Getting Started
    Thank you for choosing EarthDesk. EarthDesk replaces your static desktop picture with ever-changing, beautiful maps of the world with correct sun and moon illumination.

    You may wish to place an alias to Earthdesk in your startup folder so that it runs each time you turn on your Mac.

    Earthdesk will continue to update the desktop map image as long as it is running. If you quit EarthDesk, the map image will stop updating and remain static. It can be removed by using the Appearance Control Panel (OS 9), or the OS X Desktop utility.

    EarthDesk and the Appearance Control Panel

    On MacOS 8 and 9, Earthdesk requires the assistance of the Appearance control panel to set the desktop picture. The software will automatically open the Appearance control panel as needed. If you are running CarbonLib 1.5, EarthDesk will hide the Appearance control panel immediately after opening so as to not be obtrusive. On MacOS X, EarthDesk can set the desktop picture without assistance from any other application.




    Before you can start using the software, some initial configuration is necessary.

    Setting Your Home Location

    Getting Started

    EarthDesk must know your local time zone to correctly display day and night across the earth.

    Find your home location in the Atlas by typing the first few letters of the city's name. If your city is not in the Atlas, you may add it, or select a city that is nearby and in the same time zone.

    Select your city and choose "Set Home Location" from the Atlas menu (Cmd-Shift-H). Alternatively, drag the city you have selected from the city list to the "Home Location" cell in the General Preference pane.

    Daylight Saving Time (Summer Time)

    EarthDesk also needs to know if your home location is currently on Daylight Saving Time (Summer Time). The program will attempt to determine this when you drag your city to the "Home Location" cell, but in some unusual circumstances, it canŐt determine this. Verify that the Daylight Saving Time (Summer Time) checkbox is set properly.

    Overview of Using EarthDesk

    EarthDesk makes use of a drag and drop interface. To move cities between sections, click on a city name and drag it to a new location. This applies to cities in the Atlas lists, as well as to the "Center on City" box on the right side of the Preferences dialog box.

    Drag and Drop

    Next to each city box is a popup menu which contains your home location and the cities in the "favorites" section of the Atlas. You can use this instead of the drag and drop method for frequently used cities.

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