The Simplest Manual Counter

Description

The Simplest Manual Counter is an open source software designed to count any items in the simplest and easiest way possible, using either the keyboard or the mouse on images.

Keyboard Counters

Assign a name, a key (letter or number) and an optional multiplying factor to each counter.

Image Counters

Define a name, a shape, a color and an optional factor — then click on the image to count.

Worksheets

All counters are gathered in independent worksheets. Manage multiple counting sessions easily.

User's Guide

How To...

1 Run on Windows (64 / 32 bits)

Follow the Installation Guide Step 1 only. Then double-click on simplest-manual-counter.exe in the exe directory.

Be patient! The software takes a dozen of seconds or more to display at the very first time. This is normal behavior.

2 Run on Linux 64 bits

Follow the Installation Guide Step 1 only. Then double-click on simplest-manual-counter.x in the exe directory.

3 Run from source code (all platforms)

Follow the full Installation Guide. Then run the starter script run-src.cmd (Windows) or run-src.sh (Linux) from the root of the installation directory.

4 Start a new counting

Click the New button or press Ctrl+N. A new worksheet appears. Select the type of counter between Keyboard and Image. All worksheets are independent.

5 Associate a picture

Click the Browse... button at the end of the "Associated picture" line. Select a .jpg, .png or .bmp file.

6 Open existing counters

Click the Open button or press Ctrl+O. Select a .csv file.

7 Add a Keyboard counter

Enter the name, the associated key (letter or number) and optionally the factor. Press Enter or click Add.

You can create a counter at any time. The software warns of any uniqueness conflicts (same name or same key).

8 Add an Image counter

Enter the name, select the color and shape, and optionally the factor. Press Enter or click Add.

9 Increment / Decrement

Keyboard + : Press the counter's key.
Keyboard − : Hold Alt + press the counter's key.
Image + : Select the counter, then click on the image.
Image − : Click on an existing symbol on the image.

10 Zoom, Undo, Redo & Save

Zoom : Mouse wheel, two fingers, or + / - keys.
Undo : Ctrl+Z
Redo : Ctrl+Y
Save : Ctrl+S | Save As : Ctrl+A

11 Crash recovery

Counters are recorded in a temporary file after each period set in the Settings menu. After a crash, the application will offer to open the temporary file.

Useful Hints

Tab — Jump between fields and buttons.

Esc — Activate the keys for Keyboard counting when the cursor is in a text field.

Ctrl+W — Close the active worksheet (asks to save if needed).

Ctrl+Q — Quit the software (asks to save each worksheet if needed).

Installation Guide

The installation follows three steps:

1 The Simplest Manual Counter

Download the last system-compatible package (Windows 32/64 bits or Linux 64 bits) and extract all its files into a new directory (e.g. simplest_manual_counter).

2 The Perl engine optional

Only needed to run from source code.

Run hasPerl.cmd (Windows) or hasPerl.sh (Linux) from the install sub-directory.

Windows — If not installed, get Strawberry Perl.
Linux — Use your package manager (sudo apt install perl, etc.).

3 The Perl modules optional

Run install_Perl_modules.cmd (Windows) or install_Perl_modules.sh (Linux) from the install sub-directory.

Success messages will confirm the installation of Perl/Tk and Perl/Digest::SHA1.

Congratulations! You can now use The Simplest Manual Counter.

Donation

If you are satisfied using The Simplest Manual Counter, or wish to encourage future evolutions, you can donate safely via PayPal.

20 % of your donation will be returned to the Perl Foundation.

As a donator, you can ask to see your name and logo on the webpage.
Feel free to leave an appreciation on SourceForge as well.

Support the project