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New Developments (November, 2000)

Several users found that their new local area network (particularly Windows NT networks) did not allow FoodFocus to print. Version 3.2 NT (which can be used on Windows NT, 95, 98, etc but NOT on Windows 3.1) was developed to fix such printing problems. Also included were some other changes requested by users (a warning message when alcohol is selected, an increase in the maximum number of foods in a food list) and a few corrections (including a fix for a problem when current food list files were mixed with food lists from old versions of FoodFocus). The long filenames in Version 3.2 NT are more convenient when you are saving and reloading food list files. This version is currently under test and should be available for shipping early in 2001.

A new release of FoodFocus version 3.2 (990222) corrected deficiencies and provided an enhancement requested by teachers:

• 1. Print Setup Rather using Windows to select the default printer used by FoodFocus, selection of the printer is now available under the File|Print menu selection. This is simpler and more convenient.

The following changes were made with version 3.2 (October, 1998):

• 1. Cost of Food The cost of foods is now included with nutrient analysis results. Foods can also be sorted by cost. The cost data is intended to reflect typical grocery prices and typical practises with most foods being purchased as "prepared" and other "home made" foods being based on the cost of ingredients. "Fast food" costs are based on restaurant prices. Cost information can easily be updated.
• 2. Body Mass Index Information about Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as a calculator of BMI has been added under HELP.
• 3. More Quantity Choices It is now possible to specify the quantity of most foods using different measures for mass (grams, kilograms, pounds) and volume (millilitres, teaspoons, tablespoons, cups , etc). Fractions (like "2/3" ) can be used to specify amounts as well as words (like "two"). For many foods, it is also possible to specify a shape and the dimensions of that shape in order to describe the quantity of the food.
• 4. Multiple Nutrient Analysis Windows It is now possible to have several nutrient analysis windows displayed at the same time. This allows you to easily compare the nutrients in several foods at the same time.
• 5. Easier Changes to Selected Foods It is now much faster to delete a food or change the quantity of a food you previously entered. After you have highlighted a food in the list of foods you previously selected(usually by clicking on it), you can press the DELETE key to delete it, you can increase the quantity by pressing the "+" key or you can decrease the quantity by pressing the "-" key. Because you get the nutrient summary updated at the bottom on the main screen as well as the pictographs (like the happy face and rainbow) updated immediately, you get instant feedback on the effect of the change you have just made.

The following changes were made in version 3.1b (September, 1997):

• 6. Canadian Nutrient File 1997 The FoodFocus food nutrient data files in version 3.1b were updated with data from the 1997 Canadian Nutrient File. This allows you to use a significant portion of the latest data from Health Canada. This update has several advantages: a) Latest nutrient data from a standard Canadian source b) More extensive fibre data for foods such as beans, peas, breads, cereals and related products c) More brand names for breakfast cereals and margarines d) More contemporary foods such as salsa, M&M's, rice cakes and fruit leather

Version 3.1a had the following additional features (December, 1996):

• 7. Sort by Name "Sort by name" allows you to order a list of foods you have selected "by Type" or "by Search" such that food names are in alphabetical order.
• 8. Selection of Automatic Sorting Version 3.1 automatically sorted foods you selected "by Type" or "by Search" so that the foods that would best help you meet your nutrient requirements were listed near the top of the list. That automatic "by Need" sort was not popular with many users who prefer to have foods listed alphabetically. The new approach defaults to an alphabetic sort but (under File and Preferences) you may also select "by Need" sorting or no sorting (which is slightly faster on old computers) as the default option.
• 9. Food Data A few additional foods users have requested have been provided such as lasagna, chocolate cake with chocolate icing, goat meat, etc. Spare food data locations have been included to solve a problem with adding new foods.
• 10. More Teacher Features Two changes requested by teachers in printing and error handling are: (a) When you print the main FoodFocus screen, you have the option of printing a title (ie student name, etc) with the printout. Because the main FoodFocus page is printed as a graphic on its own page and the title was on a separate page, that was a waste of paper. The title is now placed on the bottom line of the main screen so now the printout uses one sheet of paper instead of two. (b) When students are first using FoodFocus they may not realize typical quantities are usually already available. For example a student can enter a quantity of "1" in the proper location to choose one cup (250 ml) of milk. Some students incorrectly enter a quantity of "250" thinking they are entering units of millilitres instead of cups. A message is now provided suggesting the rechecking of quantities that appear to be excessive.

Version 3.1 had the following additional features (September, 1996):

• 11. Rainbow Pictograph A pictograph similar to the Health Canada Food Guide rainbow indicates the number of servings from the four basic food groups.
• 12. Baby Carriage Pictograph For a pregnant woman, the heart pictograph is replaced by a baby carriage pictograph to indicate the degree to which the food list meets important Recommended Nutrient Intakes for a healthy baby (energy, protein, iron, folate, calcium).
• 13. Sort by Need "Sort by need" orders your food list to show you which foods most (top of the list) and least (bottom of the list) help you meet Recommended Nutrient Intakes. "Sort by need" can also order foods you have selected by food type, by search or by nutrient. A good strategy is to get more of the foods at the top of such a sorted list and to avoid foods near the bottom.
• 14. Pictograph Explanation You can now click on pictographs to indicate which is represented in each area of the pictograph. The help information for that nutrient will be displayed.
• 15. Teacher Features A few changes make printing and file handling more convenient for teachers and students: (a) You can now print the Nutrient Analysis window from a Print button at the bottom of that window. That makes it easier to print Nutrient Analysis results in the form you want. You can also chose to print results without graphics (which is faster and cheaper). When you print, you have the option of putting a title (ie student name, etc) on the printout. After you load a food file, the message stored with it is shown at the bottom of the main screen (so if you are using it as a note to a student, it is more accessible). (b) The assumed location for food lists is now taken from the FILEPATH.DTA file (described in Chapter 13) so teachers can more easily direct students to the preferred file locations used to load and save food lists.

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