Software of the Month Club 1996 August

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Microscope for the PC - Version 2.0 =================================== (c) Molcol Software 1992 - 95 UK 69 Commonside West, Mitcham, Surrey. CR4 4HB ENGLAND. Voice/Fax Tel : 0181 685 0528 (UK) Internet Email: mol@molcol.demon.co.uk Shareware distributors, please see CHAPTER 1 - in your interest! ================================================================ = User Manual - ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDITION - (UK) Ver 2.0 1994 = = For SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION only! = = = = Please read the LEGAL DECLARATION before using the = = software! We would also ask that you read CHAPTER 0 to get = = the best out of MICROSCOPE and understand it a bit more! = ================================================================ = Users outside of the United Kingdom - and Version 1.0 users = = please see chapter 0 and chapter 1 after reading the = = declaration below! = ================================================================ * LEGAL DECLARATION & Copyright * Microscope for the PC is normally distributed and sold as a PROFESSIONAL LICENCED SOFTWARE PACKAGE. To allow evaluaton without people risking purchase of something untried, a slightly different version of Microscope is also distributed under the SHAREWARE MARKETING concept. It is NOT free! The shareware version is identified by the word 'SHAREWARE' displaying briefly in the AUXILIARY window on Microscope's main screen at start-up! **************************************************************** Differences between the shareware and professional/commercial versions are discussed in Chapter 0 below! It is in your own interest to read this chapter ! VERSION 1.0 users should also read the notes here. **************************************************************** Microscope for the PC software (shareware version), text files, electronic slidesets, associated files, and images - including this Manual, are subject to copyright laws. Reproduction of their content, use of the files, text, and images in any form, or alteration of any part here-in is strictly limited to SHAREWARE marketing methodology. This means the following:- {A} The Shareware version may be used by you free of any charge for 1 month, this is for you to evaluate its usefulness. After this time, you must do 1 of 3 things: i) You can delete all the files associated with the software from your disc. You must not re-install the software again on your PC. ii) You can decide to maintain the Shareware version on your hard-disc and install additional SHAREWARE slidesets from packs distributed to SHAREWARE disc vendors. To do this legally, you must send a fee of 12.00 (English Pounds) or your currency equivalent to MOLCOL SOFTWARE. The address is displayed on Microscope's main screen on start-up. You will receive a certificate authorising you to use the SHAREWARE version for as long as you like. Also, we will send you a licensed version of some of our other software (FREE) for being honest. See chapter 0 below for more! Cheques in any stable currency are okay. iii) You can apply for the PROFESSIONAL VERSION OF MICROSCOPE for the PC: this will give you access to the complete range of PROFESSIONAL SLIDESETS. A fully registered, licensed PRO VERSION of Microscope for single-user application is approx. 38.00 (English Pounds); the purchase price varies slightly depending on which country you reside in. Please see list below for correct fee to send. In return you will be sent a full PROFESSIONAL version, periodic newsletter, support, additional PROFESSIONAL slidesets, access to full colour special edition presentations for use in windows, access to specialised videos of source material, updates of new slidesets as they become available, access to stand-alone full colour picture files and reduced price upgrades. See chapter 0 below for more! PURCHASE PRICE FOR EACH COUNTRY including P&P is: ==================================================== UK & EIRE: 38.00 English Pounds for single user. Site-License for unlimited number of PCs at same location = 380.00 pounds. Contact details:- (See Microscope screen on start-up)! USA, CANADA: 70.00 US dollars for single user. Site-License for unlimited number of PCs at same location = 700.00 US dlrs. Contact Details:- ================== Guinn's Software. RT. 2. BOX 175-B DAINGERFIELD. TX 75638 (USA) Tel/Fax: 903 645 3370 (Info & Orders) Public Shareware Library P.O. Box 35705 Houston. TX 77235-5705 (USA) Tel/Fax: 713 524 6394 (Info) 800 242 4775 (Orders) CIS Email: 71355,470 AUSTRALIA: 76.00 Australn dollars for single user. Site-License for unlimited number of PCs at same location = 760 A$ dlrs. Contact Details:- ================== ALPHON EDUGAMES. P.O. Box 162 Aspley. Queensland.4034 (Australia) Tel/Fax: 07 2632744 (Info & Orders) PORTUGAL: Phone for prices (approx. same as UK). Contact Details:- ================== WINDMILL HOLDINGS. (PORTUGAL) Lda. Av. D. Nuno Alvares Perrira, 48, 4D 2700 Amadora, Portugal. Tel/Fax: (+351) 1 492 1849 CUSTOMERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD CONTACT THE NEAREST DISTRIBUTOR FOR PRICE OR CONTACT MOLCOL SOFTWARE IN THE UK. Molcol will send anywhere in the world if no local distributor exists! Cheques in any stable currency are okay if received by Molcol Software and costed at the USA prices. (B) You may freely copy the files of the Shareware Version and distribute without charge (SHAREWARE VENDORS may charge a nominal fee for the service they provide) to friends, colleagues, bulletin boards, businesses etc. The same freedom is allowed for Microscope SHAREWARE slidesets. These are identified by having 'SHAR' or 'DEMO' or 'GUIDE' as part of their filenames. (C) The shareware version of Microscope can be installed in educational and business environments under the same terms as above. Whilst every care is taken to ensure this software performs to user-expectation, including comprehensive testing of its parts and the accuracy of educational & scientific references, no liability is accepted by Molcol Software, nor their agents - for loss or damage to your PC, associated hardware, files, or other components of your system; nor any other consequential damage which may occur as a result of using the software. Maurice Smith. 1994 Molcol Software. ================================================================ ================================================================ MANUAL : MICROSCOPE FOR THE PC VERSION 2.0 NOVEMBER 1994 CONTENTS ( Please ALL read Chapter 0 even if you don't read the rest! ) CHAPTER TOPIC ------- ------------------------------------------------ * 0 Welcome to SHAREWARE MICROSCOPY !!! 1 Retail Distributors & Shareware Disc Vendors. 2 How to get the best from this Manual - quickly! 3 SET UP: Install, languages, Screens, Start-up 4 CONFIGURING Microscope / Password protection. 5 Microscope Software and files. 6 The Main Screen. 7 Microscope - The Mouse and On-Screen Controls 8 Microscope - Help 9 Microscope - Video & Animations 10 Microscope - Viewing Slides: Understanding Images 11 Microscope - Slide Types: Image Sources 12 Microscope - Light and Filters 13 Microscope - Optical Types * 14 Microscope - Transitional EFFECTS & POLARISER 15 Microscope - External Programs 16 Microscope - Sampling 17 Microscope - Auxiliary Window 18 Microscope - Problems 19 Additional Support: VIDEOS, FULL COLOUR PICTURES! 20 Advanced use - Dual languages. 21 CREDITS - A 'thank-you' to all who helped! 22 Slidesets Available. 23 Installing additional SHAREWARE slidesets. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 0 SHAREWARE ELECTRONIC Microscopy ---------------------------------------------------------------- **** A QUICK ADVERT ***** If you are interested in distributing Microscope for the PC as a commercial package in your country, or translating it to make either the shareware or professional version available in different languages, please contact Molcol Software. We will provide you with help and support - even if you are on the moon. Please ensure you include your phone number, fax if you have one, and name and address. ************************* *************************************** * SHAREWARE & NON- SHAREWARE VERSIONS * *************************************** Microscope for the PC exists as two distinctly different products: a SHAREWARE VERSION and a PROFESSIONAL VERSION. It is important you understand how the SHAREWARE version differs from the PROFESSIONAL VERSION. (1) SLIDESETS differ ================ Electronic slidesets used by Microscope are created entirely for use with non-shareware versions of Microscope. These contain quality images and researched text to formally impart useful knowledge to serious users. THESE SLIDES WILL NOT LOAD into NOR function with the shareware version of the software. However, to enable you to see what a powerful tool Microscope is, and to help licensed users of the PROFESSIONAL VERSION see what new slidesets have been added to the growing library - samples of pictures are taken from several of the Professional slidesets and reassembled to form a SHAREWARE SET. New text is created, less formal, less informative, but still interesting. These sets are then distributed to shareware disc vendors and bulletin boards to make them available to both SHAREWARE and PROFESSIONAL users. The number of SHAREWARE SLIDESETS is continually increased to advertise the professional series. (2) NUMBER OF SLIDESETS INSTALLED =============================== Both SHAREWARE and PROFESSIONAL versions of Microscope allow an unlimited number of slidesets to be installed and used. However, in the SHAREWARE VERSION - you can only access or use the first five slidesets installed at any one session. If you wish to install more sets, then thats okay, but you can't use the newly installed sets without first UNINSTALLING the previous slidesets. This clears out the earlier entries from a load pick list, deletes the five old slidesets from your disc, and brings the next five slidesets into the selection area. Registered, licensed, PROFESSIONAL users do not have this restriction and can use any installed sets without making room for them. (3) PASSWORD PROTECTION FEATURE ============================ PROFESSIONAL VERSIONS OF MICROSCOPE are likely to be widely used in educational and training environments. To prevent students accidently erasing slideset files, password protection is offered to the tutor to prevent unauthorised access to the slideset uninstall option. SHAREWARE versions do not offer this capability. (4) THIS USER MANUAL =========================== This manual is exactly the same as the one distributed with the licensed PROFESSIONAL VERSION, EXCEPT this shareware version contains additional text to explain these SHAREWARE/PROFESSIONAL VERSION differences. (5) THE FLOPPY DRIVE slideset installer. ==================================== The Professional registered version allows simple installation of additional slidesets from distribution floppy discs via the option called 'the floppy drive/disc' installer. This is an external program invoked by clicking on the appropriate button near the AUX window. SHAREWARE slidesets are compressed and cannot be accessed or installed with this feature. Instead, each shareware pack will contain a read.me file explaining how to complete installation. A brief summary of this can be seen in chapter 23 of this manual. *************************************************************** * Purchasing a PROFESSIONAL version or LICENCE for extended * * SHAREWARE use, (the soft option?). * *************************************************************** "Why bother to do either? I've got a Shareware copy, Molcol will never know I'm continuing to use it after a month. Yeh, its quite interesting to see these weird bugs and things they keep bringing out on shareware slidesets..." We are not suggesting YOU actually think like this, but most people unfortunately perceive SHAREWARE is free. The software you are evaluating began in September 1992 and released as Ver 2.0 in October 1994, over 2 years - and that's only the coding. Pre-coding work probably took 6 months thinking and planning. Nearly 5000 man hours were spent to research, build, and test Microscope. This is excluding all the time and effort put in additionally (and still being put in as you read this) by people named in the CREDITS chapter; and others unmentioned! Work continues to research and build an ever increasing range of slidesets and to develop the package to greater heights. This involves acquiring ever-more sophisticated equipment and access to microscopical material. It has to be funded! If you use the shareware beyond the evaluation time without sending a fee, you make it difficult for us to continue funding creation