Other Questions

Q1:

Why did you choose ROOT and not package XYZ?

A1:

ROOT has the features we need and is actively supported by the high-energy physics community. Although different in many ways, both astronomers and high-energy physicists both use histograms and spectra as one of their primary data classes, unlike, for example, computer scientists or GUI designers who include histograms in their libraries only for completeness. Finally, we were familiar with ROOT and could rapidly develop profit with it. However, we are not wedded to ROOT if a superior package is available.

Q2:

What other atomic databases will you include?

A2:

Plans are fluid on this. If you happen to know of an atomic database you would like to add, please let us know via the Feedback form.

Q3:

How is profit different from XSPEC/Sherpa/ISIS?

A3:

Profit is meant to be a GUI-based tool for exploring a spectrum, discovering what emission lines are present and if they show signs of doppler shift or broadening. XSPEC, Sherpa, and ISIS are primarily meant for fitting models to spectra. Profit is meant to complement, not replace, those tools.

Q4:

How is the name pronounced? Pro'-fit or Prah'-fit?

A4:

We accept either.