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<h1>How to Use ConvertAll</h1>
<h2>Contents</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="#basics">Basics</a></li>
<li><a href="#combine">Combining Units</a></li>
<li><a href="#nonlinear">Non-Linear Conversions</a></li>
<li><a href="#shortcut">Shortcuts</a></li>
<li><a href="#numbering">Numbering System Conversions</a></li>
<li><a href="#options">Options</a></li>
<li><a href="#cmdline">Command Line Usage</a></li>
</ul>
<h2><a name="basics"></a>Basics</h2>
<p>Simply type a unit name in the "From Unit" edit window. As you
type, the list below the window will be filtered to show only
matching units. Matching unit names contain words starting with
the words that are typed. Either type the complete unit
name/abbreviation or hit the return key to use the unit
highlighted (blue letters) in the list. Of course, clicking with
the mouse on a unit in the list will also add the unit to the edit
window. You may also use the up and down arrow keys to highlight
nearby units from the list.</p>
<p>Repeat the unit selection in the "To Unit" edit window. When
done, if the units are compatible, the numeric edit windows below
the unit lists will activate. A number may be entered into either
numeric window and the other window will display the conversion
result.</p>
<h2><a name="combine"></a>Combining Units</h2>
<p>The real strength of ConvertAll lies in its ability to combine
multiple units. Simply type the unit names with an '*' or a '/'
between them. This allows the entry of units such as "ft * lbf"
or "mi / hr". The '^' symbol may be used for exponents, such as
"ft^3" or "ft * lbm / sec^2". Negative exponents are allowed for
units such as "sec^-1" (per second), but may switch the
multiplication or division symbol ("ft * sec^-2" becomes "ft /
sec^2").</p>
<p>Multiplication and division have the same precedence, so they
are evaluated left-to-right. Parenthesis may also be used to
group units in the denominator. So "m / sec / kg" can also be
entered as "m / (sec * kg)". The version with parenthesis is
probably less confusing.</p>
<p>The buttons below the unit text boxes can also be used to add
operators to the active unit that is closest to the cursor. The
Square and Cube buttons will add or replace exponents. The
Multiply and Divide buttons will add "*" and "/" operators.</p>
<p>Similarly, clicking on a unit from the list generally replaces
the unit nearest the cursor.</p>
<p>The "Clear Unit" button below the operator buttons may be used
to empty the unit edit window to allow a new unit to be
entered.</p>
<p>The "Filter List" button can be used to show only one type of
unit in the list. Note that this doesn't show units that could be
combined to form a type.</p>
<h2><a name="nonlinear"></a>Non-Linear Conversions</h2>
<p>The conversion of some units is non-linear. Examples of these
include the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales (due to an
offset zero point) and the American Wire Gauge (logarithmic). The
non-linear units are labeled as such in the comments column.</p>
<p>These units can be converted only when they are not combined
with other units or used with an exponential operator. Otherwise
the conversion would not be meaningful.</p>
<h2><a name="shortcut"></a>Shortcuts</h2>
<p>When typing unit names, spaces are ignored, so they may be
skipped. It is also generally ignored if a plural form of the
unit name is typed. For squared and cubed units (positive
exponents of 2 or 3) the "^" symbol does not need to be typed.</p>
<p>When a partially typed unit is highlighted in the list (blue
lettering), hitting enter will complete the name. The up an ddown
arrow keys can be used to highlight nearby units in the list prior
to hitting enter. The unit closet to the cursor will be
replaced.</p>
<p>The "Recent Unit" button opens a menu of recently used units
and unit combinations. The current unit combination is replaced
with any selections from this menu.</p>
<p>The tab key can be used to cycle between the "From" and "To"
unit test boxes and the "From" and "To" number editors.</p>
<p>The number to be converted may be entered in either the "From"
or "To" unit side. Standard or scientific notation may be used,
or an expression including the normal math operators (+, -, *, /,
**) and parenthesis may be entered.</p>
<h3><a name="numbering"></a>Numbering System Conversions</h3>
<p>The "Bases" button brings up a dialog that can convert between
various numbering system bases. There are entry boxes for
decimal, hexadecimal, octal and binary entries. A number can be
entered into any of the boxes and equivalents will be shown in the
others.</p>
<p>The "Fractions" button brings up a dialog that can list
fractional equivalents for a decimal number. Type the number and
press enter. The fractions are listed in order of increasing
accuracy.</p>
<h2><a name="options"></a>Options</h2>
<p>The "Options..." button allows for changing several default
settings. These settings are automatically stored so that
ConvertAll will re-start with the settings last used.</p>
<p>The first options control the display of numerical results,
including the use of scientific notation and the number of decimal
places. Be cautious about setting the number of decimal places to
a low value, which can result in a significant loss of accuracy.
Six places or higher is recommended (eight is the default).</p>
<p>There is an option to set the number of recent units to be
saved. Setting it to zero will disable the Recent Unit buttons.
Another option will automatically load the most recent previous
units at startup.</p>
<p>There are options to hide the operator text buttons (first
row), and the unit buttons (second row). These can be hidden to
save space if the keyboard will be used to enter the
operators.</p>
<p>Buttons are also included on the options dialog to control the
colors of the text fields.</p>
<p>Buttons are also included on the options dialog to control GUI
colors and fonts. Colors can be selected by theme or
individually. Larger fonts can be selected for use on
high-resolution displays.</p>
<h2><a name="cmdline"></a>Command Line Usage</h2>
<p>Conversions may be done from the command line (Linux or DOS
console) without invoking the graphical interface. Enter the
command ("convertall" on Linux, "convertall_dos" from the Windows
binary), the number, the from unit and the to unit (separated by
spaces) to do the conversion. Unit names containing spaces should
be surrounded by quotes. Or, to be prompted for each unit entry,
use the "-i" option ("convertall -i" on Linux, "convertall_dos -i"
from Windows).</p>
<p>After the conversion is done, ConvertAll will prompt for a new
number to do the same conversion. Or "n" can be entered to start
a new conversion, "r" to reverse the conversion or "q" to
quit.</p>
<p>For a more detailed list of options, use the "-h" option
("convertall -h" on Linux, "convertall_dos -h" on Windows).</p>
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