Copyright: E. Scott Jones 1992, 1993 The Kitchen Sink


Contents

Kitchen Sink Contents

The following topics are available in this help file:

Introduction . . .

Quick Overview of Kswin

How To . . .

Adding & Deleting Applications

Calculator

Customize Color

Directory Stuff

File Locater

Time Zones

Using The Modules

Warp Speed Backup

Important File Information . . .

File List

Product Order...

Register


Register

The price of the registered version of The Kitchen Sink is $24.95

ID # for SWREG is 2616.

You may register The Kitchen Sink via SWREG on Compuserve. GO SWREG. The ID # to register is 2616.  Please note that when registering via SWREG you will receive the registered version of The Kitchen Sink via EMail. No diskettes will be mailed.

You may also register The Kitchen Sink by sending a check in the amount of $24.95 made payable to E. Scott Jones.  When your check is received you will be mailed a diskette containing the registered version. All checks should be mailed to the following address...

E. Scott Jones
422 Pebblestone Court
Marietta, Georgia  30067
CompuServe ID 75500,2370


Quick Overview

Quick Overview of Kswin

The Kitchen Sink, also referred to as Kswin, is a multi-faceted application which can greatly increase your productivity when working in Microsoft Windows.

First, and quite obviously, Kswin is a fully functional calculator which you will find helpful in many instances.  If you choose the menu command 'Always On Top' from the 'Opts' menu, you can keep the calculator handy while you work in word processing, spreadsheets or other applications.  You can then easily minimize Kswin to keep it out of the way, at the same time insuring that you have fast access to it throughout your work session.

In addition to being a fully functioning calculator, Kswin also offers numerous financial, statistical, and conversion modules which will allow you to quickly produce information that you otherwise might have to spend extra time looking up.  You will find these modules under the 'Mods' menu choice.

Kswin utility programs give you finger-tip productivity.  With these utilities you can copy, delete, and rename files.  You can change drives and directories at will.  Kswin's File Locater allows you to quickly search any drive to find the path, size, date, and time of a single file or of multiple file types.  The Warp Speed Backup utility allows you to build and save scripts which can be used to back up your data.  Warp Speed Backup is configured in such a way as to only back up those files which have been modified, thus greatly decreasing the time it takes to perform standard backups.

One of Kswin's nicest and most productive features is it's ability to let you define as many applications as you wish and add them to Kswin's 'Opts' menu so you can launch them right from Kswin without having to move or manipulate numerous windows in order to get to that particular application's icon.  Every time you define and add an application to the 'Opts' menu it is saved in the file KSWIN.INI and will reappear automatically the next time you run Kswin.  If you do a lot of work in Microsoft Windows, you will find this feature singularly useful.

See Adding & Deleting Applications for more information on this process.

In addition to launching your own defined applications, Kswin allows you to automatically launch other Microsoft Windows applications and utilities by making the appropriate choice from the 'Tls' (Tools) menu.  This can be extremely helpful if you want to quickly run the Control Panel, for instance, or possibly edit your win.ini file without first having to load a word processing program to do so.  Kswin automatically loads the specified file into notepad for you.

If you like to work fast and efficiently with Microsoft Windows, Kswin is right down your alley!

Return to the Contents section of this help file for information on individual topics.


Calculator

The calculator is the control center of Kswin.  In addition to being an all-purpose calculator, it sports a menu from which you can perform numerous other tasks such as financial, statistical, and conversion simulations, launch Microsoft Windows applications, user defined applications, determine the viewing state of Kswin, etc.

Numbers can be entered into the calculator by either clicking on the appropriate button with the mouse or simply by typing the appropriate number from the keyboard.  There is nothing particularly unique about the functionality of the calculator - it merely functions as any other calculator would.


Warp Speed Backup

Introduction...

What It Does

Quick Start...

Tutorial

How To . . .

