottom portion of the window down in order to
perform on-the-fly conversions. Pressing the up arrow will roll up the window
to its original size. This feature allows for a smaller foot print while
retaining most of the Conversion Pro functionality.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6. Numeric format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Numeric format is selectable by choosing the appropriate radio button in the
numeric format group box.
The displayed format will change in three places- the Factor Display Box in
the upper right-hand corner of the Main window, and both in the factor and
conversion result text display boxes in the On-the-Fly Converter. Numeric
format can also be changed by making the appropriate selection under the
Numeric Format menu.
Three types of Numeric format are available for displaying numeric data in
Conversion Pro are as follows:
Default notation
Scientific Notation
Engineering Notation
Default notation reflects the notation of the number as it exists in the factor
database. Scientific and engineering notations are convenient for expressing
very large or very small numbers, and numbers which reflect a measurement and
thus a certain precision. The notation Conversion Pro uses on start-up can be
set by the user. Read the note on numeric format issues.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.1. Scientific notation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Scientific notation is a format where a number is expressed by the product of
two numbers, one as a decimal, the other as a power of ten. In the decimal
portion, one digit is placed left of the decimal place, and then possibly one
or more numbers follow on the right side of the decimal place depending on the
precision of the measurement (significant digits). The power of ten portion of
the number is multiplied by the decimal portion. Thus, the number 1.2E3 is
equivalent to 1200 (disregarding any argument we may have about numeric
precision or rounding off).
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.2. Engineering notation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Engineering notation is a format where a number is expressed by the product of
two numbers, one as a decimal, the other as a power of ten. However, in the
decimal portion, one to three digits are placed left of the decimal place, and
then possibly one or more numbers follow on the right side of the decimal place
depending on the precision of the measurement (significant digits).
The power of ten portion of the number is displayed by magnitudes of 1,000
only. Thus, for a quantity such as 12,000 (twelve thousand) to be expressed in
engineering notation, you won't see it as 1.2E4, but you might see 12E3.
Typical engineer nonsense.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.3. Significant digits ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Your answer after conversion cannot be any more accurate than the least number
of significant digits used in any measurement value included in the conversion
expression. At a minimum, this will usually include your original value in the
original units and the conversion factor itself.
This is of mathematical necessity, and therefore, not a limitation of the
software. There are rules for rounding numbers to the correct significant digits.
For example, the product of 30.19 and 12.2 is 368.318, but the answer must be
expressed to only three significant digits because 12.2 has only three
significant digits; hence the answer is actually 368 when correctly expressed
in the proper precision.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.4. Rules for rounding numbers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The rules for rounding numeric data to the proper number of digits are as follows:
1. If the non-significant digit is more than 5 or is 5 followed by numbers
other than zero, the non-significant digit(s) is/are dropped and the
significant digit is increased by one. Example: 23.152 expressed to 3
significant digits is 23.2 (the 5 and trailing 2 are non-significant).
2. If the non-significant digit is less than 5, it is dropped and the
significant digit remains the same. Example: 23.14 expressed to 3
significant digits is 23.1 (the 4 is non-significant).
3. If the non-significant digit is 5 and is followed by zeros, the 5 is
dropped and the significant digit is increased by one if it is odd, and
left the same if it is even. Example: 23.150 and 23.250 expressed to 3
significant digits are both equal to 23.2 (the 5 and trailing 0 are non-significant).
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Floating Button Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Conversion Pro Button bar allows you to quickly choose any of the 21 data
sets and load it into the conversion list-box in the main window. It also can
be used to hide (minimize the main window).
The Button bar menu contains selections to move the button bar, close the
button bar, open the Settings notebook, get help, or quit Conversion Pro
alltogether. Click here to learn more about how to use the button bar.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5.1. Using the Button Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The floating Button Bar is used to quickly load data sets and reduce clutter on
your Desktop by hiding the main program window. Clicking on any one of the
icons will load one of 21 data sets. Fly-over help is available at the bottom
of the bar to assist you in making a selection.
Choosing the File menu allows you to make selections to:
o Move the button with the pointer
o Close the button bar
o Set Location of the Button Bar so that it always pops up in the same location.
o Get help for the Button bar
o Quitting Conversion Pro
Choosing the Hide menu reduces Conversion Pro to the Desktop or the Minimized
Window viewer depending on your setup. The Button bar will continue to float
however. To restore Conversion Pro, simply click on one of the Button Bar
icons to bring Conversion Pro to the Desktop with data set corresponding tp
that icon.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 6. Temperature Converter ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Temperature conversions can be calculated with the Conversion Pro Temperature
Converter. The Temperature Converter allows the user to convert between three
units of temperature. The value to be converted is entered in the Input box.
The converted result is calculated on-the-fly and displayed in the Result box
using the units currently selected beneath the result. The input and output
units are changed by clicking the appropriate radio button.
Choose Close under the File menu bar to quit the Temperature Converter.
