Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to commonly asked questions below.
General
Questions
How do I purchase TheSky Pocket Edition or TheSky
Pocket Edition with Pocket TPoint? A. Order your copy of TheSky
Pocket Edition or TheSky Pocket Edition with Pocket TPoint from the Software Bisque Store.
Do I need to
register my copy of TheSky Pocket Edition? A. No. Your copy of TheSky Pocket
Edition is automatically registered when you purchase the product. No
additional registration is required.
Device-Related
Questions
Is TheSky Pocket
Edition compatible with the Windows CE 5 operating system? A. Yes. TheSky Pocket Edition
will operate on a mobile device running the Windows CE 5.0 operating system.
Visit the Software Bisque Hot Fix page to obtain
the latest update for this new operating system.
Is TheSky Pocket
Edition compatible with the Pocket PC 2003 operating system? A. Yes. TheSky Pocket Edition
will operate on a mobile device running the Pocket PC 2003 operating system.
Visit the Software Bisque Hot Fix page to obtain
the latest update for this new operating system.
Is TheSky Pocket
Edition compatible with the Pocket PC 2002 operating system? A. Yes. TheSky Pocket Edition
will operate on a mobile device running the Pocket PC 2002 OS. Note: Microsoft
has removed the ability to retrieve the location information from the
Pocket PC 2002 OS (that is, the latitude, longitude and time zone information
for your location on Earth). Therefore, TheSky Pocket Edition cannot automatically
obtain the location information from the device. Visit
the Software Bisque Hot Fix page to obtain an update that resolves this
issue. Visit the Software Bisque Hot Fix page to obtain
the latest update for this new OS.
Is TheSky Pocket Edition compatible with the
XScale processor from Intel? A. Yes. TheSky Pocket Edition
supports all processor that use the StrongARM architecture, such as Intel's
XScale chip.
Is the Windows
Mobile Device Pictured in your ads included with TheSky Pocket Edition
software? A. No. The Windows Mobile Device
(shown on the TheSky Pocket Edition web page and in TheSky Pocket Edition
advertisements) is sold separately. Visit
the Windows Mobile Web Site for more information
on these products.
What is a Windows
Mobile Device? A. Visit the Windows
Mobile Web Site for more information on these products.
Is TheSky Pocket
Edition compatible with my Windows Mobile device? A. TheSky Pocket Edition is
compatible with most every Windows Mobile Device sold today. Click
here for a list of the most popular
devices used to run TheSky Pocket Edition.
What kind of
device do I need to run TheSky Pocket Edition? A. TheSky Pocket Edition runs
on any Windows Mobile Device running Pocket PC 2004 OS, or Pocket PC 2003
OS or Pocket PC 2002 OS or Windows CE version 3 OS, or any Palm-size PC
running Windows CE OS version 2.11 or any Handheld PC running the Handheld
PC Professional software with 4 MB free RAM. TheSky Pocket
Edition is not
compatible with the Palm handheld devices (such as the Palm III, Palm
V, Palm VII, or PalmPilot models).
Will TheSky Pocket
Edition run on my Palm handheld? A. No. TheSky Pocket Edition
is not compatible
with Palm handheld devices (such as the Palm III, Palm V, Palm VII, or
PalmPilot models).
Where can I purchase
a device similar to the one pictured on your web page and in your advertisements? A. Most computer retailers sell
Windows Mobile Devices. Visit the Windows Mobile Web
Site for more information on where to purchase these products.
Where can I learn
more about Windows Mobile Devices? A. Visit the Windows
Mobile Web Site for more information on these products.
What is the difference
between a Pocket PC and Windows CE device? A. Essentially, the operating
system. On April 19, 2000, Microsoft announced the release of the new
"Pocket PCs". This
name replaces the previous moniker of "Windows CE devices."
Pocket
PCs have an updated operating system and many additional features. The
earlier "Windows CE devices" run the Microsoft Windows CE operating
system, versions 1.0-2.11.
Which of the
older-model Handheld and Palm-size PC devices are supported? A. TheSky Pocket Edition version
1 can be installed to most every Handheld PC running the Handheld PC Pro
system software and every Palm-size PC running the Microsoft Windows CE
OS version 2.11 and every Pocket PC running Microsoft Windows CE version
3.
I own multiple
Windows Mobile Devices. Can I install the software to each? A. Yes. Each mobile device (Pocket
PC, Handheld PC and Palm-size PC) requires a different setup application
and can be downloaded from the TheSky
Pocket Edition Download page.
Do I need to
purchase separate copies of TheSky Pocket Edition for each mobile device
I own (Palm-size PC, Pocket PC, Handheld PC)? A. No. TheSky
Pocket Edition purchase price includes support for all device types. You
can download and install TheSky Pocket Edition for the Palm-size PC, the
Pocket PC and/or the Handheld PC.