Getting Started With Warp Speed Backup

Creating Warp Scripts

Opening Warp Scripts

Adding Script Elements

Subtracting Script Elements

Saving Warp Scripts

Executing Warp Scripts

Removing Warp Scripts


What It Does

Warp Speed Backup is an automated utility which facilitates the backing up of data.  The foundation of this utility is the Warp Script.  Each Warp Script contains the information which Warp Speed Backup uses to automate your backup process.  Once a Warp Scrip has been created, all files contained within the script are copied to the specified path.  From then on, only those files which have been modified are operated on the next time you run that particular script from within Warp Speed Backup.  This greatly reduces the time needed for backing up data, especially if you do it often.

To learn how to properly use Warp Speed Backup and create Warp Scripts, see the headings listed under Warp Speed Backup in this help file.


Tutorial

Warp Speed Backup Tutorial

It is strongly recommended that you print this topic now.  Make sure your printer is turned on and Choose File | Print Topic from the menu above.  This will allow you to follow along in the tutorial without having to continuously flip back and forth between the Warp Speed Backup Dialog and this help topic.

If you haven't already done so, choose Warp Speed Backup from the Tls Menu of Kswin.  You are presented with the Warp Speed Backup dialog box.  Choose Create by clicking on the Create button.

An input dialog box appears, prompting you to enter a new script name.  Type Sample and click on Ok.

Notice that the new script name appears in the combobox under the heading Warp Speed Scripts.  We now have an empty script with which we can work.  The next step is to add elements to it.

In the lower right corner of the Warp Speed Backup dialog box you will find a directory listbox.  Double-click on the first file in that listbox.  Notice that the filename and the full path have been entered into the edit control to the left.  This is your source file.  You could also have typed the data into the edit control if you desired, however, it's easier and insures accuracy to instead manipulate the directory list and double-click on the files you wish added to the script.

Now move over to the Target Path edit control with the Tab key or click in the edit control itself.  Type in B:\ if you have a B drive or A:\ if you wish to back up to your A drive.  Of course, you may back up to any drive and directory you wish, but for our purposes here we'll assume a simple backup procedure.

We have now established a source and target object for our script.  Click on the + button.  Notice that both Source File and Target File have been added to their respective listboxes.  We now have one element for our script.

Move down to the directory listbox in the lower right corner and double-click on some other file.  Notice that the specified file has been entered into the Source File edit control.  Normally, when backing up data the same Target Path is used for all files.  The same is true in our sample.  Click on the + button again.  We now have two elements for our script.  Of course, if you had wanted to specify a different Target Path you could have done so by typing in the appropriate data.

Repeat the last process by choosing another file from the directory listbox.  After doing so, you should have three elements in your script.

Oops!  Perhaps we've made a mistake by adding the second element to our script.  Select the second element in the Source Files listbox in the upper left section of the Warp Speed Backup dialog box by clicking on it.  Now choose - by clicking on the - button.  Viola!  The entry has been removed, leaving us with two elements in our script.

Let's assume we only need two elements for this particular script.  Select the Save button.  We have now created our first script which will automatically appear in the combobox every time you enter Warp Speed Backup - unless, of course, you decide in the future to remove the script by selecting the Remove button.

Make sure that Sample is displayed in the combobox and select Open.  Notice that your previous entries are now shown in their respective listboxes.  Make sure the Backup radio button is selected.  Be sure you have a diskette in drive A or B, whichever you specified as the Target Path, and then select Ok.  Warp Speed Backup is now copying your files to the specified path.  After the backup is complete, select Open once more.  Select Ok.  You'll notice that this time neither of the files were backed up because neither file had been modified.

This ends the tutorial.  For more detailed information on each component of Warp Speed Backup see the topic list.


Getting Started With Warp Speed Backup

Warp Scripts are the foundtion of Warp Speed Backup.  Before Warp Speed Backup can be used, a Warp Script must be created.  Until a Warp Script has been created, the title [-None-] will be displayed in the combobox.  After you have created your first Warp Script, that and any other scripts which have been created will replace [-None-] and will appear in the combobox.  You may create as many Warp Scripts as you like.  These scripts are nothing more than INI files except that they have a AMI extension and will be created in your Windows' directory.  It is highly recommended that you don't modify these AMI files outside of Warp Speed Backup.

See the following section - Creating Warp Scripts - for detailed information on how to proceed.


