Starry Night

[BLiTZWiNG]

Anyone used this?

I just downloaded the trial version and I'm really liking it.

[BLiTZWiNG]

I'm certainly getting use out of the basic edition... the sourceforge one didn't like my computer, so it must not be too crash hot (I never expect open source software to work properly).

Not a lot can bump off my p4 3.4 / GF6800 =)

[ballaratdragons]

I'm using an oldish 'Intel Celeron' X86 model 8 with 112 MB ram running windows 98, so I haven't got a hope of using any of the programs you mentioned.

p.s. The whole computer locks up about every half an hour. I have to re-boot and re-connect every time!!!!!!!!!!:sad:

[astrodave]

I'm using Stary Night Pro (4.5) and am very happy with it. I've even got Dave Ek's DSC working with it.

[BLiTZWiNG]

I'm just emailing to find out if the digital download is anywhere near the same as the CD version...

[BLiTZWiNG]

I must admit that I'm a little annoyed at the wierd ground graphic (snowcapped mountains and a lake). I can see the moon just appearning now, but outside IRL the moon has been visible for the last hour.

[BLiTZWiNG]

I think I found the setting for that now... d'oh!

[ballaratdragons]

Anybody else has the constant 'lock-up' freeze problem i've got.

Can't try download anything coz PC might freeze half way through.

[BLiTZWiNG]

how hot is it where your case is?

checked all the fans?

reinstalled windows lately? (98 is a bit of a stickler for crashing often, NT based systems a usually solid)

Last, and most likely, it's probably a PC-Chips brand motherboard...

[silvinator]

Hi Ken,

My fiance has also suggested this: It may be a hardware problem so you might want to run scandisk (and maybe do a full surface test - possibly leave it overnight as the processor takes a while).

Is this an ongoing problem Ken or just something that started happening? Also, does it only crash whilst downloading or when you are doing other things on the computer?

Now with regards to blitz's topic, I have starry night pro 4.5. I don't think that it's worth the money that you have to pay for such fancy features that won't even get half used but, because I did spend the money, I feel I have to defend it and say it is a good piece of software :P It crashes on my laptop though because of the openGL (can't handle the graphics) but on the PC it works a treat. I've used the program to control my scope a few times (love watching that cursor move across the screen!) and the scenic horizon is a nice touch. I like the FOV indicators and all the info on the objects. I'm sure there are a lot of free programs out there that could probably do the same thing starry night does (i.e that cartes program). All in all, I think it is an alright program but not well-priced. By the way, version 5 is out... :D

[ballaratdragons]

Blitz,

Got Silvies Fiance helping in PM too!

PC is in cool Kitchen with plenty of ventilation.

Checked fans for what? (how many fans in a PC. I thought only 1)

Can't reinstall Windows 98 as the computer repair shop that fixed it for me 6 months ago put it in. I dont have the disk to do it.

From here on I don't understand the Jargon: NT based, solid, PC Chips motherboard.

??????

[silvinator]

Does not compute! :P Don't worry, I don't understand it either which is why my fiance is helping out :D

Ain't PC chips made by McCains? :P

[BLiTZWiNG]

Ok non-computer guru... note to self: speak in engrish...

Typically PC's have 2 fans, 1 on the CPU itself, the other in the power supply. I know it seems silly to say, but make sure both are spinning. The regularity of the crashes is disturbingly like a heat caused problem.

NT based is Windows NT, 2000 or XP. PC Chips are a motherboard manufacturer (the thing that your celeron plugs into, the huge circuit board inside the computer), and very renowned for making the most unstable boards on the planet (and selling lots of them to people who want cheap computers).

Windows 98 has a bit of a reputation for crashing, and can fall apart often on cheaper hardware.

Having said all that, it could be one of the components is getting old (if it only started recently) or it might be some badly written software.

Crashes can be painful things to track down. RAM is another good cause of crashes.

