------------ This note is added to the front of the file 'README' which comes with the GSMAP system 8 package. The authors have told me that you can get the printed manual for no charge (while supplies last) if you are a member of a US tax-supported organization, and you request a manual in a letter on your organization's letterhead stationary. Send the letter to Gary Selner at the USGS. If you are not a member of a US tax-supported organisation, and you want a printed copy of the manual, I can provide you with one for $15.00 plus shipping. Contact me via email, and I'll tell you what the shipping price will be. If there is a lot of interest, I can copy manuals in quantity, and lower the price. - Bill Thoen bthoen@csn.org ------------ UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SYSTEM 8. GSMAP, GSMEDIT, GSMUTIL, GSPOST, GSDIG AND OTHER PROGRAMS VERSION 8, FOR THE IBM PC AND COMPATIBLE MICROCOMPUTERS, TO ASSIST WORKERS IN THE EARTH SCIENCES by Gary I. Selner and Richard B. Taylor Open-File Report 92-217 DISCLAIMER Although program tests have been made, no guarantee (expressed or implied) is made by the authors or the U.S. Geological Survey regarding program correctness, accuracy, or proper execution on all computer systems. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. This report has not been reviewed for conformity with the U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards. Denver, Colorado February, 1992 AVAILABILITY: Open File Reports can be purchased at the address given below: Books and Open File Reports Section U.S. Geological Survey P.O. Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225, (303)-236-7476 README FILE This file is NOT intended as a replacement for the program documentation. The documentation consists of 220 pages of detailed instructions with over 40 illustrations. It is virtually impossible to learn these programs without access to the documentation. See Availability above for where to purchase the documentation. TABLE OF CONTENT FOR THIS FILE SECTION 1 - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS SECTION 2 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS SECTION 3 - CONTENTS OF RELEASE DISK SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE SECTION 5 - HARDWARE ISSUES UPON INSTALLATION SECTION 6 - UPGRADING ISSUES SECTION 7 - ADVICE FOR NEW USERS SECTION 1 - HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS GSMAP and accompanying programs in this release have been designed for use on IBM compatible personal computers. Many of these programs require a digitizer and plotter. A complete system includes: HARDWARE Microcomputer The microcomputer must use the DOS operating system Version 2.0 or higher, at least 512K available RAM, two floppy disk drives, or one and a hard disk; at least one serial port, better two (one for the digitizer, the other for the plotter); one parallel port (for the printer); math co-processor chip to match the system; graphics card, IBM compatible CGA, EGA, VGA, *Hercules monochrome; monitor suitable for use with the graphics card. Although CGA graphics will work they are not adequate to exploit the graphic capabilities of this version. EGA or VGA color graphics will display different kinds of lines in different colors. EGA and VGA color graphics adapter cards must have at least 256K memory to plot color on screen in EGA/VGA modes. A hard disk or other fast-access storage device is strongly recommended. These programs have been successfully operated on Compaq, Columbia, Hewlett Packard, Sperry, IBM, GRID, Tandon, Zenith, Northgate, Leading Edge, Gateway, and other computers, and should operate on any fully compatible computer. We have run the programs on computers that use the 8088 chip and 8087 co-processor at 4.77 Mhertz to others that run the 80486 at 33 Mhertz. Printer The printer must communicate with the computer through parallel port #1 (LPT1:), there are no special requirements for the printer. Digitizer A 16-button cursor is strongly advised (but not required except for GSSECT). GSMAP and GSDIG have been designed and tested using a GTCO DIGI-PAD digitizer with a 16 button cursor and a Summasketch Professional digitizer with a 4 button cursor. They have been successfully operated with Calcomp, Numonics (some in menu mode only), Summagraphics Microgrid II, and other digitizers to our knowledge, and probably can be used with any digitizer that sends ASCII character strings and communicates with the PC through an RS232 serial port. Plotter Plotters must support the HPGL plot language at a level of the HP7475 or above, and the cable connecting the computer and the plotter must be correctly configured. Our tests have been conducted on a Hewlett Packard 7585B and HP-7550A plotters. The HPGL files that are generated by these programs can be used by Laser printers; the illustrations in the documentation of this release were printed in this way. Mouse A Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used as a pointing device with the GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST programs. Use of a mouse is convenient and speeds certain operations, but these three programs