Some Lagniappe for You
by Tiny Ruisch
la·gniappe (lnyp, ln-yp)
n. Chiefly Southern Louisiana & Mississippi
1. A small gift presented by a store owner to a customer with the customer’s purchase.
2. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. Also called regionally boot.
It’s official. I’m 26,501 days old. No, I didn’t have another birthday. Those days convert to 72 years, 6 months, 2 weeks, 6 days. I don’t know how many hours. Why is this information important? It isn’t, but it is an example of what the Windows calculator can compute.
The Windows Calculator has evolved from the simple arithmetic program that was first included in Windows 1.0. Over the years it has become a useful, full featured application that is overlooked by many users. It includes different modes, date calculations and several useful conversion functions.
First time use of the calculator opens it in Standard Mode. You will see all of the normal numerical keys, memory buttons and mathematical function keys. Additionally, there is a small icon to the right of the info bar. This toggles the program to always stay on top. Clicking again turns to function off. On the far right is a clock icon. Clicking it opens or closes the history function.
There are four modes:
1) Standard Mode – for basic math operations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, as well as for finding square roots, calculating percentages, and working with fractions.
2) Scientific Mode – expands on the Standard mode, giving you the additional functions you’d find on a typical scientific calculator. In addition to the Standard mode operators, it contains functions like log, modulo, exponent, trigonometric degrees, and SIN, COS, and TAN.
3) Programmer Mode – adds the ability to switch between different number systems: binary, decimal, hexadecimal and octal.
4) Date Calculation Mode – lets you calculate the difference between two specific dates. I used this mode to find the data in my opening paragraph.
There are also several Converter Calculators:
• Currency
• Volume
• Length
• Weight and Mass
• Temperature
• Energy
• Area
• Speed
• Time
• Power
• Data
• Pressure
• Angle
These all work similarly. Select the convert “from” and the convert “to” measurements. Then type the number you want to convert. Answers instantly show up.
There are many specialized calculators you can install, but the Windows Calculator will fill most user’s needs. It is included free with your Windows installation. You should probably use it more often than you do.
If you like the program, just tell everyone that you’ve got a SWLAPCUG extra, a bonus perk, a small gift, a present from the club: a little lagniappe.