


WeatherCaster Gold Version 2.0 Weather Forecaster, Database & Analysis Program
		Copyright 1996, 1997  Jerry Woody and CompuLink

			       TABLE OF CONTENTS

Upgrading and Multiple Licenses.....................Page 1
Licenses Agreement and Disclaimer ..................Page 2
Support.............................................Page 2
System Requirements.................................Page 2
Included Files......................................Page 3
Installation Instructions...........................Page 3
Common Questions and Answers........................Page 4
Configuration.......................................Page 6
ForeCast............................................Page 7
DataBase............................................Page 8
Yearly Comparison Graphs............................Page 15
Monthly Graphs......................................Page 16
Daily Graphs........................................Page 18
Meteorological Conversions..........................Page 19
Meteorological Utilities............................Page 20
Severe Weather......................................Page 22
METAR Observations..................................Page 23
Archives............................................Page 25

				   PAGE 1

		  UPGRADING FROM VERSION 1.0 TO VERSION 2.0

If you are running version 1.0 there are a number of different ways of 
upgrading to version 2.0.  Always remember, before upgrading to BACK UP 
YOUR DATA FILES OF WEATHER DATA YOU'VE ALREADY ENTERED TO A SAFE PLACE!  
Almost all file structures have changed with version 2.0. 

One way of upgrading is just copying all the new WeatherCaster Gold files 
into your WeatherCaster Gold directory.  It will leave you're WeatherCaster 
Gold directory somewhat cluttered, but is the easiest route to go.

Another way of upgrading is to delete All files in your WeatherCaster Gold 
directory EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING:
ANY *.DAT files and ARCHIVE.REC file.  These are your old Weather Data files 
and any Archived Weather events.  Then just copy the new WeatherCaster Gold 
Exec and Support files into your WeatherCaster Gold directory.

Then, run the 1to2.exe file to update your *.DAT files to the new format.

Compulink offers one free major version upgrade.  If you have registered               
WeatherCaster Gold BEFORE March 4th, 1997 you are eligible to receive
a free upgrade to WeatherCaster Gold 2.0.  You must still pay the shipping
and handling charges and if you wish a new printed manual include an extra
$3.00 .  Locate the orderfrm.txt file in this directory.  Mark WeatherCaster
Gold 2.0 and for price put UPGRADE .  Indicate if you want the new printed
manual and include the shipping & handling price.  Be sure to fill out the
rest of the orderfrm.txt (note you cannot upgrade with your credit card but
must be in the form of a check or money order) and send it and the correct
amount to CompuLink.
	       
	       ABOUT RUNNING THE 1TO2.EXE CONVERSION UTILITY

WeatherCaster Gold 2.0 comes with a Data utility program call 1to2.exe which 
will convert your old data files into the new format.  REMEMBER TO BACK UP 
YOUR DATA FILES OF WEATHER DATA YOU'VE ALREADY ENTERED TO A SAFE PLACE just 
in case!  When running 1to2.exe it will prompt you for a file to convert 
(for example 1996.dat).  Once converted, a file call *.DAL (for example 
1996.dal) will contain the data instead of the *.dat file.  Run 1to2.exe 
for all previously entered data files.  The conversion program will convert 
most data correctly; however some things it will be unable to convert such 
as if you enter the amount of sun as a % it will not be correct in the new 
version as sun is counted in Hours of Sun.  So some data you may have to go 
back and edit by hand for it to be correct.

				   PAGE 2
				   
			      LICENSE AGREEMENT

	WeatherCaster Gold and its Accompanying files are copyrighted 
	works protected by U.S. and international copyright law.  You 
	are granted a license to use your copy of WeatherCaster Gold 
	only under the terms and conditions specified in this license 
	agreement.  WeatherCaster Gold is a commercial software product.  
	It is not free, nor is it in the public domain.  Registration / 
	License is 1 per physical site.  Multiple sites require multiple 
				  licenses.
     
