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0. General
Q0-1 Where can I contact about it? Q0-2 Where is the source code?
0. General
Q0-1. Where can I contact about it?
I produced Xplns for my own interest. (Author's home page) Please don't contact to AstroArts Inc. about this software. If you have a question, suggestion, or found a bug, please send e-mail to Osamu Ajiki (osam-a@astroarts.co.jp).
Q0-2. Where is the source code?
Xplns includes commercial source code copyrighted by AstroArts Inc.. The author got a permission to use it, and distributing it by free binary code. So, I have no plan to open the source code at the time writing this.
1. Installation Problem
Q1-1. The installation method is not understood.
Please read "README" for installation instruction.
Q1-2. The downloaded file is broken.
Check your files as follows:
(1)RedHat Linux (glibc 2.1/2.2/2.3)
% cd <directory-where-your-files-exist> % md5sum *.rpm 1c8fc73a528e98cb3c66aeb4ebf74f29 xplns-3.3.1-1glibc21.i386.rpm cec4f73176e7f66ac194d30f453cf614 xplns-3.3.1-1glibc22.i386.rpm fc9bd729083be78a0f130e5bc8661163 xplns-3.3.1-1glibc23.i386.rpm 28133ae623b0995016c312bcab854d9a xplns-cat-3.3.1-1.i386.rpm ed3f4d5d1a4157f5fc0621da165d10e3 xplns-elm-3.3.1-1.i386.rpm 25a59654c6298a9c964539c444a48709 xplns-img-3.3.1-1.i386.rpm(2)Slackware 3.X (libc5)
% cd <directory-where-your-files-exist> % md5sum *.tar.gz 0a0efd2d1cf57464880278b10810b255 xplns-3.3.1-1-linux.tar.gz 53de66b6eb5c92c4042d6bff67ad183c xplns-cat-3.3.1-1-linux.tar.gz cfd51d183a5446b02fd75c1432b6f1ef xplns-elm-3.3.1-1-linux.tar.gz 74c7d628d88b11ca4f4cd966f70f9acb xplns-img-3.3.1-1-linux.tar.gz(3)FreeBSD 4.X (ELF)
% cd <directory-where-your-files-exist> % md5 *.tgz MD5 (xplns-3.3.0-1.tgz) = f42327e21b8f6455f88818774cb0f575 MD5 (xplns-cat-3.3.0-1.tgz) = a37e7388235558ffb2864da3dcd82ab9 MD5 (xplns-elm-3.3.0-1.tgz) = 3d04fff2f3ccd61a0a782e50b0763eca MD5 (xplns-img-3.3.0-1.tgz) = 0240914a50d85fbf3bf8c64b9eece051
Q1-3. I want to install it on Debian/GNU Linux.
You can convert rpm package for Red Hat Linux to deb package using alien. For more information, please read the document of alien.
Q1-4. I want to run Xplns on Linux PPC, Solaris, HP/UX, VMS, or IBM370.
I don't have that environment, sorry. (cf. Q0-2. Where is the source code?)
Q1-5. Which rpm package (glibc2.1 or glibc2.2) should I download?
I prepared two packages (for glibc2.1/2.2/2.3), because there are no binary compatibility between glibc2.1, 2.2 and 2.3. You can find which package you need to download by the following command:
% ls /lib/libc-*If you see "libc-2.1...", you must use "glibc2.1" version. If you see "libc-2.2...", you must use "glibc2.2" version. Otherwise (you'll see "libc-2.3..."), you must download "glibc2.3" version.
2. Startup Problem
Q2-1. Xplns complains "Command not found", and does not start.
(1) If the xplns exists in the current directory, your shell environment variable PATH must include current directory to find it. In this case, you can execute it by specifying the directory obviously as following:
% ./xplns(2) If your shell is csh or tcsh, it can't find the executable just after you copied the xplns to the directory where PATH environment variable knows. You must execute the following command, and then the shell can find it.
% rehash % xplns
Q2-2. Xplns complains "can't allocate color palette", and does not start.
Xplns may fail to start if your X server is running on 8 bit or less color depth, and especially when using application or window manager simultaneously which uses a lot of colors. In this case, exit the applications occupying many colors, or restart xplns as follows to allocate private colormap.
% xplns --install-colormap
Q2-3. Xplns complains "Segmentation fault", and does not start.
Xplns sometimes fails to start if kinput2 or VJE (japanese input server) is running. On this situation, kill the kinput2 or VJE process and start Xplns again, please.
Q2-4. Xplns complains "missing charsets", and does not start.
(1)Set locale in "Environment" dialog in File menu, or set environment variable
LANGproperly. (cf. Q4-10. I want to use other language.)(2)Your X server doesn't have font specified in resource file. In this case, you must edit FontSet section of resource file.
Q2-5. I always get the message like "can't set locale" at startup.
(1)You may set invalid locale which is not recognized by OS. Check the following environment variables.
