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The Fred Fish Collection 1.5
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ffcollection-1-5-1992-11.iso
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500-599
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ff590.lza
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Crystals
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ReadMeFirst
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1992-01-05
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(Crystal_Lattices)
by David M. McKinstry
Copyright 1987-91
The following files are present within this archive (i.e. Crystals.lzh).
ReadMeFirst (This file).
Crystals.doc A brief description of the program and its operation.
Crystal_Lattices The executable stereoscopic simulation of the
14 Bravais lattices.
This program provides stereoscopic views of the Bravais lattices,
which can be rotated and positioned by the user in real time. The
frame rate is between 10 and 30 frames per second, depending upon
the options selected and the Amiga being used. It is primarly
intended for educators and students in physics, chemistry, and
geology. It is most suitable for use in conjunction with a course
in solid state physics, or a course in crystallography, such as
offered by a chemistry or geology department.
However, the stereoscopic techniques used may be applied to
mathematics and biology as well. Thus, I would hope that people
in those fields would try out the program and let me know if they
have any interest in such software for their areas of interest.
Perhaps there is interest in a stereoscopic modeling program,
in which the user can input coordinates of structures they would
like displayed, with the option of saving those structures to a
disk file for later viewing by students or friends.
Although this software has been developed on and for the Amiga
(It will run on any Amiga with at least 1 Meg of ram, under AmigaDOS
1.3 or 2.0.), I would like to know if any of your non-Amiga friends
and associates would be interested in stereoscopic software that
would run on other platforms. I'm certain that at least a '386 or
'486 (or a slower machine with a graphics accelerator card) would be
needed to make it run as well as on an Amiga 500. But, I would be
willing to start development on such software that would run under
X Windows, if there proves to be sufficient interest.
Note that the copyright on this software extends over 1987 through
the present. Most of the crystal lattices were not incorporated
in the program until late 1988 and early 1989, although many of the
algorithms used have been in development and revision since early
1987.
This program is considered copyrighted shareware, but you may
consider it freely distributable in its original archived form
(i.e. the file Crystals.lzh). Basically, this means that you
can demonstrate this program and let your friends and associates
make a copy of the Crystals.lzh file. Then each person with the
file must let their own conscience be their guide. Of course,
I would expect distribution at cost only, such as done by Fred
Fish, to be appropriate, as well as uploading the Crystals.lzh
file to electronic bulletin boards.. No part of the program
Crystal_Lattices may be used in any commericial application
without the author's prior written consent.
If you feel you have a use for this program (most probably if
you are a science educator), send a check or money order for
$15.00 (U.S. currency) to become an officially registered owner.
I will record you as such, and send you two pair of cardboard
3D glasses, and an instruction manual, which includes a more
detailed description of stereoscopic imaging and a sample program
written in AmigaBASIC. If you wish a pair of plastic frame glasses,
send an additional $5.00. I'm assuming someone wishing plastic
frames is more than a casual user.
If you are fortunate enough to have a large screen monitor available
for use in your classroom, you may order additional cardboard 3D
glasses from me at $1.00 each in quantities of 10 or less(This
includes shipping costs). If you want larger numbers, give me a
call or drop me a note, and I'll provide you with a more
economical source.
NOTE: The $1.00 per pair pricing above is only for registered
owners.
If you only wish to check out and demonstrate the animation and
3D effect, but don't have a pair of 3D glasses, please send $2.00
(U.S.) to cover the cost of the shipping/handling and the glasses.
Please note that I've spent thousands of hours developing and
debugging this software, and have had to purchase all my own
hardware and software. As I've said, let your conscience be
your guide.
Please send any money, or comments, suggestions and inquiries
to me at the following address or make phone calls at the number
listed.
Note that I can also be reached via Bix (user name dimmck), or
via BitNet (DMCKINSTRY@EWUVMS), although I log onto Bix much more
frequently.
Thank you.
David M. McKinstry
M.S. 68
Physics Department
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA 99004
(509)-359-6958