Creating Warp Scripts

In order to create a Warp Script, click on the Create button.  An input dialog box appears, prompting you for a new script name.  Enter any valid DOS name up to a maximum of eight characters.  Select Ok to have the new name placed in the combobox under the heading Warp Speed Scripts.  Select Cancel to abort.  If you've selected Ok, the Warp Script is automatically opened and is ready to receive new elements.  It is not, however, saved until you manually do so by clicking on the Save button.  In any event, Warp Speed Backup will prompt you if you attempt to change tasks or leave Warp Speed Backup before saving a newly created or modified script.

See Adding Elements to proceed after having created a Warp Script.


Opening Warp Scripts

To open a Warp Script, make sure that the appropriate script title is displayed in the combobox under Warp Speed Scripts, then click on the Open button.  If the script is a valid Warp Script which has previously been created by Warp Speed Backup, it will be opened and its elements will appear in their respective Source Files and Target Path listboxes.

The current script will remain open until it is either saved, backed up, restored, or a new script is selected.  Exiting Warp Speed Backup will also close the current script , if open.


Adding Script Elements

Adding script  elemements is accomplished by clicking on the + button.  Several strictures must be adhered to, however, in order for the process to function properly.  The Source Files edit control and the Target Path edit control must contain data.  Additionally, a valid script must be visible in the combobox display under the heading Warp Speed Scripts and it must be open.

Data may be entered into the Source Files edit control in one of two ways.  You may either type in the data manually or use the more recommended approach of double-clicking on the desired file in the directory listbox positioned in the lower right corner of the Warp Speed Backup dialog box.  Using this second method insures that the path information will be accurate because you are not subjected to possible typos.  Additionally, if you have a number of elements to add to your script, it would be tedious to manually enter each one.  Therefore, double-clickiing is the safer and more accurate method.

Data must be manually entered into the Target Path edit control.  Unlike the Source Files edit control, however, it is improbable that you would enter different Target Path data in the same script, although this is certainly permitted.  Normally one would be backing up his or her data to an identical target path.  Such being the case, you will only need to enter this data once.  When you double-click on the next entry to add to the Source Files edit control, the data in the Target Path edit control remains static.

Once the Source Files edit control and the Target Path edit control have valid data in them, click on the + button.  This will add the data in both edit controls to their respective listboxes and, if necessary, will automatically scroll the listboxes down so you may always have your last entry in view.

Warp Speed Backup always checks for duplicate entries before adding your data to the listboxes.  If both the source and target in the edit controls are an identical match to an existing entry, you will be notified of such and the entry will not be made.


Subtracting Script Elements

Highlight an entry in the Source Files listbox located in the upper left corner of the Warp Speed Backup dialog box.  Click on the - button.  The entry will be removed.  Remember to save your script if you wish the change to be permanent.


Saving Warp Scripts

Click on the Save button to save a Warp Script.  If the script is invalid, unopened, or unmodified no action will be taken.  Warp Speed Backup will prompt you if you attempt to change tasks or leave Warp Speed Backup before saving a modified or newly created script.


Executing Warp Scripts

Click on the Ok button to begin the backup or restore process.  A valid Warp Script must be opened before the backup or restore process is undertaken.

The Backup and Restore radio buttons determine which process will be undertaken.

If the Backup radio button (the default) is selected, then all files from the Source Files listbox will be copied to the Target Path if Warp Speed Backup determines that any of the files have been modified and therefore need to be updated.

If the Restore radio button is selected, the process is reversed.  In other words, all files from the Target Path listbox will be copied to the Source Files path if any files have been modified.


Removing Warp Scripts

In order to remove a Warp Script, be sure that a valid, proper script is visible in the combobox under the heading Warp Speed Scripts and then click on the Remove button.  You will be prompted for confirmation before any action is taken.  Once a script has been removed it can not be recovered unless you re-create it.


File List

KSWIN.EXE - Place in your WINDOWS directory.
KSWIN.HLP - Place in your WINDOWS  directory.
KSFILE.EXE - Place in your WINDOWS directory.
DIALER.EXE - Place in your WINDOWS directory.
BWCC.DLL  - Must be in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM  directory.


Directory Stuff

Introduction...

Moving Around
Launching Applications
System Menu

Speed Bar...

Icons

Button Controls...

