The WinFeed User Interface
WinFeed is similar to all Windows programs in that it is menu-driven, and that the mouse is used extensively—the right mouse button as well. It also has a buttonbar with icons representing often-used commands which, if clicked on with the mouse, may be used as shortcuts.
The data are represented in the form of a tree structure. Depending on which type of item is selected in the tree, the corresponding detailed values are shown in the area on the right. If the selected item is a folder, then a summary of all the items in that folder will be shown.
The database that is being used is displayed at the bottom of the screen, as well as the nutrient that has been identified as representing the ‘dry matter’ content of each ingredient.
Menu commands
In all menus, commands can be chosen by clicking on them or by typing the underlined letter.
Summary of the general menu commands in WinFeed
- File Menu
Open database
Opens an existing database (the WinFeed.udl file will be changed so that when you restart WinFeed it will use the new database).- ☓ Exit
Exit from WinFeed.
- Report Designer
The report designer menu item opens the window used to design report templates.- Reports Menu (e.g. Feed Reports)
The name of this item will depend on which Tab is currently selected. The sub-items will list all the feed templates that had previously been defined for this type of report using Report Designer. e.g. when Client Feeds is selected, the menu item will be called Feed Reports, and the sub-items will be a list of all feed report templates that have previously been defined. Click on a particular template name to produce a report in Excel using that template.
- Reports Menu (e.g. Feed Reports)
- The Options Menu
The WinFeed Settings menu is used to set the nutrient that represents the dry matter content of each ingredient. When formulating on a dry matter basis it is essential that this setting is correct.- The Units sub-menu can be used to change the concentration and energy units to be used in the database. The units for temperature, weight and length can also be altered under this sub-menu.
Open database
Client Feeds is selected, the menu item will be called Feed Reports, and the sub-items will be a list of all feed report templates that have previously been defined. Click on a particular template name to produce a report in Excel using that template.Current Client and Animal
The current client and animal can be chosen from two drop-down lists visible on the button bar. The list contains all clients and animals that have previously been entered. When these are visible, then only items relevant to the current client or animal will be displayed.
The Button Bar
Speed buttons are displayed in the button bar which allow quick access to various commands. The functions available on the button bar will vary depending on which Tab is currently selected. e.g. when working with Compositions, only buttons relevant to Compositions will be visible. Only those buttons relevant to the currently selected item in the tree will be enabled.