////////// ALVIN v1.22 REALM Copyright 1993 ////////// Created by REALM [1.0] ---- INTRODUCTION [1.1] ---- LICENSE AGREEMENT [1.2] ---- INSTALLATION [1.3] ---- ALVIN a quick overview [2.0] ---- HOW TO INPUT THE DATA [2.1] ---- DECIMAL ENTRY [2.2] ---- FRACTION ENTRY [2.3] ---- UNIT ENTRY [2.4] ---- SELECTING AN INPUT UNIT via THE BUTTONS [3.0] ---- HOW TO CONTROL OUTPUT [3.1] ---- THE DECIMAL - FRACTION BUTTON [3.1a] ---- CONTROLLING THE FRACTION [3.2] ---- THE NORMAL - UNITS BUTTON [3.3] ---- SELECTING AN OUTPUT via THE BUTTONS [4.0] ---- SHORT TUTORIAL [1.0] ---- INTRODUCTION Welcome to Alvin! Alvin is an ACC/PRG that converts various common units into other various units. While Alvin is not a complete conversion program by any means, it does offer some interesting features, such as, full support for input and output of both fractions and units. It also runs as an ACC making it accessible from inside your favorite programs. If you have any suggestions or bug reports, feel free to contact REALM! You may reach me via GEnie E-Mail address: REALM or via real mail: REALM 10504 Easum Rd. Louisville KY 40299 Thanks for your support! Hope this helps out! [1.1] ---- LICENSE AGREEMENT REALM provides this program free of charge to the end user. The user may distribute this program freely as long as the following files are included: ALVIN.PRG or ALVIN.ACC ALVIN_H.RSC ALVIN_L.RSC It may also be included on PD Shareware disks or other developers disks provided it is placed in a FREEWARE folder or stated that it is provided free of charge. No funds may be directly charged for this product. This program is copyright 1993 by REALM. REALM is not responsible for any damage occurring from the use or misuse of this product. If the user does not agree to the above terms then he/she/it must delete the software. [1.2] ---- INSTALLATION ALVIN runs as both a program and accessory. In order to use as a program change the name to ALVIN.PRG. In order to use as an Accessory change the name to ALVIN.ACC and place on your boot drive. It's important to make sure both ALVIN_H.RSC and ALVIN_L.RSC are included in the same directory with ALVIN. If not ALVIN will either not install itself as an Accessory or inform you it can't find the RSC's. ALVIN_L.RSC is only needed if you intend to run ALVIN in ST Medium. ALVIN_H.RSC is required for all other resolutions. [1.3] ---- ALVIN a quick overview ALVIN was designed with ease of use in mind. While it's a little confusing on the surface it's really easy to master. Most of the buttons will automatically update the answer so you can quickly convert from one unit to another without reentering your data. At the very top of the dialogue screen is the title bar. You may click there to bring up the info box. Once you have the info box you may continue to the quick help screen or exit back to ALVIN. There are only two user entry box's on the ALVIN screen. The first in the upper left hand corner is for entering your data. The second is labeled USER: and relates to the fraction precision. Directly below the input field is a toggle button labeled DECIMAL and a button Labeled NORMAL. The DECIMAL button will toggle between DECIMAL and FRACTION. The NORMAL button will toggle between NORMAL and UNITS. Both buttons control the output format of the answer. Located to the right of the input field is the fraction precision controls. It contains a group of radio buttons that set the Denominator of the fraction. Placed directly below, the above, is the answer field. The answer or an ERROR message will appear in this box, depending on your input. In the lower left hand corner, taking up almost the entire area of the dialogue screen, are the input buttons. These radio buttons mark the unit chosen for input. (See Below for Details) In the lower right hand corner, almost identical to the input buttons, are the output buttons. These buttons mark the unit chosen for output. (See Below for Details) Located dead center is both the Convert Icon (ressembles large arrows) and the EXIT button. The Convert Icon causes your data to be converted, as does the RETURN key. [2.0] ---- HOW TO INPUT THE DATA ALVIN automatically accepts several types of input. You can enter a straight decimal, a fraction or use the unit extenders. ALVIN only recognizes negative numbers for the temperature units. [2.1] ---- DECIMAL ENTRY Entering a decimal is straight forward. ( For Example: 1254.3658 ) [2.2] ---- FRACTION ENTRY Fractions must be entered exactly in the way shown or a wrong answer will result. ( For Example: 12-1/2 ) Take note there are no spaces and the hyphen must separate the whole number from the fraction. The fraction itself must be divided using the "/" symbol. [2.3] ---- UNIT ENTRY Unit entry is one of the more advanced features of ALVIN. It allows the input to be typed in units. It's important the units are entered in descending order according to size. Check the abbreviation list below for a full explanation. ( For example: 1ml 7yd 12ft 4 ) Note the last unit of Inch's is left off. ALVIN always assumes the last unit to be the smallest. If you wish to type "in" it won't interfere nor will it hurt to leave out the spaces. ( For example: 1ml7yd12ft4in ) is also correct. Abbreviations in descending order: ml - Mile km - Kilometer yd - Yard me - Meter ft - Feet cm - Centimeter et - English Ton mt - Metric Ton lb - Pound kg - Kilogram gal - Gallon dl - Dekaliter qt - Quart You may leave out units when entering but you may not enter in the wrong order. ( 4yd 6-1/2 ) is considered, 4 yards, 6-1/2 inches. ( 4yd 6ml 2) is considered 4 yards, 6 inches not 4 yards, 6 miles, 2 inches. It will result in a wrong answer. The case (upper or lower) of the abbreviation is unimportant but the spelling must be correct. I tried to use the correct abbreviations but some had to be altered for the programs search to work properly. Meters had to be changed to "me" instead of "m" for example. The abbreviations are listed in the programs help screen for easy reference. [2.4] ---- SELECTING AN INPUT UNIT via THE BUTTONS The input unit is defined by the group of buttons in the lower left hand box. ( For example: INCH, FEET, YARD, Etc...). When you click on a new unit the answer will automatically be updated to that unit. If you select FEET then your input data is considered to be in feet. If you select OUNCE then your input data is considered to be ounces. Simply select the unit your entering. When entering in units (EX: 12ft 4in) the buttons will be ignored. If however you are in a section of non compatible units the answer will ignore the entry. For instance if you have OUNCES selected and type (EX: 12ft 4in) everything after 12 will be ignored. This is due basically because you can't convert feet into pounds. [3.0] ---- HOW TO CONTROL THE OUTPUT The output is controlled buy several factors. It can be in Decimal form, fraction from, unit form or a combination of the above. You also have complete control over fractions up to 1/999. When using UNITS some rounding errors may occur. I've attempted to round the answers correctly to get the results needed. For example, 1-1/3 feet does read 1ft 4in even though 1/3 is (.3333-) of a foot. If you take 12 and divide by (.3333-) and you get (1ft 3.9999in) so the answer is rounded to give a closer answer. [3.1] ---- THE DECIMAL - FRACTION BUTTON Selecting this button will instantly change the answer from "DECIMAL" form to a "FRACTION" form. ( For example: 12.5 will become 12-1/2 ). [3.1a] ---- CONTROLLING THE FRACTION The Fractions denominator may be controlled by selecting one of the choices next to the input field. Directly left of the field is a group of 6 numbers positioned over a long "user" button. Each one of those buttons represents the denominator of the fraction. For example: 2 would round all fractions to the nearest 1/2, 4 to the nearest 1/4, 8 to the nearest 1/8, 16 to the nearest 1/16, 32 to the nearest 1/32 and 64 to the nearest 1/64. After the fraction is rounded it will be reduced so even if you have "32" selected your answer may still be 1/2. The "user" button allows the user to enter any denominator from 1 to 999. If you wish to have an answer to the nearest 1/3 simply enter 3 in the "USER:" field, then select the "user" button. All fractions are still reduced. [3.2] ---- THE NORMAL - UNITS BUTTON Selecting this button will instantly change your answer from the "NORMAL" form to the "UNITS" form. (For Example: 12.5 may become 12-1/2in). The amount of units involved are controlled by the output buttons. For instance, if you have "FEET" selected as your output unit the answer will be given as "ft" then "in". If you have "KILOMETERS" selected, your answer will be given as "km","m","cm" then "mm". [3.3] ---- SELECTING AN OUTPUT UNIT via THE BUTTONs The output unit is defined by the group of buttons in the lower right hand box. ( For example: INCH, FEET, YARD, Etc...). When you click on a new unit the answer will automatically be updated to that unit. If you select FEET then your output data is considered to be in feet. If you select OUNCE then your output data is considered to be OUNCEs. Simply select the unit you would like for your answer. [4.0] ---- SHORT TUTORIAL For this tutorial will assume you have ALVIN installed an running. If you've already destroyed the programs default settings you may want to start over so the defaults are set correctly. First lets start by entering 145-1/2. You'll notice INCH is selected in the input area. This means we have entered 145-1/2 inch's. In the output area, FEET is selected, so hit the RETURN key now to convert 145-1/2 inch's to 12.125 feet. Next lets try yards by clicking on the YARD button just below FEET. You can see it's 4.0417 yards. This is the basic method of converting from one unit to another. Now lets leave that alone and click on the DECIMAL button. It'll change to FRACTION and our answer will become 4-1/32 yards. Just for fun lets change our fraction to 3rd's. Click on the USER: field and enter 3 without hitting RETURN. Now choose the user button in the fraction area. Our answer will change to 4. This is caused by the answer being to small to create an entire 1/3 fraction so it becomes just the whole number. Lets try something a little more precise like 256. This time after entering a denominator in the USER: field, click on the large arrows icon to activate the entry. Now we have 4-11/256 yards. Next click on the NORMAL button. This will toggle to UNITS and our answer will become 4yd 0ft 1-1/2in. Thats 4 yards, 0 feet, 1-1/2 inch's. If you would like to know what that is in feet, simply click on the FEET button directly above yards. Now the answer will be 12ft 1-1/2in. Well... thats about all there is too it. Hope this will help fill your conversion needs!