Choosing Hide will hide the Main window, while choosing Show will bring the
Main Window to the forefront. Selecting Help on the menu bar will bring you to
this help panel. You can also Quit Conversion Pro altogether from under the
File Menu.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. Calculator ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The calculator is accessed under the File menu, or by pushing its feature
button on the icon bar of the Main window. It is also one of the Conversion Pro
stand-alone utilities.
The Insert menu selection automatically inserts the current conversion factor
in the calculator display for further mathematical operations.
More help for:
o Memory operations
o Numeric keys
o Operator keys
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Calculator Memory Operations:
The 'M+' key stores the currently displayed value in memory for later
retrieval. Subsequent values are added to the current stored value by the 'M+'
button. The 'M-' button subtracts the currently displayed value from the
current value stored in memory. The 'MR' key recalls the current value stored
in memory. The 'MC' key clears the value stored in memory.
As a reminder, when the memory is on, a red "M" will appear in the upper left
hand of the calculator display.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Operating the key-pad
The keys on the calculator are operated by mouse clicking on the desired
number. You can also use the calculator as a 10-key calculator pad by first
pressing the <Num Lock> key on the computer console. The numeric keys on the
far right of the console are mapped to the corresponding keys on the Conversion
Pro Calculator.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Available calculator operations
The Conversion Pro Calculator includes the basic operators for addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division and percentages. To clear the display,
press the green button labeled "C" (or press the <C> key on the console). To
clear the last entry, press the green button labeled "CE".
The mathematical operators can all be invoked by mouse clicking the appropriate
button. Alternatively, if the <Num Lock> key is set, the key pad on the far
right of the computer console can be used for these operations. The <Enter> key
on the computer console is now mapped to the <=> key. You can still press the
<=> key and cause the same effect.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Base converter ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Base Converter allows a character string to be converted to and from
several including character (a-Z, 1-9), decimal, hexidecimal, and binary.
To use the Base Converter, enter the string in the entry field and then click
the radio button corresponding to the the default format you want Base
Converter to assume. The conversion to all the other formats will be
automatically shown.
Choose Close under the File menu bar to quit the Base Converter. Choosing Hide
will hide the Main window, while choosing Show will bring the Main Window to
the forefront. Selecting Help on the menu bar will bring you to this help
panel. You can also Quit Conversion Pro altogether from under the File Menu.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 9. Loan Pro ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Loan Pro is a utility for amortizing mortgages and loans. It is started from
under the File menu or the icon bar of the main menu. It is also one of the
Conversion Pro standalone utilities.
Quick-start directions:
Loan Pro is accessed from either the Conversion Pro File menu or from the icon
bar on the Conversion Pro main window. Loan Pro is also included as a
stand-alone application, so you do not have to start Conversion Pro to use it,
if you so choose.
Simply enter data in the fields on the left-hand side of the Loan Pro window
and then press the "Calculate" button. If you want to calculate the payment
schedule, click the payment schedule checkbox.
You can optionally display a full payment schedule and save this data to a text
file or print it directly. Loan Pro also allows additional information about
the loan to be saved or printed along with the file. This is handy when
generating several purchase or financing options when shopping for a
automobile, for example.
Please see Help accessed from Loan Pro itself for further information. Help
for Loan Pro is accessed from under the Loan Pro File menu.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 10. Time Pro ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Time Pro is a utility that allows a PC with a modem to connect with U.S.
official timekeeping computers. Time Pro is also one of the Conversion Pro
standalone utilities.
Quick Start Directions:
Time Pro is accessed from under the File menu or the icon bar of the main
window. Choose Settings under the Time Pro File menu to set-up Time Pro for
your location and communications hardware. You can also specify which U.S. site
you wish to download timekeeping data.
Choose the Dial menu selection to connect to a site.
After connecting with one of the Host sites, Time Pro automatically downloads a
special code which it uses to reset your PC's internal system clock to the
correct date and time.
Please read the help file available under the Time Pro Help menu for additional
help and information.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11. Settings Notebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Settings Notebook allows the user to save some basic program settings. Its
accessed under the File menu or from info button on the Icon Bar of the main
Window. The Settings Notebook consists of:
o The Main page- The Main page allows users to specify Settings for the
default start-up data file and numeric format, and also allows the choice
to automatically load the Floating Button Bar at startup.
o The Colors page- The colors page allows users to set background and
foreground colors for the data display objects on the Main window:
Get help for a settings page by pushing the "Help" button at the bottom of the
notebook. To save whatever changes you have made to the settings, push the
"Save" button at the bottom of the page.
Note: The settings are automatically saved to the conpro.ini file, which is
stored in the \conproxx directory. Please do not delete or otherwise modify
this file.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.1. Settings Notebook - Main Page ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Main page of the Settings Notebook allows the user to save some basic
program start-up options.
The user can set the following items:
1. The default data set- the default data set are the conversions that are
loaded into the list box when Conversion Pro starts. To change data sets,
choose a new set from the drop-down list. The current default file will be
updated if you push the "Save" button.