View
All
Directories
EXE
Copy
Delete
Rename
Attributes
Mk Dir
Rm Dir
Select All
Unselect
Exit


Moving Around

You move around and through the directories by using the scroll bar and by double-clicking with the left mouse button or by using the arrow keys and the enter key.  In order to move through the current directory, simply manipulate the scroll bar or use the arrow keys to move from item to item.  If you wish to change directories, double-click on the directory you wish to access or position the caret on the directory box and press the enter key.

[..] symbolizes the directory above the current directory.  If this symbol doesn't exist, it means that you are in the root, or highest, level directory for that particular drive.

Changing drives is also accomplished by double-clicking with the left mouse button or pressing the enter key on the drive you wish to access.  If this is a floppy drive, make sure it contains a diskette before attempting to access it.


Launching Applications

The following type of applications may be launched by double-clicking on any file with a matching extension or by positioning the caret on a file with a matching extension and pressing the enter key.  In some cases, it may be neccessary that the main application for the specified file be in your path statement in your autoexec.bat.  For example, if you attempt to run an Amipro application and it fails, place the directory containing amipro.exe in your path statement.

EXE - All files with this extension will automatically launch.

PIF - All files with this extension will automatically launch.

TXT - Will be launched via Notepad.

INI - Will be launched via Notepad.

WRI - Will be launched via Write.

DOC - Will be launched via Write.

SAM - Will be launched via Amipro.

HLP - Will be launched via Windows Help.

XLS - Will be launched via Microsoft Excel.

WB? - Will be launched via Quattro Pro Windows.


Directory Stuff

System Menu

This is the place where you can access the About Dialog box so the author of Kswin and Directory Stuff can take the credit (or the blame) for The Kitchen Sink.  We software developers are always looking for additional places to plug our work!


Icons

Clicking this icon accesses Kswin Help and delivers you to the Kswin Directory Stuff topic.

Clicking this icon immediately brings up Task Manager, thus allowing you to quickly switch to other applications without going through the menu machinations.

Clicking this icon takes you immediately to the root directory of the current drive and displays directories only.  This is useful for fast directory access.  Remember to click on the View, EXE, or All button to display files after using this icon.

Clicking this icon cycles you through the different color options available for Kswin Directory Stuff.  When you exit, the active color is saved and is displayed the next time you run the application.


View

The View button pops up the View dialog box with the current view settings for the directory display.  You many enter any valid DOS file specs to alter the types of files displayed in the directory.  This setting remains in effect until you change it.  It is also saved when you exit Kswin Directory Stuff.


All

Selecting the All button displays all files and directories within the current root or sub-directory.


Directories

Selecting the Directories button displays only directories and sub-directories.


EXE

Selecting the EXE button displays only files with the EXE extension.  This is useful for quickly finding a file you wish to launch.


Copy

Selecting the COPY button allows you to copy one or more files to a specified directory.


Delete

Selecting the DELETE button enables you to delete one or more files.  A confirmation box appears to make sure that's what you want to do.


Rename

Choosing RENAME enables you to rename the specified file.


Mk Dir

Choose Mk Dir when you wish to make a directory.


Rm Dir

Select Rm Dir when you wish to remove a directory.  The directory must be a valid DOS directory and must be empty or the function will fail.


Exit

Select Exit when you wish to terminate Kswin Directory Stuff.


Select All

The Select All button will select, or highlight, all files within a specified directory.


Unselect

Unselect will deselect all selected files within a directory.


Attributes

Use this function to change the attributes of a specified file.


File Locater

Kswin's File Locater is extremely useful for locating a single file or groups of files.  As a matter of note, File Locater automatically determines the number of drives on your machine and lists them in the drop-down listbox.  Simply type in the name of the file you wish to locate, make sure the drive letter matches the drive you wish to search, and then choose Ok.  You may also use this utility to determine how many types of files are on your drive.  For instance, to determine the number of COM files you would enter *.COM and choose Ok.  File Locater would then list all filenames with the COM extension, along with the size, date, time, and path of each file.

If you choose a wild card pattern, such as *.*, File Locater will count all files on the specified drive.  However, there may be more files than your computer's memory can handle.  As a result, you will still get an accurate count of how many files exist on the drive, but all of them may not be able to be listed in the listbox.