LC_ALLLC_CTYPELANGIt won't start though your environment variable set correctlly, use the command line option "--lang". (cf. Q4-10. I want to use other language.)
(2)Some Japanese distribution of Linux have incorrect LC_CTYPE file. Replace it with the LC_CTYPE bundled with Vine Linux 2.1.5 as follows:
- Su to the root, then save original LC_CTYPE file
% su Password: # cd /usr/share/locale/ja_JP.eucJP # cp -a LC_CTYPE LC_CTYPE.orig- Copy the downloaded LC_CTYPE file
# cp /where/downloaded/LC_CTYPE . # exit- Start Xplns
% xplns
3. Performance Problem
Q3-1. The DEL key is not effective.
If you want to use DEL key to delete characters before the cursor in dialog boxes, you must add the following resources in your X resource file (~/.Xdefaults or ~/.Xresources).
XPlns*XmTextField.translations: #override \ <Key>osfDelete: delete-previous-character()Control key and H key pair behave the same if you add the following lines into your X resource file.XPlns*XmTextField.translations: #override \ Ctrl<Key>H: delete-previous-character()
Q3-2. X server crashes while running Xplns.
I think it's a bug of X server. Running xplns on Accelerated-X 4.1 makes it frequently. Get patch module from FTP site of Xi-Graphics and update your X server.
Q3-3. Even if the place is changed, the time zone is not correctly set.
3.1 or earlier version of Xplns includes bug. With this version, timezone not set correctly if you change site. Please use latest version.
Q3-4. In "Site" dialog, "Edit", "New" and "Remove" buttons always disabled.
This happens if you use 3.1 or earlier version of Xplns. Please cope with as follows:
If you don't have write permission of file "xplns.obs", these buttons are grayed out. In default, file "xplns.obs" will be installed in directory /usr/local/share/xplns, and general users don't have write permission. To enable these buttons, do as follows:
- Copy the file "xplns.obs" into your home directory
% mkdir ~/.xplns % cp /usr/local/share/xplns/xplns.obs ~/.xplns/- Add the following line into your X resource file (ex. ~/.Xdefaults) to use the copied "xplns.obs".
XPlns*SiteFile: ~/.xplns/xplns.obs
Q3-5. Every time I start xplns, it displays incorrect local time.
(1) If the longitude or latitude of your site is not correct, xplns can't get the local time. Please select the correct site in "Site" dialog and check the "Make it default site" button.
(2) On some systems, xplns can't get correct timezone value. In this case, select "Settings" -> "Environment" menu, and you'll see "Environment" dialog. You can specify timezone by setting 'TZ'. For example, if you want to set to Hawaii time (10h later than UT), input "GMT-10". For more information about environment variable TZ, see the man page tzset(3).
Q3-6. I selected "Setting" -> "site", but it displays error message "Site file not found".
File "xplns.obs" does not exist, or the file is not found in the directory where specified in X resource. For example, if your xplns.obs file is in directory /usr/local/share/xplns, you must write in your resource file as following:
XPlns*ObsFile: /usr/local/share/xplns/xplns.obs
Q3-7. I selected "comet" (or "minor planet"), but it said "Orbital Element file not found".
File "comet.elm" or "mp.elm" does not exist, or the file is not found in the directory specified in the X resource. For example, if your comet.elm and mp.elm is in directory /usr/local/share/xplns, you must write in your resource file as follows:
XPlns*CometFile: /usr/local/share/xplns/comet.elm XPlns*MPlanetFile: /usr/local/share/xplns/mp.elm
Q3-8. Xplns become amusing, I can't revert it.
To revert to start-up time settings, click the menu item "Settings", then select "Initialize". If it still corrupted, exit xplns and execute it as follows:
% xplns -qit reverts all of settings to install-time state.After setting the state correctlly, save the current state using "Settings" -> "Save as default".
Q3-9. Daylight Saving Time is not recognized.
Xplns doesn't deal with daylight saving time. You can emulate it by setting TZ in the "Environment" dialog. See the man page of tzset(3), and set it correctly.
Q3-10. I can't popup the image window.
Xplns uses external program to display images. Xplns try to launch "xli", "xloadimage", "xv" and "display" in this order. If your system have none of them, image window will not appear.
Q3-11. I see many invalid characters displayed.
Your locale and character set conflicts. Check the following environment variables.
LC_ALLLC_CTYPELANG
4. TIPS
Q4-1. How can I customize the start-up time settings?
You can select "save settings" from "Settings" menu to save all current settings. Xplns starts with the same environment as you saved it, projection mode, site, on/off of constellation line, comets, etc.
Q4-2. I want to use other fonts.
You can change font by rewriting FontSet section of resource file. Note that font specification is not a font, but a FontSet.
Q4-3. How can I register the place where I live?