can be fully operated without a mouse using the arrow keys on the keyboard to move cursors on the screen. SOFTWARE The minimum software requirements for utilizing these programs include PC/DOS 2.0 or higher or equivalent MS DOS, the release diskettes, and a word processing program capable of producing ASCII files. Although a RAM-resident program such as SIDEKICK is useful, it can play havoc at unexpected times due to memory conflicts if installed in base memory. We recommend running systems without TSR (terminate and stay resident) or RAM resident programs. SECTION 2 - BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAMS SYSTEM 8 This release of GSMAP SYSTEM 8 brings together a series of programs for IBM PC (and compatible) microcomputers with familial ties to GSMAP . All have been revised from previously published versions or are new to this release. All use Version 8 (CONFIG8.*) configuration files. All use the same hardware system. The links between these programs are more apparent when grouped together than as previously released as a series of separate reports. The basic set of geologic symbols and fonts are also used by the other programs in this release. Symbols definitions are contained in an ASCII file that can be extended or modified by the user, line patterns also can be modified, within the scope of the Hewlett Packard pattern set. The documentation contains instructions on how to design new symbols. All output can be drawn on a plotter, on the screen or sent to a disk file using HPGL (the Hewlett Packard Graphics Language), including text and symbology. The on-screen graphics can be used to assist digitizing, editing, and design of output. All of the programs in this set can use either Cartesian data (X, Y coordinates) or geodetic data (latitude, longitude coordinates). The choice of coordinate system is made by the user. Cartesian coordinates are most useful for illustrations, cross sections, and maps where latitude, longitude coordinates are unavailable, where the use of a geodetic system adds unneeded complexity, or where it lacks sufficient precision (e.g. a map at a scale of 1 inch equals 1 foot). When working with geodetic coordinates, these programs support Mercator, Universal Transverse Mercator, Transverse Mercator, Oblique Mercator, Lambert Conformal Conic, Albers Equal Area, Equidistant Conic, and Polyconic map projections. Design goals required an "office-scale" hardware system with an affordable price. All of the programs operate from menu screens. On-screen messages prompt the user at appropriate times. Responses from the keyboard are entered by typing appropriate answers to the prompts, and then screen. These programs are oriented for use by geologists and other scientists, not for computer specialists. Programming skills are not required. GSMAP GSMAP and related support programs including GSMEDIT, GSMUTIL, GSMPBLD and GSMPBS have been developed to assist geologists and illustrators in compilation and publication drafting of geologic maps and illustrations. These programs attempt to facilitate geologic map compilation and drafting in the way that digital word processing facilitates composition and editing of text. As a set of practical graphics programs, they enable digital compilation of graphical elements, ease the process of modification in response to second thoughts, editorial comments, and scale changes, and lead from initial compilation to publication without redigitizing or redrafting. GSMAP uses a high precision digitizer and plotter for entry and plotting of digital data. Program capabilities include modification of data bases by deletion of unwanted entries or additions at any time. Part or all of the data in a data base can be plotted. Words and alphanumeric characters are entered into an ASCII file using a word processing program, and their locations are entered by digitizing. Entries are numbered by the program and can be edited or deleted using this number. Although the primary output is to the plotter, plots of all data can be drawn on the screen. Plots can be made in two modes; the "draft" mode provides entry numbers, the "publication" mode draws plots without entry numbers. GSMAP data bases using the same coordinate system can be merged. GSMAP supports lines of 14 pattern types, symbols, patterning of polygonal areas, text (with leaders if needed), multi-line text entries, and text that flows along features such as rivers, fault lines, etc. The documentation provides a thirty page tutorial that leads key stroke by keystroke through the digitizing and plotting of a simple illustration that contains the elements of a geologic map. For a person who understands DOS and a modern word processing program the tutorial exercise requires approximately two hours to complete. Our internal training course is heavily oriented to hands-on participation and consists of two eight-hour days of lectures and exercises with approximately two hours dedicated to a discussion of projections. GSMROSE GSMROSE is a program for construction of rose diagrams from linear data (lines or polygon boundaries) in GSMAP data bases. The user can specify the radius of the