2. Button Bar startup- when set, the Floating Button Bar will load
automatically when Conversion Pro first starts.
3. The default numeric format- this controls what numeric format that is
default then Conversion Pro starts. Click the radio button corresponding
to your preference.
Push the "Save" button to save your settings for future sessions.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 11.2. Settings Notebook - Colors Page ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
The Colors page of the Settings Notebook allows the user to change colors of
the data fields of the Main window.
Both background and foreground colors can be changed for the Conversion
list-box and the Factor Display box. Colors are changed by clicking on colors
for the object whose radio button is selected. The color changes for each will
be shown in the text field to the right of the respective radio button as they
are changed.
If you want to immediately change colors for the current session push the
"Change colors now" button. Pushing the "Save" button at the bottom of the
Settings Notebook will save the current colors settings for future sessions.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 12. How do I...? ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Click on one of the topics below to learn how to perform the indicated task.
How do I...
install Conversion Pro?
change colors for the data fields?
change the data set in the main window?
convert a temperature?
have the button bar load at start-up?
maximize the main window with the button bar?
minimize the main window with the button bar?
perform on-the-fly conversions?
set the default numeric format?
set the default start-up data file?
Register Conversion Pro?
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 13. Product Information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Conversion Pro for OS/2
Conversion Pro is Copyright (c) 1995, 1997 by J. F. Kaminsky. Contact the
author at the following address:
J. F. Kaminsky
NEGC Software Co.
2522 North Proctor Street, Suite 135
Tacoma, WA 98406
Tech support by e-mail: negcjfk@ibm.net
License Fee: $19.95 US
Click here for info on registration and using the registration key to unlock
Conversion Pro features.
Conversion Pro is now available exclusively from:
BMTMicro
P.O. Box 15016
Wilmington, NC 28408
Phone orders: 1-800-414-4268
Fax orders: 1-800-346-1672
internet: http://www.bmtmicro.com
Note: A MS Windows version of Conversion Pro is also available. Please
contact BMT Micro for further information.
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 14. Product Registration ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Registering Conversion Pro
You will need a registration key to unlock all the features of Conversion Pro
1.6, which will be e-mailed or mailed US Postal to you ASAP upon registration.
Open the registration dialog by pushing the "register" button located on the
bottom of the Product Information dialog. You must enter the registration key
and your name exactly as provided or the locked features will not be enabled.
After entering the required information, push the save key. If the information
is in error, you will be notified and allowed to re-enter the information.
Registration (License fee) is $19.95 (US). Please contact BMT Micro to register
by credit card or purchase order. You can also send a money order or a check
drawn on a U.S. bank to the NEGC address shown above. Please note that
registered users are entitled to free upgrades for future version 1.x releases.
Thanks to all previous registrants of Conversion Pro!
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 15. BMT Micro ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
BMT Micro is now handling the marketing of Conversion Pro. To order Conversion
Pro, contact BMT Micro at the following address:
BMT Micro
P.O. Box 15016
Wilmington, NC 28408
Phone orders: 1-800-414-4268
Fax orders: 1-800-346-1672 (24 hours/7 days)
internet: http://www.bmtmicro.com
BMT Micro accepts payment by the following credit cards:
o Visa
o Mastercard
o Discover
o American Express
o Diners Club
o Carte Blanche
Cashiers check, personal check and Eurochecks in DM are welcome. Please read
the BMTOrder.txt file located in the Conversion Pro application directory. For
ordering and other questions, visit BMT Micro at the following sites:
o Via AOL: bmtmicro
o Via MSN: bmtmicro
o Via Compuserve: 74031,307
o Via Prodigy: HNGP66D
o World Wide Web: http://www.bmtmicro.com
o telnet@bmtmicro.com
o e-mail: orders@bmtmicro.com
ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ <hidden> ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ
Note that there are several problems/bugs with Conversion Pro under certain
versions of Warp in combination with certain versions of Watcom's VROBJ.DLL.
Watcom has given up development on the compiler used for Conversion Pro and IBM
seems to break several dll's used by Conversion Pro with Fixpack 17 or later,
so there is no known code workaround. Apparently the problems lie in the REXX
dll's, the SOM dll's and PMMERGE.DLL. Warp 4 was supposed to fix some of these
problems, but I think some still persist.
Some of the problems include:
o Pop-up menus not functioning
o Text on certain system dialogs is truncated
o System 3175 errors when closing the application
Please note that none of these errors are fatal, just annoying. Hopefully IBM
will provide the fix for once and for all.
There is also a problem with numerical formatting when using the scientific and
engineering units. This is due to a bug in the OS/2 implementation of REXX. The
code workaround is to display numeric data with additional places when a
calculation is made with the number 1, or 1 to any power (i.e. 0.01, 0.1, 1,
10, etc.). This doesn't affect the accuracy of the calculation, but may be
visually annoying to some. I doubt whether "classic" REXX will ever be updated
to address