<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 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