     USERS OF WEATHERCASTER GOLD MUST ACCEPT THIS DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY: 
      WEATHERCASTER GOLD IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
	 EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED
     WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. 
	THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE IS WITH YOU. 
	 COMPULINK NOR THE AUTHOR ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES,
	  DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT FROM THE USE OF
			      WEATHERCASTER GOLD.

     YOU MAY NOT USE WEATHERCASTER GOLD PAST THE PERIOD OF 60 DAYS IN 
			 SHAREWARE / UNREGISTERED MODE.

This program is for entertainment purposes only! Though great care has been 
taken to predict the weather and related events with the  highest accuracy; 
no guarantee is given about the results. For a detailed forecast and 
information call your National Weather Service.

- Registered versions of this program cannot be returned for a refund.  A 
Demo version of WeatherCaster Gold is offered so you can determine if it 
will work with your system and/or if the program meets your expectations.
- Prices may change without notice
- You May NOT under Any Circumstances distribute your registered copy of 
WeatherCaster Gold to people that have not registered.  CompuLink actively 
pursues anyone violating this condition.
				  
	    DISTRIBUTING SHAREWARE COPIES OF WEATHERCASTER GOLD

	You may freely distribute this UNALTERED shareware copy of
WeatherCaster Gold to BBS's, online services, friends, etc. 
If you register WeatherCaster Gold, you may NOT distribute the registered 
Version (or portions of it) to anyone else.
	The Distributed Demo/ShareWare archive/Disk may not be redistributed
if you delete, edit or add files to the original Archive/Disk.  
				   
				   
				   SUPPORT

	Registered and Un-Registered users can obtain technical support 
		  for WeatherCaster Gold from the following:

Email jwoody@traveller.com
Fax : 1-(205)-739-0012
Send Question(s) along with an S.A.S.E. to CompuLink,  1832 County Road 384, 
Cullman Al 35057
Limited voice support is also offered.  However, we cannot return Long
Distant phone calls and we are in the office at different times of the day.
Our Voice Number is 1-205-737-1929 . If no one is there to take your call
please use one of the methods above for technical support.

			     SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
	
	* An IBM PC Compatible Computer Running Dos greater then version 3.0  
	  WeatherCaster Gold has been successfully run under Dos, DesqView, 
	  OS/2 and Windows 3.11
	* A VGA/Super VGA Monitor 
	* WeatherCaster Gold has been run on 8088 Xt's but a 286 or better 
	  Ibm PC compatible computer is recommended.
	* An Epson compatible Printer on LPT1 is recommended for Data Printout
	* At least 3 Megabytes  of Hard Disk Space
	* At least 512Kb of Memory
	* A Mouse and Mouse Driver is needed for some functions.  If you run 
	  under windows you willl still need a mouse driver loaded to use 
	  the mouse in WeatherCaster Gold.


				   PAGE 3

				    FILES
The Following files are contained in your shareware archive/disk:

WG2.EXE -  This is the shareware / demo archive.  It contains the 
 unregistered version of WeatherCaster Gold and Support files needed by 
 WeatherCaster Gold.  Files in the WG2.EXE Archive are:
 - WG.EXE - Shareware WeatherCaster Gold Exec File
 - *.TXT - Text Support files
 - *.ICO - Icons needed for graphical display
 - 1980.DAT - SAMPLE yearly data file. Can be Deleted.
 - 1980.HOU - SAMPLE hourly data file.  Can be Deleted.
 - *.SCR - Graphic Files displayed between Main Menu and Sub-Menus
 - TEST*.GIF - Example files to try out the Archiver function. Can be Deleted.
 - FORECAST.DAT - Data file for Forecaster
 - 97022104.WMO - Sample METAR Raw Data File.  Can be Deleted.
 - SURFACE.WMO - Compiled METAR Raw Data File.  Can be Deleted.
 - MAPDATA.REC - Station Co-ordinate file used when compiling raw METAR observations.
 - TEMP.MAP - Base U.S. Map for plotting METAR data.
 - 1TO2.EXE - Conversion exec to convert your old version 1.0 data to the new format.  Can be Deleted.
 