Using The Modules

Compound Interest

Depreciation

Future Value

Loan Payments

Metric - Standard Conversions

Number Conversions

Phone Dialer

Temperature Conversions

In order to use the modules, simply type or click the number into the calculator and then click on the appropriate arrow button in the module itself.  This will move the number into the corresponding field in the module.  You may also press the Alt+<key> shown on the module button to move the number into the appropriate field.

For example, let's say you've activated the Compound Interest module...

First, you would enter the desired number into the calculator.  Next, you would either click on the 'B' in the module to move the number over, or you could press the Alt+B on your keyboard.  Once you have moved all the numbers into their corresponding fields in a similar manner, you would click on the 'GO' button in the module or press the Alt+G key on your keyboard.

This same regimen applies to all modules.


Add & Delete

Adding & Deleting Applications

Adding and deleting applications is straightforward.  Initially, the Opts menu will contain only the default menu choices.  After adding one of your own applications, however, you will discover that the Opts menu now contains the title you specified for your application.  All entries are sorted alphabetically by title.  In other words, every time you add an additional application, it will appear in alphabetical order in your Opts menu.

You may add as many applications as you wish to Kswin, however, adding more than 19 or 20 will cause your menu to run off the screen.  Therefore, it is recommended that you limit your application additions to the space available.

To add an application, choose Add Application from the Opts menu.  In the Menu Title field, type the name of your application as you want it to appear in the Opts menu.  The Command Line field should contain nothing more than the filename and its extension.  For example, myfile.exe.  Next you must enter the complete path into the Working Directory field.  Example, C:\WINDOWS\MYDIR.

After you have entered the appropriate information, Kswin stores this data in KSWIN.INI and places the new item in the Opts menu.  From now on, that is until you delete the item, you may launch your application directly from Kswin.

In order to delete an application which you have previously added to the opts menu, simply choose Delete Application from the Opts menu, highlight the appropriate choice, and then click on the OK button.  Click on the Cancel button if wish to abort without deleting an application.

Only applications which you have previously added to the Opts menu may be deleted.


Compound Interest

Compound interest determines how much money f will accumulate after n years if a known amount p is initially deposited and the account accrues interest at a rate of r percent per year, compounded annually.  The formula is f = p * pow((1 + r), n).


Depreciation

There are three commonly used methods for calculating depreciation...

Straight-Line
Double-Declining Balance
Sum-Of-The-Years-Digits

In the straight-line method, the original value is divided by the term and the resulting quotient is the amount of yearly depreciation. The formula is v / t = yd.  The value remains constant in this method.

The double-declining-balance method decreases the value of the item's  original value by a constant percentage each year, decrementally calculating the next iteration from the resulting balance of the prior value.  The formula is (2 / t) * v = yd.  The value does NOT remain constant in this method.

The sum-of-the-years-digits is a bit more sophisticated.  The depreciation factor is a fraction whose denominator is the sum of the digits from 1 to n, where n represents the life of the term.  The numerator will be n the first year, (n - 1) the second year, and so on.  The formula is (t / n) * v = yd.  The value remains constant in this method.


Future Value

Future value computes the amount of an investment based on an original deposit and a fixed amount of regular deposits thereafter for a specified period of time.  Calculations can be compounded annually, semi-annually, quarterly, monthly, daily, and continously.  Kswin offers all of these choices.  The formula is quite complicated and will vary, depending on which of the compound periods you choose.

This simulator is good for playing what-if scenarios to determine how many millions you'll be worth in the future based on your current investment strategy.


Loan Payments

Loan payments are calculated based on the term (months in this case), the interest rate, and the principal loan amount.  Additionally, you have the option to have the APR (annual percentage rate) computed based upon any loan costs you may incur.

Both the loan payment and the APR formulas are based on the Hewlett-Packard specifications which are implemented in their fine calculators.