[BLiTZWiNG]

I think McCains would do a better job... :p

[BLiTZWiNG]

BTW silvie thanks for the software review :)

[ballaratdragons]

Silvie,

Tell Le I have changed the speed to 57600. Just have to wait and see what happens. Thank him enormously for me. :cool2:


BLITZ,

Wait until we all talk Astronomical and Astrophysics Jargon full on! That'll bugger you up. :wink2:

[silvinator]

:lol2: :D
Just telling it as it is Blitzwing. I find that I use starry night a lot when it's cloudy outside and I'm curious to know what is up in the night sky at the moment. I suppose some would think of that as being a form of torture though :P I forgot to mention that I also like the pictures of the constellations overlaid on the starry background. The "red screen" feature is cool too. And I really like the time control - fast forwarding to the next eclipse, predicting the best time to see the planets etc. I mainly bought this program as a way to control my scope using a visual star map as an aid. Also, when I went to go purchase a program from Bintel, the guy actually persuaded me to get starry night over my other choice which was star atlas pro. He said that starry night was, and I quote, "A prettier program", hehe :D That sold me :P

Ken, Le says "Not a problem, pleasure to help". I sure hope that helped but we shall soon see. I've seen you on and off the user list for the past hour or so, must be pretty frustrating!

[BLiTZWiNG]

I found starry night really simple to get into without reading anything at all. Celestia also crashed on me a lot and slowed my system down and stuff.

I was showing the 5 yr old the constellations today, with the pretty pictures overlaid, and zooming to the planets for him.

[ballaratdragons]

VERY:sad:

This picture below explains it!

:cloudy:

[ballaratdragons]

Well, it hasn't froze yet.

Making a horrible groaning whirring noise though. :confused:

Me thinks it might go KABOOM!! :eyepop:

[BLiTZWiNG]

Hey silvie, do you know if the CD version is different to the download version? ie. the things it comes with?

[mch62]

I have SN4.5 and The Sky 6.
Both are excellent programs but I got the Sky for computer guiding my scope , it is better than SN4.5 for that.
The other thing about SN4.5 is you need open GL to get the best from it , some thing my Laptop does not support. It is also is fairly memory hungry where as The Sky doesn't need open Gl but still it works best with a resonable up to date CPU.

[silvinator]

Blitz, are you referring to the digital download at this link:
http://www.starrynight.com/digital_download.html ? The digital download is of the most basic of the versions available, The Enthusiast. If you bought the CD version, there shouldn't be any difference with the features at all (though some trial downloads have a habit of locking out some features, leaving you to spend the money to find out what the fuss is all about!)
When I bought my pack, it came with extra DVD's but many of the features were still the same as the trial version I downloaded. But since the trial version I downloaded yonks ago was also of their most basic software, the enthusiast, obviously then there are more functions and features on my CD compared to the version I downloaded. Does this make any sense? I hope I've answered your question! :confused:

Ken, that horrible noise, is that coming from you or the computer? :P :P Seriously though, where is the noise and how bad is it? I'm glad your computer didn't freeze yet. Looks like that might have solved your problem :D Fingers crossed!

[rmcpb]

A good reason to get off Win 98. Don't know if your machine would handle Win2k but if it can it would be worth it.

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Rob but I doubt it would handle it. It is still freezing every half hour or so.

Need to get a new puter!

This one is:

Intel Celeron
GenuineIntel
x86, Family6, Model 8, Stepping 6,
112 MB RAM
Running Win 98 2nd Edition

?????????????

[rmcpb]

Ken,

PCs are not that expensive compared to the rest of the astronomy disease. If you do upgrade avoid the ones with inbuilt video cards on the mother board like the plague.

Good luck

[ballaratdragons]

Found out there is a place in Ballarat that will rent me a flashy super-duper new computer for $7 per week. Might do that. Saves me finding another $1000.

[silvinator]

Sory to hear that your computer is still freezing up Ken. It does sound like you need a new system. What kind of computer are those guys going to rent to you?

[Striker]

If you want opinions or recomendations regarding computers......I am happy to advise......I have built my last 3 computer myself and are very update in what to buy regarding Hardware.....being a gamer like Mike...we know our Hardware....lol...

I want a laptop aswell but will wait till I am ready.

My home computer specs are
P4 3.2 Extreme 800 FSB CPU
4 x 80 GIG hard drives running SATA and Raid
Leadtech Geforce 6800GT video card
2 x 512 sticks of DDR Ram 466 fsb duel channel
Audigy Sound card with 5.1 digital surround sound home theater
2 x DVD burner
Antec case with 450w true power supply

As you can see I love my computers so if you have any question on what to buy or have 1 you are considering....please post the specs and I would be happy to advise....

[iceman]

heh yep, gamers know their hardware.. anything to squeeze an extra 5fps out of the game engine :)

I built my last 2 computers, and i'm almost ready for an upgrade again, except now i'm not playing games anymore so i'm trying to make this one last as long as possible.

Money spent on computers = less money spent on astronomy gear! :)