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Contents of the iMalc Read Me file: |
| iMalc A scientific calculator for Macintosh
Version 1.1.2
Software from Eyecatcher Productions
Contents
About iMalc
iMalc is a fully featured scientific calculator designed to replace the standard Apple calculator. It offers more functions and allows you to customise its appearance to complement your flavour of iMac, iBook, PowerBook, G3, G4 or platinum Mac.
iMalc features include 18 mathematical functions in addition to the basic operators and a saveable memory.
Functions available:
Natural logarithm and inverse, ex
Sine, cosine, tangent and their inverses arcsine, arccosine and arctangent
Square root, x2, yth root of x, xy, 1/x
Percent, Pi and +/- keys
iMalc also has memory plus, minus, recall and clear buttons. The trig functions may be calculated in degrees, radians or grads.
iMalc supports drag and drop and copying and pasting to and from the display window.
Customise iMalc to complement your flavour of iMac, iBook, PowerBook, G3, G4 or platinum Mac. The key and display colours change to your favourite flavour.
Choose between Bondi Blue, Blueberry, Grape, Lime, Strawberry, Tangerine or Graphite Special Edition.
iBook owners can choose between Blueberry, Tangerine and Graphite, PowerBook owners have the choice of the original Charcoal or the new Bronze keyboard Lombard, while G3 and G4 owners are catered for as well as those with an original Platinum Mac.
iMalc remembers the value stored in memory, the flavour and window position on quitting.
Versions are available for Macintosh PowerPC, 68k and fat binary (runs on both PPC and 68k). A Windows version will not be available - it proved too difficult to port over.
iMalc is shareware and costs just US$15. This means that you may try it for 30 days and must then either register the program and pay for iMalc or delete it from your hard drive.
What's New?
This is the fourth release of iMalc.
New for version 1.1.2:
New for version 1.1.1:
New for version 1.1.0:
System requirements
iMalc runs under Mac OS 7.1 and later. It may work on earlier system versions. iMalc has been tested on a PowerBook G3 and iMac running Mac OS 8.5.1, a G3, iMac and 4400 running 8.6, a 7100/80 running 7.5.3 and a Colour Classic running 7.1. It requires approximately 4.5Mb of RAM with virtual memory turned off or 4Mb of RAM with virtual memory turned on, and 3.5Mb of hard drive space. You can get by with 2.3Mb of RAM, but if you cycle through all the flavours, you will need 4.5Mb of RAM. iMalc displays best with thousands or millions of colours and using Charcoal as the system font.
The application in this distribution requires a Macintosh with PowerPC processor ie is PowerPC only. 68k and fat binary (runs on both 68k and PPC) versions are also available.
Quick start instructions
If you're in a hurry to start using iMalc and don't want to read the manual at this stage then here are some quick start instructions.
iMalc is easy to use and works like any other calculator.
The logic employed is algebraic. This means that to do a calculation such as 15+2=17, you enter it as seen. You would enter 15, followed by +, followed by 2 and then the equals.
If you are using the +/- sign change key, use it before the equals eg for 100 x (-2)=-200 you would enter 100 followed by x then 2, then +/- before finally pressing equals. Or you can use +/- before entering the number: 100 then x, then +/-, then 2, then =.
When using the % key, you do not need to press equals, just the operator eg 100+20% will give 120. 200 x 20% will give 40.
The C key will totally clear the calculator. The running total is always remembered until the C key is pressed. eg if you enter 15+2=17 then press 12+ the answer will be 29.
You can use the delete key to backspace one character.
The trig and log functions are applied by pressing the relevant key after you've entered the number. To obtain their inverses, hold down the option key.
The M+ key will add the number displayed into the memory. The MR key will recall the memory and show it in the display.
For further functions press and hold down the option key. In general, the function obtained is the inverse of the normal one eg sine becomes arcsine, log natural (ln) becomes e^x, square root becomes x^2.