				 INTRODUCTION        

WeatherCaster Gold is an integrated and low cost Weather Forecaster, Database 
and Analysis Program.  Many of the features are too numerous to mention here 
but include:
	
	+ Simple Weather Forecasting Module
	+ Ability to Add, Edit and print Daily Data
	+ Ability to Add, Edit and print Hourly Data
	+ Monthly and Yearly Summaries
	+ 40+ Unique Pie, Line  and Bar Charts to Analyze your Weather Data
	+ Conversions such as Millibars to Inches of Mercury
	+ Utilities such as Wind Chill, Heat Index, etc.
	+ Weather Event Archiver where you can archive both text and graphics 
	  of significant weather events.
	+ Decodes Surface Airways Observations (SAO) in both Text and Graphics
	+ StormTracker Module to track severe storm, tornado, etc. echoes.

AND MORE!

		 FEATURES NOT AVAILABLE IN SHAREWARE VERSIONS 

In Shareware mode, the following features are limited or not available:
- You cannot enter more than 60 days of daily weather data to the database
- You cannot enter more than 30 entries to the hourly weather data
- No more than 2 locations will be displayed, calculated in StormTracker
- As a general rule, every other sub menu function (Even Numbers) will not
  Work.  

* INSTALLING WEATHERCASTER GOLD WITH DOS

(Note that you might get WeatherCaster Gold in .ZIP format or another archive
format.  If so just unarchive it with the right unarchiver.)

1. Make a directory on your hard disk drive, such as WG
   (To Make a directory under plain dos just type MKDIR WG)
2. Change to That Directory (CD WG)
3. Copy WG2.EXE into that directory 
4. WG2.EXE is a self extracting Archive.  It will the unarchive all the
   support files into the directory.
5. Then just run WG.EXE . (You cannot run WeatherCaster Gold from the path
   statement but must be in the actual directory to run it)

* INSTALLING WEATHERCASTER GOLD WITH DESQVIEW

1. Follow Dos steps 1-4 Above.
2. From the DesqView menu choose add a program. All the parameters should
   be the same as the Big Dos 
3. WeatherCaster Gold should be run from a Full Window under Desqview

* INSTALLING WEATHERCASTER GOLD WITH OS/2

1. Open a dos session and follow Dos steps 1-4 above
2. You may use the Run command or select a program icon for WeatherCaster Gold
3. Weathercaster Gold should be run from a Full Window under os/2

* INSTALLING WEATHERCASTER GOLD WITH WINDOWS 3.11

1. Click on Main Icon
2. Click on Ms-Dos Prompt
3. Follow DOS steps 1 - 4 as described above
4. type EXIT
5. Close your Main Window
6. Under File from the Program Manager Select NEW
7. Select New Program Group
8. In Description type Weather or WeatherCaster or Whatever you want
9. Under File from the Program Manager Select NEW
8. Select New Program Item
9. On Description type WeatherCaster
10. On Command line type c:\wg\wg.exe
11. On Working Directory type c:\wg
12. Select an icon if you wish
13. Select OK
14. WeatherCaster is now installed in Windows
(Confused?  Here's a Quicker Method. Follow Steps 1 - 3 above.  Once that's
Done just type WG .  When you're done with WeatherCaster just type EXIT and
it will bring you back to Windows.)


NOTE: IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THE STEPS ABOVE JUST INSTALL WEATHER
CASTER GOLD AS YOU WOULD ANY PROGRAM THAT YOU HAVE INSTALLED IN THE PAST.


INSTALLING WEATHERCASTER GOLD WITH WINDOWS 95

Using the directions for Windows 3.11 as an example, follow the directions 
in your Windows 95 manual on hour to install 16 bit Dos programs into Windows 
95.

