FreeCurrency's interface is a single English sentence. To get the answer you want, change the sentence by editing the appropriate field. FreeCurrency will change the other fields in order to make sure that the sentence remains correct.
It's easy! Just try this:
For example, if you know that the price of something is 17 Euros, but you need to know how much that is in Yen, you would select the "Euro/JPN Yen" currency conversion, then enter the number "17" in the lower "Euro" field and the equivalent number of Yen will automatically appear in the upper field.
To make the popup list of currencies shorter, you can use the delete button (the trash can icon) to delete a currency.
FreeCurrency can convert between any two currencies in the world. A couple of very common currency conversions are built in, but you can create your own.
To add a new currency, click on the "New" button (the blank page icon), or select "New" from the Currency menu. Then edit the new field that appears on the screen. Enter the correct names of the currencies, and enter the correct conversion ratio. Once you have entered everything correctly, click the "Save" button to save the currency permanently.
You are using the wrong fields. Use the bottom two number fields to convert between currency amounts. Use the top two fields to set the exchange rate.
No. But, did I mention that this software is free?
Please re-read the "Adding new currencies" section.
FreeCurrency was designed for the traveler. Simplicity was the main consideration. I passed up the idea of making the user set a "base currency," and then allowing the user to triangulate between currencies (ie if 1 dollar equals 1.17 euros and 0.71 pounds, then 1 euro is 0.61 pounds) because this sort of thing would seem to be useful only to a big time currency trader, and those people generally don't use freeware. Economically, this kind of conversion is suspect anyway, because it assumes equivalent transaction costs and minimal arbitrage opportunities.
Once you have entered a new currency conversion, you can beam it to someone else. This is especially useful for people who are traveling together. Just pick "Beam" from the "Currency" menu.
All I ask in exchange is that you not sue me if it doesn't work. Thus, THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
Not only is this freeware, it is open source. And not only is it open source, it is open source under the BSD license. That means you have a right to keep any changes you make secret, as long as you give me (and any other contributors) proper credit. While I'd prefer that you do share your modified code with others, I will not require that.
The biggest opportunity for improvement I see is to take advantage of wireless capabilities to get instant currency rate updates. But, the code is all there, so change it however you'd like.