turnera@hubcap.UUCP (Allen Turner) (07/29/87)
For the past several years I have been developing and enhancing an IBM PC
version of the qplot software developed at Purdue University by Carl Crawford.
I have recently begun distributing the package at Clemson University and
my colleagues are encouraging me to market it. I am writing this in hopes
of determining the level of interest in my product.
The purpose of this posting is threefold. First, to give a brief listing of
the features of my plotting package so that net users can evaluate it's
usefulness. Second, to obtain feedback from the net regarding interest or
additional features. And finally, to assess the potential market for my
product based on the responses I receive.
Plot is a general purpose, command line based plotting package that can be
used to generate a wide variety of plots on all the major graphics
standards now in use on the IBM PC and compatible family of computers.
Features:
Fast - Plot was known as 'quickplot' at Purdue, that name is still
appropriate. A plot consisting of 15-20 data points is
completed on an XT clone in less than 6 seconds.
Easy - Plot was designed to be as simple and easy to use as possible.
The typical undergraduate should be able to generate useful
plots with 0-5 minutes of instruction. A full help screen is
available as required.
Capable - Plot has a rich array of options that can be used to generate
plain or increasingly ornate plots as the need exists.
Adaptable - Plot is quick and easy to use because plot makes numerous
assumptions about the default style for a plot. Any or all
default values may be changed to customize plot for a
specific application. A list of some of plot's options
follows.
Plot Options:
Line, Bar, Spectral, Scatter and Multiple Plots
Linear, Semi-Log and Log-Log Plots
Some or all data points may be marked with various on-center symbols
Automatic and/or Manual Scaling
Data filtering/Windowing
Data may reside in 1 or more files consisting of 1 or more columns of
Data. Any column of data in any file may be plotted versus any column
of data in the same or another file.
Labelling: Title, Top label, X axis and Y axis (Text)
Full control of X and Y axis numeric labelling
3 Fonts each with 256 characters including a full compliment
of greek symbols
Plot currently supports:
EGA (Enhanced Graphics Adapter) [640 X 350]
with color or monochrome monitor
CGA (Color Graphics Adapter) [640 X 200]
Hercules Graphics Adapter [720 X 348]
STB Chauffeur Board [640 X 348]
IBM/Epson Printers [480 X 480]
IBM/Epson Printers [960 X 480]
IBM/Epson Printers [1920 X 480]
IBM/Epson/Hercules compatibles
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I am interested in hearing from people with suggestions or comments about
my plotting package. If I do decide to market it I'm thinking of charging
between $30 and $40 for the software, tutorial and users manual. Also, my
inclination is to provide it at no cost, except for disks and duplication,
to Universities.
Thankyou,
Allen Turner
214 Riggs Hall
Clemson, SC 29634