				   PAGE 4

		  TROUBLE SHOOTING AND TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Q.  How do I navigate the Main Menu?
A.  If you have a mouse active and see the mouse cursor, you can click the
left mouse button on an icon to go to a particular area.  Otherwise, you 
can press the Capitalized Letter for a function (for example : C onfiguration
you would press C) to go to a sub-menu.

Q.  It tells me to use the up and down arrow keys to navigate the sub-menus,
but nothing happens.
A.  You probably are using the up and down arrow keys on your number pad.
You'll need to turn the NUM LOCK key OFF; otherwise you'll be pressing
"numbers" instead of the arrow keys.

Q.  I've followed all the steps on installing WeatherCaster Gold above but 
am confused; I just can't get it installed.
A.  A basic working knowledge of you r computer system is needed (such as 
the COPY command and MKDIR command). Consult the manual that came with your 
operating system on commands above that you don't understand.  If you can't 
find the commands listed or it doesn't help you call the customer support 
dept. that made your operating system and ask them how to install a dos 
program under your operating system.  If that fails, you can contact 
CompuLink through the channels listed above for installation help.  
Please be SPECIFIC with what you're having trouble with or what you don't 
understand.

Q.  I'm running Windows but there's no mouse cursor when I run WeatherCaster 
Gold from Windows!
A.  WeatherCaster Gold requires a Mouse driver set for MicroSoft Mouse Driver 
/ Serial Mouse .  If you have a mouse there should be a mouse driver that 
came with it; either on your hard disk or on a floppy disk you got with 
your mouse.  Usually the name of the driver is MOUSE.COM  .  Following the 
instructions that came with your mouse and mouse driver, install the mouse 
driver either when the computer is booted up or via a batch file when 
running WeatherCaster Gold.  If you do not have a mouse driver or understand 
how to load a mouse driver contact CompuLink or the support department of the 
makers of your operating system on how to install a mouse driver.  You must
also have the mouse turned ON in your configuration.

Q.  When I run WeatherCaster Gold (WG.EXE) the screen goes black, blank or 
an error occurs.
A.  WeatherCaster Gold CANNOT be run from the floppy disk that your 
registration exec file was sent or shareware archive was sent.  You must 
FIRST follow the installation steps above.  WeatherCaster Gold MUST have 
the support files (listed in the FILES section above) to run. If you have 
Only WG.EXE on your hard drive directory, you MUST run WG2.EXE to unarchive 
the support files.

Q.  When printing I get a device error or some other error.
A.  When printing the Monthly Summary or Yearly Summary, your printer MUST 
be located on parallel port # 1.  When printing other files it will ask you 
what port your printer is on.  It's usually 1 but may be different from your 
system.  Consult your computer manual or makers of your computer to see what 
port your printer is on.

Q.  When WG runs I get either a device error or the screen looks funny.
A.  WeatherCaster Gold must be run with a monitor and/or video card supporting 
up to 256 colors and displaying graphics at least 640 x 480 in size.

Q.  WeatherCaster Gold just won't run on my system and / or I don't want to 
take the time to following the installation instructions above ; can I have 
a refund?
A.  Unfortunately with the problem of software piracy, once registered you 
cannot get a refund.  CompuLink offers a shareware / demo version of 
WeatherCaster Gold that people can "Try before you buy." .  The demo 
version can be obtained via the internet at the web site at http://www.hsv.
tis.net/~jwoody or by anonymous ftp at ftp.traveller.com/pub/users/jwoody/
outgoing .  You can also order a demo copy on a floppy disk for $5.  
So, plenty of opportunities are given to the potential user to test drive 
the program.  Once registered, no refunds can be given.

Q.  What is CompuLinks upgrade policy?
A.  Each registered user is entitled to ONE free upgrade to the next Major 
release.  For example, if you are a registered user of Version 1.0 then you 
can receive a free version of Version 2.0 (excluding shipping, handling and 
printed manual cost).  Then, when version 3.0 is released; you would pay the 
difference (if any) in the price for version 2.0 and version 3.0 for 
upgrading to version 3.0 .  CompuLinks upgrade policy is subject to 
change at any time without notice.  Prices are subject to change at 
any time without notice.

