<Default Method>
Indicates if the default method is currently selected or allows the user to select it. The method drop-down list box in the toolbar provides a shortcut for this function.
Parameters of the <Default Method> can be modified and used temporarily but are not saved. The <Default Method> provides the initial parameters when creating methods. To save selected parameters, the method has to be saved under a new name.
Select Method
This item is disabled when there are no methods. Only methods that belong to the current user (<Generic User>, logged-on user, or administrator) will be available. The available methods are listed and can be selected in the Select Method sub menu. The current method name is checked.
The methods drop-down list box in the toolbar provides a shortcut for selecting a method. The first item in the list is always <Default Method>, followed by the available methods.
Create/Edit Method
This item opens the Method window for the current application and shows the method name and its parameters. The icon button Edit Method in the toolbar is a shortcut for this function.
There are multiple tabs for the selection of method parameters. The tabs and the content of the tabs depend on the current application. The method name appears above the tabs in bold (1). When the 'Save As' button is clicked, the user can enter a new name or modify an existing name. Clicking on OK or pressing Enter (2) saves the method under the given name. The new method name (3) will be available
immediately in the Methods menu bar and the drop-down list box.
The first (left) tab is open by default and contains the key parameters for the selected application. Tabs with additional parameters may be present, depending on the application. The Sampler, Headers, and Info tabs are common to all applications. Additional information can be found in the Help and in the Software Reference Manual.
Delete Current Method
This menu item is disabled with the <Default Method> selected. Before a method is actually deleted, the following message prompts the user to confirm the action.
Figure 37 Delete Current Method Screen
Copy Methods from Other Users
The list box shows all methods from other users. One or more methods can be selected and copied to the current user by clicking on the Copy From User button. The Copy From User button is enabled when one or more items are selected.
Figure 38 Copy Methods from Other User Screen
The <Default Method>'s are fixed methods and are not listed. When identical method names are encountered, a sequential number ("<method name>-01") is appended to the copied method name.
Copy to Custom Applications
A method can become a custom applications by copying it to Custom Applications. This menu item is disabled for a <Generic User> but enabled when a user or
administrator is logged on. Only methods from the current user or the administrator are shown and can be copied. The <Default Method> is a fixed method and is not listed.
Figure 39 Copy Methods to Custom Applications Screen
One or more methods may be selected and copied by clicking on the Copy To Custom button. The button is enabled when one or more items are selected.
When identical method names are encountered, a sequential number ("<method name>-01") will be appended to the copied method name.
A custom application has an association with the application and is protected from common method editing. Custom applications are publicly available applications and can only be deleted by the administrator.
Backup/Export Methods
This function allows a user to backup one or multiple methods from the current user to a file. It can also be used to 'physically move' one or multiple methods from one instrument to another. The <Default Method> is a fixed method and is not listed.
Figure 40 Backup/Export Methods Screen
One or more methods may be selected and backed up by clicking on the
Backup/Export button. The button is enabled when one or more items are selected. Backup files have the extension ".bkx". The initial backup directory is the Backup Files folder in the DATA directory (e.g.; C:\DU800 Data\Steiner\Backup Files). It will be created automatically, if it does not already exist.
Restore/Import Methods
This function restores all or selected methods from a backup file. The initial backup directory is the Backup Files folder in the DATA directory (e.g.; C:\DU800
Data\Steiner\Backup Files). However, the user may browse and select a backup file from another location (e.g.; Drive A:).
Figure 41 Restore/Import Methods Screen
All methods in the backup file are shown and can be restored or imported. One or more methods may be selected and restored by clicking on the Restore/Import button, which is enabled when one or more items are selected.
The window features the Overwrite Existing Methods function. When this function is unchecked and an identical and existing method name is encountered, a sequential number ("<method name>-01") will be appended to the restored method name.