Cream of the Crop 21/Cream of the Crop 21 (Terry Blount) (October 1996).iso/os2/cpwarp15.zip/CPRO1_5.HLP

OS/2 Help File | 1996-08-01 | 134KB | 567 lines

ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1. Introduction ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

  Conversion Pro v1.5

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

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

Installing is Easy!

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

Thanks for supporting Conversion Pro!

Jon F. Kaminsky
NEGC Software
Tacoma, Washington


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.1. Overview ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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

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

FEATURE TOPICS

 Main Window

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

 Button Bar

 Temperature Converter

 10-key Button Calculator

 Settings Notebook


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.2. New Features in v1.5 ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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

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

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

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

o   Conversion Pro now includes a floating button bar.  Each button loads one
    of 21 different conversion data files.

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

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

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

    Whether the new button bar loads automatically on start-up can be specified.

o   The calculator, the temperature converter and the button bar can now be
    started from the feature buttons on the main window.

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

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

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 1.3. Product information ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

 Conversion Pro for OS/2

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

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

To Register Conversion Pro

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

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


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 cpwarp15.zip file there.  If
    Conversion Pro came to on a floppy, you can install it directly from there.

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

    cpro1_5.exe       Conversion Pro executable

    cpro1_5.ico       Application icon

    cpfold.ico        Desktop folder icon

    ****.dat          21 data set files

    cpset.ini         program settings file

    cpro1_5.hlp       On-line help file.

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

    install.exe       Installation program

    install.dat       installation datafile

    readme.txt        Read me info file

    cporder.txt       Ordering information

    cpwarp15.txt      Upload information template

3.  Run the installation program install.exe. The default install directory is
    x:\cpwarp15. The installation program will create desktop objects for
    Conversion Pro.

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 (Patch level "c") from Watcom.
    It is not included in the archive because many OS/2 programs require this
    file and therefore a waste of bandwidth to include it in the download. This
    file needs to be moved to any directory in your OS/2 LIBPATH such as
    X:\OS2\DLL or X:\OS2\APPS\DLL where X: is the drive letter where the OS/2
    operating system files reside.  Or, alternatively, you can leave the file
    in the CONPRO15 directory and add that directory to your LIBPATH.

    Note:  This step must be accomplished or the application will not run. If
    you are uncertain what directories are included in the LIBPATH, the LIBPATH
    is defined in the OS/2 CONFIG.SYS file


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3. Customizing Conversion List ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The conversion data files used in Conversion Pro can be customized using a text
editor.  Use a text editor that displays the line number 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.

2.  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.

3.  Save the edited file, Start Conversion Pro, and the new conversion should appear.

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

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

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 3.1. Conversion Pro data sets ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

New in Conversion Pro v1.5 is the option to load individual data sets
corresponding to a certain topic such as energy or acceleration.  This option
is set in the settings notebook. As in earlier releases, 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

Data sets are loaded using the Units Category menu, the pop-up menu
(right-click over the conversion list- box), or by pushing the appropriate
button on the button-bar.  Using the settings notebook, any data set can be
specified as default.  The default data set then becomes the list of conversion
that are loaded when Conversion Pro starts.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4. Main Window ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The main window is composed of the following components:

 Menu bar

 Conversion list box

 Factor display box

 Numeric format radio buttons

 On-the-Fly Converter

 Feature buttons

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.1. Menu bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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

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

The File Menu includes:

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

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

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

 Exit- Close Conversion Pro program.

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

 Default notation

 Scientific notation

 Engineering notation

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

The Help menu provides on-line help, a selection for changing program settings,
and product information.


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ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.2. Conversion list-box ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The Conversion list-box contains the conversion data for the currently loaded file.

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 acceleration data file has been loaded
into the list box and the centimeters/sec/sec to gravity (g) 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.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.4. On-the-Fly Converter ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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

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

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.5. Feature buttons ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The feature buttons are located on the main window.

Clicking on any one of the feature buttons will bring up either the Conversion
Pro Button Bar, the Temperature Converter, or the button calculator. These
items can also be accessed under the File menu of the main window.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6. Numeric format ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Numeric format is selectable by choosing the appropriate radio button.

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

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

Default notation

Scientific Notation

Engineering Notation

Default notation reflects the notation of the number as it exists in the factor
database. Scientific and engineering notations are convenient for expressing
very large or very small numbers, and numbers which reflect a measurement and
thus a certain precision.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.1. Scientific notation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.2. Engineering notation ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Engineering notation is a format where a number is expressed by the product of
two numbers, one as a decimal, the other as a power of ten.  However, in the
decimal portion, one to three digits are placed left of the decimal place, and
then possibly one or more numbers follow on the right side of the decimal place
depending on the precision of the measurement (significant digits).  The power
of ten portion of the number is displayed by magnitudes of 1,000 only.  Thus,
for a quantity such as 12,000 (twelve thousand) to be expressed in engineering
notation, you won't see it as 1.2E4, but you might see 12E3. Typical engineer nonsense.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.3. Significant digits ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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

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

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 4.6.4. Rules for rounding numbers ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

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

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

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

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 5. Button Bar ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

A new feature in Conversion Pro for OS/2 version 1.5 is the addition of the
floating button bar.

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.

The menu of the Button bar contains selections to move the button bar, open the
settings dialog, get help, or close the button bar.


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.


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 7. 10-Key Calculator ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

Conversion Pro includes a 10-key calculator pad. Click on a part of the
calculator below to learn more about it.

The calculator is accessed under the File menu, or by pushing the right-most
feature button on the right side of the main window.


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Calculator Memory Operations:

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

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


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Operating the key-pad

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


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Available calculator operations

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

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


ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ 8. Settings Notebook ΓòÉΓòÉΓòÉ

The settings notebook allows the user to save some basic program settings.

The settings notebook is accessed under the Help menu. 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.

2.  The default numeric format- this controls what numeric format that is
    default then Conversion Pro starts.

3.  Auto-load button bar- controls whether the button bar automatically loads
    when Conversion Pro starts.

To save whatever changes you have made to the settings, click the save button
at the bottom of the page:

The settings are automatically saved to a simple ini file called cpset.ini,
which is stored in the cpwarp15