FILE MENU

OPEN\IMPORT

ExCaliper will attempt to interpret any ASCII text file. ExCaliper assumes: 1) the first line contains only column headings, 2) the first column of each subsequent line contains row labels, and 3) the remaining entries of each subsequent line contain data. Uninterpretable incoming data values are replaced by missing values in the imported file.

Unless you alter the format settings, ExCaliper assumes you are trying to read a tab-delimited ASCII text file. Should you have a truly weird file format, you may specify ANY single character as the column delimiter and ANY string of letters/numbers as a missing-value indicator (see FORMAT FOR SAVE\IMPORT...).

SAVE

Saves current data file, including row and column headings, as a tab-delimited ASCII text file. If you wish to save the data in some other format, see FORMAT FOR SAVE\IMPORT....

SAVE AS TEXT...

Prompts for a new file name before conducting a SAVE.

FORMAT FOR SAVE\IMPORT...

Allows the column delimiter and missing value indicator to be specified. Once changed, the new settings remain in effect throughout a session. Any ASCII character may be used for a column delimiter. Any ASCII character string (including a null string) may be used as a missing value indicator. To view the effects of these settings select PREVIEW SAVE... from the FILE menu, which will display the data in ASCII format on the screen. Because ExCaliper creates tab-delimited text files by default, and these can be read by nearly all Mac statistics, spreadsheet and graphics programs, you should only need to alter these settings if you need to create a file for some squidbrain IBM program (my sympathy).

PREVIEW SAVE

Crudely displays data in ASCII format as they will appear when SAVEd.

PRINT

Prints a crude ASCII text file to an ImageWriter printer for extra security. For a more orderly data listing, import the data into some other package (e.g. Statview or Excel) and print from there.

SAVE PREFERENCES

Saves a nearly all user definable settings so they need not be entered from scratch each session (see list under DEFAULT PREFERENCES)

USE DEFAULT PREFERENCES

Resets ALL user settable preferences to their default values. Data entries and existing row and column labels are not affected.

Default preferences are:
- caliper type (Fowler UltraCal III)
- caliper connection (communications = phone port)
- serial configuration variables (parity= even, # data bits= 7, # stop bits= 1, baud rate= 4800, total input buffer length= 9, first useful character= 1, # of useful characters= 8, 'check for +/-'= true)
- data entry order (L to R)
- audio feedback (ON),
- AUTONUMBER options [OFF; prefix ("Record #"), suffix (nothing), start (1), increment(1)]
- number of data columns (current # active columns)
- column labels (current column labels)
- column widths (8)
- row label widths (20)
- pause ticks (1)
- decimal places (3)
- caliper pause ticks (6)
- transformation constant (1.0)
- transformation operation (none)
- column delimiter (tab)
- missing value indicator (empty string= nothing)
- Show Tool Bar (true)
- Window size and position (Mac Plus size, centered on screen)

HELP

Displays this file.

QUIT

Read my lips . . Q U I T. Cliking in the close box will also quit.

EDIT MENU

UNDO/REDO LAST ENTRY

Reverts contents of a data cell to that prior to entering the most recent datum. REDO LAST ENTRY re-enters most recent datum.

CUT / COPY / PASTE

These actions may be applied to any currently selected data cell.

INSERT COLUMN / INSERT ROW / DELETE COLUMN / DELETE ROW

Insert/delete a column/row at the location of the currently selected data cell.

COMMANDS MENU

MISSING RECORD

Inserts a row filled with 'missing values' at the location of the currently selected data cell. Most useful when using the AUTONUMBER option and a specimen is missing from an ordered series.

NEW COLUMNS

A modal dialogue allows new 'active' columns to be created into which data may then be entered. Each active column can be given its own label at this point. Column labels may be changed at any time by clicking on them. Note that data may ONLY be entered into columns that have been 'activated' (this ensures that all measurements can be identified). Column labels are limited to 32 characters.

Normally, a session will begin by 'activating' and labelling each of the columns needed to contain anticipated measurements. If you plan to have multiple measurement sessions using the same column labels, save them using SAVE PREFERENCES.

NEW COLUMNS either begins activating columns starting at the currently selected cell, or at the next 'unactivated' column if the currently selected cell is in the last activated column. Thus, if some columns already exist, you may 'reactivate' them (e.g., re-label a series of pre-existing columns) by selecting the column at which you wish to begin relabelling before choosing NEW COLUMNS.

NEW ROWS

A modal dialogue allows new 'active' rows to be created into which data may then be entered. Each active row can be given its own label at this point. Row labels may be changed at any time by clicking on them. Note that data may ONLY be entered into rows that have been 'activated' (this ensures that all measurements can be identified).

Normally, rows need NOT be activated this way. Once columns have been activated, ExCaliper will automatically prompt for a new row label after the last entry in the last active row. Alternatively, new rows may be created and labelled automatically using AUTONUMBER RECORDS in the OPTIONS menu.

NEW ROWS either begins activating rows starting at the currently selected cell, or at the next 'unactivated' row if the currently selected cell is in the last activated row. Thus, if some rows already exist, you may 'reactivate' them (e.g., re-label a series of pre-existing rows) by selecting the column at which you wish to begin relabelling before choosing NEW ROWS.

NEW SAMPLE

Empties all cells (i.e., replaces their contents with the missing value indicator) and deletes all rows but the first one. This avoids having to reenter column labels but allows new rows to be created as needed. It has no effect on the AUTONUMBER settings.

CLEAR DATA

Empties all cells (i.e., replaces their contents with the missing value indicator) but leaves ALL row and column labels intact.

RESET

Deletes ALL rows and columns, and reverts all Preferences to their default settings (see list under USE DEFAULT PREFERENCES above).

CALIPER MENU

CALIPER COMMUNICATIONS SETTINGS...