of SHAREWARE slidesets. If you purchase a PROFESSIONAL LICENSED VERSION or pay the extended SHAREWARE user fee, we can use the money to help fund the project further. Its unlikely, that the mighty giants of software manufacture will release a package like this: our research indicates they need really massive sales to make the effort of producing software profitable. Microscopy is regarded as a 'niche' market. So if you like what you see and enjoy this unique interest and really want to see more - its up to you to respond & support us in return. If you want to cheat, we will probably never know - but you will, when you no longer see software designed for specialised and minority markets, or get the chance to try before you buy with SHAREWARE marketed products. ******************************** * Objectives and Program Scope * ******************************** Welcome to electronic Microscopy. This software is designed to offer you an advanced way of practising Microscopy without the need to own a real Microscope. Please note: although Microscope for the PC is an invaluable learning tool - it cannot substitute itself for the delight and great enjoyment encountered when using a real instrument. Microscope for the PC is aimed at meeting several objectives:- (1) Provide a serious and powerful learning tool for students of related sciences: e.g. Biology, Pathology etc., (2) Provide a TIME-SAVING resource for teachers of these subjects in educational and training environments. (3) Provide supportive reference material to existing users of real Microscopes both in hobbyist and professional environments. (4) Provide educational entertainment for the home user. ***************** * Functionality * ***************** Microscope for the PC seeks to achieve these objectives by offering a user-controlled environment which emulates using a real Microscope. Slides or images arranged as SLIDESETS and covering different subjects exist as data files. These can be purchased as SLIDESET packs. The images are used by loading them into Microscope for the PC's viewing area where they can be seen in a variety of ways to reveal microscopic detail. Images may be animated and move like video sequences, or magnified at different levels from 1x to 1600x in pre-fixed stages, or they may be refocused or repositioned (dependent on slide type!). Indicators into image details are numbered and enable cross-referencing to important facts contained in the associated text files; these can be read on-screen while viewing the slides. Images can be instantly enhanced by using a variety of integral tools: coloured filters, optical emulations - including Nomarski interference-contrast, pseudo polarisation, variable day-light or halogen simulated illumination, negative-positive viewing, full video control and a host of other tools. All controls are on one screen and therefore immediately accessible at the same time by simply pointing and clicking the mouse. The very high degree of user-interactivity encourages curiosity and learning in a new exciting way, making Microscope for the PC a 'second-generation' MULTI-MEDIA tool - not just another electronic book! Additionally, Microscope is not dependent on third-party software or SHELL (like windows), for playing video sequences (* see chapter on credits): the PC environment is therefore simplified, making the software easy to use and extremely reliable; video play-playback of animated slidesets is efficient and fast. Intelligent help screens automatically activate to guide new users along a pleasant, gentle, road to proficiency - with little need for outside help, paper manuals, or time-consuming Tutor-supervision. The software has been specifically designed for easy self-learning in educational environments, where demand on teachers' time is coming under increased pressure, making it difficult to apply teaching resource. Microscope has been developed as a major time-saving teaching tool. Little or no IT experience is expected from teacher or student to use it! Support programs are activated from the main screen to provide easy installation of additional slidesets, or to remove existing ones. Features include an electronic catalogue - enabling users to see a variety of real microscopes, and an Optical Companion - an animated tutorial about using real microscopes; this will help students understand the basic controls of real instruments. A library of slidesets covering a range of subjects is available and is constantly being added to. Further packs of slidesets can be purchased inexpensively for use with Microscope for the PC. Text files are produced using a wealth of knowledge 'drawn' from amateurs, professionals, and experienced enthusiasts of Microscopy and related sciences. Educational slidesets are available, designed to follow educational curriculum, and created under close direction and supervision of professional school teachers of 'A' level Biology. Other slidesets exist, more suitable for less serious users, to enable Microscopy to be encountered and enjoyed by everyone less formally. VERSION 1.0 USER NOTES ---------------------- Microscope was released as version 1.0 about a year ago. Exist- ing users who do not wish to upgrade will still be able to use version 2.0 slidesets but will not ne able to see pictures now used in the AUX window. Also, all focusing, magnifying, and moving of slide images in the viewer must be performed by using the MAGNIFY button only: version 1.0 does not have independent controls for FOCUS and STAGE/MOVE type slides. Other differences are numerous and apparent when evaluating version 2.0. Users of version 1.0 who wish to retain the ability to write their own TUTORIAL files should not delete version 1.0 since this feature has been discontinued in version 2.0! Installing version 2.0 into the same directory as ver 1.0 will do no harm, although you may find you use up quite a lot of disc space maintaining two sets of programs. As you should not be using ver 1.0 for longer than a month without registering, it might be a good idea to take a look at this new version, see how it has progressed - and then apply for a licence. At least then you will be kept up to date. We have offered VERSION 2.0 to all existing licenced version 1.0 users for cost of copying discs, packing, disc costs and postage only: approx. 8.00 pounds (example is for UK ). ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 1 RETAIL and SHAREWARE distributors ---------------------------------------------------------------- MICROSCOPE PROFESSIONAL VERSIONS may be purchased in several countries or my direct mail order from Molcol Software in the UK. To identify your local distributor, please contact Molcol Software, or see messages when quitting Microscope software. Any business interested in distributing PROFESSIONAL VERSIONS of Microscope for the PC should contact Molcol Software. SHAREWARE DISC VENDORS, bulletin board system ops, and other genuine distributors of Shareware Products abiding by the Share- ware code may add their own references to this chapter prior to onward distribution. They must advise MOLCOL SOFTWARE in the UK that they have listed themselves in the manual. The notification should include a copy of their entry which should not contain any references to software other than Microscope for the PC. Microscope is available as SHAREWARE versions in several countries. Here is a list of sources you can contact for additional shareware slidsesets and Microscope products. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 2 Using this Manual ---------------------------------------------------------------- *********************** * Printing the Manual * *********************** The lay-out of this manual is designed for viewing on a PC monitor, where page length is considerably shorter than an A4 page. If your package includes guidance from the distributor on how to view and print the manual, follow those instructions - otherwise: the manual may be edited by your preferred text editor to produce a format for applicable to printing on A4. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU MAKE A COPY OF THE MANUAL FILE, AND GIVE IT A NEW NAME, PRIOR TO ANY EDITING. YOU CAN THEN EDIT THE COPY READY FOR PRINTING WITHOUT RISKING DAMAGE TO THE ORIGINAL. Note: The file in MANUAL.{s}, where {s} represents the main keyboard language code you nornally use: UK, PO, etc., For example - in the United Kingdom (English) the manual file is called MANUAL.UK ; the file text is in ASCII format, sometimes referred to as RAW TEXT. ************ * Overview * ************ The manual is not designed to teach you how to use Microscope for the PC at a control level; this type of help is provided within the software itself during use. Instead, the manual provides broad understanding of how to gain the best results from the software. It outlines essential differences between study with a real optical instrument and study using this tool. The manual will prepare you for a journey filled with wonder, helping you navigate your way and guiding you towards a better understanding of what you observe on route. It is a source of help and a provider of hints and tips. ****************** * Where to begin * ****************** Most people never read manuals. I dare say, like me, they consider the best way of learning something new is to try it first and see how they get on - only looking at the manual with great frustration when they come up against a problem. I therefore recommend you follow this standard practice & leave this manual as soon as you have read the chapter called SET UP to have a go at the software. When you eventually reach a problem, where a help screen and a bit of trying from you fails to enlighten, then come back to this text. To find the subject you wish to know more about, select the broadest category from the list of contents above and go to the appropriate chapter. PLEASE NOW READ THE CHAPTER CALLED: SET UP! IF YOU ARE A TEACHER IN AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PLEASE ALSO READ CHAPTER 4 ON CONFIGURING MICROSCOPE. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 3 SET UP ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ Microscope is designed to be used in different countries. It is translated into several languages: both the main software and an ever-increasing range of slidesets. Programs and slideset packs are distributed by independent agents other than MOLCOL software (the creators) under licensed agreement. You should first check to see if such a distributor has provided their own method of installing the software. This may be the case if Microscope is part of a range of software which has been stylised to conform to a common way of effecting installation and set-up on your PC. If no such instructions exist then INSTALLATION and SET UP is established as described here. ******************* * LANGUAGE FILES * ******************* Different language files exist. These provide translations of the internal help and default message screens to help people all over the world use Microscope for the PC. Language files are identified by their suffix: .LNG - preceded by a country code of two letters; these codes follow the naming convention for keyboard codes as described in most DOS manuals. For example, a language file called UK.LNG will contain text in ENGLISH whereas a file called PO.LNG will be in PORTUGUESE. Different user manuals like this one would follow a similar naming convention: MANUAL.UK MANUAL.PO etc., MICROSCOPE is designed to make new translations into other languages a relatively easy task. Anyone interested in re-translating a language file into a new language for use in another country should contact MOLCOL SOFTWARE in the UNITED KINGDOM to receive help and assistance. ******************* * DOS or WINDOWS * ******************* Microscope is a DOS program. It should therefore be installed outside of the WINDOWS environment from the DOS command line. However, once installed, you will be able to run Microscope from the WINDOWS kernel under a DOS session. Please see CHAPTER 7 and Mouse initiation for more details on this. Note: Microscope willnot run in a window itself! ************ * INSTALL * ************ Most software will arrive in the form of floppy discs. These may be numbered from 1 to n or be labelled in some other manner to describe the order in which they should be installed. Microscope can only be used on a PC which has a hard disc drive, so files on the floppy discs must ultimately exist on the hard disc for the program to work. An INSTALLATION routine accomplishes this in a controlled way. On the first floppy disc, normally called DISC 1, a file exists called INSTALL. This may have a suffix of .BAT or .COM or .EXE for example - INSTALL.BAT! This file will initiate the Installation process. Put the floppy