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README
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1994-06-29
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336 lines
THE L.F.K. CONSTELLATION GUIDE
VERSION 1.0 - RELEASED OCTOBER 19, 1993
REQUIREMENTS
A hard drive and VGA monitor are required for this program to
run properly. A 386 or 486 processor is recommended. A 286 will run,
though much slower. 384K of memory is required and a mouse is support-
ed. Also required is DOS 2.11 or later. Make your backup copy as soon
as possible.
DISCLAIMER
Unfortunately, there is no way that I can guarantee the opera-
tion of the program and/or the running condition of your system with
regard to this program. Operation is completely at your own risk. If
your computer develops any operating problems while running this pro-
gram, stop running as soon as possible and consult someone with system
experience.
BACKGROUND
There are many people in the world, who love to gaze at the sky
whenever they get some free time and a clear night. It becomes a plea-
sure to contemplate our place in the universe. Some would like to get
a little closer to the stars but don't know how to get started. This
program is designed to move those people to the first stage of stellar
closeness. It will familiarize you with the prominent constellations
so that you will be able to recognize many of the mythical figures
that are mentioned so often in literature and show you how to identify
the brightest stars, so well, that they'll become your friends every-
time you gaze into the night sky.
OPERATION
My program is very simple to operate. Once it's started, with
a GO <enter> command, the only commands you need to know are the ones
shown along the bottom of the screen. Pressing the G key or using the
mouse to click on the GOTO command will bring up a screen asking which
month it is. Answer with the number shown next to the month by enter-
ing it with the keyboard. The program will take you to the constella-
tion that is visible zodiacally for the month. Pressing the N key or
clicking your mouse on the NEXT command will show you the next screen
and the information you'll need to know about finding that constella-
tion in the sky. You'll also get some information about the brighter
stars that are in the group. When the constellation screens are fin-
ished, use the information you just learned, to find the stars in the
real sky outdoors in your backyard or frontyard. The program will show
you many constellations for the year, giving you plenty of time to be-
come familiar with the real stars in the sky.If you forget what you've
learned,you can go back to a previous month with the B key or the BACK
command and review the information.The program is good for any year so
you can continue to use it until the stars become your friends.
PRINTING SCREENS
If you're interested in printing the screens, you'll have to
use the DOS program GRAPHICS. The GRAPHICS program has to be started
by typing the word "graphics", then pressing ENTER before you run The
Constellation Guide. This allows you to use the print screen key
on any of the screens in The Constellation Guide. On some keyboards
you have to use the shift-print screen keys to copy the screens. Since
the screens are in color, not all colors will be the same intensity
on your black and white printer. Some colors may not show up at all.
If you have a color printer, or a laser printer, check your DOS manual
for setting up those types of printers using the GRAPHICS program. DOS
version 5 or higher is required to run the GRAPHICS program for VGA. A
better alternative is the GRAPHICS /R option. It uses more ink because
it prints a black sky but the colors show up better.
PLOTTING ACCURACY
Everything was drawn by eyeball judgement. My purpose for this
program wasn't to produce a measuring device. The only reason this
program exists, in it's present form, is to entice the user to get out
and observe the wonders of the universe. I want this program to get
you out from in front of the TV set and out under the stars.
MORE BACKGROUND
I'm not a programmer. The only portion I'm responsible for are
the slides. They were created with a shareware program called ANOTHER
PROGRAM. The idea for this slide show occured to me about five years
ago when I was a great Commodore 64 fan. It didn't get off the ground
because the 64 graphics just weren't good enough.After I got the com-
patible and found a suitable paint program with a slide presentation
capability,I decided to try my hand at the CONSTELLATION GUIDE again.
The show is supposed to have forty-eight constellations. Because
of the amount of time and space required to produce the show, I deci-
ded to release V1.0 with the twelve zodiac constellationsjust to find
out how the program will be accepted by the public. If you are inter-
ested in creating your own slide show with ANOTHER PROGRAM and want
to contact the author, his name and address is:
Jeff Napier And Another Company
P.O. Box 298
Applegate, OR 97530
NOTE: ANOTHER PROGRAM has been renamed THE MULTIMEDIA WORKSHOP
C: DRIVE PREPARATION
(For unzipped versions only)
The first thing you should do is create a directory on the hard
drive with the MD command. I suggest using MD\CONST. Then change to
that directory with the command CD\CONST. Now you're ready to copy
the disk files to the new directory.Put the first CONSTELLATION GUIDE
disk in the A drive and enter the command COPY A:*.* C:. When all the
files are copied, do the same if there's a second disk. When the se-
cond disk is finished, remove the disk from drive A and start the
program with the command GO.
