QSIM is a faithful simulator of the
"CHARM" menu operation of the QE instrument for training new users. The menus and their
operation are precisely reproduced with the addition of pop-up help messages in windows.
These messages may be generated automatically
with each menu selection (for novice users) or
upon request. Operator errors also generate help
windows and restore operation gracefully.
The
QSIM menus can be edited so that if the menus on the QE are
customized, the simulator can be too. The help messages can also be edited (with WordPerfect)
to meet the needs of the local installation.
Physical operations, such as changing samples, are simulated in action windows. The
package comes with a collection of "samples" with 1H and 13C spectra; a technique for importing
actual QE spectra of the users choice is available in conjunction with
QXC. The simulated acquisition shows the effects of signal averaging (particularly
in the carbon acquisitions) on the FID and the resultant spectra. Quality hard-copy generation
to HPGL devices is included. QSIM is optimized for network operation (ideal for
a teaching lab) but performs just as well on a stand-alone machine.
QSIM requires a PC computer with DOS 3.0 or above and Hercules,
EGA,
or VGA graphics. The simulation is most faithful with VGA color, at least a 16MHz 80386
CPU and an optional math co-processor.
QLoC
is a "Pop-Up" (i.e., Terminate-and-Stay-Ready or TSR) utility for validating and logging users. Billing and verification are greatly simplified.
After installation, a key combination will display a window within the current application. A user starting a
session on the instrument enters a name which is checked in the user database. Subsequently, password and user status
are checked.
At the end of the session, the user again activates the utility and enters the log-off command; a record will be
stored on disk including name, charge account, time, elapsed time, and charge rate. The record format is "comma and
quote delimited" for easy import into common spreadsheets and databases. QLoC supports a multi-level rate
structure based on the time of day and day of week.
If a small circuit is added (described in the documentation), the keyboard of the instrument is enabled at logon;
the keyboard is disabled when the user logs off.
The utility of this program is not limited to the QE; it can be used with virtually any instrument.
Keyboard lockout devices are described for the QE (General Electric), the XL-300 (Varian) and the AM-500
(Bruker).
Users can readily implement a keyboard lockout system adapted to other systems.
QLoC requires a PC with DOS 3.0 or above; it occupies 50-70K of memory depending on whether
it pops up in graphics or text mode. QLoc is an ideal companion to
QZ2HP since they can share the same computer.
QZ2HP improves plotting on the
QE. This utility accepts the serial output from the QE in Zeta GML
(Graphics Machine Language) and translates it in real time into HPGL (Hewlett-Packard plotter)
code. The output is compatible with your choice of HPGL-compatible devices: a plotter, an HP
LaserJet II printer with "Plotter-in-a-Cartridge" (Pacific Data), an HP LaserJet III printer (with
or without the cartridge), or a QMS printer. 
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