disc called DISC 1 into your floppy drive unit and log onto the drive. Type INSTALL at the DOS command line and press the ENTER KEY on your keyboard. Instructions will appear on the screen to assist you. If INSTALL.BAT is the original file released by Molcol Software to world-wide distributors, then you should invoke the Installation Process by typing INSTALL {todrive} {fromdrive} where the word in each curly bracket would be replaced by you with two drive designation letters. For example, you would enter perhaps the following: INSTALL C A to install the soft- ware on drive C from a floppy disc in drive A. ************ * SETUP * ************ During installation of Microscope, a program called SETUP.EXE is invoked. Microscope is distributed to many countries. Several different language translations can be used without the need to purchase the entire software pack again. Language files can be obtained independently - one or more such files will have been distributed with the original package. SETUP will search your MSCOPE directory to see which language files exist and allow you to select one. You will then be asked to select a screen: English or International. If you select the English screen then Microscope buttons and controls will contain English labels to identify them. The International screen will instead display buttons and controls labelled with icons, easily recognised irrespective of the natural language you use. SETUP can also be re-run anytime when using Microscope to change the language or screen in use! Note: SETUP will not change the language of the slideset text files. Slidesets exist in different languages but cannot be mixed together in the same directory. Language files and alternate translations of slideset text files can be purchased separately from your local distributors. ************************** * INSTALLATION FAILURES * ************************** If after several attempts to Install Microscope, you have been unsuccessful, try the following:- (1) Log onto the root directory of your hard disc. (2) Create a new directory from the DOS command line by entering: MD MSCOPE (3) Log onto this directory by entering: CD MSCOPE (4) Copy all the files from the distribution disc into the new directory. Enter: COPY A:\*.* if the distribution discs are using floppy drive A. (5) When all the files are in the new directory, enter: SETUP (6) When SETUP finishes, enter: MIC_CTRL IN:*.* This should complete a successful manual Installation. *********************************** * START-UP: Running the software * *********************************** If you received independent instructions from a distributor on how to start Microscope running, then please follow them - otherwise see below. To run Microscope:- ==================== (1) LOG ONTO THE DIRECTORY WHERE THE MICROSCOPE SOFTWARE IS INSTALLED, NORMALLY: MSCOPE (2) FROM THE DOS COMMAND LINE, ENTER: MSCOPE2 Note: If using Microscope on a fairly basic machine, it may be possible to increase the performance speed of animated slidesets by including a switch in the command line. To try this, enter the following instead: MSCOPE2 /A ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 4 CONFIGURING MICROSCOPE ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ Microscope uses several methods to configure operation to suit your PC and your particular needs. Languages and Screens are established via the SETUP.EXE file described in the previous chapter. The help routines, sounds, button speed controls, and warning messages are configured from within Microscope by using the CFG button. This is located at the top of the main screen to the right of the FINI button. Help screens within Microscope will enable you to understand how to configure the various options. Two other configurable functions of great importance are discussed below:- ******************* * ANIMATION SPEED * ******************* Microscope uses short clips of digitised video. These are known as ANIMATED slidesets. The speed at which they run and therefore the quality of what you see will depend on several factors:- The type of Processor in your PC - 286, 386, 486 ; whether or not your PC has a maths co-processor, video graphics acceleration board, or cache software installed; the access speed of your hard drive; and whether or not you have additional ram installed with associated software to manage higher memory. To try and stabilise animation speeds on a variety of hardware set-up's, Microscope attempts to limit frame rate speeds at around 18 frames a second. If your machine is very slow then you may not be able to see animations at this speed: animations will appear jerky on slow PCs. To try and speed up slow animation, you can try using a built-in switch to release all the internal software brakes. This is accomplished when you invoke Microscope by including /A in the command line. Instead of entering MSCOPE2 enter MSCOPE2 /A to start the software running. Animations work best when your PC is using extended memory along with a cache or high-memory manager. Once all frames of an animated slideset have been loaded from disc, subsequent images are put to screen direct from memory, thus saving time between frames by eliminating repeated loading from the hard disc. Animation speeds can be varied by using one of the buttons on the video panel to the left on the Main screen. The start-up speed, when you first run Microscope and load an animated slideset, is set to 1 click less than maximum speed. *********************** * PASSWORD PROTECTION * *********************** Microscope is provided with an option to help you manage your slidesets. The slideset management software can be accessed via the button marked DBF on Microscope's main screen. This facility enables slidesets to be un-installed, a process which deletes slideset files from your hard disc. It may be undesirable in educational environments to allow anyone to have access to the UNINSTALL feature. You can therefore establish password control of this option. If you wish to use this form of protection then please see below. When you first try to use the Uninstall option, you will be asked if you want to enable password control. If you accidentally state yes when you really mean no, you will forever have to enter a password to uninstall slidesets unless you find the file called MICPASS.CPT on the first distribution disc and copy this back into the MSCOPE directory on your hard disc. Note: If you delete the file MICPASS.CPT from the MSCOPE directory, you will permanently disable the Uninstall option until you re-load the missing file into the Mscope directory from your distribution discs. Most users in a non-educational environment will not require the PASSWORD protection and may simply confirm this fact when prompted during their FIRST attempt at uninstalling slidesets. Please note that PASSWORD protection will only safeguard against deletion of files when running Microscope: once you exit the program and return to the operating system (DOS or WINDOWS), the slideset files become vulnerable to erasure just like any other files on your disc. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 5 SOFTWARE AND FILES ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ Microscope Ver 2.0 consists of a suite of program files called .EXE files. These are supported by several other file types such as .QPL .DTA .CFG .LNG suffixed file names. Although most of the .EXE files may run if invoked independently, they are not designed nor tested to do this. All .EXE files (Program Modules) have been constructed to work around Microscope's main module called MSCOPE2.EXE which should always be invoked to start up the software. All other .EXE files are run transparently to the user by using 1 of five special buttons on Microscope's main screen; these are located as a vertical row beside and left of the AUX window. Files used to produce images, text, and references associated with slidesets utilised by Microscope are as follow:- *.MIC = Contains header information about the slideset type. *.SET = Contains references about each slide in a set. *.QPL = Contains all images in a library for the set. *.TUT = Contains Tutorial Text for 'STILL' slidesets. *.ANI = Contains Tutorial Text for 'ANIMATED' slidesets. When a slideset is INSTALLED, at least four of these files are copied into the MSCOPE directory and the header data from the .MIC file is placed into a special CONTROL DATABASE called MIC_CTRL.DTA to enable Microscope to be aware of what slidesets are available for use. At least 1 slideset must remain installed at all times which means the control database must always have at least one slideset name stored in it! A slideset must always have a .MIC .QPL .SET file present and either an .ANI (or) a .TUT file. THESE FILES MUST NEVER BE DELETED FROM THE DISK DIRECTLY - THE OPTION CALLED 'UNINSTALL', ACCESSIBLE FROM THE SLIDESET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, MUST ALWAYS BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE. ******************************* * VERSIONS and Serial Numbers * ******************************* Microscope was originally released as Version 1.0. The earlier version has no MOUSE control and is less powerful in most respects to Version 2.0. A SHAREWARE evaluation version is available but does not have the ability to use PROFESSIONAL slidesets designed for use by registered version owners only. A small range of SHAREWARE SLIDESETS have been made available to assist evaluation but they are created from simple samples taken from Professional sets. The shareware sets do not provide sufficiently detailed formal references for serious study and have insufficient scope to cover the wide range of Microscopy subjects. Users will require a fully registered and licensed copy of Microscope to obtain advantaged benefits, technical support, and access to all electronic slidesets. Owners of registered versions of Microscope are able to use Shareware slidesets to help them see SAMPLES of PROFESSIONAL slides. PROFESSIONAL SLIDESETS, containing quality pictures and formal accurate references, are only available to registered users. A serial number appears in the Aux window on Microscope's main screen at start-up. Any slight modifications made to version 2.0 will result in (and is therefore detectable by) a different number appearing here. The number represents the modification date in day/month/year order: later dates indicate the most recent modifications. In practice only minor modifications would be 'signalled' in this way. ************** * DISC SPACE * ************** Microscope is a fully developed comprehensive software product taking several years to develop and refine. Like other mainstream software packages, it requires a fair size of your hard disc space to store the core software files. At least 6 megabytes of space should be reserved for use of the core package and at least another 6 megabytes should be reserved if you wish to purchase and use additional slideset packs. Use the SLIDESET MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE and THE FLOPPY DISC INSTALLER features to retain slidesets you find useful and to free space for other applications. Microscope makes use of compressed image data in .QPL LIBRARY FILES. A single slideset can have a maximum of 50 separate images in its library yet the whole set, including the text, header, and reference information, will only occupy a maximum of 1.4 megabytes of disc space. This means you could have around 500 individual images on microscopical subjects stored on your hard disc at a cost of 10.5 megabytes of disc space. ************** * LANGUAGES * ************** Language translation files are discussed in CHAPTER 3 : SETUP. Please refer to this chapter. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 6 THE MAIN SCREEN ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ The main screen contains over 100 buttons and controls. At first you may be stunned by the proliferation of options and the high degree of user inter-activity allowed. The controls are neatly arranged into logical sets which, when understood, will greatly ease your learning and control. Individual controls are explained in the various help messages and screens. This section is designed to help you understand the logical grouping of the main controls. *************** * SCREEN PLAN * *************** Here is a loose plan of the main screen:- :-------------------------------------------------------------: :### ###### ====2==== ##0## ====3==== :===== ###4##: :### 1 = ########################## :=============: :### ###### = ########################## :===== 9 =====: :### ====== = ########################## :=============: :### ====== = ########################## :=============: :### ====== = ########################## :-------------: :#5# = 6 = = 7 ########## 8 ########### := : :### ====== = ########################## := : :### ====== = ########################## :=10 : :### ====== = ########################## := 11 : : = ########### 8a ########### := aux : :=12= ==13== = 7a ########################## : : : ============= ===== =================== ==== :-------------: : =====14====== ==15= ====== 16 ========= =17= ==18== : : ######################################################## == ; : ##################### 20 ############################### 19 : :-------------------------------------------------------------: Key :- #=DISPLAY :=BOUNDARY = equals BUTTON BLOCK ======= 0 = Logo to identify English/International Screen -not a button! 