diagram, the angular measure of the sector used for analysis, and output to the screen, to a plotter, to a disk file written in HPGL, or to a GSMAP data base in Cartesian coordinates (new to this version). After drawing the rose diagram, a table can be printed that provides the numeric information used in constructing the diagram. Two methods of analyzing the linear data are provided, one length weighted, the second, count weighted. When using the length-weighted option the program reads the data for a specified code (lines or polygon margins) in a data base, calculates the bearing and length of each interval between points along the lines, accumulates these lengths for angular sectors of bearing 0-10 and so on through 175-180), calculates the total length of line segments in each sector, and divides the length in each sector by the length in the maximum sector. This ratio is used in the rose diagram as the radius for the sector. The radius of the diagram for the sector of maximum length is chosen by the user. For data bases that use Cartesian coordinates the Y coordinate of the data base is used as the Y coordinate (0 degrees) for the rose diagram. When using the count-weighted option, the program reads the data for lines (not closed polygons) with a specified code, calculates the bearing of the line connecting the first and last point of the line, and records the number of entries for each 5 degree sector. The sector containing the most entries is plotted to the radius specified, the others are scaled to this distance according to the number of entries. For geodetic coordinates and most of the projections supported by the GSMROSE program the line of longitude used as central meridian in the projection parameter file is used as the Y coordinate (0 degrees) for the diagram. GSMROSE Version 8.0 is a modification of GSMROSE Version 1.0 adding the ability to export a GSMAP data base and providing full compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0. GSSECT Generation and plotting of the topographic profile for cross sections, and other profiles drawn from contour maps. Version 8.0 of this program has been revised from Version 2.0 so that it uses the same configuration files as GSMAP Version 8, to interface with digitizers and plotters. It can plot sections to the screen, to files written in HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language), drive plotters, or generate a GSMAP data base in Cartesian coordinates. Drawing the topographic profile for structure sections is a chore not relished by most geologists, and with conventional drafting techniques is beset with pitfalls and inaccuracies. The use of a precise digitizer for data input and of a plotter to draw the section eliminates most of these problems, and speeds the entire process. Using GSSECT Version 8.0, a topographic profile may be drawn along a straight line, along connecting straight line segments, such as a section with a bend, or along a curve (many short line segments), such as the course of a stream. The gradient between points of known elevation can be computed, printed, and plotted to assist analysis of a profile. GSSECT Version 8.0 is a modification of GSSECT Version 2.0 providing full compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0. GSDIG GSDIG is a program used to determine geodetic (latitude, longitude) coordinates or Cartesian (X, Y) coordinates from maps or drawings and create ASCII character files containing site identifiers and geodetic coordinates (degrees, minutes, seconds) or Cartesian coordinates in units from the drawing or digitizer units (usually inches). Geodetic coordinates for points can be digitized from any map that has latitude/longitude coordinates for four points and has been drawn using one of the supported map projections. The output format for ASCII files can be chosen to provide easy input of data to spreadsheet, data base management programs, or to geodetic or Cartesian data bases in GSMAP format. Alphanumeric site identifiers are in part entered from the computer keyboard computer, in part entered from the digitizer keypad. An option in the utility program, GSMUTIL, is included so that digitized geodetic (latitude, longitude) or Cartesian (X,Y) data in GSPOST format or can be directly entered into a GSMAP data base. Data from a series of maps can be digitized and the data stored in a single output file in a single digitizing session without leaving the program. Alternatively, data can be added to an existing file permitting use of a single file in several digitizing sessions. Use of a "mask" composed of prefix and suffix entered from the keyboard permits alphanumeric identifiers for sites to be entered from the numeric keypad of the digitizer during digitizing. The prefix, maximum number of digits, and the suffix can be changed during digitizing without reentering the coordinates of the corners of the map. GSDIG Version 8.0 is a modification of GSDIG Version 3.03 to provide compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0. GSPOST GSPOST is a program that takes data from a properly formatted ASCII file and plots on the screen, on a plotter, or writes to