Apples to Oranges FAQ
Questions:
- Are the currency conversion rates auto-updated?
- You're missing a unit I need to convert to/from, could you please add it?
- What if I need to convert to/from units of a completely different type?
- Why can't I create a custom unit for Base N or Date types?
- For non-metric units, does Apples to Oranges use English or American measurements?
- What's the difference between a "short ton", a "long ton", and a "metric tonne"?
With Answers:
Q. Are the currency conversion rates auto-updated?
A. Sadly no, the shipping version of Apples to Oranges can't auto-update currencies over the network. An earlier version had this feature enabled, so that the user could click a button and have the application retrieve the latest currency data over the internet. However, Danger raised some concerns regarding network-aware applications (concerns of their own and of their carrier partners). Once Danger is set up to handle these, and the carrier partners are ready to sign on, we'll hopefully be able to issue an updated version of Apples to Oranges with network-updated currencies.
Note that Danger has been extremely helpful in this process, and we're positive that they're working to enable network-aware applications. In the meantime, if you'd like to register your interest in network-updated currencies, drop us a line with the Feedback Form. We'll summarize (and anonymize) the network-related feedback and present it to Danger, to show them that there's interest (and money!) in releasing network-aware applciations. Thanks for your help!
Q. You're missing a unit I need to convert to/from, could you please add it?
A. Actually, you can add your own using the the "New Custom..." option in most type sub-menus. See the Custom Units section of the Apples to Oranges Manual for more info.
Q. What if I need to convert to/from units of a completely different type, like "illuminance"?
A. This is tougher, but you can actually fake a new type by using an existing type. For instance, say you regularly need to convert from lux to footcandles, as 1 footcandle equals 10.764 lux.
Create a custom unit for lux, and make it equal to 1 meter. Create a custom unit for footcandles, and make it equal to 10.764 meters. Whenever you convert from lux to footcandles (or vice-versa), the conversion ratio will be accurate.
It's not ideal, but it works.
Q. Why can't I create a custom unit for Base N or Date types?
A. These units aren't standard "multiply by X and add Y" conversions, so they're difficult to create custom units for. Hopefully the defaults satisfy your unit cravings.
Q. For non-metric units, does Apples to Oranges use English or American measurements?
A. This was quite a headache--do we really need three different definitions of a quart? Wherever possible, Apples to Oranges uses the most common American definition possible.
If you're taking measurements where the differences between different unit definitions play a big role, please create custom units which suit your needs. You'll be much more certain that you're getting the conversions that you're after.
Q. What's the difference between a "short ton", a "long ton", and a "metric tonne"?
A. A "short ton" is usually the ton referred to in America, and is equal to 2,000 pounds. A "long ton" is used in Britain, and equals 2,240 pounds. A "metric ton", or "tonne", equals 1000 kilograms, or about 2204 pounds. Good thing we've got three different definitions!
Thanks for reading! If you've got any questions or feedback on Apples to Oranges, talk to us with the Feedback Form. We read it all, really!