1 = Icons in top window indicate if original pictures were taken using an optical microscope or a scanning microscope for the slideset loaded. Icons in bottom window indicate whether set loaded is a still or animated slideset. 2 = HELP and WARNINGS Control buttons block. 3 = Configuration and settings plus FINI button block. 4 = Optical type and effect in use - display is in English only. 5 = Slideset Tray where set is visually loaded to. 6 = Video/Animated slideset buttons block. 7 = Indicators to slide detail control and display buttons. 7a= Indicators off/on and change style controls. 8 = Main viewing area where images are displayed. 8a= Slide name will flash to screen here when button called NAME is pressed. This button is in area 18 on the plan. 9 = Sampling Area and sampling control buttons to allow details to be taken from the slide on display and digitally doubled in size. 10= External Programs Access Buttons. Invokes support programs. Enables additional slidesets purchased from an increasing range to be installed from floppy distribution discs. 11= Auxiliary Window displays additional text or image data. For example to show diagrams, maps, geographical pictures, etc., to support slides on display in the viewer. 12= Levels indication. Identifies, for the slide on display, how many true magnification levels, focus levels, or positions a slide may be adjusted by. Different values will be put to the screen dependent on the slide being studied. 13= LOAD AND VIEW MAIN CONTROLS! 14= FOCUS, MAGNIFY, MOVE POSITION CONTROLS - only 1 of these three options is enabled for the slide on view, depending on what the pre-determined slide type is. THE TOP BUTTON IN EACH BLOCK RESETS IMAGE TO DEFAULT OF MINIMUM LEVEL. 15= LIGHT Intensity control. Top Button resets to default. 16= Optical control block. MAIN RESET BUTTON TO PUT LIGHT, OPTICAL FILTERS, POLARISATION, AND OPTICAL TYPE BACK TO THEIR DEFAULT VALUES. IT IS THE LONGEST BUTTON ANYWHERE ON THE SCREEN. USE THIS IF YOU GET CONFUSED BY MULTIPLE CHANGES TO THE SCREEN OR IMAGE. 17= Polarisation simulation controls. Sets greys to full colour and allows colour changes. Use in association with single colour select ( to the right of this control ) or to toggle between grey shades or colours. 18= Slideset name display area. 19= Text Control block TEXT ON/OFF TOP/BOTTOM status indicator. 20= Main Text area. Simple help messages (or) Tutorial file text is displayed in this area. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 7 THE CONTROLS ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ MICROSCOPE is mainly operated via on screen buttons by pointing at them with the mouse and clicking the left mouse button. Occasionally, you will need to use your keyboard to perform an operation. In these instances, messages on the screen will indicate which key to press; generally you will need to operate a number key from the top row of alpha-numeric keys on your keyboard. Most of the External Programs (Chapter 15) are not operated by the mouse and control of these will be via your keyboard. ************************** * THE ESCAPE KEY * ************************** The <escape> key on your keyboard can be used as a general PANIC key, allowing you to escape from things where you have not yet developed full understanding of the controls. There is ONE EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE: when you first start-up Microscope, you are given the option of accessing a brief tutorial on getting started with using MICROSCOPE for the PC. Pressing the <ESCAPE> key at this point will take you into the TUTORIAL ! ************************** * THE MOUSE : initiation * ************************** A mouse is known in Computer terms as a 'device'. All devices require special software to enable them to communicate effectively with different programs. To use your mouse with Microscope, it must be enabled prior to running the Microscope program : before entering MSCOPE2 from the keyboard. The Mouse software must be DOS compatible and NOT a 'WINDOWS' MOUSE driver. If you wish to run Microscope from Microsoft Windows you will not be able to - UNLESS A NON-WINDOWS MOUSE is established as active prior to starting-up windows. If this is done, you will be able to RUN Microscope from WINDOWS in a DOS session OR as normal from DOS. A DOS MOUSE is normally activated by a running a '.COM' file, for example- MOUSE.COM! This command may be included as part of your autoexec.bat file found in the root directory of your disc. You can have two MOUSE drivers active; one for DOS and a different one for WINDOWS. If you intend to run Microscope straight from DOS instead of from Windows, then these matters should not cause you any problems, especially if you normally use a mouse with your DOS programs. ************************************************** * THE MOUSE - Left Button/Right Button/Moving it * ************************************************** * LEFT BUTTON * THE LEFT MOUSE BUTTON is clicked to operate the on-screen controls. Simply point the cursor at the desired control and click on the left mouse button briefly. An audible click from your PC's loud-speaker will be heard unless you have decided to disable the audible click using the CFG control (See Chapter 4). To ensure Microscope works in a slick efficient way, responding rapidly to the on-screen controls, the software does not check to see if you have released the left-mouse button after you have depressed it. Instead, a time delay is invoked each time you use the left-mouse button: this disables subsequent left-button operations for a tiny fraction of time. The delay period can be adjusted to optimise performance by using the CFG on-screen button -(See Chapter 4). If the delay is very short, you will experience difficulties on a fast PC: on-screen controls will repeatedly operate faster than the time you take to release the mouse button. If this happens on your PC, set the MOUSE RESPONSE time to a slower level by using Microscope's CFG facility. When scrolling animated slideset text, holding down the left-mouse button may cause the cursor to disappear from the screen until you release the button: this is normal! * RIGHT BUTTON * The right mouse button is used to identify the purpose of any on-screen control. Simply point the cursor at the button on Microscope's main screen and depress the right mouse button to see a brief description about the control's function. YOU MUST KEEP THE RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON DEPRESSED : releasing it causes the message line to vanish until the right mouse button is held down again. * MOUSE MOVEMENT when ANIMATIONS are 'RUNNING' * When you have an animated slideset loaded and 'running', the MOUSE will behave slightly differently than when used with a 'STILL' slideset. The mouse cursor will flash on and off the screen and the on-screen buttons may appear less responsive. As you move the Mouse, animations will PAUSE by themselves until you stop moving it; they will re-start shortly after the mouse becomes still. During the PAUSED period, the on-screen buttons will become very responsive again allowing you to easily operate one of the controls. Therefore, the best way to operate the Microscope's controls when running a video sequence, is by moving the mouse quickly to point at the control and then clicking on the left mouse button before the animation restarts. HOLDING DOWN THE LEFT OR RIGHT MOUSE BUTTON WHEN THE MOUSE CURSOR IS IN THE SLIDE VIEWING AREA WILL PAUSE THE ANIMATION: THIS IS USEFUL FOR POINTING AT DETAILS IN THE VIDEO IMAGE. If you wish to view an animated slide without it continually pausing, the best policy is to take your hand away from the mouse since even the slightest twitch from you will interrupt the sequence. ************************************************** * THE MOUSE - TRAPPED IN A BOX * ************************************************** You are free to move the mouse cursor to any position on the screen most of the time. Three exceptions exist:- (1) When you load a new slideset, a directory window opens IN in the bottom left corner of the screen. The mouse is intentionally trapped in the window until you click the left mouse button to either select a new slideset or to abort. PRESSING THE ESCAPE KEY WILL ALSO PERFORM AN ABORT and release the mouse cursor from the directory window. (2) When you TURN ON the SAMPLE option, the mouse cursor is trapped in the top right box - called the SAMPLING AREA - until you operate the SAMPLE OFF button in the centre of the sampling area. PRESSING ESCAPE will also force the SAMPLING to turn off (if on) and release the cursor from the box. (3) When any new window opens to display help or to ask you to press a key to select an option, the mouse cursor will be trapped in the new window until you press one of the keys described by the text in the window. PRESSING THE ESCAPE KEY will abort and release the mouse cursor from the window. ************************************************** * RESET to DEFAULT buttons * ************************************************** MICROSCOPE has many controls to allow experienced users to study slide images with tools that enhance viewing and reveal hidden detail. The combined effect of these tools may cause NEW users to become 'lost' with regard to restoring an image to its normal (DEFAULT) viewing state. Several controls are therefore provided to perform a rapid return to default conditions:- THE MAIN RESET BUTTON is the longest button on the screen. It is located below the main viewing area in a central screen position along with the buttons to control filters and optical types. Operating this button will reset LIGHT INTENSITY to default values, turn off all COLOUR FILTERS (RED,BLUE,GREEN), turn off POLARISATION (if on), and switch the OPTICAL TYPE to NORMAL (if currently set to a non-normal OPTICAL TYPE). WHAT IT WILL NOT DO: it will not reset EFFECTS. To RESET EFFECTS and remove CONTOUR and RELIEF IMAGING, operate the EFFECTS RESET button: this is located to the right of the longest button on the same block. Negative imaging (inverse grey) selected by operating the lower right button in this central button block is reset to positive image only by operating the POSITIVE IMAGE button. This is adjacent to the NEGATIVE image button. ALL THE TOP BUTTONS IN EACH OF THE CONTROL BUTTON BLOCKS BELOW THE VIEWING AREA ARE RESET BUTTONS. STARTING WITH THE LONGEST BUTTON DESCRIBED ABOVE, YOU CAN QUICKLY RESET MOST VIEWING OPTIONS BY CLICKING ON THESE TOP BUTTONS working from centre to left across the screen. In practice, the slide on view will be one of three types or else an animated slideset, therefore you need only to RESET the appropriate SLIDE TYPE - FOCUS, MAGNIFY, OR STAGE/MOVE - to replace the image with the lowest level e.g. the lowest magnification image for a MAGNIFY TYPE. (REFER to CHAPTER 12 for better understanding of SLIDE TYPES). (REFER to CHAPTER 15 for more on OPTICAL TYPES). ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 8 HELP ---------------------------------------------------------------- Microscope has many help screens. The help facility for the main module (Microscope) can be configured to be either auto-displaying or manually-called. The Microscope main screen contains a HELP control block with several buttons to manage the HELP facility. Click on the button marked 'A' to set to Auto. Click on the button marked 'M' to set to Manual. ******** * Auto * ******** When set to 'A' (Auto), help messages will appear automatically if you operate a control to perform an inappropriate action. The Auto-display feature can be further configured to behave in an intelligent way: help will be displayed automatically only when you make the same mistake twice. This can prove useful after you have become more familiar with operating Microscope for the PC. Please refer to the section on CONFIGURABLE OPTIONS for more detail on how to select INTELLIGENT AUTO-HELP. ********** * Manual * ********** When set to 'M' (Manual), help messages will appear only when you demand them by clicking on the main HELP button or the associated scroll HELP buttons. On the International Screen, the MAIN HELP BUTTON is identified by the icon of three large question marks. On the English Screen, the Help button is labelled as HELP. In both modes of operation the help messages are 'tuned' to the action associated with the last control you operated. For example, if you clicked on the LIGHT button and then clicked on the HELP button - you would receive help messages explaining the use of the Light Control. ******************* * Navigating Help * ******************* Once the HELP window has opened and a message is displayed, you can use the buttons in the Window Top Bar to navigate the help file. Clicking on either arrow button moves you up or down the help file, a page at a time. You cannot explicitly request help on a specific topic. Instead, you should operate a control button on the main screen (the one associated with the subject you wish to know more about) and then operate the Help button. Note: The mouse cursor is trapped in the HELP window until the FINI button located in the Window Top Bar is operated. The ESCAPE key on your keyboard can also be used to FINI (FINIsh) using help, releasing the mouse cursor from the window. Possible problems:- =================== Help Button clicked but no help message appears. Causes & possible solutions:- (1) Help may be set to 'Intelligent' option if this happens. The Microscope software may be expecting only to give HELP after you have tried using an option a few times: try clicking on the last control used again and then click on the HELP button to receive a message. Help Messages are not appearing automatically:- Causes & possible solutions:- (1) You may have used the CFG button to turn HELP permanently to Manual use only: use the CFG option to reset HELP to AUTO or INTELLIGENT. (2) You may have turned off AUTO-HELP on the Main Screen : click on the tiny button labelled 'A' in the HELP block to toggle HELP back to the AUTO-display mode ******************* * FLASHED HELP * ******************* QUICK HELP messages can be turned OFF or ON. When ON, if you click on a button or control which cannot perform it's function, you will receive a one-line help message on the screen. This will appear for the duration of time configured when using the the CFG button. The message will suggest one or more reasons why your request cannot be complied with - e.g. you may have requested to turn on the SAMPLE option while an animated slideset is still 'running' (which is not allowed). After you become familiar with using Microscope, these one line messages may irritate you. Use the button marked '!' to toggle off/on. This way, with the feature OFF, you will only get a warning beep but can always toggle the option ON and retry an operation if you don't understand why the software refuses to comply with your request. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 9 Video and Animated Slidesets ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ ANIMATED SLIDESETS are short video clips of between 2 to 40 frames. They will be accompanied with a text file (.ANI) which may contain from 5 to 36 lines of text. Unlike STILL slidesets, you cannot use the Slide Selector to pick out individual frames for viewing: the selector shrinks after loading an animated set to remind you of this. Instead, to view a specific frame from the sequence as a still image, simply STOP the animation on the desired frame. Most of Microscope's other features, like the sampling option can then be used. Some of the options used on STILL slidesets cannot be used on a 'running' animated sequence UNLESS YOU STOP IT FIRST! Pausing is different from 'Stopping', and a paused animated slideset is still unable to have options like 'Sampling' applied to it. Text, explaining the detail of an animated slideset, is only visible while the sequence is 'running'. When you stop the video, the text window clears to display default messages until the animated slideset is restarted. ************************************* * Running Negative Image Animations * ************************************* STILL slidesets can be viewed as positive or negative images by using the two buttons in the lower right of the large button block below the viewing area. When you start running an animated slideset, the image is 'forced' back into to displaying a POSITIVE representation of the slide, even if you had previously selected NEGATIVE viewing! To see animated slidesets running IN NEGATIVE FORM: click on the NEGATIVE OPTICAL TYPE button. This is located as the left-most button of the optical-type select buttons; also located on the button block - central and below the main viewing area (See Chapter 13 for OPTICAL TYPES). Note: When viewing animated slidesets with NEGATIVE optical type enabled, the background colour, normally held to BLACK, will automatically be RELEASED, allowing the background to assume a correct colour shade if a red, green, or blue day- light filter, is active. Also, the entire screen - including all controls, display neons, text and icons will switch to display inverted (or negative) shades and colours; this is NOT a program malfuction! ************ * JOGGING * ************ The jog control enables you to run a shorter sequence from the animated set. Simply switch on the Jog option where you wish to concentrate on a specific piece from the sequence, and use the JOG EXPAND and JOG REDUCE controls next to the JOG ON/OFF toggle to widen or restrict how many frames to animate. Remember to turn off the JOG option prior to loading another animated set or you may think the new set has a very short sequence. When 'jogging', the sequence runs alternatively back and forth several frames either side of the Jog reference point; (the frame on view when you toggled JOG ON). You may use the PLAY FORWARD and PLAY REVERSE buttons to shift the Jog reference point to an earlier or later position in the sequence. ****************** * NO INDICATORS * ****************** Animated sets, unlike STILL sets, do not use indicators to pick out specific details from the image and associate them with text references. Normally, animated sets are distributed along with still sets as part of a pack on a topic or subject. The pack will include still images with 'indicated' details to supplement knowledge gained observing the animated sequence. ****************** * TIME LAPSE * ****************** Animated sets may be in real-time (filmed at a rate equal to the natural time of an event) or in compressed or expanded time. Compressed time means that an original event may have taken several minutes, hours, or days to complete but the filmed event is viewed in a few seconds. This is achieved by taken regular photos or video shots of the event at frequent intervals, every hour for example, and then combining them into a sequence which plays-back in a much shorter time. Expanded time means the reverse : events happening in very brief moments are captured rapidly on film and then played back very slowly, seemingly expanding the time taken for an event to occur, and making it easier to see what happens. Microscope's Professional slidesets make use of both techniques to assist understanding and learning. References to real-time periods for these sequences can normally be found in the text files which form part of a set. Note: SEE CHAPTER 4 for issues on configuring Microscope and your PC to run animated slidesets efficiently. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 10 VIEWING SLIDESETS ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ 'Still' and 'animated' slidesets are seen by taking one of the slides from the tray and placing it into the viewing area. The first slide of an animated set is loaded into the viewer to start the sequence running. 'Still' slides, once they are loaded into the slideset tray from disc, are selected by using the slide selector to mark which one will be called into the viewing area when the VIEW button is clicked. If you are using the International Screen, this button is identified by the presence of a PAIR OF EYES icon. Help screens seen when using Microscope provide details on using the VIEW and SLIDE-SELECTOR controls therefore further discussion here is unnecessary. Instead, this chapter provides assistance on how to interpret slides: a skill often acquired more by practice then by being taught. ******************************************** * Mental Modelling and Interpreting Images * ******************************************** The real world is composed (in simple terms) of matter with three-dimensional properties, that is - they appear as solid forms to human eyes. When we begin to look more closely at this matter, we find - as we move down into the microscopic realm - that solid form is created by something unexpected: we see many small elements of matter existing in close proximity to each Stability of an object normally depends upon the organisation and compatibility of its components. This is true of both living and non-living things! It is important when using an optical microscope to remember not only to view a subject with the eye, but with the mind as well. There is a mental leap required by you to understand Microscopical images. You have to appreciate that in most cases you will be looking at a VERY THIN SLICE of three-dimensional matter, so thin in fact, it appears to the unaided eye almost two-dimensional. Imagine a giant with a huge microscope wanting to study a football. The giant is given a slice from the ball to use in his/her microscope. What the giant sees when looking through the lens is basically two circles, one inside the other: these mark the inner and outer surface of the ball. If the giant has never seen a whole football and had only been given this one slice, he would need to use his mind to imagine what the three-dimensional object looks like. Of course, if the giant was given successive slices from the ball, smaller or larger pairs of circles would be discovered; providing more clues for a mental image to be constructed. Now imagine if the first slice had been taken from the very edge of the football, where the valve is embedded. If the giant was never given any more slices, his mental image of a football would be of something round with a long tube passing through the middle of it, possibly from one side to the other: an imperfect model of the real object! This little story should be remembered when studying Microscope for the PC's slide images. It will help you to understand how to create mental three-dimensional representations of the subjects you study. ************************** * Simulated Optical Aids * ************************** A real optical microscope can be fitted with devices to aid image interpretation. Mainly, these would come in the form of different lens systems incorporating prisms. One such example is known as the NOMARSKI optical system. This has an EFFECT of making objects appear 'raised' or 'embossed' (imagine looking at a footprint in the sand) and therefore presents an almost three-dimensional image to the observer. Microscope for the PC includes similar tools known as EFFECTS to provide simulation of the optical microscope functionality. Different optical types are also selectable: high contrast optics, graphic optics along with normal and negative-viewing. When combined with either the CONTOUR or RELIEF effects, the POLARISER, or the various colour filters, the OPTICAL TYPES will offer many alternate views of a single image. (NOTE: Please see Chapter 13 for more on OPTICAL TYPES.) You should experiment with these along with different light levels. The more you use these tools, the better you will become at extracting the maximum information from an image. You will quickly discover that using certain combinations of these aids work better with some subjects than with others. For example, the RELIEF EFFECT does not enhance images of insects very well, nor does it work well with highly digitally-focused images - but it can work wonders on low contrast images of muscle tissue, plant stems, and similar subjects with big discrete components. Effectiveness of the colour polariser is greatly enhanced when used in conjunction with the CONTOUR EFFECT due to the 'effect' adding in dark black lines at the boundaries of coloured areas, - often making clear division between different cell areas very discernible. ************************ * Magnification Levels * ************************ Images used in Microscope for the PC may have been through several different processes in their creation (see chapter 11 for more on 'Image Sourcing'). The final magnification level in relative terms, as seen on your monitor, are not definable since different size monitors will produce varying image sizes. Also, some of the processes involve using both optical and electronic tools to manipulate the image size. Each slide is