<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< SOFTWARE  RELEASE  ANNOUNCEMENT >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
                    ---------------------------------
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< FTOOLS  VERSION 3.4  DISTRIBUTION >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

How:    Anonymous FTP from heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov

Where:  software/ftools/release/FTools_3.4 directory

What:   ******* FTOOLS Source and Data *******
        ***(refdata is only needed to run certain tasks, primarily ASCA)***
        ftools.v3.4.tar.gz   -  Source Code Distribution for all platforms
        refdata.v3.4.tar.gz  -  Minimal subset of Calibration Database

        *** Compressed Postscript Documentation ***
        ***(in software/ftools/release/doc directory)***
        develop.v3.4.ps.gz    -  Developer's Guide
        install.v3.4.ps.gz    -  Installation Guide
        users.v3.4.ps.gz      -  User's Guide
        techref.v3.4.ps.gz    -  Complete User's Guide and help pages
        Xselect_1.3.ps.gz     -  Xselect Users Guide

        *** HTML Documentation ***
        at http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/software/ftools/ftools_menu.html

Supported Platforms: (See Installation Guide for details)
        unix         ALPHA/OSF, DEC/ULTRIX, SUN/SunOS (incl. Solaris)
                     SGI/IRIX, HP/HP-UX
        vms          ALPHA/VMS, VAX/VMS


++++++++++What's New in FTOOLS version 3.4++++++++++

++ Configure Script ++

        A major change in FTOOLS v3.4 is that a configure script
        has been implemented to ease the installation process. This
        is particularly useful on systems which may have their
        libraries and/or compilers in non-standard locations, eg,
        SunOS 5.X (Solaris).

        To install FTOOLS v3.4, simply unpack the tar file and go
        into the ftools/host directory. Type ./configure and a
        Makefile which is customized to your system will be
        written. This Makefile should include all necessary macro
        definitions so that all you should have to do is type
        "make", sit back and wait. Note that the default C compiler
        will be gcc if it is detected on your system; if you prefer
        to use another compiler you must specify it *before*
        running configure, ie, "setenv CC cc". For more detailed
        instructions please refer to the FTOOLS Installation Guide
        for v3.4.

++ HP-UX Host supported ++

        As of v3.4, FTOOLS ("Host" or standalone version only) is
        supported under HP-UX. The testing here has been done under
        HP-UX v9.0.4 with X11R5 and using gcc. To install, use the
        configure script (see above and the Installation Guide).
        Report any installation difficulties to:
               ftoolshelp@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov

++ New mkftools script ++

	Minor, but important, modifications have been made to the
	mkftools script, which produces the .ftools file which,
	in turn, sets the important environment variables needed
	to correctly run FTOOLS. Be sure to run this script (located
        in ftools/bin.host) after installing v3.4 even if you've
        run a previous version in the past.

++ Questionnaire ++

        So that we can better serve the user community in the future
        we have prepared a short questionnaire. Your cooperation in
        filling it out and emailing it back to us will be greatly
        appreciated!

*******************************CUT HERE******************************
               FTOOLS Questionnaire (v3.4, 10/23/95)

1. What type of machine are you currently running FTOOLS on?


2. What operating system is it running? (Please be as specific as possible)


3. Are you running the Host/Standalone version or the IRAF version?
   Please explain your choice.


4. Is there an architecture/OS that you'd like to see supported?


Please return to ftoolshelp@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov
       under the Subject heading: Questionnaire
*******************************CUT HERE******************************


NEW TASKS AND PERL SCRIPTS (indicated by **):

 ASCA
------
add_sis_rmf **  (was add_sis_rmf.pl)
  -Reports percentage of counts in evtfile in each chip
sisgbr **
  -QDP fit branching ratios derived from FITS data


 CALTOOLS
----------
brcaldb
  -Browse the Caldb data holdings
chkcif
  -Check entries in a Calibration Index File
cmppha
  -Converts a TYPE II to a TYPE I OGIP pha file
gcorrmf
  -Remaps a detector redistribution matrix in channel-space
lstgood
  -List "good" files found in a Calibration Index File


 FUTILS
--------
faddcol
  -Copies columns from one FITS table extension to another
fapropos **
  -Does keyword searches for FTOOLS
fchecksum
  -Verify or update the checksum keywords in a FITS file
fhelp ** (new Perl script now preempts original task)
  -Display FTOOLS help information
fimgcreate
  -Create a FITS primary array image from an ASCII template file
fmodcomm
  -Modify commentary keywords in a FITS file header
fversion **
  -Report FTOOLS version number and release date

 GRO
-----
fbbft2pha
  -Converts BATSE BFITS file to spectral PHA file
fbdrm2rmf
  -Converts BATSE DRM file to RMF format

 HEASARC
---------
ecd2pha
  -Converts Einstein HEASARC CD-ROM PHA to OGIP PHA file

 ROSAT
-------
fixrev0pha (was Perl script: fix_rev0_pha)
  -Changes  the  CDELT1 and CDELT2 keywords in a ROSAT PHA fi
pcpicor
  -Corrects PI channel in PSPC events file

 VELA5B
--------
fvelalc
  -Creates a FITS light curve for an isolated Vela 5B source
fvelgallc ***CURRENTLY OUT OF ORDER***
  -Creates multiple light curves for sources in confused fields
fvelmap ***CURRENTLY OUT OF ORDER***
  -Creates a set of FITS source maps of a rectangular region
velabox
  -Lists the Vela 5B raw data files needed for FVELALC
velamap
  -Lists the Vela 5B raw data files needed for FVELMAP

 XTE
-----
PCABackEst
  -Creates and estimated PCA background spectrum from model
asmappend
  -Sorts and appends ASM files to a MASTERFILE
asmsrcupdate **
  -Runs ASMAPPEND on a collection of XTE ASM master files and
   their respective incoming files
pcarmf
  -Creates a .rmf file for a specified anode chain in a PCU
pcarsp **
  -Runs the tools necessary to construct response matrices
   for XTE PCA spectral data
rddescr
  -Parses a channel descriptor from an XTE .pha file to ASCII
sebitmask
  -Creates bitmask for filtering SE data with FSELECT
seplot **
  -Queries the user and then runs SEEXTRCT and FPLOT
seselect **
  -Runs SEBITMASK and FSELECT to generate a FITS file
trans2fits
  -Creates science event FITS file from Transparent Mode data
xenon2fits
  -Creates science event FITS file from Good Xenon data
xpcaarf
  -Creates a .arf file for an input XTE PCA .pha and .rmf file