Click on 'Edit/Word Wrap' TapeCalc II Version 2.00 Copyright 1992 by Myron Sellers All Rights Reserved TapeCalc II was written using Microsoft Visual BASIC v1.0 and requires that Microsoft's freely-distributed VBRUN100.DLL be resident in your Windows directory. This runtime library is available license-free in the America On Line Windows software library, most other on-line services and many bulletin boards. NEW FEATURES TapeCalc II is a complete re-write of the original TapeCalc, v1.0a, that I uploaded to the America On Line Windows Applications software library. TapeCalc II features a number of improvements and enhancements over the original including 7 new buttons, fixed-decimal entry for currency figures and the capability of staying on top of other open windows or "floating". BUY A LICENSE Probably the only negative in this new version is that it is shareware, and I'm asking for a $10.00 donation if you like and use it beyond a 30-day evaluation period. Make checks and money orders payable to: Myron Sellers 1601 Neshota Ln., Apt. #17 Mobile, Alabama 36605-3026 USING TAPECALC II To expand on the general features mentioned above, the additional buttons on TapeCalc II include 5 memory buttons (MS, memory store; M+, add value displayed on LCD to memory; M-, similar to M+; MR, display memory on LCD; and MC, clear memory or zero memory). These buttons, as with all other buttons on TapeCalc II, with the exception of the change sign button, can be activated with either the mouse or the keyboard. The memory buttons obviously require two key strokes when using the keyboard. There is a single menu, 'Options', that includes the items 'Stay On Top','Show Tape' and 'Show Keys'. Clicking any of these items with the mouse results in the implied action taking place. If a check mark appears in front of an option item, then that option is active. The sixth additional button, '+/-', is a change sign button. It can be activated only with a mouse click. Clicking the button toggles the value displayed on the LCD between a positive and negative number. The seventh additional button, 'Erase Tape' erases the tape, clears and sets the LCD display to zero and sets the accumulator to zero. Using the currency mode (click '$' button) eliminates the need of entering a decimal point. However, when entering a figure with zero cents two zeros must be entered as place holders. Similarly, a single zero must be entered with tenths of dollars. Percentages must be entered as whole numbers. An example would be 9%. The entry sequence would be 9 - 0 - 0 - %. When in floating decimal mode (click '$' again) the sequence would be 9 - %. To add or subtract a percentage of a total to or from itself, simply enter the appropriate sign, the percentage value as described above and press the % button (1000 '+', '9', '%'). TapeCalc II requires only one key stroke to total both the LCD and the tape (either the '=' key, the 'Enter' key or the mouse). THE TAPE The tape, which gives TapeCalc II its main advantage, is, at the same time, a potential point of weakness. Since it may be edited directly by the user, there is ample possibility for errors in tape calculation and re-calculation. If a few simple editing conventions are observed, the tape feature of TapeCalc II will behave in a consistent and predictable manner. All lines, either edited or inserted MUST begin with an operation sign and end with a carriage return ('Enter'). There are seven operation signs all but one of which are entered at the beginning of each line in the tape. These signs are '+', '-', '×','÷','T' and 'C' (upper case for 'T' and 'C'). The seventh sign '%' is entered as the last character before the carriage return ('Enter'). Since it is inconvenient to enter '×' and '÷' from the keyboard, '*' and '/' may be substituted. To insert a line, position the cursor to the left of the operation sign of the line at the desired insertion point, and then press 'Enter'. An empty line should open up with the cursor one line below. Move the cursor to the beginning of the empty line, enter the desired operation sign and then the numeric value for the line. Position the cursor between the operation sign and the first digit of the numeric value. Insert spaces between the operation sign and the numeric value until the last digit of the numeric value is flush-right with the right edge of the tape. If you accidently insert too many spaces and the new line wraps to another line simply delete spaces until the new line is the correct length (15 characters). Since the carriage return ('Enter') for the new line was inserted when the new line was "opened up", don't press 'Enter' at the end of the line. All lines in the tape must be single-spaced and for proper tape calculation, there can be no "empty' lines in the tape. To enter a percent value, proceed as above, but make the last character a '%' sign. When inserting a 'T'otal line ('T') you may either pad the line after the 'T' with spaces or pad and make the last character on the line a zero. When you press the 'Calculate Tape' button, TapeCalc II will calculate and insert the total for this line. Whenever you insert a line as the last line in a tape, be sure to end it with a carriage return ('Enter'). This is probably the only time you would need to press the 'Enter' key when editing a tape, as all existing lines already end with a carriage return and editing a line consists of changing only the information between the carriage return of the previous line and the one at the end of the line you are editing. When you have finished your editing press the 'Calculate Tape' button. Always press this button when moving from the tape to the calculator buttons. There is a small improvement over TapeCalc v1.0a in the speed at which the tape displays itself between entries. With a 1500-line tape, the delay between entry and tape re-display is noticeable, but not annoying. For persons who may use a calculator or adding machine on a daily basis in their work it would be a good idea to keep an eye on the CRT or the Num Lock light, especially those who use three fingers and the touch system. Errors will result if TapeCalc II is keyed too fast. With a 1500-line tape, tape editing and re-calculation is a different story. With 1500 lines and depending on how many 'T'otal lines there are in the tape, re-calculation may take from 5 to 10 seconds. Re-calculation delay time with real-world tape length is noticeable, but not at all unacceptable. TAPE EDITING TIPS In the interest of keeping TapeCalc II size as small as possible I didn't include an editing menu. Using an editing menu also requires a good deal of mouse movement and clicking. The Windows Clipboard remains available to TapeCalcII, however. Highlight desired text with the mouse and 'Ctrl/Insert' to copy to the Clipboard or 'Shift/Delete' to cut to the Clipboard. Tapes may then be pasted to Notepad or Write where they can be commented or annotated and printed. Convenient and efficient editing can be done with the right hand selecting text with the mouse and the left fingers doing 'Delete', 'Insert', 'space' and 'Enter'.