Our Verdict
You ’d be forgive for thinking that the self-aggrandising remainder between reckoner programs for Mac OS X are institute in the functions they offer and the way their button are laid out . Soulver , on the other hand , aims to shift the way you make the calculations themselves . Although you’re able to typecast traditional numerical equations , such as365 x 24 x 60 , into Soulver ’s tilt - corresponding interface , the computer program is unique in letting you also apply something approaching normal language .
For instance , if you ’re trying to figure out the Mary Leontyne Price of a $ 199 product at a 15 % deduction , you’re able to just type15 % off $ 199 . To convert currency , you’re able to type$50 in Yen . To exchange prison term , type5 minutes 18 indorsement in seconds . A ready to hand entire display show up the totality of all the current windowpane ’s response .
If you ’re a spreadsheet pro , Soulver can also reference termination by line:18 % of line7calculates 18 % of the result from line 7 . you may even drag out result from the solution column to another deliberation wrinkle , and you may edit out existing lines to get update calculations . create temporary variables , which can be used in subsequent calculations , is as unproblematic as typingx=73 .
Editable table of stocks , currencies , and permanent variable let you easy stick in that data into your calculations using obvious abbreviation ( for case , you may practice Apple ’s current stock price in calculations by typingAAPL ) ; syntax coloring makes it easy to see which text is numerals , which is operator , and so on ; and a keen Answer Palette display your answer in alternative formats .
Our 186 - Sir Frederick Handley Page Mac Gems Superguide is a unquestionable greatest hits of Mac Gems . It ’s available as a PDF download , PDF on cadmium - ROM , or as a printed book . Learn more about the Mac Gems Superguide .
[ Dan Frakes is a Macworld senior editor . ]
