************************ ABOUT MACFORMULA ********************************
WRITTEN BY: James E. Deline 9/29/87
Department of Chemistry
University of California
Davis, CA 95616
MacFormula was conceived and written in July and August of 1987. I wrote it as a tool for chemists; particuliarly for graduate students like myself who are conducting research in the lab and find it neccessary to compute molecular weights frequently.
From the beginning I wanted MacFormula to be easy to use. Unlike other programs which prompt the user for the types and number of elements present, MacFormula simply allows you to enter the formula verbatim ... no hassles. There are a few restrictions though, but these will be covered below under OPERATION.
WHO WILL FIND MACFORMULA USEFUL:
1. Any chemist doing lab research and needs to calculate molecular weights, millimoles of starting materials used, and/or percent elemental analysis.
2. Any chemist writing reports for publication. Check (using the exact mass toggle) the mass spec values and percent elemental analysis of all your experimentals.
3. Any student (with a Mac) in any chemistry course who needs to calculate molecular weights for a lab report or prewriteup.
OPERATION:
MacFormula is very easy to use, but here are a few hints and guidlines.
1. Single letter elements must be entered as CAPITAL letters (ie. C,H,N).
2. Two letter elements must be entered with the first letter capitalized and the second letter small (ie. Ar,He,Li).
3. Rules 1 and 2 above must be followed or else you will get errors!
4. Parenthesis are not allowed (and MacFormula will not allow you to enter them ... try it!).
5. You can toggle back and forth between the formula text edit window and the milligrams (or millimoles) text edit window by <TAB> or by clicking the mouse in the appropriate window.
6. Once the formula is entered you can calculate its molecular weight by clicking in the <Calculate Now> button, or by hitting <RETURN> or <ENTER>.
7. To calculate C,H, and N percent elemental analysis click the mouse it the small C|H|N button at the bottom. Note that you must have calculated the formula weight before doing this ... beware if you have re-entered a new formula and not re-calculated - it will still show old values.
8. Clicking on the word "millimoles" with the mouse will change it to "millimoles" and vice-versa. You enter a value in the text edit window, and MacFormula will calculate either millimoles or milligrams, depending on how you have it toggled. Note that you must recalculate manually after doing this toggle.
REGISTRATION:
You may distribute as many copies of MacFormula (this version) to your friends, as you like. However, this notice must be copied with the program and not be deleted or changed in any way.
If you like the program and continue to use it you are obligated to send $5 to me at either the above address, or at the P.O. box listed in the about window of the program. If you include a blank disk you will receive the Desk Accessory version and any future updates that may be available **FREE**.
The Desk Accessory version is only for registered users only. **PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE IT**. Desk Accessory versions have individual serial numbers coded into the program for identification.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at the above address.