therefore represented with a magnification level based on an estimate of the original powers used to capture an image at the microscope. Thus if a mix of 16x eyepiece lens was used with a 10x objective, the overall magnification level is declared as 160x. In practice, different cameras - themselves with different lens systems - may confound accurate assessment of this value. The magnification level shown on Microscope's main screen should be considered as a guide only! ************************ * Image Quality * ************************ The quality of images used in Microscope for the PC depends on many factors: optical equipment used at source, slide preparation, lighting arrangement of original subjects, magnification levels, processing techniques, and finally - the image format used on your PC. Slideset pictures are made to conform to 16 grey shades (quite a low resolution on current PCs). The image is processed in a way designed to maximise the use of so few shades to represent a photo-quality picture. Without this technique, the image resolution would suffer appreciably and would probably result with picture standards which would not provide sufficient detail. The technique has a beneficial effect on grey-scale images but a detrimental one on colour pictures. When you use the polariser to produce colour, this becomes apparent! Microscope is designed to produce the best picture quality with grey-scale imaging. Registered Users will have opportunity to obtain full colour digital images for PC use and Video Tapes for real-time playback as part of a range of support products. These are discussed further in Chapter 20. The use of video cameras when filming an original slide under a microscope may result in a slight grid-like pattern appearing in Microscope for the PC slides; this is normally noticeable in areas of the image devoid of any substance (e.g where light shows through most). This is probably due to the camera using a charge-coupled-device (ccd) and the digital-sampling method employed. When using Microscope for serious study, it is best to be aware of this to avoid misinterpretating slide details. On a similar note, optical microscopy requires clean lens and environment: the slightest speck of dust on the surface of a lens will produce false details in an image. Some of the images used in slides for Microscope for the PC may often contain spurious blobs, shadows, and specks especially where magnification levels are in excess of 440x. After a little practise, you will soon learn to identify false image information of this kind and dismiss it. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 11 Slide Types and Image Sources ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************ * Overview * ************ Slides used in Microscope for the PC are electronic, that is - they consist of magnetically stored information in digital form. Future slides may possibly take advantage of improvements to new data-retention mediums such as Optical discs, CD roms etc., Original images used to create electronic slides come from several sources: video or still photography of living subjects, or by the similar methods applied to specimens studied with a real optical microscope. Source material may be owned by Molcol Software or other parties. Permission is obtained from third parties to use other peoples material for electronic conversion. Slides can also be created from images obtained through the use of electron scanning microscopes or from physical explorations into living tissue using optical fibres linked to cameras. ****************** * SLIDE TYPES * ****************** Groups of electronic slides covering a specific topic are organised into a structure called a slideset. One slideset may consist of upto 40 individual images plus a maximum of 10 other pictures to provide additional reference material. Each slide in a 'STILL' set may have a single characteristic out of three possible options. The possible choices are : focus, magnify, and stage (also called MOVE). These define how a slide image may be further enhanced when loaded into Microscope's viewing area. It is possible for a slide to have 'mixed' characteristics, for example - it can be both a magnify AND a focus slide at the same time. This can cause confusion and is therefore normally avoided; in most cases, a slide will be a MAGNIFY type or one of the other types only. During the creation of a slideset, the subject in each slide is carefully considered with a view to how it can be best presented within Microscope for the PC. Some subjects, such as plant stems, are better presented as a series of images at low to middle powers of magnification, while other subjects - seen normally under high power magnification - are better presented as FOCUS types. Photographs or video film is then taken, with the resulting pictures being digitally sampled and processed. If the original images are taken at a real Microscope at different magnification levels or degrees of focus, then final digital pictures will retain their resolution and detail. If however, focusing or magnification is performed DIGITALLY, pictures derived from the base image will not be any better 'resolved' than the base image. For example: a real slide of a plant stem can be filmed at 40x and 100x magnification, sampled, and displayed on screen; the 100x image here will have improved resolution. Compare this with filming the same plant stem at 40x, sampling it, and then doubling its size with computer processes to produce a second image of 80x magnification; in this case, the 80x image does not possess improved resolution: the dots are just made bigger! Computer processing of slide images to improve focus and obtain sharper detail is a powerful aid when converting real images for use in Microscope for the PC. Note: this technique may have been used on many slides without formal declaration in their associated text files. ****************** * SPECIAL NEEDS * ****************** MOLCOL SOFTWARE in the United Kingdom are happy to consider converting any suitable material into Microscope for the PC format. Maybe you realise the opportunity this software has in a training or educational environment. Possibly, you have material in a different form which could be more readily taught if converted for use with Microscope for the PC. This can be done inexpensively - sometimes with no cost to you at all: for example - if you agree that Molcol Software can make the new slidesets available to other users. Note: Microscope for the PC can provide first class learning opportunity to people who, perhaps through disability, have difficulty operating a real Microscope. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 12 Light and Filters ---------------------------------------------------------------- Real microscopes employ natural light or/and artificial light, either illuminating a subject from beneath or by a method of overhead lighting. Microscope for the PC has a back-light (under -lighting) which can be intensity adjusted. The default light type is Halogen light-source which equates to using artificial light on a real subject in a real instrument. The daylight filter can be selected. This is, in fact a blue filter. When enabled with the filter-intensity set to its lowest level, the slide on view will appear equal in tone to a real subject lit by natural light. Increasing the filter intensity will result in loss of true daylight emulation and increase the blueness of the lighting. Note: The filter intensity control will only work when a light-type filter other than the default of halogen is selected. ******************** * Black Background * ******************** When using a light-filter other than the default halogen type, the screen background colour is LOCKED to BLACK. This may result with black patches appearing in images. The background is deliberately held in this way to optimise screen clarity and layout. The button marked with a KEY ICON can be used to toggle on/off the background lock: operating this control once will release the black background allowing it to assume the darkest shade of the selected colour range. Operate the button again to re-lock the background to black! The background lock/unlock status is taken over by the software when you select the NEGATIVE OPTICAL TYPE - preventing manual operation of the lock/unlock background option until another OPTICAL TYPE is selected; this is to ensure animated slidesets can be viewed without false black patches appearing when running a video sequence. (Please see more about OPTICAL TYPES in Chapter 13). ******************** * LIGHT PRIORITY * ******************** Use of the light controls will automatically reset polarised colours back to grey shades. The polariser is considered a transitory option. When combining the application of tools, always use the light control first to set light levels before using the polariser ***************** * LIGHT DEFECTS * ***************** The combined use of camera lenses and optical microscope lenses may occasionally produce light halos or round darker patches in a final image; this can become accentuated during the process of digital conversion. It is good to be aware of this so that new-comers to electronic Microscopy do not misinterpret these elements as belonging to the subject under study. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 13 OPTICAL TYPES ---------------------------------------------------------------- You can turn Microscope for the PC to emulate several different microscopes by selecting one of the 4 optical types. In fact you can extend Microscope for the PC's capability beyond what can be accomplished with a real instrument in some aspects. An example of this is NEGATIVE viewing, where - at the click of a button you transform the entire image into its inverse colour range or grey-shades. By combining one of the four different optical types with other optical tools, like CONTOUR and RELIEF effects, you broaden the range of simulations possible. The four buttons used for selecting optical types are located beneath the longest button (width-wise) just below the main viewing area. Each button is marked with a strange-looking symbol which attempts to symbolise a lens, prism, light arrangement. These are described in the help screens: the right- most one selects NORMAL OPTICS, the next left selects PHASE CONTRAST emulation (called simply CONTRAST in this software), the next left is called GRAPHIC, and the last left is NEGATIVE. Their use is apparent through these names, except possibly the GRAPHIC type. This simplifies the degree of contrast between shades of grey, often making a subject easier to understand. This is useful when drawing a copy of the slide-specimen onto paper especially where a student is shading the main regions of a 'busy' slide, for example: a tissue sample! You should remember these optical types are emulations. The CONTRAST type, for example, represents using PHASE CONTRAST techniques in real Microscopy. In practice, the emulation may be quite different from results produced using real optics in real instruments: however, they are still useful tools when applied to electronic slides in Microscope for the PC's environment. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 14 TRANSITIONAL EFFECTS and POLARISER ---------------------------------------------------------------- The EFFECTS are VERY POWERFUL visual aids which should be used frequently when studying specimens in Microscope for the PC slidesets. The help screens, seen when running the software, explain more about these tools. This chapter explains WHEN and WHY to use EFFECTS AND THE POLARISER, and HOW they can prove to be serious study aids. Two REAL (special) EFFECTS can be applied to an image. These are termed 'TRANSITIONAL' because they will automatically switch off when you take any action that 'changes-out' the image in the viewer: for example - when you FOCUS, MAGNIFY, or LOAD another slide from the tray into the viewer. This is deliberate to prevent you accidentally leaving an EFFECT turned on and then thinking the slide on view (altered by the EFFECT) is a natural representation of the real specimen. ***************************** * CONTOUR EFFECT and colour * ***************************** The CONTOUR effect will attempt to produce lines at the borders of highly contrasting areas on a subject. This can help identify where different type cell-groups exist in tissue slides. It also helps you to differentiate between areas of different organic constitution. The following will clarify:- Real specimens are subjected to staining techniques to reveal chemical or organic structures. Different dyes (chemicals) tend to react with some living structures and not with others - thus some cells will absorb one colour while rejecting another. Good staining techniques will produce highly contrasting coloured areas in a specimen. Slides used in Microscope for the PC, when converted to grey- shades from full-colour images, will often still retain this fundamental indication of separation (and thus clues) from the original stained specimen. For example: a real specimen with areas stained red and blue will appear in Microscope for the PC as an image with dark, almost black, areas (representing the red), and very light-grey areas where the subject was stained 'blue' in the original slide. he CONTOUR effects feature can help enhance this separation. Also, when used with the POLARISER, the resulting image appears more detailed and more dramatic in comparison to using the polariser on its own. ****************************************** * Human Perception and the RELIEF EFFECT * ****************************************** In the world of Microscopists, opinion on the use and benefits of Nomarski-phase differential technique is often divided: the technique imparts a 3D or relief-type effect to specimens being studied. Purists of observation argue that the technique creates an illusory or 'unreal' effect, thereby leading to false representation of the subject. Others argue the 'effect' (real or not) aids the mind to perceive 'thickness' in, what otherwise appears to be - flat, two dimensional subjects : most specimens appearing two-dimensional when viewed through a traditional optical microscope! The author of Microscope for the PC (me) believes this effect to be beneficial to novices and most non-novices alike, since it constantly reminds the observer - sometimes quite stunningly - of the 3 dimensional nature of all microscopic structures. This can aid the mind to see what the eye cannot! MICROSCOPE for the PC therefore includes an effect to try and reproduce the advantage of this illusion(?). If you doubt its benefit, try using it on one of the slides on Plant Stems in GUIDE01 slideset to realise the potential for reinforcing the idea of 'thickness'. (Guide01.set is issued with all packs of version 2,0). The effect has been termed 'RELIEF'. It works well with some subjects and not so well with others. It tends to make structures rich in reflected light on one side and dark with shadow on the other: akin to observing buildings, craters, and mountains from an aeroplane at sunset as opposed to seeing them at high noon! Essentially then, the RELIEF EFFECT accentuates thickness and form. You will need to adjust the light intensity when this effect is turned on to optimise the viewing advantage. ************************ * THE POLARISER * ************************ In real Microscopy, polarisers are used to reveal additional information from a specimen though the use of colour: different materials produce different colours when exposed to polarised light. The study of rocks, minerals, and crystals is greatly improved using polarised light microscopy. The emulated polariser in microscope for the PC cannot compete with this truly wonderful aid. Instead, the polariser is used to bring colour to the grey-shade slides. This produces images which are stunning and beautiful. The polariser can help to reveal hidden detail in some slides. Several buttons allow the colours to change (as though turning a polariser-analyser in a real microscope) and single colours can be reset to grey or altered to other colours. The polariser produces dramatic results when used in conjunction with the CONTOUR EFFECT feature, and less dramatic (but still interesting ) when used with the RELIEF EFFECT. Note: Polariser is auto-toggled off, by the software itself, when you adjust light levels, select/adjust a light-filter or change the microscope type: this is correct operation of the software. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 15 THE EXTERNAL PROGRAMS ---------------------------------------------------------------- ************************* * THE EXTERNAL PROGRAMS * ************************* Their are five programs supporting the main Microscope Program Module. These are executed or accessed as already described earlier. A brief outline of their purpose is included below for anyone wishing to understand a bit more about the Software's technical detail:- EXE FILE = BRUNEL2.EXE BUTTON ICON = A Microscope OBJECTIVE = To demonstrate a range of real Microscopes available and to promote the purchase of a real instrument. Controls access to the BRUNEL electronic catalogue. NOTES:- Non-English versions of Microscope may not contain translations of the catalogue, however the different Microscope types are visible and provide a useful learning experience. EXE FILE = OPTICALX.EXE BUTTON ICON = A Smiley face. OBJECTIVE = To demonstrate the basic controls of a real Microscope and to allow a gateway to future modules describing how to use a real instrument. NOTES:- Non-English versions of Microscope may not contain translations of this module. It has been retained for Program Integrity. This program is also known as the OPTICAL COMPANION MODULE 1. Further modules may be added in the future to develop a complete and comprehensive companion to real Microscope Users. Registered users of Microscope for the PC will be advised if this happens. EXE FILE = MIC2FLOP.EXE BUTTON ICON = A simplified picture of a floppy disc. OBJECTIVE = To enable new slidesets distributed by floppy discs to be installed onto the hard disc and enabled for use. NOTE: this is for use with PRO slideset packs only. Shareware sets are compressed and therefore require you follow READ.ME file instructions on the distrubution discs to enable installation. See Chapter 23. NOTES:- Read.me files which may possibly exist on the distribution discs are not copied onto the hard disc. Version 1.0 users upgrading to version 2.0 no longer need to invoke GO.EXE, originally distributed with every slideset pack, to install slidesets. EXE FILE = MIC_CTRL.EXE BUTTON ICON = DBF OBJECTIVE = To enable slidesets to be installed, uninstalled in the control database. To allow trouble-shooting when (if?) slidesets do not work properly in the Main Microscope software. NOTES:- This module will also show which slidesets exist in the Mscope directory and can provide an alternative way of installing new sets distributed by floppy discs: files from floppy discs can be manually copied from the distribution discs into the Mscope directory for Mic_ctrl.exe to install in the control database. EXE FILE = SETUP.EXE BUTTON ICON = Cartoon of person's head with word balloon. OBJECTIVE = To enable different languages called .LNG files to be used making Microscope universal. Also resets all parameters configured with the CFG BUTTON in Microscope's main screen to default values. Selects English or International screen. NOTES:- Automatically detects and enables any language files present in the MSCOPE directory for use with Microscope. Different language files can be added by purchasing them separately. SPECIAL NOTE:- ============== TO QUIT ANY EXTERNAL PROGRAM AND RETURN TO MICROSCOPE: you can normally press the ESCAPE key several times when running an external program to accomplish this. Some of the EXTERNAL programs are in ENGLISH only and it may therefore be difficult for non-English speakers to understand how to exit from the external module; the escape key exit option should provide a natural 'escape-route' in these cases. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 16 SAMPLING ---------------------------------------------------------------- ***************** * OVERVIEW * ***************** It can be an advantage to compare details from one slide with those of another. Also, some details are very small and can be difficult to see if an observer is at a distance from the monitor, which can often be the case in a classroom environment where a single PC may be used by several pupils at the same time. In such instances, it would be an advantage to 'blow-up' details from the slide to make them more visible over a distance or even just to assist normal study. A feature has been included in Microscope for the PC to fulfil both these needs. It is call 'SAMPLING'. Operate the SAMPLE ON button to enter a 'sampling' session and the SAMPLE OFF button to finish 'sampling' and access the normal controls again. The mouser cursor is trapped inside the Sample box when SAMPLE is ON, until you turn sampling off or press the ESCAPE key. Note: International Screen has OFF buttons indicated by a cross and ON buttons indicated by a tick. *************** * 1X Sampling * *************** Small details from any slide on view can be copied to one of the three windows in the top right corner of the main screen. You can continue to 'sample' image details either from the same slide or another slide until the three storage windows are full. If you wish to take another sample, you will to need to make room for it by clearing (trashing) one of the existing samples from a storage window. For example: you can take a sample from the image when CONTOUR EFFECT is on and compare it to one taken with the EFFECT OFF. Samples can be shifted from one storage window to another by using the 'shuffle' button. This will help you place samples side by side for direct comparison. *************** * 2X Sampling * *************** There is only a single storage area for samples taken at 2x. When this is full, you will need to 'trash' the sample to take another section of detail from the slide. Two times sampling merely 'blows-up' a section of the image. This will not give finer resolution then the main slide image and may look fairly 'pixilated' (like its made up of tiny squares). You can smooth this effect by switching on the alternate 2x sample quality- select option - the 'smooth' feature - before taking the sample. Two buttons exist to switch between 'chunky' and 'smooth' quality sampling. The 'smooth' option will produce a more life- like image although it will appear less focused than a sample taken with 'chunky' quality selected. NOTE: IT IS BEST TO TURN OFF ALL INDICATORS PRIOR TO TAKING ANY SAMPLES. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 17 AUXILIARY WINDOW ---------------------------------------------------------------- The Auxiliary Window (AUX) opens and closes under control of the software. Different slides in any set may have other images associated with them to support educational content. For example, if a slide of a mosquito was in the viewer then the aux window may open to show a world map depicting mosquito-inhabited areas. Not every slide in a set will have AUX images. Some sets will have no auxiliary images! Animated slidesets do not use the AUX window. If you operate the AUX button, you will simply see a few lines of text: this identifies the version and status of Microscope for the PC along with current memory-spare values for your PC. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 18 PROBLEMS ---------------------------------------------------------------- It is difficult to predict what problems (if any) you are likely to encounter using Microscope for the PC. Unless bugs in the program code exist, and they shouldn't - considering the extensive testing done on the final code - most problems are likely to be caused by files being accidentally deleted by you outside of Microscope's environment. You should be able to identify this by using the SLIDESET MANAGEMENT OPTION, accessed from the Microscope main screen by clicking on the DBF button next to the AUX window. Other types of trouble are likely to be caused either by misunderstanding the software's performance and purpose or by an incorrectly configured environment for Microscope to run in on your PC. Listed below are some likely circumstances which may arise and cause trouble, along with brief notes on what to do to cure the problem. After trying the solutions suggested here, or in error messages received when running Microscope - if you still cannot solve your difficulties then please write, fax, or phone us (MOLCOL SOFTWARE). The more you tell us, the more likely we will be able to help. You should include a printed copy of your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS FILES in your query to us, along with your name, address, telephone and - if you have one - a fax number. A 24hr auto-voice-fax system will take your call. If outside the UK, it may be better to raise your query with your local MAIN distributor, who will forward the problem on to us quickly by fax. ****************************** * Problem / Solution Listing * ****************************** General problems may be caused by one or more of the following:- (1) Insufficient FILES and BUFFERS reserved in your CONFIG.SYS file. Solution: You should include the following lines in your config.sys file:- BUFFERS=15 FILES=20 Note: you may be able to reduce these values but try them first to see if they clear