a disk file in HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) to make maps displaying information associated with geographic sites by drawing symbols and/or posting numerical data. GSPOST operates with data sets that use latitude and longitude (geodetic) coordinates or X,Y (Cartesian) coordinates. The sites might be sample localities, drill holes, or mine portals, but characterized by location in latitude, longitude or X,Y coordinates and a site identifier, and usually by numeric values for attributes of the site, such as chemical data from a sample site, or flow rates from a well. The user must supply an ASCII data file that contains a series of rows and columns. Each row contains a series of attributes that apply to one data point. Each column contains one kind of attribute. The first columns of each row are "control" columns providing the site's identifier, the coordinates of the site and the position and angle posting numerical values. Additional columns to a total of 50, are data columns. Geodetic coordinates can be in either decimal degrees, or in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Both formats cannot be used in a single file. X,Y coordinates are specified in a system appropriate to the map; these cannot be mixed with latitude,longitude coordinates in a single data file. GSPOST allows the user to specify the column from which data will be selected, values or ranges in values (class intervals), and choose different symbols (and/or different symbol sizes for each class, with or without posting of numerical values, or the posting of site identifiers. The position of posting of numerical data at each site can be adjusted to reduce over-printing of numbers by changing the position and/or the angle of the posting. These adjustments are made by on- screen editing. For any given map the X and Y scales are independent; the area is specified using the coordinates of corner points in the coordinate system chosen for locating data points (latitude,longitude or X,Y). GSPOST Version 8.0 is a modification of GSPOST Version 3.0, adding the ability to register a plot to a specific position on a sheet in a plotter, allowing annotation of one line of the plot control file to assist in keeping track of the purpose of a plot control file, and the ability to print that line as a title, supporting the use of a mouse as a pointing device, and providing full compatibility with GSMAP Version 8.0. SECTION 3 - CONTENTS OF RELEASE DISK The release diskette contains a self-extracting archive SYS8.EXE and this README file. SECTION 4 - INSTALLATION OF SOFTWARE 1. Create a directory called GS on your hard disk (DOS MKDIR command). 2. CD \GS 3. Insert the release diskette in the appropriate drive, e.g. A: Type A:SYS8 and depress the ENTER key The files on the release diskette will be added to your hard disk in extracted form ready for use. About 1.6 Mbytes will be required. 4. Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT and add directory C:\GS to the current search list. 5. Add a new line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT that reads as follows: SET GSFILES=C:\GS Many of the files on the release disk are used in the tutorial or are provided as examples. After you are familiar with the programs, you can remove all files except for the following: Files with extension of EXE Files with extension of FNT Files with filename of CONFIG8 Normally you will operate the programs from a directory that is created and used for a specific project or unit of work. By organizing your hard disk as suggested above, your working directory will contain only data files that can be removed (or archived to floppy disk) upon completion of the project. SECTION 5 - HARDWARE ISSUES UPON INSTALLATION The files CONFIG8.SCR, CONFIG8.DIG, and CONFIG8.PLT must be configured to match your hardware system. Details are provided in the section "Hardware installation and configuration files" beginning on p. 154 of the documentation. Refer to the section starting on page 15 for installation of hardware. Use the worksheet p. 156 to record the parameters of your system. Pay special attention to the details on CONFIG8.SCR, CONFIG8.DIG, and CONFIG8.PLT to match the physical setup of your system. These modifications can be made using a standard word processing program. Check p. 19 about the use of the menu template for digitizers with less than 16 keys, and even for use with 16 key digitizer keypads if different ASCII codes aren't sent by each key, or if different numbers of characters are sent by different keys. See also p. 167 for special requirements for Hercules graphics (monochrome). SECTION 6 - UPGRADING ISSUES Important changes from GSMAP Version 7.0 are: 1. An environmental variable can be used to specify a directory CONFIG8.PLT, CONFIG8.SYM, and CONFIG8.SCR), and font files (*.FNT) and the addition of a statement of location e.g. SET GSFILES=C:GS to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file allows these files to be kept in a separate area from the executable program files and data files, and allows a single copy to be maintained on disk for all of the level 8 programs of the GS series. 