! Using the TOOLS and Techniques pages

  • Ask a question; The NUNET Index contains a list of the files with brief title descriptions. You can search for one or more terms in the index using [Ctrl F] or Find in Page from the Edit pull down.
  • Choosing Keywords and writing abstracts can be improved by following a technique developed by DuPont. This technique is used by TRIS and other data bases to provide informative abstract and for choosing descriptive terms that will assist in finding available information.
  • Conversions between different sets of units are a common problem because of historic procedures and the slow progress toward standardization. The failure of the US to adopt SI (System international) makes the North American scene awkward because Canada and Mexico use SI or Metric as it is often referred to. The scientific community and some manufacturers in the US use SI.
  • Many applications require estimates of the weights and volume of materials. Only a small set is included in the table provided. It should be expanded to include the materials of interest.
  • The Windows operating system comes with a built in calculator that can be started from the tools page. While this calculator is not as portable as a hand calculator it is convenient for casual calculations while performing other operations, such as preparing text or filling out forms. A simple four function, or scientific versions are available. For engineering, or time value calculations the scientific version is more useful. It allows raising quantities to powers. It is also useful to have a shortcut to the calculator also on your desktop as well as being able to implement from the tools page or the Windows menu system.
  • Tools include some mathematical functions coded in JavaScript. Two versions of a blank calculator that uses JavaScript syntax are available for evaluating expressions. The Windows calculator is restricted to stepwise evaluation of expressions. The JavaScript calculators allow writing out and evaluating a complete expression. The variables are restricted to singletons. A library of expressions can be developed and reused using 'copy' and 'paste' facilities of the OS.
  • There are several traditional compound interest functions that are used for time value and engineering economy calculations. A fairly complete set is available as interactive routines. They are linked to the TVY section of NUNET.
  • .Shortcuts for starting Lotus 123 and Works Speadsheet are provided. Using these spread sheet depends on having them installed on your computer and the shortcut files to start them.  You may have other spread sheets available and or the path may not suit your setup. Modify the .bat files to suit your setup.
  • Access to APL and J is provided for development of more elaborate models than can be handled by the calculators listed above. These are high level array handling languages and can be learned if your application requires. To use either of these they must be installed on your computer. Note if you are using one of the APL workspaces you should have an APL character set available on your computer. I use the 9x11 character size and this produces the APL display in a window that fits on my screen. You can use the whole display by loading an APL work space and the using [Alt Enter] to switch from a window to full screen. Note: [Alt Enter] toggles back and forth from window to full screen to Window.

End to date: 080131, ams