Version 2.016 release notes 3/10/2003
This release of DesktopDoppler has many enhancements over version 1.2.5 released in April 2002
NOTE: owners of Version 1.2.5 or earlier will need to purchase a LICENSE UPGRADE KEY at $9.95 (go to Buy DTD).
Support for long range (240 nautical mile) images for all radar locations in addition to 120NM standard size
Ground clutter blanking in Clear air mode
Improved looping tool, now no longer requires waiting an hour for a complete loop, builds and adds as it goes, removing annoying message screen for loops that were incomplete.
Additional locations added to State List, Connecticut and Rhode Island
Two new additional Radar sites added, Evansville, IN and Jackson/Brandon, MS
Added ability to browse and change the warning sound of popup alerts to any wav file on your hard disk
Improved Zoom and Pan feature so that it is not as sensitive to mouse movements
Support for an Internet Alerter System (future optional add on) that will allow for sending email, exporting HTML, and exporting images for web page use.
Added Support for Windows XP Home and Professional
Added tolerance factors for paranoiaware such as Norton Antivirus and Zone AlarmPro which incorrectly interpret DTD writing a simple text file to save user parameters as a "malicous script" and generate a false warning.
Improved CPU resource management, now uses a much smaller percentage of CPU Time
Improved memory management, uses less memory and is more stable over long operational periods
Improved error checking on Internet image access, times outs from NWS server no longer can cause a crash
New Program installer is Windows XP compatible, plus cleaner look
Enhanced Program installer handles low resource situation on unstable Operating Systems such as Windows ME
Improved Program installer now completely removes all traces of DTD files upon uninstall
Improved CD autorun menu system
Added RapidRes utility to CD for those that prefer running at 800x600 screen resolution, RapidRes allows for easy switching between 1024x768 mode and 800x600, 640x480 modes. Browse CD to locate and install it
Fixes and Revisions for DesktopDoppler Version 1.2.5 dated 4/6/2002
1) Fixed the timer for "don't alert me for x minutes" in the popup alert window
so it saves the user preferences for the number of minutes.
2) Corrected the misspelling on the phrase "Retrieving Image" that shows in red
on the DTD Tools popup menu when a new radar location is selected.
3) Widened the window for the forecast to be just a bit wider so that last day
of 5 day forecast isn't obscured and a horizontal scroll bar doesn't come up.
4) Added the re-size handles for the browser windows on the forecast and warning
maps on the lower right.
5) Now supporting two radar product types: added functionality to control a
radio button selector for different radar product types in the DTD Tools menu
so that DTD can offer alternate Base Reflectivity product that is updated
more frequently in sever weather events. Added status box for Radar
product type on main frame- shows Composite or Base reflectivity. Base
reflectivity is now the "Default" product because it has shown to be more
reliable from the NWS during heavy storm events.
6) Disabled the control buttons for when you hit the "Refresh Radar" button and
get a "Runtime Error '35764' Still executing last request".
7) I fixed the problem that occurs if you use the right click menu to "add a
Storm Zone" and then you don't actually draw one, DTD can get into a oddball
mode where the beam sweep "hangs" at the 12 o'clock position, the "add storm
zone" item in right click menu gets grayed out, and you can't find the storm
zone anywhere.
8) I have included the checking for both resolution and color mode and
validating it with the thresholds we discussed. DTD requires 1024x768 resolution
at 24 bit color depth or higher, due to size of NWS images, some users didn't
understand this or read it in the setup.
9) Changed the wording for the popup Alert Windows from (example) "#8 Most
Intense Level of the Storm" to "VIP Level 8 .50"/hr Moderate to Heavy rain" to
what we talked about.
10) Fixed the error that occurs when trying to "delete a Scan zone" from right
click menu, the Delete will now remove the item regardless of selected status.
11) fixed the problem that happens when in the loop manual mode, when the next
radar image is received automatically, it starts looping even though the notice
on the bottom of the display says it's stopped. I had a hard time
troubleshooting this one, but think I got it fixed.
12) New first time Startup Screen... This will prompt users the first time they
use the software to tell us where the closest state and radar location to them
is.
13) Also, I have streamlined the processing code to change the image colors a
bit faster. Not too noticeable, but every little bit here counts.
14) Replaced the image for the loop mode message. this should help the users
understand that the image has not been downloaded yet in the loop. DTD
accumulates images as it goes along, not downloads all at once to minimize
impact on modem connections.
15) Added new VP.DLL to fix problem with ZoneAlarm Pro
Firewall program improperly preventing DTD from running.
Thanks to all of you who wrote in with suggestions and bugs!
Mike Crossfield and Anthony Watts, publishers