[comp.sys.amiga.applications] Distant Suns 4.0 First Impressions NOT a review

keith@actrix.gen.nz (Keith Stewart) (06/26/91)

Following up from an earlier request I just received my upgrade to
Distant Suns. yep it did not take long to get done here in the South
Pacific. 

I ordered at the same time as my upgrade order the complete set of
Space Visions ( 25 disks of selected images of planets, space objects,
pictures of earth from orbit, voyager pictures etc). The total package
was on special so total cost of upgrade from version 3 to version 4 plus
space Visions was $99 plus postage

Three disks in Distant Suns pack. Programme disk, data disk and images disk

Computer needed at a minimum 1 meg of Ram and two floppies
My system 5meg of RAM including 1 MEG of chip RAM and 40 meg HD

Distant Suns 4.0 (DS) can display in hi-res as well as med-res.
Points that have impressed me after 4 hours of use are:

AREXX PORT--- there is an arexx port and some sample arexx script
the best of which creates an 110 frame animation of HAlleys Comets
flyby. Pretty impressive

Animation.--- Create your animation of zooming through space.

Select View Point --- This has to be the best new feature. You can
set your view point of say the solar system from Pluto and look back
towards the sun. You can set your view point anywhere!!!!

CUSTOMABLE--- The programme has many features that you can add to or change
e.g add an object to the solar system such as a comet 
You can have full screen pictures of selected objects displayed when 
selecting the object ( or multiple pics of the object) e.g clicking the
pointer on Mars brings up a small box with the astronomical information
in it and a gadget called FSI. If you have an image linked to that object
clicking on the gadget displays the image or images. Great!!!

New Manual-- one of the best manuals is better

Look up copy protection is no longer used. No copy protection I can see
except respect for a fine piece of work.

The whole interface feels smoother than Version 3 and the screen are buffered
so while you still have to wait for the calculation to be done a new screen
snaps into view.

I was using the 1.3 version for FFP machines. 

I am more than pleased so far by the programme, the ridiculously low cost
for the upgrade and space visions and the service from Virtual Reality
Laboratories.

I am pleased to answer any questions.

Keith Stewart

witzany@sparc1 (David Witzany) (06/26/91)

keith@actrix.gen.nz (Keith Stewart) writes:

>Following up from an earlier request I just received my upgrade to
>Distant Suns. yep it did not take long to get done here in the South
>Pacific. 
>I ordered at the same time as my upgrade order the complete set of
>Space Visions ( 25 disks of selected images of planets, space objects,
>pictures of earth from orbit, voyager pictures etc). The total package
>was on special so total cost of upgrade from version 3 to version 4 plus
>space Visions was $99 plus postage
>I am pleased to answer any questions.
>Keith Stewart

How long before this special (upgrade + image disks = $99) expires?
Is that $99 including postage & handling?  Do I need to return my original
disks?

Thanks!

--


	Dave Witzany
	(witzany@sparc1.isgs.uiuc.edu)