Messier! v1.50
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

General Information
-------------------
Messier! is a program written by Star Pilot Technologies, designed to run on the 
Palm Computing Platform(r) that gives users the ability to obtain precise 
information about Messier objects and log their own personal observations 
of Messier objects.

Messier! is written and maintained by Chris DiPierro of Star Pilot Technologies.

Changes from v1.30
------------------
Install messier.prc and optionally a picture database
 Features
  * Added optional photos for all objects with customizable database. 
    See "View Screen" below for more information on how to use this 
    feature.

Changes from v1.23
------------------
Install messier.prc
 Features
  * Added transit field
 Changes
  * Fixed a ton of compatibility issues that should make Messier! more stable
  * Reduced app size
  * Sped up calculations on main screen by 8%
  * Improved battery life

Changes from v1.22
------------------
Install messier.prc and messier.pdb
 * Fixed the bug where when sorting by rise/set, those objects without a rise/set
     time would display first in the list (especially annoying in the table view)

Changes from v1.21
------------------
Install messier.prc and messier.pdb
 * Fixed a bug where a rise/set time would be given even if the object never rose
     or set at your location
 * Fixed a bug where distance would be negative if it was not known
 * Added information for the following Messier objects: 
     M44, M51, M67, M68, M71

Changes from v1.20
------------------
Install messier.prc
 * Fixed Export to Memo bug

Changes from v1.10
------------------
Please install messier.prc
 * Added a "table" view for listing all objects' rise/set times in a quick list
 * Calculations are about 10% faster
 * Changed Messier! to *REQUIRE* Location Manager v1.50 or higher due to
     improved interface.

Changes from v1.00
------------------
Please install both messier.prc and messier.pdb
 * Added a % indicator for the calculation screen
 * Fixed spelling/accuracy errors in the database
 * Added a "distance" display


Requirments
-----------
 * A 3Com (or IBM) Palm Connected Organizer running PalmOS v2.0 or higher.
 * 44k of free memory on your Palm for the program files/databases
 * About 5k of memory free on your Palm during runtime of the application.


Installation
------------
*NOTE*: You MUST install Location Manager (http://www.star-pilot.com/locmgr/)
in order to use Messier!

The following is a list of files related to Messier! and information about 
the necessity of each:
  messier.prc - Messier! program file (required)
  messier.pdb - Messier! database (required)
                -Please note that this is the same as the one included with
                 Star Pilot. If you already have that one installed, you need
                 not install this one.


Known Bugs
----------
 * There are no known bugs at this time.


Usage
-----
Messier! is a fairly simple program to use and its basic operation is documented
below. However, if you wish further documentation including screen shots, please
refer to http://www.star-pilot.com/messier/

Main Screen
 The main screen displays information about the currently selected Messier object.
 To change the object you're displaying information about, simply click on the
 drop-down list and select a different object. The fields on this screen are
 described below:
   Constellation - Constellation the object is a part of
   Type - The type of Messier object
   Magnitude - Magnitude of the Messier object
   RA - Right Ascension
   Dec - Declination
   Rise - Local rise time for this object
   Set - Local set time for this object
   Transit - Local transit time for this object
   Az - Azimuth the object currently occupies in the sky (or N/A if not risen)
   Alt - Altitude the object currently occupies in the sky (or N/A if not risen)
 Recalc Button - Recalculates information about all of the Messier objects. You
                  should click this button every few minutes for up to date
                  information about altitude/azimuth
 View Button - Views a picture of the object you have information about
 Observe Button - Log an observation of this object, please see the Observe
                   Screen below.

Main Screen Menus
 Actions->Observations - Brings up your observation database (see Observe Screen
                          below).
 Actions->Date/Time - Sets the date/time you are getting information for. By
                       default you are viewing the current time/day (REGVERSION ONLY)
 Sort Menu - This sorts the Messier objects list by whatever option you pick
 Help->About - Program information

Observe Screen
 There are two ways to get to this screen. If the title says "Observations" you are
 viewing your current observation database. If it says "New Observation" you are adding
 a new observation record. When adding a new record, most of the functions on this
 screen are disabled. The fields on this screen are all user edittable, but some are
 automatically filled in for you. You can click the left and right arrows at the bottom
 right to go to the previous or next observation respectively. The "Ok" button will
 return you to the main screen (and save the observation record if you're adding a new
 one). The cancel butotn will return you to the main screen without saving a new
 observation.

View Screen
 If you have installed a picture database on to your Palm device, you may 
 view pictures of object you are currently observing. This .pdb file may 
 be installed in your device's main memory or in any form of expansion 
 (Visor modules, SD/MMC cards). However, if you're placing it on
 a SD/MMC card, make sure it is placed in the /Palm/Launcher folder and
 named: Messier!_Pictures-MeSp.pdb ... You can accomplish this by using the
 "Copy" function from the Launcher application.
 
 To get the database file, go to Messier!'s website:
 http://www.star-pilot.com/messier/

 Or if you're a registered user, go to the registered user website where
 you can build a customized database:
 http://www.star-pilot.com/reg/

Observe Screen Menus
 These are all disabled when adding a new observation.
 Actions->Search - Searches for (and takes you to) a record that matches what you
                    enter. This searches name only.
 Actions->Delete - Deletes the current observation record (with confirmation).
 Actions->Export - Exports the current observation record to a MemoPad record
                    so you can later view them on your desktop. (REGVERSION ONLY)
 Sort - Sorts the observation records by whatever you choose (alphabetically). 
         Please note that if you manually change the date on an observation record,
         the time it was originally added is the sort key when sorting by Date.


Registration Info
-----------------
Messier! is distributed under the shareware "try before you buy" license.
It costs $9.95 to register. 

Benefits of registration include:
 * Ability to change date/time
 * Ability to sort by certain fields
 * Ability to export observations to MemoPad

To register, please refer to http://www.star-pilot.com/purchase/


Liability
---------
The author of Messier! is not affiliated with Palm Inc. and is not 
liable for any damages caused to the user or the user's computer equipment
(including both their home PC and their Pilot). 