Installation-Related
Questions
From where can
I download TheSky Pocket Edition? A. After you have purchased
TheSky Pocket Edition and received a valid password and serial number
from Software Bisque, please visit the TheSky
Pocket Edition Download Page for detailed download and installation
instructions.
Can TheSky Pocket
Edition be installed to a storage card? A. Yes. First, run TheSky Pocket
Edition's installation program from your desktop or notebook computer.
During setup, the message "Do you wish to install TheSky Pocket Edition
to the default folder?" appears. To install TheSky Pocket Edition
to a storage card, click No. This
displays a list of locations to where TheSky Pocket Edition can be installed
(<Main Memory>, <Storage Card>, etc.). Select
the appropriate location and click OK.
The minimum system
requirements state that only 4 MB of RAM is required for installation.
Why are the setup files much larger? A. Mobile devices from different
manufacturers use a variety of processors (such as the MIPS4000, StrongARM,
SH3 and SH4). Each
processor requires a separate executable to run TheSky Pocket Edition.
So, each
setup file for the Pocket PC, Handheld PC and Palm-size PC contains different
processor-specific executables and dynamic-link libraries, which causes
the final setup file to be larger than 4 MB. Only
the required executables and libraries are copied to the device during
installation.
Software-Related
Questions
How much does
TheSky Pocket Edition cost? A. $79.00. Click here to order
TheSky Pocket Edition. TheSky
Pocket Edition distributed exclusively via Internet download. When
you purchase TheSky Pocket Edition, you will be sent an email that provides
your serial number and step-by-step instructions on how to download the
product. No
additional packaging, software media or documentation is required.
After I purchase
TheSky Pocket Edition, how is it delivered to me? A. TheSky Pocket Edition is
distributed as a "web-based" product. This means that the entire
product is distributed in electronic format via the Internet. After
you've placed an order for TheSky Pocket Edition (and we've processed
your order), you'll receive an email from Software Bisque describing how
to download the software from our ftp site. There
are no floppy disks, CD-ROMs, printed manuals, or printed registration
cards involved.
Does TheSky Pocket
Edition come with a printed user's manual? A. No. TheSky
Pocket Edition's user manual is distributed in Portable Document Format
(PDF) and is copied to your desktop computer during installation. To
view the manual after installing TheSky Pocket Edition do the following.
From your
desktop computer, click Start | Programs | TheSky Pocket Edition User's
Manual.
Does TheSky Pocket
Edition plot the positions of the planets? A. Yes. TheSky
Pocket Edition accurately displays the positions of all nine planets,
the Sun, and the Moon. Up
to 100 comets and minor planets can be displayed, too.
Can the magnitude
of objects be limited? A. Yes. TheSky Pocket Edition
can filter stars, galaxies, open clusters and more based on upper and
lower limiting magnitude.
Are the positions
of objects precessed to the current date? A. Yes, and also account for
aberration, nutation and refraction. TheSky Pocket Edition shows the right
ascension/declination of objects for the current date as well as for Epoch
2000.
Is there a Night
Vision Mode? A. Yes, with some limitations.
In the
Windows CE OS version 2.11 and earlier, colors of most of the screen elements
(such as menus, borders and window captions) cannot be altered with the
development tools Software Bisque employs. However,
all these elements can be hidden in TheSky Pocket Edition, showing only
a black screen with red-colored objects. On
the Pocket PC (Windows CE OS version 3.0), the user-interface requires
that there be a caption displayed at all times, so the Night Vision Mode
is further limited on these devices.
Are the moons
of Jupiter displayed? A. Yes. The four major moons
of Jupiter and eight of Saturn are shown at small fields of view. Earth's
Moon is also displayed.
What is the limiting
stellar magnitude? A. TheSky Pocket Edition's default
database displays 15,000 of the brightest stars (to approximately 6th
magnitude). The NGC and IC Catalogs (approximately 15,000 non-stellar
objects) are also included. A larger (optional) stellar database is available
free when you download TheSky Pocket Edition and includes the entire SAO
catalog (252,000 stars to 9th magnitude).
I think I have
found a bug in TheSky Pocket Edition. What
should I do? A. First, check the TheSky Pocket
Edition Update page to make sure you have the latest version. If you do
not have the latest version, please download, install and try it before
posting your question on TheSky
Pocket Edition forum on the Software Bisque Support Corner. .
Why can't I exit
or close TheSky Pocket Edition? Where
is the Exit command? A. The Exit command is absent
by design. One of the requirements
of the Windows Mobile Device Logo program is that an application must not have a command that allows
the user to exit the software. Windows Mobile Devices close applications
when memory is limited, thus freeing the user from the burden of memory
management.
TheSky Pocket Edition
with Pocket TPoint Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pocket
TPoint? A. Pocket TPoint is optimized
telescope modeling software designed
to improve your telescope's pointing when the telescope is controlled
using TheSky Pocket Edition. Note that Pocket TPoint is not
required for general-purpose telescope control.
