Astronomy software for Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0

[h0ughy (David)]

OK I couldnt help myself - yet another gadget. I just bought another HP ipaq (HP iPAQ 2790). I had one (2210) over 3 years ago and loved it, I saw this one for less than half price for a brand new one at Harris Technology in Sydney and couldnt help myself - bargin???? (I need help) I realise that these are dying out, but they are so great - and they fit into your pocket!!

I intend to run Pocket stars on it but i was wondering what other software people who own pocket PC's are running

[RB (Andrew)]

LOL Davo.

ok...nice pickup

[Dennis]

I’m running TheSky Pocket Edition on an even older HP iPAQ hx4700 although that is only Windows CE Mobile 3.0 and I use it to run the EM200 mount. What I like about the hx4700 is the 640x480 screen.

Cheers

Dennis

[leinad (Dan)]

Astromist!

http://www.astromist.com/index.html

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by leinad

Astromist!

http://www.astromist.com/index.html

wow - that look great. I previously owned Pocket stars but i might get this

[leinad (Dan)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

wow - that look great. I previously owned Pocket stars but i might get this

[Satchmo]

Looks great. The free version has most of the functionality of the pro version apparently.

I'm baffled however , how to get it running on my HP h3950 ( running Windows Mobile 2003). The install doc just says to copy the whole program as it is ,unzipped, to either your main memory or SD card.

I've tried both , but the .exe program file won't run from either location. Normally Pocket PC programs are installed via a Windows PC installer or you just copy a CAB file to the handheld and run it which does the installation...

Anyone got any pointers?

[BalderAsir (Nick)]

try unzipping it on your PC and running the installer there, then select your PDA as the install directory

[Dennis]

I just followed the PDF manual for V2.5 and installed on a 3 year old HP IPAQ hx4700 running 2003.

I copied (or, still am copying as I write...!!) the files to a 2Gb SD card in the PDA and just ran the executable and it opened okay on the 1st screen, but I shut it down as all the other files are still being copied across; it has taken over 1 hour so far, a very slow process with a few crashes.

This procedure is different to all my other PDA apps which are installed by running the executable on my desktop with PDA docked in the cradle.

Cheers

Dennis

[acropolite (Phil)]

wow - that look great. I previously owned Pocket stars but i might get this

Looks good, noticed that there's a freeware DSLR utility there for download as well.

[Satchmo]

Well I've struck out here.

I can\t run the exe from my PC ( it says the file is not a valid Win32 application).

If I try to run the executable ( astromyst_257_free) from the astromyst folder which I have placed copies both in My Documants on the h3950 , and on the 2GB SD card I get a " Cannot find 'astromyst_257_free' or one of its components" .

[Dennis]

Hmm, that doesn’t sound good.

The registered version (I purchased it) runs on my hp iPAQ hx4700 running Windows Mobile 2003.

I copied all the files onto the SD card and have to use the PDA File Explorer to manually navigate to the astromist_257_ppc_reg.exe and tap it to open the program.

The exe is the Folder “Astromist” which I created.

Cheers

Dennis

[Satchmo]

Thanks for that Dennis.

How did you get your screen grab ?

I've done exactly as you show that but the exe won't run ( get `cannot find astromyst_257_ or one of its components) .

I'll download an unpack/install again just to be sure.

I'll email the author if that doesn't work.

I wonder how one goes about being able to launch it from the start menu.

[Dennis]

The screen copy function is from a PDA application I purchased a while ago, called SOTI Pocket Controller. I can dock the PDA with my desktop via the cradle and using SOTI, operate the PDA from my desktop using the mouse, so there is no need to physically interact with the PDA by tapping the screen. I guess that it’s a nice to have rather than an essential, unless of course you use the PDA daily and need lots of screen copies for e.g. writing a manual or how to. Here is another of example of a screen print (Moon) and a Windows Alt-PrtScr copy showing the outer frame.

In terms of installing astromist on my 2GB SD card, I found that copying the directory structure, folders and files across by using Windows Explorer and an external USB Card Reader, the process kept crashing and leaving partly full ngc, ic and abell folders. However, when I performed the copy process using my newly acquired photo cataloguing program, ACDSee, it ran smoothly and much faster!

Cheers

Dennis

[gb_astro]

I am running Astromist on a ipaq 2490 directly from a Compact Flash card. Very impressive program.

My procedure was to unzip all files to a temp folder on the PC and then just copy/paste them to the CF card via a external memory card reader.
Put the CF card into the ipaq and start Astromist via the ipaq's file explorer.

Satchmo, I would suggest removing any Astromist files from your pda's My Documents folder then retry using my above method.
If that does not work perhaps you have a corrupt download.

The very slow transfer times to the memory card are due the the large number of image files. Perhaps there is some conversion process going on.

gb.

[h0ughy (David)]

LOL jeez i am a card - I returned the IPAQ and bought a acer one instead - the windows xp version 1 gig memory and a 120gig hdd with a 8.9" screen. it works a treat

[turbo_pascale (Rob)]

Is it just me or has this program got the worst icons ever drawn?

I've been fiddling with the free version for a few days on my phone, and it looks pretty cool.

Turbo

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

LOL jeez i am a card - I returned the IPAQ and bought a acer one instead - the windows xp version 1 gig memory and a 120gig hdd with a 8.9" screen. it works a treat

hmmm good decision Davo
But don't let me influence your purchase decisions.