Activates a versatile dialog box for adjusting the serial port settings. One of nine pre-defined caliper/interface settings may be selected, or a variety of communications settings may be set independently (parity, data bits, stop bits, baud rate).

In addition, you may also define aspects of the string of characters sent out by the caliper: (i) total input string length, (ii) position of first useful character in the data string, (iii) number of useful characters in the data string, and (iv) whether to check for +/- as the first data character. So, for example, if the caliper sends out a string like: AAAAA+###.##BBBBB¶ (A= leading non-data characters, B= trailing non-data characters, ¶= return/line end character), the proper settings would be (i)= 18, (ii)= 6, (iii)= 7.

The number of 'ticks' (60ths of a second) to wait before polling the caliper for additional data may also be set here. For fast computers, this may be reduced to 1, but on slower machines if it is set too short ExCaliper may attempt to input a second (garbage) datum following each valid entry. If you are having recurrent Bad Data warnings following a good datum, try increasing "# PauseTics" to 30 (0.5 sec between readings) to prevent ExCaliper from thinking more than one number is being sent at a time.

CHOOSE CALIPER PORT...

Allows serial input devices to input data from either the Communications Port or the Printer Port. The Printer Port may only be used for entering data if AppleTalk is turned off using the Chooser.

TEST CALIPER BYTESTREAM

USING THE TOOL BAR

The tool bar makes commonly used program features available at a single click of the mouse. All of these features are also available as menu items. The tool bar also lists the current number of active columns (#C), active rows (#R) and data elements changed (#NS) since the last save. If you wish additional screen 'real estate', the tool bar may be hidden by selecting HIDE TOOLBAR from the OPTIONS menu.

SELECTING THE ACTIVE CELL

Regardless of which cell it is, incoming data will ALWAYS be placed in the active cell (displayed in inverse mode on the screen). Only cells within defined rows and columns (to the left or above the dashed lines on the display) may be selected as the active cell. Note that any pre-existing data in a cell will be lost (NO WARNING IS GIVEN). Thus, to replace an erroneous measurement, simply make the offending cell the active cell and take a new measurement.

MOUSING
1) To make any cell the active cell, click on it with the mouse.
2) Clicking on 'home' makes cell 1 of row 1 the active cell.

VIA THE KEYBOARD

1) Pressing tab, return or enter moves the active cell one cell to the right or once cell down depending on the setting of DATA ENTRY ORDER.
2) Cursor control keys move the active cell up, down, left, or right one cell depending on the key.

CHANGING ROW/COLUMN LABELS

Existing row/column labels may be altered at any time by clicking on them and entering the revised label into the dialogue box.

CHANGING COLUMN WIDTHS

The width of data columns or the row-label column may be changed at any time by clicking on the boundary lines between column labels or numbers. Column widths may also be set via COLUMN WIDTH... in the OPTIONS menu.

SPECIFYING IMPORT/EXPORT FORMAT

Both the column delimiter and the character string used to identify missing values may be set via FORMAT FOR SAVE\IMPORT... in the FILE menu. These settings are used by ALL subsequent OPEN, SAVE, and SAVE AS... operations.

SAFEGUARDS

PROBLEMS WITH THE CALIPER

The solution to the following problems lies in setting the 'Caliper Communication Settings' properly:

ExCaliper is a Shareware program. It may be distributed free of charge so long as it accompanied by this help file. In the honorable tradition that keeps such customized software cheap and available for you to use, I encourage you to become a registered user if you use ExCaliper regularly.

ExCaliper may not be sold or bundled with other software/hardware without expressed written consent of the copyright holder:

A. Richard Palmer
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9
CANADA

If you wish to become a registered owner and receive a) the most current version of the program, b) troubleshooting advice, and ) notices of future upgrades then:

1) Contact me first to verify the current price and version.

2) Send me a personal check or money order for $30 US, $40 CDN or £20 UK, along with your E-mail or snail-mail address.

3) If you already have the most recent version, I will supply you with an authorization code.

4) If you do not have the most recent version, I will mail you ExCaliper on a floppy disk of your choosing (800K, 1400K) at no extra charge.

5) Once you receive the authorization code, enter it in the AUTHORIZATION field in the registration dialog. Be careful to enter it EXACTLY as you receive it, since the validation is case sensitive.

6) Enter your name and organization in the proper fields of the registration dialog.

7) Bask in the glow of knowing you are an honorable shareware citizen.

1.50 - user-settable serial port settings.

1.51 - increase data matrix size: Max Columns= 100, Max Rows= 500.

1.52 - adapt for Fowler UltraCal III and minor bug fixes.

1.53 - prevent conflicts with AppleTalk when caliper is attached to printer port (9/8/94)
- expand caliper menu to include: Mitutoyo, MRS100 interface; Mitutoyo, MUX10 interface; Sylvac interface; Gageport interface; Zubair interface; Starret model 722; NSK interface
- allow user control of: total input string length, first useful characters, total useful characters
- increased versatility and detail produced by Test Caliper

1.54 - limit the Max # sequential bad data readings before allowing user to reset serial settings (9/11/94)
- Move ALL pre-defined caliper types and Pause Ticks settings Caliper Settings dialog box

1.55 - all AutoNumber settings now set from a single dialog (9/12/94)
- zooming and resizing of data window

1.58 - add scroll bars 9/17/94

1.61 - create ToolBar 9/18/94

1.64 - permit SAVE and SAVE AS... 10/4/94

1.65 - allow OPEN/IMPORT of previously saved files 10/8/94
- permit window settings to be saved w/prefs

1.66 - more detailed IO error checking/handling
- add welcome DLOG and registration protocol
- permit CUT/COPY/PASTE of single cell values
- monitor memory and warn if low