2. An additional capability added to the plotter option makes indexing to hard copy in the plotter both feasible and accurate. For example, geologic information can be plotted directly on a topographic map base. 3. Polygons can be outlined with a different line type than that used for the fill. Codes 400-499 and codes 800-899 have been defined as polygon codes to increase the total possible number of polygon codes from 100 to 200. 4. Font 0 (0.FNT) has been expanded so that most of the extended character set corresponds to the character set viewed on the screen, with geologic extensions in place of little used characters. 5. Codes 100-199 used for data to be plotted from tables have previously been restricted to one-point entries. In this version two points can be digitized, the first controls the location of the symbol, the second locates the posting position. 6. Application programs and utility programs published separately have been combined with this release. 7. The utility program GSMUTIL supports added options that enable listing of codes and number of entries in a data base. 8. GSMAP option 8 (PLOT) GSMEDIT, and GSPOST now contain error checking for plot control files. The plot file is rapidly scrolled across the screen, but stops when an error is detected, and requests modification of the plot control file, greatly assisting the location (and hence fixing) of errors. 9. GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST now support the use of a mouse as a pointing device for moving around the graphics screens. 10. At many points in the programs, prompts indicate choices that have default values (hit the ENTER key). Default choices are indicated in Upper case letters; lower case letters designate the other valid choices. 11. Because of the introduction of the mouse pointing device in several of the programs (and the subsequent use of the right hand to hold the device), a different system of choosing options has been introduced. Previously you chose an option by typing a letter or number and then depressed the ENTER key. The new procedure (identified on screen) is to chose the option by typing the letter or number only. The programs will react as soon as a "hot key" is typed. "Hot Keys" are displayed in an alternate color and a message on the lower right of the screen will indicate that the selection uses the "hot key" method. When the word ENTER appears on the prompt, then the requested information should be typed and then the ENTER key depressed to relay the information to the program. Before starting a new project using Version 8.0 or resuming a Version 6/7 project using Version 8.0, prepare, or check and modify the following files. Projection parameter file. Use the extension .PRJ to take advantage of on-screen file listings. Projection files have not been changed from Version 6/7. Text file(s), as needed. No change from Version 6/7. Data file(s), as needed. No change from Version 6/7. Plot control file(s) Changed from Version 7 only for codes 400- 499. As with Version 7, you will need at least one plot control file to operate these programs. Use the extension .PLT so that it will be listed at appropriate times. You must have a plot control file to plot to the screen, on the plotter, or to a disk file, and to digitize data to take advantage of the screen display capabilities new to Version 7, continued to Version 8, and to use the new version of the screen edit program GSMEDIT. Look in the documentation for changes in requirements of plot control files from Version 6. Check decorated lines codes 1-99, 600- 699, polygon fills codes 400-499, to specify the width and size of characters codes 100-199, and for the new capabilities of these code groups. Take out the line in the Version 6 plot files specifying width and height of characters. In versions of GSMAP prior to Version 7.0, unused (extra) codes in a plot file required the system to rummage all the way through the data base when plotting, find that no entries were present, then do it all over again. Version 7 and 8 operate differently. Unused codes in the plot file have almost no effect on the time of plotting. Entry 1 in the data base is plotted first, then succeeding entries in sequence. The effects are mostly good, and for some plots, plotting time is cut in half. Optimizing the data file itself is desirable. The loading of fonts on a slow system or from floppy disks takes lots of time. Don't digitize a few entries that use font #1, then a few more that use other fonts. Optimizing a data base using the utility program GSMUTIL takes thought but only a few minutes to order entries to minimize font switching and pen swapping. If moving from Version 6.0 level programs, print the first lines of each of your Version 6 configuration files; change the first lines of the Version 8 configuration files with the same name to match those of the Version 6 file. You will notice that CONFIG8.SCR is the same; the keypad version of CONFIG8.DIG needs one additional line to define the F key; CONFIG8.PLT now contains a the first line setting communication parameters, a second that sets parameters for the size of label characters and