A
Note From The Author
When I
first began thinking about writing a computer program for
observing I tried to imagine the ultimate in observing
software. I had recently seen an episode of Star Trek:
The Next Generation and I considered: if I could talk to the
computer in plain English, what would I ask it for? This
is what I came up with:
"Computer,
make me a list of every planetary nebula that will be visible
in my 6-inch Newtonian from my favorite site before I go to
bed at 1 AM tonight. They must be at least 30 degrees
above the horizon, and unhindered by twilight or
moonlight. Oh, and mark the planetaries that I have yet
to observe. Now compute the optimum time to observe each
object and sort the list in that order. Finally, print
the list as well as a finder chart for each object, customized
for my 6-inch scope."
That
was back in 1993, and this question was the guiding principle
behind what eventually became SkyTools. In time, SkyTools
came to represent a complete rethinking of the traditional
approach to software for observers.
"There
is no perfect software for the observer, but SkyTools
comes close in form and
function." -- Sky & Telescope.
The
core of the SkyTools approach is to consider the task as a whole
rather than as individual pieces jammed willy-nilly into a star
charting program. While other programs may have similar
lists of features, SkyTools integrates these features into a well
thought out observing system.
The goal of
SkyTools is to empower you, the observer, no matter your level of
expertise, to get more out of observing. This is
accomplished as efficiently as possible, minimizing your time
spent at the computer and maximizing your time under the night
sky.
But it's
difficult to get it all done the first time around. With
the release of SkyTools 2, the product has reached a level of
maturity that I am quite pleased with. In addition to a streamlining
of the innovative SkyTools-only features, it now boasts the most
complete astronomical database and fully incorporates the
functionality of competing "start charting" products.
Greg
Crinklaw -- SkyTools author
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