NUTS is a Windows95 program that processes the raw data collected by PNMR into NMR spectra. It is used to import data, perform transformations, phase the spectrum, integrate sample peaks, and generate graphical and tabular reports of these data. NUTS has a lot of functionality, and consequently contains a lot of commands, for basics only a few are needed.
The NUTS program runs in a Windows95 window, usually with a white background. It contains menus of commands that can be accessed using either the keyboard or the mouse. Keyboard commands are entered as two keystrokes, such as A1 or ZZ, and are not followed by the 'Enter' key. Most of the common commands can also be selected from the program menus by using the mouse.
When W95 is running, there is a gray band at the bottom of the screen called the 'taskbar' which shows which programs are currently running. The icons, names or descriptions of these programs appear as 'buttons' on the taskbar. Clicking on any of the program buttons switches that program to the foreground so it is on screen, and it will overlay any other program windows on the screen. Switch between PNMR and NUTS by clicking on their respective taskbar buttons.
Remember a program window can be in the foreground but it may not be the active window. The active window is the one with the highlighted or colored 'Title bar' at the top of the window. A window must be active in order to enter keyboard commands in it. The 'Alt-Tab' keystroke sequence may not always result in an active window, but clicking somewhere on the window to be used will always activate it.
The taskbar also has a 'Start' button on the left end. The clicking 'Start' button opens a series of cascade or 'flap-jack' menus which list the installed programs. The mouse cursor highlights the programs as it moves over them. A program name with an arrow to the right of it has additional menus associated with it. Find the requisite program and select it with the mouse on it. The program will start and a program button for it will appear in the taskbar. Clicking on the PNMR or NUTS icons in the first menu will start these programs. The 'Start' button also has a couple of system options which will be helpful: 'Help' and 'Shutdown...':
1) 'Help' allows search for help on Windows 95 topics only; note that the PNMR and NUTS programs each have their own internal help sections.
2) 'Shutdown...' displays a menu of options. Most frequently used is the 'Restart the Computer?' option which shuts down W95 and then restarts the computer. Software bugs, power glitches and operator errors can result in a system lockup or an error message will indicate poor NMR data will result. Shutting down and restarting the computer clears the errors.
Note that W95 should not be shutdown without first quitting all programs: PNMR and NUTS. To reboot, first quit all programs. The three keys boot (CTRL ALT DELETE) may also be used to close a problem program.
Most other 'windowing' operations (moving, reseizing, etc.) are similar to earlier version of Windows or similar environments are not new.
One thing that is different, however, is the 'right-mouse click' menus obtained when a click is issued by the right-side mouse button. Clicking the left and right mouse buttons can perform different operations or display different menus, depending upon the program. Specific operations in the NUTS program require right-clicking of the mouse.
Windows95 -- An important point is that while a program window can be in the foreground -- it may not be the active window. The active window is the one with the highlighted or colored 'Title bar' at the top of the window. A window must be active in order to enter keyboard commands in it.
Keyboard Command Syntax: These are shorthand notation for keystroke sequences that perform specific functions in either Windows 95 or the programs running on Windows 95. There are many such keystroke sequences that allow most program commands to run without having to use the mouse. These are usually called 'keyboard shortcuts' and allow access to menu commands very quickly using only keystrokes. The keyboard shortcuts are given by the underlined letters in each menu name or each command name in the menus. Examples are given below:
Alt_V_R Means press the 'Alt' key and release it, then press the 'v' key and release it, then press the 'r' key and release it. This sequence activates the menu bar commands in the NUTS program, selects the 'View' pull down menu and invokes the 'Show All Reals' command.
Alt-Tab Press and hold the 'Alt' key, then press the 'Tab' key, then release both keys. This brings up a menu that allows switching between programs running in W95. Holding the 'Alt' key and repeatedly pressing the 'Tab' key cycles through all of the running programs. Note that 'Alt-Tab' does not always result in an active window, but clicking on the window does.
A1 Press the 'a' key and release it, then press the '1' key and release it. This executes the 'A1' link in the NUTS program window. Note that NUTS commands must not be followed by 'Enter'.
Ctrl-F1 Press the 'Ctrl' key and hold it, then press the 'F1' function key (across the top of the keyboard), then release both keys. This executes the aii_proc.mac automatic data processing macro in the NUTS program window.
The following is a view of the blue opening screen of PNMR under Windows. This is the minimum need to know to run the NMR and generate a spectrum.