The M+ key becomes the M- key, subtracting the displayed value from the memory, and MR becomes CM, clearing the memory.
The C key becomes CE, which will clear the last entry, but not totally clear the calculator.
The two keys that have new functions are the % which becomes º (pi), and +/- which becomes 1/x.
The last two keys are the yth root of x and (with option key down) x^y (x to the power y). To use these keys enter the x value first, then press the key. You will be prompted to enter the y root or power, and when you've done so, press equals to get the result. Unlike many calculators, iMalc lets you correctly determine odd number integer roots of negative numbers.
The display will show up to 12 digits (including a minus if present).
Also in the display, on the left hand side are two indicators. The one on the bottom left is the degree/radian/grad indicator and shows which mode the calculator is in, displaying a D, R or G respectively. This is always lit.
Initially unlit is the memory light, M, above the trig mode indicator. If there is a number stored in memory other than zero then this indicator will be lit.
To change the trig mode, just click on or near the indicator light. It will cycle through D,R and G.
You can copy, cut and paste to and from the display window using either the Edit menu, or use the standard Macintosh keyboard shortcuts of Cmd-C, Cmd-X and Cmd-V respectively. Clear in the edit menu will act like the C button and completely clear the calculator. You can also drag and drop numerical values on to the display.
You can also use the keyboard to operate the calculator. The standard number and keypad keys work, as do the operator and backspace. Return and Enter also act as the equals key.
All of the functions except the memory are accessible via the keyboard too. Log base 10 (common logarithm) is L, natural logs N, percent P, +/- M, sin S, cosine C, tangent T, square root R, yth root of x Y, and clear is X or Escape.
You obtain the inverse functions in the same way as the buttons, by holding down the option key and selecting the appropriate key, eg Option-S is arcsine.
The calculator keys will depress when the keyboard is used.
Further info can be obtained from the manual, which is in Adobe Acrobat format.
Changing iMalc's appearance is easy. Choose your flavour from the Flavour menu or use the shortcut keys.
Flavours available are original Bondi Blue, Blueberry, Grape, Lime, Strawberry, Tangerine and Graphite.
You can also choose G3Calc, G4Calc, two flavours of PowerBook including the Bronze keyboard Lombard G3s, Blueberry, Tangerine and Graphite flavours of iBook, or if you have an older Mac, standard platinum MacCalc.
The keyboard shortcuts are Cmd-1 for Bondi, Cmd-2 to 7 for Blueberry, Grape, Lime, Strawberry, Tangerine and Graphite respectively, Cmd-8 for G3, Cmd-9 for G4, Cmd-0 for Wallstreet (Black) PowerBooks, Cmd-minus for Lombard (Bronze keyboard) PowerBooks, Cmd-[ for Blueberry iBook, Cmd-] for Tangerine iBook, Cmd-\ for Graphite iBook and Cmd-= for Platinum.
iMalc will remember your chosen flavour the next time it starts up.
You may occasionally see some error codes. You will get the warning 'imaginary' if you try to take the square root of a negative number. You will also see NAN, often followed by a number in brackets, or INF.
INF means infinity, and can be obtained through erroneous operators such as division by zero.
NANs are Not A Number and are other error codes, generally for numbers which are out of range, such as trying to take the arcsine of 100 degrees. The numbers in brackets sometimes following NANs are specific error codes and are listed in the manual. Further info on NANs and INFs can also be found in the manual.
iMalc uses a preferences file to store certain values, including the current flavour, the window position and the contents of the memory. If you trash the iMalc Preferences file, these values will be reset to their default values.
Documentation
Documentation that comes with iMalc includes this Read Me file and the iMalc-Manual which is in Adobe Acrobat pdf format. If you don't have an Acrobat reader, you can download one from http://www.adobe.com.
