mklotz
Well-Known Member
Sparky,
I have no problem with what you propose and, as always, I encourage you to make the attempt.
I guess I don't quite understand what you're getting at here. The multi-function programs that need menus - DRILL is an example - already have them. Even the complete computer illiterate should be able to look at:
-------------------
D find Drill designation given hole size
S find hole Size given drill designation
T find Tapdrill for any tap and dot
F find tapdrill for thread-Forming tap
X step drilling calculations
H display this Help/Menu
M display this Help/Menu
Q Quit (Esc also)
(D,S,T,F,X,H,M,Q) ?
---------------------
and realize that he needs to press the appropriate letter to execute the associated function.
The single-function programs require no function menu and generally provide instructions about how to proceed - TRIANGLE is representative.
---------------
SOLUTION OF PLANE TRIANGLES
Number the sides of your triangle 1-3 and answer the questions to follow.
Input whatever data you know; press return if not known.
You need three data items (at least one side) to solve a triangle.
side 1 [0] ?
------------------
Additionally, many of the programs written by me are accompanied by a text file that discusses the program and its use. (Of course, there's nothing I, or you for that matter, can do about cretins who refuse to RTFM.)
Frankly, I don't think the programs need porting. What I think is needed, perhaps, is a meta-utility that a computer illiterate can use to download and unzip the file and install it on his system. It should also provide a portal for accessing and using the programs. This would be specific to an operating system but with one version for each of XP, Vista, you'd have 90% of users covered.
I have no problem with what you propose and, as always, I encourage you to make the attempt.
What I envision is something that includes the logic of each program, but has it organized into a very simple menu structure so that you can see everything that's available (for the less-than-computer-savvy folks). I'm a big fan of "text in, text out" programs for doing simple things and would propose to keep that same spirit.
I guess I don't quite understand what you're getting at here. The multi-function programs that need menus - DRILL is an example - already have them. Even the complete computer illiterate should be able to look at:
-------------------
D find Drill designation given hole size
S find hole Size given drill designation
T find Tapdrill for any tap and dot
F find tapdrill for thread-Forming tap
X step drilling calculations
H display this Help/Menu
M display this Help/Menu
Q Quit (Esc also)
(D,S,T,F,X,H,M,Q) ?
---------------------
and realize that he needs to press the appropriate letter to execute the associated function.
The single-function programs require no function menu and generally provide instructions about how to proceed - TRIANGLE is representative.
---------------
SOLUTION OF PLANE TRIANGLES
Number the sides of your triangle 1-3 and answer the questions to follow.
Input whatever data you know; press return if not known.
You need three data items (at least one side) to solve a triangle.
side 1 [0] ?
------------------
Additionally, many of the programs written by me are accompanied by a text file that discusses the program and its use. (Of course, there's nothing I, or you for that matter, can do about cretins who refuse to RTFM.)
Frankly, I don't think the programs need porting. What I think is needed, perhaps, is a meta-utility that a computer illiterate can use to download and unzip the file and install it on his system. It should also provide a portal for accessing and using the programs. This would be specific to an operating system but with one version for each of XP, Vista, you'd have 90% of users covered.