If you are using Version 3.1 or later, you can add new site with GUI. Select "site" in "Settings" menu, and click "New" button, then "Edit site" dialog appears. If you don't have write permission of the site data file "xplns.obs", buttons I said above disabled. In this case, please read "Q3-4 In "Site" dialog, "Edit", "New" and "Remove" buttons always disabled.".
In Version 3.0.1 or before, You can add new site by editing "xplns.obs". Each site data is recorded in 70 bytes (including line-feed character) fixed length record.
1 - 40 Name of the site 41 - 49 Longitude, 49th column is "E" if East, "W" if West 50 - 57 Latitude, 57th column is "N" if North, "S" if South 58 - 62 Altitude in meters 63 - 69 Time-zone in hour, east of Greenwich is plus, otherwise minus 70 line-feed (\n)
Q4-4. How can I display present sky always.
If you want to display current sky, you must update date/time settings explicitly or 'play' with 'Real Time' mode. To play with 'Real Time' mode:
- Select "Settings" -> "Time Step...", then "Time Step" dialog will appear.
- Turn on "Real Time" and "System Clock", then press "OK".
- Select "Settings" -> "Play".
Q4-5. How can I register a new comet or a minor planet?
Xplns reads comet data from "comet.elm", minor planet data from "mp.elm". You can add new orbital elements of comet or minor planet in these files. Each orbit data is recorded in 204 bytes (including line-feed character) fixed length record. You had better copy original record and rewrite it as you like.
1 Comet or Minor planet ("C" or "M") 2 - 8 Year letter 9 - 19 Roman numeral 20 - 50 Name of the comet 51 - 66 Time of perihelion passage 67 - 77 Eccentricity 78 - 89 Perihelion distance [AU] 90 - 100 Argument of perihelion [deg] 101 - 111 Ascending Node [deg] 112 - 122 Inclination [deg] 123 - 129 Epoch [year] 130 - 136 Absolute magnitude 137 - 142 Coefficient for magnitude 143 - 147 Real length of dust tail [AU] 148 - 152 Real length of ion tail [AU] 153 - 156 Beta-max(Parameter to calculate dust tail length) 157 - 187 Comment 188 - 202 Identification Number 203 Space or new-line (\r) 204 line-feed (\n)
Q4-6. I can't stop tracking an object.
Object information window will appear if you click an object. Track button in the information window will lock the object at the center of the window. Clicking the button again will release the lock. You can release it with command dialog box, too.
- Hit space key with pressing control key, then command dialog box will appear.
- Input "track off" in the command area, then click [OK] button.
Q4-7. I want to change date format.
In default, Xplns displays date in format month,dd,yyyy. Changing DateStyle resource makes the fomat as yyyy/mm/dd. It also changes the date dialog input format.
- month, dd, yyyy
- dd/mm/yyyy
- yyyy/mm/dd
Q4-8. How can I customize colors of label, line, etc.?
In Xplns version 3.1 or later, you can change colors of some objects. If you want to change color of objects, edit "Colors" section of resource file.
Q4-9. I want to set the status of more than one planet, comet or asteroid at once.
With standard motif user interface, you can select more than one item at a time in the list box. For example, select "Object" -> "Minor Planet", then the "Minor Planet" dialog popups. First, select the first item (ex. Ceres), then click the last item (ex. Vesta) with pressing shift key. This will select all items between first and last item you selected. (ex. Ceres, Pallas, Juno and Vesta) If you want to select non-continuous items, "Ctrl" + "Mouse Click" will add the item. Check boxes on the dialog box will affect all items you selected in the list box.
Q4-10. I want to use other language.
You can switch the language to display messages by setting locale. At the time writing this, you can use English, French(Thanks: Dominique VOILLEMOT and Francois Massonneau) and Japanese resources. Select "Settings" menu and click "Environment", then "Environment" dialog will appear. Set the proper locale name in the dialog box. You can also use command line argument "
--lang=<LOCALE-NAME>" to change language temporally.
% xplns --lang=<LOCALE-NAME>There are various way of locale name specification. In general, you can use following locale names.
English(default) en
en_US.ISO_8859-1
en_US.ISO8859-1French fr
fr_FR.ISO_8859-1
fr_FR.ISO8859-1
Dutch nl
nl_NL.ISO_8859-1
nl_NL.ISO8859-1
Japanese ja
ja_JP.eucJP
ja_JP.ujis
ja_JP.EUC
Languages are defined in the following files:
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/<LANG>/app-defaults/XPlns/usr/local/share/xplns/starname.dat.<LANG>/usr/local/share/xplns/consname.dat.<LANG>/usr/local/share/xplns/skymark.adf.<LANG>/usr/local/share/xplns/xplns.cdf.<LANG>In the above files, <LANG> is the first two character of the LOCALE-NAME. For example, if you use English(en_US.ISO_8859-1), <LANG> is "en".
Let me know and contribute if you made resource files in other language, please.
Inc., All rights reserved.