Why Acrobat? Adobe's Acrobat pdf format is a portable document format that keeps documents looking like the original across different platforms. For a manual designed to be read on both Macintosh and Windows platforms it is an ideal medium. In addition, Acrobat has powerful features, such as the ability to add indexing, search, link jumping and even browser launching. Most software manuals are now distributed as Acrobat pdf documents.
In the Contents, Index and List of illustrations in the iMalc-Manual, you can click a topic to jump to that location. Clicking on blue email and website URLs will launch the relevant software and in the case of URLs will take you to that website.
The manual is fairly comprehensive, covering not only the content of this read me, but also including more detailed information. This includes some information on error codes that can be generated, and an introduction to how computers handle mathematics, and their limitations.
Version history
1.1.2
1.1.1
1.1.0
1.0.0
0.1.0b1
Planned future enhancements include input of exponents, hyperbolic functions and hex/binary base convertions.
Pricing
iMalc is shareware. Shareware is NOT free software. You have to pay for it. Shareware is a method of software distribution that allows software authors to share their endeavours with you in a cheap and easy way.
Shareware is effectively try before you buy. You can try the software free for 30 days before deciding whether you want to keep on using it. After 20 uses, iMalc will start reminding you to register. After the trial period, if you decide to keep on using iMalc you must register and pay the shareware fee, or you must delete iMalc and its associated files from your hard drive.
Shareware also means you can share the program with a friend, so long as you give them all of the files that accompany iMalc. They also, like you, have to pay a shareware fee if they continue to use the software.
Shareware authors don't earn a fortune but the fees they do receive provide an incentive to keep producing and updating software that might otherwise be unavailable. Shareware relies on your honesty to succeed.
The following software licenses are available:
Single user licenses:
Site license:
World-Wide License:
If you are a student, school, college, university or other academic institution then the following rates apply:
Academic Single user licenses:
Academic Site license:
Payment covers all future versions of iMalc.
For details on how to register and pay see the next two sections.
Registering
Registering is very easy.
You can register and pay online, by email, fax or post.
For full details on how to register and pay please see the enclosed separate file "How To Register".
If you have any technical support questions, problems or comments about iMalc, please direct them to the author at: eyecatcher@kagi.com
About Eyecatcher Productions
iMalc is the first software available from Eyecatcher Productions.
Eyecatcher Productions is the trading name used by Tony Spencer.
Tony has been using Apple Macintoshes for over ten years in the publishing field. He has been a freelance production editor for eight years, and a freelance photographer for three years.
He is the author of iMalc and is from London in the United Kingdom, and has recently returned from 19 months travelling around the world
Having done some programming several years ago, Tony is now using REALbasic from Real Software to produce Macintosh applications.
Contacting Eyecatcher
If you have any technical support questions, problems or comments about iMalc, or Eyecatcher Productions, please email us at: eyecatcher@kagi.com
Our web site, which contains news and information on iMalc and other Eyecatcher products, is at: http://homepage.mac.com/tonyspencer/eyecatcher/
Mirror sites are also available at:
Where to get the latest version
We hope to keep the latest version of iMalc posted to the Info-Mac HyperArchive, which is searchable at http://hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu/HyperArchive.html
We also hope to be able to provide a list of other local servers where you can get the latest versions for download on our web site, to try and reduce the load on our ISP.
You can also obtain the latest version at :
Copyright
iMalc, the software, the manual, the How To Register file and this Read Me file are © Tony Spencer, Eyecatcher Productions, 1999-2000. All rights reserved.
Tony Spencer has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 of England and Wales to be identified as the author of this work.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Eyecatcher Productions, except to make a backup copy of any documentation provided electronically.
Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, iMac, PowerMac, iBook, PowerBook, G3, G4 and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. PowerPC is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. REALbasic is a trademark of Real Software, Inc. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, and the Acrobat logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Mention of non-Eyecatcher products is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.
Software license
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in the iMalc software, this Read Me file and the manual is accurate. Eyecatcher Productions is not responsible for typographical errors.
