SkyView Java Release Notes

Java Release Notes

This covers version 1.1 of the SkyView Java interface. The current release offers most of the basic features of SkyView along with options only previously seen in the Interactive interface. We have tested the interface as best we could but realize that Java applets vary widely from platform to platform (unfortunately, a lot of the problems are due to browser implementation and will only be fixed with future releases of Netscape, Internet Explorer, and other Java capable web browsers). We are currently working on ways to minimize the problems. Below we have a list of bug fixes, know bugs, and the current platforms we've been able to test. If you have comments, questions, or bug reports please send them to skyview@skyview.gsfc.nasa.gov.

Changes from version 1.1b3

A bug was discovered in the CardLayout supplied with the Java Virtual Machine for v1.1.x which prevented SkyView from running as an application. SkyView should now be compatable with both v1.0.x and v1.1.x Java Virual Machines.
There is a known bug with the frame title display under v1.1.x.

Changes from version 1.1 b2

Color tables are now compatable with the JIT in Netscape Communicator.
Added a fix such that people behind (some) firewalls can access the Java interface. Unfortunately, firewall accessibility changes from firewall to firewall.
Altered scaling to fix a Mac problem.

Changes from version 1.1 b1

Gridding has been added to the OPTIONS menu (small note: in future releases gridding will be in the OVERLAYS menu).
Zooming can now be performed on PCs by clicking on the z key after the zoom box has been drawn.

Changes from version 1.0

Help is now handled independent from a Web browser. Explicit help is now available for the application version of SkyView (as opposed to getting a reference to a URL).
Smoothing has been added to Options
Zoom has been added using dragging with the right mouse button (or using a mouse button and meta keyboard character).
Display original image and Shrink/Expand to fit have been added to Options
Scaling can be set before an image request as well as aftewards

Bug fixes

PC versions of Netscape no longer cut off the left side of the SkyView window.
Scrollbars are now working
Cursor positioning now works for all map projections (see Known Bugs regarding the fickle nature of PC Netscape)

Known Bugs

Beta version The frame title does not display when running SkyView under the v1.1.x Virtual Machine.
Beta version Zooming does not work on PCs. PCs versions do not send the proper mouse events causing zoom to fail. A work-around is in the works. **fixed with v1.1b2
Beta version Zooming on an image with scrollbars will not rid itself of the scrollbars.
Beta version Using zoom on an image that is originally less than 300 x 300 pixels will not work after the first zoom.
Beta version Problems arise from using combinations of scaling, zooming, and smoothing. If you encounter a problem please e-mail skyview@skyview.gsfc.nasa.gov describing the details of the problem.
The interface window cannot be resized to something smaller without destroying the layout of the window.
Microsoft Internet Explorer improperly displays List items making the Image Selections box unreadable. When using catalogs, the various pop-up windows may need to be manually resized to properly display the content. We are working on a work-around.
Cursor positioning and catalogs may not work on PC version of Netscape. This is a Netscape bug that we hope is fixed by the next Netscape release.
Color table does not display properly in Netscape (it is most noticeable if your display is 256 colors or less).
Retrieve GIF and FITS only work when the web browser is set at SkyView Java "start" page.

Working Platforms

In principle, Java programs are designed to be platform independent. We have found that this is not always the case, so we are compiling a list of platforms that we know that SkyView works on. In all cases, Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer were used to test the Java interface (SkyView also works with the appletviewer of the JDK as of version 1.02). The following machines (and their configurations) are known to successfully use the SkyView Java interface. Please let us know of any additions.

Netscape Communicator (with and without Java VM 1.1.x patch), Netscape 3.0, Netscape Gold 3.03, Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0
Intel Pentium (100 MHz,133 MHz, 200MHz), Windows NT and Windows '95 (we recommend a minimun of 16MB of RAM -- and even then the cursor value function may not work)
DEC Alpha, Digital UNIX (and OSF/1)
Sun IPX, Solaris 2.5
Sun Ultra, Solaris 2.5
OpenVMS 7.1
UCX 4.1

SkyView Home | Help | Survey Information | Non-Astronomers Interface | Query Form

Direct all questions regarding SkyView to our Feedback Page

SkyView has been developed with generous support from the NASA AISR and ADP programs (P.I. Thomas A. McGlynn) under the auspices of the High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC) at the NASA/ GSFC Astrophysics Science Division.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of NASA and contributors of SkyView surveys.

Science Mission Directorate Universe Division | Beyond Einstein | Origins

A service of the Astrophysic Science Division at NASA/ GSFC
and the High Energy Astrophysics Division of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)
HEASARC Director: Dr. Nicholas E. White

HEASARC Associate Director: Dr. Roger Brissenden
Responsible NASA Official: Phil Newman
Web Curator: Laura McDonald

Privacy Policy and Important Notices.