circles for beginnings and ends of lines in draft mode, and 18 lines establishing patterns and spacings for 18 line types, but not the symbol definitions. The file CONFIG8.SYM contains symbol definitions formerly in CONFIG.PLT. After changing the first lines of these files to match your system, copy the executable files (extension .EXE into your Level 8 subdirectory. Level 8 programs will work with either Cartesian or geodetic coordinates, just decide which you want and be consistent. Remember to include the entire file name for text and data files with extension in its proper place in the plot file, and include the drive designation if you are operating with the program in one area and text or data files in another. Use of font #0 until the final stages of preparation of hard copy will minimize the time spent loading fonts. Yes, fonts are now loaded during digitizing so that you can read the text on the screen. Digitizing and editing using GSMAP and GSMEDIT may benefit from draftmode plot control files so that you can use the circles that mark the first and last points of lines on the screen. Preparation or review of these files will require that you plan codes, text, and data, and that you DO your homework on map projections if using geodetic coordinates. If a code is left out of the plot control file, entries with that code won't be plotted to the screen or on the hard copy (Option 8), but will be shown on the screen when digitizing Option 3 GSMAP, but as decorated or patterned, symbols and text entries will show as points (no text, no symbols). On EGA or VGA color screens these lines will be seen in bright yellow. Mouse A mouse can be used as a pointing device with the graphics screens of GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST. Microsoft-compatible mouse driver software must be installed (see instructions in mouse documentation), and loaded, generally a function of instructions in the CONFIG.SYS file before opening one of these programs in mouse- mode. With these programs the Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used to move about the graphics screen and locate points, not for choice of option. In general, select options using hot keys on the keyboard (no ENTER keystroke required), use the mouse to move the cursor about the screen instead of using the arrow keys on the keyboard (as used in the keyboard mode of operation), and use the left key on the mouse to select a location. If for example, you want to set a window to enlarge a portion of the screen, hit B on the keyboard to select the "set window option", use the mouse to move the cursor to the lower left corner of the window to be selected, press the left key, then move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner of the window, and press the left key to establish the second corner of the window. In the input mode, GSMEDIT, the "arrow key" digitizing procedure requires the use of the 0, 1, 2, and 3 keys to specify function. With the mouse, click the left key instead of the 0 key on the keyboard, click the right key to return operation to the keyboard, then hit the the 1, 2, or 3 key on the keyboard to specify the function of the right-key stroke. This resembles the procedure required for operation of GSMAP with a one-key digitizer, where a return to the menu template is required to specify the function of the last key-stroke. Digitizing a closed rectangular polygon in mouse-modewould require, L click, L click, L click, R click, hit 2 key on the keyboard. In mouse-mode, the keyboard instruction tells GSMEDIT the function of the final right click from the mouse. Plot Register A word of caution about the PR plot register option introduced in Version 8 of GSMAP and GSPOST so that a plotter can be used to make a plot registered to corners drawn on the sheet, i.e., here's a way to draw a geologic map on a paper copy of the topographic base. This process uses a temporary HPGL file (created then deleted). Although you won't ever see this file, space must be available on the working drive so that the computer can create and use it. For this reason, use a directory with plenty of space on your fastest drive. Some of these HPGL files can be large, very much larger than the data base files. One of ours for a complete and patterned 15' quadrangle is over one Megabyte in size. This PR process isn't practical when using floppy disks, except for small projects. SECTION 7 - ADVICE FOR NEW USERS Don't fight hardware and new software at the same time. If you are setting up a new system, use the sample BASICA programs provided in the documentation to help establish communication between your computer, digitizer, and plotter. Read the section on installation and configuration files starting p. 155 before blindly attempting to run the Tutorial. You will need to customize the configuration files named CONFIG8.SCR, CONFIG8.PLT, and CONFIG8.DIG to match your system's hardware. If you do not install as per instructions in Section 2, make sure that your PATH contains the directory where the executable programs were loaded. If you chose not to use the environment variable GSFILES, then the files named CONFIG8.