This is a stack that has something for everyone, whether you use it to teach the metric system, produce customised conversion tables, or just to find out how deep 20,000 leagues under the sea
really is!
WHAT IT DOES
This stack converts units of measurement, such as distance, pressure, cookery units, fuel consumption and many others. Each card deals with a specific subject.
Values are entered straight from the keyboard and the conversion is automatically carried out. The units for the input and output values are chosen from a pop-up menu, so you can compare a value in different units of measurement. Metric, Imperial and US units are included, as well as some obscure ones (e.g. blinks, cubits, slugs, chains).
Convertor can be used to look up and compare values in many different subjects, or to create conversion tables to your own specifications (in ascending or descending order in whatever steps you choose), which you can save as a document or print.
The accuracy of the result can be varied from whole numbers to eight decimal places. Though this depends on the accuracy of the conversion factors I have entered, many of these are exact, particularly the metric/US/Imperial measures, and others are to six significant figures wherever possible. The source was my local reference library.
USING CONVERTOR WITH OTHER APPLICATIONS
Values can be pasted into a card from the clipboard, and results copied to the clipboard, RETAINING THE ORIGINAL TEXT ATTRIBUTES regardless of whether you use any different cards during the process. The default text is Chicago 12 plain.
CREDITS
Based on ╥Calcu-vertor╙, one of the stack-building exercises in ╥The Complete HyperCard 2.0 Handbook╙ by Danny Goodman.
The voice belongs to my son Alex Cowley aged 9.
The hierarchical popUpMenu is by Chris Thorman of Apple Computer, Inc.
This stack was produced on an Atari 520 ST¬ with 2.5Mb RAM using the excellent Spectre GCR¬ Mac Emulator, produced by ╥Gadgets by Small Inc.╙. However, donations towards buying the real thing would be most welcome.
HISTORY
v1.2
Zeroes are displayed in the result, depending on the accuracy.
Printed tables are centre aligned.
During saving a table as a document, you can view it as a scrolling field.
v1.1
Customised conversion tables can be saved or printed
v1.0.1
Cubits had somehow got onto the Area card, they are now on the length card. I guess this is one of the consequences of getting addicted to Hypercard, and working at it until 3 in the morning.
DEVELOPMENT
Depending on the feedback I get from users, I would like to widen the subjects included. I have some ideas, but is it worth it ?
Only you can tell me, so please send a postcard with your comments.
DISTRIBUTION
Convertor is freeware, and may be distributed by any method provided it is accompanied by this file. You needn╒t include the Movie file unless you really want to!
It may NOT be sold for profit.
If you keep Convertor please send a postcard of your home town.
DISCLAIMER
I don╒t make any guarantees regarding this stack or its use on your system.
P.S. (March 92)
No postcards have arrived yet, is this too much to expect, am I just a naòve newcomer? Why not send me a postcard to let me know why people don't send postcards?
P.P.S (June 92)
2 Postcards have arrived. Many thanks to L.E. Davies in Derby, and J.J. in Deauville. :-)