the problem. - - - - - - (2) Microscope for the PC will not run on a NETWORK PC. Solution: Microscope is not designed to run on a network. If you can isolate the PC from the network and the PC has its own hard disc, processor, and memory (not a dumb terminal), then Microscope WILL RUN on it. Most PC's connected to a network can be isolated via the network software. - - - - - - (3) The Microscope Main Screen becomes scrambled. Solution: A .QPL file contains picture information. The file called MICPICS2.QPL contains Microscope'S Main images. If it becomes corrupt, the main screen will look wrong. Copy this file back into the MSCOPE directory from the floppy distribution discs. It may be a good idea to re-install the software in case other files have been corrupted. - - - - - - (4) Slideset files exist in the correct directory but Microscope refuses to load them. Solution: If a slideset file is deleted from outside of Microscope's environment, a new ZERO length file may be created when attempting to load the set named in the control database. Use the SLIDESET MANAGEMENT feature and attempt to INSTALL the slideset. If the operation report's missing files, re-install the problem slideset FROM THE ORIGINAL DISTRIBUTION DISCS using Microscope's FLOPPY-DISC INSTALLER feature. - - - - - - (5) All messages and help screens appear in a language different to the one established using SETUP. Solution: Re-run SETUP.EXE by clicking on the SETUP button; this has an icon of a face with a word balloon. If this doesn't work, you may have some files wrongly named. For example, PO.LNG should contain PORTUGUESE text. Maybe the UK.LNG file or another *.LNG file has been renamed (incorrectly) to PO.LNG or whatever language file you should be using. Copy any *.LNG files back into the MSCOPE directory from your original distribution discs. - - - - - - (6) Slideset Text is in the wrong language. Solution: Either the slidesets you are using ARE for a different language version or (if you own more than 1 translation of slidesets) the files may have become mixed. Trying copying the alternate slideset files into the appropriate directory from the distribution discs. - - - - - - (7) Software fails on start-up before or after receiving 'Please wait, loading...' message. Solution: A file has been tampered with or has become corrupt. Most likely cause is corruption of the LANGUAGE (.LNG) file. Try copying this file into the MSCOPE DIRECTORY from the distribution discs. Re-install software if this fails. - - - - - - (8) Animation routines will not run fast enough. Solution: Start microscope using the /A switch (See Chapter 9 for more). If this fails and you have tried increasing speed with the appropriate button on the main screen, then - sorry: your PC setup is probably not capable of running FAST animations. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 19 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT: PICTURES AND VIDEOS ---------------------------------------------------------------- There will be people who would like to see full-colour pictures of Microscope for the PC slideset subjects. Registered Users will be able to obtain full-colour stand-alone pictures in PCX and other file formats. To show you what can be done, a colour picture in .pcx format is included with this software. It is deliberately reduced in size to save distribution disc space. The file is called sample.pcx file. You need other software capable of showing pcx files to see it. The quality will depend on your SVGA or VGA card in your PC. Molcol software will also be making video film available to support the material used in Microscope for the PC. These are likely to be of further benefit to users in educational environments. Contact MOLCOL SOFTWARE in the UK for further information. Anyone wishing to have specific material (which they own) converted to slidesets for use in Microscope for the PC, should contact Molcol Software to discuss their needs. We will be happy to try and help. If you would like to help in any other way, please write or fax us (Molcol Software) and tell us about it. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 20 ADVANCED USE : DUAL LANGUAGE ACCESS ---------------------------------------------------------------- READ THE CHAPTER called SET UP first and then read the rest of the text below. Microscope is designed to run in several different languages. If you wish to install the software on a single PC so that it can be used by students using different languages, then - PROVIDED YOU OBTAIN SLIDESETS AND LANGUAGE FILES FOR THE LANGUAGES YOU WISH TO EMPLOY - this is possible. Installation should be carried out as normal (see CHAPTER called SET UP) but after the Installation is completed, you should rename the MSCOPE directory as MSCOPE2. You must then re-install the software again. This will recreate the MSCOPE directory complete with all program files. Decide which directory will be used for which language, for example: MSCOPE for ENGLISH, and MSCOPE2 for PORTUGUESE. Ensure that the correct language file (*.LNG) exists in each directory even if this means copying all .LNG files in your possession into each directory. In this example, the file called UK.LNG needs to be in MSCOPE directory and PO.LNG in MSCOPE2 directory. From this moment on, all new slidesets must be installed in the appropriate directory only! Slidesets have the same file names, regardless of the language used in associated text files. There is no way of knowing, if you have 2 files called ANT.ANI, which is in English and which is in Portuguese - except by the labels on the distribution discs. Users speaking ENGLISH will access MSCOPE directory and run Microscope by entering MSCOPE2, whilst PORTUGUESE speakers will access MSCOPE2 directory and enter MSCOPE2 to run the program. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 21 CREDITS ---------------------------------------------------------------- MICROSCOPE FOR THE PC version 2.0 has taken several years of work to create and enhance. Work continues to advance the software further and extend the library of slidesets available even as you read this. Registered Users are likely to hear the good news first and will have access to further support and help - both in the home and in educational establishments. So much work cannot been done alone. Molcol Software has been supported by the co-operation and effort of many people, some still continuing to input their time, expertise and support. Many of those who have helped have done so out of their own love of Microscopy and have received nothing in return except the satisfaction of knowing they have helped to illuminate a truly incredible subject to others. It is hoped, through their un-selfish efforts, that many people around the world, young and old alike, will now have the chance to delve into the world of the very small; and hopefully, many people who never dreamt that owning a real microscope could provide so many hours of joy, will purchase one and join a special breed of people: an enlightened group - for they have witnessed the beauty and secrets of nature with their own eyes. Molcol Software would like to thank all those who have helped, too many to list here! Special thanks is given to the people below:- ALAN POTTER of BRUNEL MICROSCOPES (UK) for his advice and trust. KEN WILLETTS of PRC, FALMOUTH, UK. for PIXSHOW software, which enabled slick animation routines to be built! WILLIAM (BILL) ELLS of MAIDSTONE, KENT, UK for his impressive knowledge and donation of work on DESMIDS and ALGAE ALAN MAUDE of THE URSULINE CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL, Wimbledon, (UK) For his participation, help, and work on material for 'A' level curriculum students. DAVID WALKER of ASHFORD, MIDDLESEX, (UK) for donating material and work on POND-LIFE slidesets. MEMBERS OF THE POSTAL MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY, (UK) who kindly allowed conversion of their slides into electronic format and use with Microscope for the PC. THE VARIOUS REPUTABLE SHAREWARE VENDORS who were brave enough to add Ver 1.0 of Microscope for the PC to their libraries, when most of the world wanted 'killer' games. YVONNE ARTHUR (PORTUGAL) for burning the mid-night oil and grappling with difficult translations, and for her encouragement. ALL EXISTING USERS OF VERSION 1.0 AND 2.0 FOR BECOMING INVOLVED. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 22 SLIDESETS AVAILABLE ---------------------------------------------------------------- Shareware slideset packs are continuously released. Check with disc-vendors to see what sets they hold. Professional Slidesets for use only with registered Professional versions of Microscope 2.0 are likewise being made all the time. It is not feasible to list them all here as the list will be out of date by the time you read this manual. You can contact us, Molcol Software to find out what sets are available and if you are a registered user, you'll get lists periodically to keep you informed. Prices are around £5.00 a disc including postage etc., in the UK. Prices in other countries will be slightly higher due to distribution costs : check with local distributor. Minimum order of 2 discs due to bank charges. Here is a sample from the existing library of slidesets. Note that each entry is a slideset pack, consisting of 1 (or in most cases, many) slidesets covering a subject. Everday Objects - Pack 1 (Close up of everyday things we take (1 disc) for granted with important details regarding invention or discovery.) Wasp Warriors (Wasps described as air-warriors. (1 disc) Sting, defence and attack systems) Aphids and Ants (Ants farming aphids. Milking of (3 discs) aphids for honeydew. Blackfly, and greenfly aphids covered.) Parasites of Man & Beast 1 (Evocative sets, fleas, ticks, mites (1 disc) that feed off of humans. Flea is discussed in fine detail.) Garden Safari (Shield bugs, larvae, weevils, flies, (3 discs) Mosquito larvae, Cilliaphora found in a typical English garden - ideal for environment conservationists.) Bill Ells' Algae (A truly professional and highly (1 disc) informative pack covering algae and Desmids. Produced by William Ells, a leading authority in the UK on algae.) Dave Walker's Pond-life (Another first: rare sequences of (3 discs) Rotifer live birth. Stentors, Vorticelli, Rotifers from the remarkable work of David Walker on Pond-life.) Study Pack 2: Brine Shrimp (Ideal for the young student. Gives (1 disc) complete instructions on how to run experiment hatching Brine Shrimp. Compare stages of your experiment with those of the author. UK users get free brine eggs with pack.) Biology 'A' Level Pack 1 (Serious curriculum based slides on ( 2 discs) plant tissues. Produced in association with Alan Maude, Biology Teacher, Ursuline School, Wimbledon. Comes complete with additional full colour pictures for presentation out -side of Microscope's environment) Biology 'A' Level Pack 2 (Serious curriculum based slides on ( 2 discs) Animal tissues. Produced in association with Alan Maude, Biology Teacher, Ursuline School, Wimbledon. Comes complete with additional full colour pictures for presentation out -side of Microscope's environment) Diptera: Dolichopodidae (An excellent look at the long-legged (1 disc) flies - 4 different slidesets inc. 3 amazing animations.) The Amoeba (A comprehensive look at this popular (1 disc) single celled animal. Includes 2 fascinating long animated sequences of an amoeba crawling across a glass cover slip and 1 still slideset.) Introduction to Pond Life (A good starter pack for someone just (2 discs) begining to realise what an interesting area this is. Most towns have ponds filled with teaming life. Also an ideal pack for anyone having a garden pond of there own.) This ends the brief selection of some of the packs available! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter: 23 INSTALLING SHAREWARE SLIDESETS ---------------------------------------------------------------- Shareware slidesets are compressed into packs to squeeze as many slidesets as possiblee onto the distribution disc. A read.me file should be included on one of the distribution discs to advise you how to install the sets. You will not be able to use the floppy disc installer option since this only works with uncompressed files, distributed as PROFESSIONAL slidesets to registered licensed users. Any slideset (SHAREWARE OR NOT) can be installed by copying the uncompressed files into the Microscope directory and then invoking THE SLIDESET MANAGEMENT option. In Version 2.0 this is an EXTERNAL program module accessed from Microscope's main screen by clicking on the control button near the AUX window marked 'DBF'. In version 1.0, access is via the MENU system screen; the menu system is not used in version 2.0. * -------- end of Manual (Ver. 2.0) ------ *