This is a legal agreement between you and Eyecatcher Productions covering your use of iMalc (the "Software"). Be sure to read the following agreement before using the Software.
BY USING THE SOFTWARE (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU HAVE REGISTERED THE SOFTWARE OR NOT), YOU ARE AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE AND DESTROY ALL COPIES IN YOUR POSSESSION.
iMalc is distributed via the shareware system. You are permitted to use the Software on a trial basis for up to 30 days. If you wish to continue using the Software beyond that period, you must register by paying a fee of $15.00 in U.S. or equivalent currency or remove it from your computer storage medium. Academic, Site and World-Wide licenses are also available.
The Software is owned by Eyecatcher Productions and is protected by United Kingdom copyright laws and international treaty provisions. Therefore, you must treat the Software like any other copyrighted material (e.g., a book or musical recording). Paying the license fee allows you the right to use one copy of the Software on a single desktop computer, and one copy on a portable computer. You may not network the Software or otherwise use it or make it available for use on more than one computer at the same time except on a portable as a second computer.
You may not rent or lease the Software, nor may you modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software. If you violate any part of this agreement, your right to use this Software terminates automatically and you must then destroy all copies of the Software in your possession.
Permission is granted for electronic non-commercial distribution of unmodified copies of the Software, so long as this Read Me file, the iMalc-Manual and the Register iMalc program is included. This includes CD-ROMs on magazine covers and those supplied by User Groups, posting on the internet and electronic bulletin boards.
For permission about including this Software on commercial compilation disks, CD-ROMs or bundle options, please contact Eyecatcher Productions.
You acknowledge that the Software may not satisfy your requirements or be free from defects.
EYECATCHER PRODUCTIONS MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THIS READ ME FILE, THE MANUAL, THE DATA, OR THE SOFTWARE, ITS QUALITY, ACCURACY, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AS A RESULT, THIS READ ME, MANUAL AND SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED AS SHAREWARE "AS IS," AND YOU, THE PURCHASER, ARE ASSUMING THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO ITS QUALITY AND ACCURACY.
IN NO EVENT WILL EYECATCHER PRODUCTIONS BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY DEFECT OR INACCURACY IN THIS READ ME, MANUAL OR SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT SHALL EYECATCHER PRODUCTIONS' LIABILITY EXCEED THE LICENSE FEE PAID, IF ANY.
No Eyecatcher Productions dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make any modification, extension, or addition to this warranty.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of the Agreement, or portion thereof, to be unenforceable, or contrary to law, that provision of the Agreement shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the parties, and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
Credits
Thanks are due to many people.
Firstly to those who have paid their registration fees - hopefully that's you! Thank you for supporting the shareware concept.
Secondly to Andrew Barry for writing such a great program as REALbasic, the development language in which iMalc is written.
Thanks to Geoff Perlman, Joe Strout, Dave Grogono, Lorin Rivers and the rest of the team at Real Software Inc, http://www.realsoftware.com for continuing to develop such an awesome RAD IDE, and all those on the REALbasic NUG for their help and tips.
Thanks also to Matt Neuberg, http://www.tidbits.com/matt, who wrote REALbasic The Definitive Guide (published by O'Reilly, ISBN 1-56592-657-9) for his many helpful tips and examples and explanations of the workings of REALbasic.
Jane for making the PowerBook happen.
Also to Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, Jeff Raskin, Bill Atkinson and the rest of the guys on the Macintosh development team and at Apple who made such an insanely great machine in the first place and continue to make them.
Gratitude to the beta testers, Andy Pugh, Ric Davis, Dave Wakeman and Steve Loween - who bought iMalc whilst still in beta - superstar! Also to those who have pointed out bugs, particularly John Blommers.
Last, to all the developers out there who have made such wonderful software.
And, if you've read this far all the way, good on yer!
Remember: Think Different. Calculate Different.
Tony Spencer
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