OTHER VERSIONS
Version 1.0 contains twelve slides or constellations. Version
2.0, will contain another twelve, bringing the total to twenty-four
constellations. Version 2.0 is now available and will be mailed to
you, when and if you decide to register with me. Additional versions
will become available. Because of a file limitaion with the program
used to display the constellation screens, all eighty-eight constel-
lations will not be available. If and when more versions become avail-
able, there will be a postage and handling charge of $5.00 per program
copy for registered owners. A registration form is provided at the end
of this file. You will be notified of newer versions if you become a
registrant.
PRINTING THIS FILE
If you're running from a hard drive, this file, with the regis-
tration form, can be printed with the command:
COPY C:README PRN:
If you're running from the A drive or B drive use:
COPY A:README PRN:
or
COPY B:README PRN:
The file PRINTME.BAT is a batch file that will start printing
the README.1ST documentation also. If it's included in the files on
the disk, just enter the command: PRINTME
PRINTING FROM OTHER DRIVES
If you are using any other drive than those mentioned above,
just substitute the proper drive letter in the commands shown. Be sure
that your printer is set to the top of the page before printing. The
print format is dot-matrix of the Epson variety with sixty-six lines
per page.
THE SHAREWARE CONCEPT
Shareware gives everyone looking for new software the opportun-
ity to try out a new program at very little cost. Vendors and bulletin
boards are allowed to distribute shareware programs for very little
profit, just so you can have the chance to find programs that might be
useful to you. If you like this program and continue to use it, it's
to your advantage to support the shareware concept by registering and
contributing to the continuation of the concept. If you don't like it,
or find that you can't use it, copy it for someone who might find it
useful. Registered versions cannot be copied for distribution.
THE L.F.K. MESSIER OBSERVER'S GUIDE
The companion guide to this program is THE MESSIER OBSERVER'S
GUIDE. It continues where this one leaves off, by helping you find the
list of astronomical objects created by Charles Messier, the famous
French comet observer. In his quest to find comets, he kept a record
of objects that could be mistakenly called a comet. The list includes
nebulas, galaxies, star clusters and even multiple stars. After his
death, the list was expanded until it grew to 110 objects. All the ob-
jects can be seen with a four to six inch telescope, provided the sky
background is dark enough. Many are observable in only a two inch tel-
escope. My guide will show you each objects location within the con-
stellation and also gives you an eyepiece view of what it looks like
through a telescope. Version two, a trial version, with fifty objects
is availble for just $5.00. Version 4.0, with all one hundred and ten
objects, is available only with registration, for the newly revised
price of $24.95. So, if you're looking for a new challenge, now that
you've mastered the constellations, the MESSIER OBSERVER'S GUIDE is it.
MISCELLANEOUS
You're welcome to submit any comments, criticisms or ideas for
improving THE CONSTELLATION GUIDE. Write to me at 15674 Flanagan,
Roseville, Michigan 48066, U.S.A.
Larry F. Kalinowski
LICENSE REGISTRATION AND ORDER FORM FOR
THE L.F.K. CONSTELLATION GUIDE
(Please print legibly and copy for your records)
____ Check here if you are a registered owner and want to upgrade
The upgrade price for previous registrants is $5.00
This is version 1.0
NAME________________________________________________
(This name will show on the title slide. Addi-
tional names should be placed on back of form)
ADDRESS___________________________________ APT______
CITY____________________________ STATE___ ZIP_______
TELEPHONE NO.(_____)-_____-________ DATE ___/___/___
FLOPPY DISK SIZE PREFERRED (check one)
___ (360K) 5 1/4 in. ___ (1.2M) 5 1/4 in.
___ (720K) 3 1/2 in. ___ (1.4M) 3 1/2 in.
Each purchased copy constitutes one license. Multiple
licenses for network operation or clubs are available
at reduced prices. Distribution with a product re-
quires a special license.
QUANTITY REQ'D ______ Copy(ies).
2 to 5 copies......discount 10%
6 to 10 copies.....discount 20%
11 or more.........discount 30%
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
I hereby acknowledge that the program material which I have
agreed to license, is copyrighted material and will not be
reproduced for any other purpose than my own personal back-
up and that one copy constitutes one licence for one compu-
ter and one user per computer.
Signed _______________________________
(Owner or Purchasing Agent)
THE ABOVE PURCHASE AGREEMENT MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PURCHASER
OR PURCHASING AGENT OF ANY COMPANY BUYING THE ABOVE MENTIONED
SOFTWARE OR ALL CHECKS AND MONEY ORDERS WILL BE RETURNED AND
THE ORDER CANCELLED.
Sorry, no purchase orders or C.O.D.'s
Your check must clear our bank before we mail your copy
Allow about one to two weeks delivery, four weeks overseas
PLEASE MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $14.95 PER COPY TO:
LARRY F. KALINOWSKI
AND MAIL TO:
LARRY F. KALINOWSKI, 15674 FLANAGAN, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066