METRIC CONVERTER

INTRODUCTION
Metric Converter, Metcnvrt, handles fourteen popular 
conversions between customary and metric (SI) systems.
Metcnvrt also converts customary to customary and
metric to metric.

USING METRIC CONVERTER
Metcnvrt simplifies conversions by offering the user
both a set of "From" units menus and a set of "To"
units menus implemented as radio buttons. 
The user enters a value in Metcnvrt's "From" window
using either the keyboard or the clipboard.  
To convert the value, the user simply selects one radio 
button from either of the "From" boxes and one radio 
button from either of the "To" boxes.
The "From" window value can be entered in either 
floating point or scientific notation. Metcnvrt figures 
out the format from the value entered.

The user triggers a conversion by any of the following:
1) typing the Enter key after typing the "From" value,
2) clicking on the Convert button, 
3) selecting any radio button, or
4) typing a 'c', 'C', or '^C'.

QUANTITIES MENU
Metcnvrt's Quantities menu lists fourteen different 
quantities. By selecting a quantity, the user causes
Metcnvrt to display radio button menus for both the 
customary and metric units of that quantity. 

OPTIONS MENU
The Options menu allows the user to display the output 
conversion in any of three formats: floating point, 
scientific notation, or general. General format implies
that the program will select the format which is more
compact for the number of digits and precision.

The Options menu also allows the user to select the
"To" and "From" system(s) for the conversion.
When a system is checked, that system's group of radio
buttons is displayed on the main window.

The "Save" menu entry under the "Options" menu writes
to the WIN.INI file:

	1) the quantity selected,
	2) the system(s) selected,
	3) the format type selected.

CALCULATOR MENU ITEM
The Calculator menu item spawns a windows calculator.
The user may specify the calculator program by creating
a [metcnvrt] section within the WIN.INI file and
adding a string similar to CALC=CALC.EXE.  The default
calculator is, of course, CALC.EXE.

ACCURACY
When either Scientific or General format is selected, 
Metcnvrt displays converted values to nine significant 
digits. When Floating Point format is selected,
Metcnvrt displays converted values to nine decimal 
places. 

Internally, most Metcnvrt conversion table factors are 
accurate to ten significant digits. Some notable
exceptions are listed below.

SPECIAL DEFINITIONS AND FACTORS
Metcnvrt uses the following special conversion
factors:

petrol barrel	= 42 U.S. gallons (not the std. barrel)
year		= 365.25 days  (averaged to five places)

KEYBOARD OPERATION
The tab key may be used to skip among the "From" window,
the units buttons area, and the Convert button.  Once in 
the units buttons area, the arrow keys can be used to 
move among the buttons.

CLIPBOARD
The "Copy To Value" menu item copies the contents of the
"To" window to the clipboard.  The "Paste From Value"
menu item copies the clipboard contents to the "From
Window."  The "Clear From Value" clears both the "From"
window and the "To" window.

When pasting a number in scientific notation, be sure 
that the calculator (or other destination) is in a mode 
which accepts scientific notation.

WINDOWS RELEASES SUPPORTED
Metric Converter runs under Windows 2.03, 2.1X, 
and 3.0 in real, standard, and 386 enhanced modes.

LEGAL
The author has taken pains to verify that Metcnvrt 
agrees with values shown in standard conversion 
tables. However, the author accepts no liability 
for lost profits, etc.  due to use of Metcnvrt.
Metcnvrt's users take all responsibility for its use.

TRADEMARKS
386 -- Intel Corp.
Windows -- Microsoft Corp.

DISTRIBUTION
Please don't hesitate to distribute Metcnvrt to 
anyone who can use it. 

THE PITCH
If you find Metcnvrt useful, please send a 
contribution of $7.00 to:

        Robert Heath
        157 Chartwell Rd.
        Columbia, SC 29210