One quick note on the APR.  Even though your loan payment may be specified to be a certain amount based upon a given interest rate, often times your true interest rate is actually higher due to the fact that up front costs were implemented in the loan process.  This true interest rate is referred to as the APR.  A very basic explanation of the method of computing the APR is to first compute the payment of the loan based on the specified interest rate, term, and principal loan amount.  Next, subtract the costs from the original loan amount and then compute what the interest rate would be based upon the new (lower) principal loan amount using the payment previously calculated.


Metric - Standard Conversions

There are twenty-two different simulations for metric - standard conversions.  Simply activate the radio button of your choice, enter the appropriate number into the calculator, and then click on the convert button.  Both the metric and standard solutions will appear in the corresponding fields.


Number Conversions

Number conversions are limited to a maximum value of 32,767.  The letters A - F appear in the dialog box in order to allow the conversion from hexadecimal.  Kswin will display zeros if an incorrect value is entered for a checked radio button.


Temperature Conversions

It seems that more and more people are reciting temperature readings in Celcius these days.  When somebody tells you that it's 25 degrees Celcius outside, don't reach for your coat.  A few quick clicks on Kswin will reassure you that it's only 77 degrees in proper American and your trip to the beach can go ahead as planned.


Phone Dialer

Using Kswin Phone Dialer

Kswin Dialer is based on the Hayes command set and currently COM 1 through COM 4 is supported. You may record up to 100 names and telephone numbers with Kswin Phone Dialer. Dialer stores your names and numbers in a file in your Windows directory called "DIALER.INI".

All names, along with their respective numbers, are sorted alphabetically every time you add or delete an entry with the "NEW" or "DELETE" buttons. When you run DIALER, therefore, you will be able to find your entries quickly because they are always in alphabetical order.

You may also run DIALER as a separate application, with or without a command line argument. Without a command line argument, the window title is "KSWIN PHONE DIALER". If you wish to change the window title, you may supply a command line argument. For example, you would enter the following: dialer My Personal Phone Book. The resulting command line argument will appear in the window title as well as all message boxes. See your Windows documentation for assistance on launching Windows applications.

The first time DIALER is run, the file DIALER.INI will be created in your Windows directory. All names and phone numbers (up to 100) will be stored in this file. The "#" character is used as the delimeter, so refrain from using this character in any of your entries.

Click the "DIAL" button to begin dialing. Lift the receiver on your phone. You may click the "HANG UP" button or the "EXIT" button once the dialing sequence is complete. Your computer modem is now disconnected and you may talk freely on the phone. Hanging up or exiting DIALER before the dialing sequence is complete will abort the call.

Manual entry is simply for dialing numbers where you do not wish to have the information permanently entered into your INI file. You may type the number directly into the edit control or click on the corresponding key pad.


Customize Color

The Kswin Custom Color dialog box allows you to arbitrarily change the background and text color of each module dialog box.  Simply select the radio button of the dialog box whose color you wish to change and then manipulate the scroll bars until you have arrived at the color you desire for that particular module.  Similarly, if you check the Text Color check box, the text color for that module alone is affected.

Selecting OK will cause any and all changes you have made to take effect.  Selecting Cancel will return you to the main Kswin module without affecting any of the colors in any of the modules.

Selecting the Default Set will set all colors in all modules to the original Kswin color set.  You may choose OK to save these changes or Cancel to abort.


Time Zones

The Time Zone Dialog Box gives you the capability of not only easily keeping track of your local time but of times in cities around the world as it relates to your specific region.  The Time Zone Dialog Box is modeless, which means that you can minimize it and / or keep it on top so it can easily be accessed throughout your work sessions.

When you initially run time zone, a configuration box appears asking you to make a selection based on the proximity of G.M.T. to your own time zone.  From then on, Kswin keeps track of this information for you.  You may alter the configuration at any time by making the appropriate selection from the Time Zone Dialog Box.  All times are based on Greenwich Mean Time as it relates to your specific locale.  Of course, accuracy depends entirely upon the accuracy of the system clock on your computer.

When you configure Time Zone for your specific locale, the Daylight Savings Time box is automatically checked.  This should be left alone unless you are not on DST.  If you are on DST, the appropriate adjustments will automatically be made when DST takes effect in the fall and spring - you needn't concern yourself with it.  If you are NOT on DST, then make sure this box is unchecked when you click OK to leave the configuration.