Who can use Pocket
TPoint? A. Anyone who owns a suitable
robotic telescope mount and wants to improve their telescope's pointing
performance.
Which robotic
telescopes can be modeled using Pocket TPoint? A. The following equatorially
mounted, robotic telescopes can take advantage of Pocket TPoint's modeling
capabilities.
* Meade LX200 (all classic and GPS models)
* All telescope control systems that use the LX200 protocol and have sufficient
encoder resolution.
* Losmandy Gemini
* Astro-Physics GTO
* Paramount GT-1100S
* Paramount ME
* Vixen Sky Sensor 2000
* Parallax GTO telescopes (using the Astro-Physics control system)
* NexStar GPS models (using firmware 1.6 or later and motor controller
version 4.2 or later)
* All NexStar-compatible telescopes, including the CGE models (using firmware
1.6 or later and motor controller version 4.2 or later)
* Takahashi Temma mounts.
What is the minimum
encoder resolution required for modeling a telescope? A. The minimum telescope encoder
resolution necessary for telescope modeling is less than 1 arcsecond per
encoder count. Contact the manufacturer of your telescope for these specifications.
My robotic telescope
is not listed as compatible. Why? A. In order for Pocket TPoint
to sufficiently improve a telescope's pointing, the telescope itself must
have sufficient encoder resolution. Other commercial robotic telescopes
do not meet the minimum encoder resolution required for greatly improved
pointing. Therefore, Software Bisque only recommends using TPoint with
the telescopes listed above.
Does TheSky Pocket
Edition with Pocket TPoint have the same set of features as TheSky for
Windows with TPoint for Windows? A. No. Pocket TPoint is a limited
version of the TPoint for Windows software. Pocket TPoint uses the six
basic "geometric" modeling terms, and two custom terms can be
added to the pointing model. TPoint for Windows permits the addition of
an unlimited number of modeling terms. Normally, the six geometric terms
alone provide significant pointing improvement.
Can Pocket TPoint
model an altitude/azimuth mounted telescope? A. No. Your telescope must be
mounted equatorially for Pocket TPoint to work.
When can I order
TheSky Pocket Edition with Pocket TPoint? A. TheSky Pocket Edition with
Pocket TPoint, and the Pocket TPoint upgrade (for registered TheSky Pocket
Edition customers) is available for purchase from the Software Bisque
Store.
How much does
TheSky Pocket Edition with Pocket TPoint cost? A. TheSky Pocket Edition with
Pocket TPoint costs $129.00. If you already own TheSky Pocket Edition,
the upgrade price is $50.00.
Visit the Software Bisque Store to place your order today!
I already own
TheSky Pocket Edition. Can I upgrade my copy to get Pocket TPoint? A. Yes. If your already own
TheSky Pocket Edition, the upgrade
price is $50.00.
What are the
minimum Windows Mobile Device system requirements to run TheSky Pocket
Edition with Pocket TPoint? A. TheSky Pocket Edition with
Pocket TPoint requires a Pocket PC or Handheld PC running Windows CE OS
version 3.0 or higher. Palm-size PCs running Windows CE 2.11 and earlier
are not supported.
Telescope
Control Related Questions
I want to control
my telescope with a Windows Mobile Device. What additional hardware is
required? A.
See: Windows Mobile Device Cabling Requirements for
details.
Can my Windows
Mobile Device be used to control a telescope? A.
It depends.
Generally, Windows Mobile Devices use the device's built-in USB/RS232 port
to control RS232-based telescopes.
" Some Windows Mobile Devices do not have a serial port (and no Bluetooth
port), so telescope control is not possible.
" Other devices have a serial port, but the correct cabling is not
available to connect the device's port to the telescope's serial port.
Questions to answer:
If the telescope will be controlled via the Windows Mobile Devices RS232
port,
a. Does the device have a port that is compatible with RS232 communications?
b. Is there ActiveSync or serial cabling available for the device (from
the devices manufacturer, or a third-party cable vendor)?
c. Does the device have a Bluetooth port for wireless telescope control?
Windows Mobile Device Cabling Requirements
Bluetooth Control Issues
Where can I get
more information about TheSky Pocket Edition's telescope control capabilities? A. TheSky
Pocket Edition User's Manual is available on the Software Bisque Downloads page. There is additional Windows Mobile
Device telescope control information on TheSky's
Telescope Help site.
Can I control
my telescope using TheSky Pocket Edition and Bluetooth (wireless)? A. Yes!
Most popular telescope models, such as the Paramount ME, Celestron NexStar-compatible
telescopes, Takahashi Temma mounts, and Meade LX200 and Autostar-compatible
mounts can be controlled wirelessly via Bluetooth. There is additional
Windows Mobile Device telescope control information on TheSky's
Telescope Help site.