*, *.FNT, and possibly the executable files (extension .EXE) must be in the default directory. Read the section on map projections and projection files. If you do, you won't expect the sample projection file MAP.PRJ designed for maps using the UTM projection in Colorado to work correctly for your rush project in the Empty Quarter.Start with the glossary, it has all the good stuff. After the system is working, spend a couple of hours doing the GSMAP tutorial project. You'll save time in the long run. Make copies named CONFIG8.*. These will work. Read the configuration instructions, and make use of the environmental variable SET GSFILES= , see p. 155 of the documentation to simplify your hard disk's configuration. The GSMEDIT program is one of the best ways of plotting a data base on the screen because you can see details of parts of the data by using its windowing capabilities; a digitizer isn't required for windowing. An early use of the F9 Q key sequence (terminating the screen plot early) when drawing to the screen greatly speeds operations. GSMEDIT requires a plot control file. In addition, you can digitize entries using this program. Interconnection of hardware Please refer to the Installation section of the documentation for such details as we can supply and a worksheet (p. 156) to assist configuration of the system. Manuals supplied with the hardware furnish additional explanations of switch settings, cable specifications, and details about interconnection and configuration of particular pieces of hardware. Default Values At many points in the programs described here , prompts indicate choices that have default values (hit the ENTER key). Default choices are indicated in Upper case letters; lower case letters designate the other valid choices. Mouse A mouse can be used as a pointing device with the graphics screens of GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, and GSPOST. Microsoft-compatible mouse driver software must be installed (see instructions in mouse documentation), and loaded, generally a function of instructions in the CONFIG.SYS file before opening one of these programs in mouse- mode. With these programs the Microsoft-compatible mouse can be used to move about the graphics screen and locate points, not for choice of option. In general, select options using hot keys on the keyboard (no ENTER keystroke required), use the mouse to move the cursor about the screen instead of using the arrow keys on the keyboard (as used in the keyboard mode of operation), and use the left key on the mouse to select a location. If for example, you want to set a window to enlarge a portion of the screen, hit B,on the keyboard to select the "set window option", use the mouse to move the cursor to the lower left corner of the window to be selected, press the left key, then move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner of the window, and press the left key to establish the second corner of the window. In the input mode, GSMEDIT, the "arrow key" digitizing procedure requires the use of the 0, 1, 2, and 3 keys to specify function. With the mouse, click the left key instead of the 0 key on the keyboard, click the right key to return operation to the keyboard, then hit the the 1, 2, or 3 key on the keyboard to specify the function of the right-key stroke. This resembles the procedure required for operation of GSMAP with a one-key digitizer, where a return to the menu template is required to specify the function of the last key-stroke. Digitizing a closed rectangular polygon in mouse-modewould require, L click, L click, L click, R click, hit 2 key on the keyboard. In mouse-mode, the keyboard instruction tells GSMEDIT the function of the final right click from the mouse. Plot Register A word of caution about the PR plot register option introduced in Version 8 of GSMAP and GSPOST so that a plotter can be used to make a plot registered to corners drawn on the sheet, i.e., here's a way to draw a geologic map on a paper copy of the topographic base. This process uses a temporary HPGL file (created then deleted). Although you won't ever see this file, space must be available on the working drive so that the computer can create and use it. For this reason, use a directory with plenty of space on your fastest drive. Some of these HPGL files can be large, very much larger than the data base files. One of ours for a complete and patterned 15' quadrangle is over one Megabyte in size. This PR process isn't practical when using floppy disks, except for small projects. Last minute news. This revision, 3/31/92, corrects problems in options 3 and 5 of the GSMUTIL program reported to us by early users of System 8. The GSMEDIT, GSMPBS, GSPOST programs (programs with hot keys) do not support Hercules graphics systems. The GSMAP, GSDIG, and GSMPBLD programs do support Hercules graphics. EGA and VGA graphics systems must have at least 256 Kbytes memory on the graphics card (a few of the oldest graphics systems don't). We have not been able to test program operations with true EGA and VGA monochrome graphics systems. Monochrome graphics systems that emulate colors with shades of gray are supported.