Q.  I lost my registered version and/or I sent you a letter by U.S. Mail and 
haven't gotten a reply.
A.  As indicated in the contact information at the beginning of this manual, 
CompuLink will not answer mail sent via U.S. Mail service that is not 
accompanied with a SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE.  If you lose your 
registered disk you will need to send a SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED DISK MAILER 
WITH A 3 1/2 INCH BLANK FLOPPY DISK to receive a replacement registered 
diskette.

Q.  I get an error when running WeatherCaster Gold that's not listed above.
A.  If you get an error when running WeatherCaster Gold not discussed above 
you may contact CompuLink via the contact sites listed at the beginning of 
this document.  Please be SPECIFIC when reporting a "bug" in  the software.  
If it can be found and duplicated the bug will be fixed and a fixed registered 
exec (if you have registered WeatherCaster Gold) will be sent to you.

Q.  What is [ESC] and [CTRL][F10] or [ENTER]?
A.  When you see instructions in WeatherCaster Gold such as the ones above,
it means to press that key (or a series of keys).  For Example, [CTRL][F10]
means to press the [CTRL] key AND the [F10] key at the same time.

WeatherCaster Gold is a very simple program to install and run.  Chances are 
you will not have any trouble with either.  If you do please contact us at 
the contact sites listed at the beginning of this document.

What follows is a basic manual and examples for running WeatherCaster Gold.

				    PAGE 6

				CONFIGURATION

      Before Entering Data or working with great detail with WeatherCaster 
  Gold you should access the Configuration Section.  You can Access the 
  Configuration module by clicking on the Configuration Icon (shown above 
  and left) or by pressing  C  on your keyboard. When you are finished  
  entering data press [CTRL] [F10] to Save your Settings, or [ESC] to Abort.

   PRINTER: [C]olor or [B]lack & White -  Here you can select if you have a 
   color printer or a Black and white Printer.  The printer driver uses the 
   epson esc P/2 escape codes for color printing, bold and italics text.  
   Default is Black & White.  Press  C  if you have a color printer, or [B] 
   if you have a Black & White Printer.
   TEMPERATURE:  [F]ahrenheit or [C]elsius- If you use Celsius Degrees for 
   Temperature when entering and viewing you data, press  C  for Celsius 
   Degrees.  If you use Fahrenheit Degrees for Temperature when entering and 
   viewing data, press  F  for Fahrenheit Degrees.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT 
   YOU DECIDE WHICH YOU WILL USE BEFORE ENTERING DATA!  The default is 
   Fahrenheit Degrees.
   WIND: [M]iles per Hour or [K]nots- If you use Knots for Wind Speed 
   measurement when entering and viewing your data, Press  K for Knots.  If 
   you use Miles per Hour when entering and viewing data press  M  for Miles 
   per Hour.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DECIDE WHICH YOU WILL USE BEFORE 
   ENTERING DATA.  The Default is Miles per Hour.
   DISTANCE: [M]iles or [K]ilometers-  If you use Kilometers when measuring 
   Distance press  K  .  If you use Miles press  M  .  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT 
   THAT YOU DECIDE WHICH YOU WILL USE BEFORE ENTERING DATA.  The Default is 
   Miles.
   DISPLAY: [Y]es or [N]o- If you wish to keep the Graphical Menu display 
   that is shown when you enter a menu subsystem press  Y . 
   If you don't wish to view the Graphical Menu display shown between Menu 
   Subsystems press  N  .  Default is Yes.
   MAILER: [P]egasus or [O]ther- Not currently used.  Will be used in future 
   versions.                        PAGE 1-C
   MOUSE: [Y]es or [N]o- If you use a Mouse press  Y  .  If you do not use a 
   Mouse press  N  . Be sure to see  the technical setup page on using a 
   mouse with WeatherCaster Gold.
   PRESSURE:  [M]illibars or [I]nches of Mercury- If you use Millibars to 
   Measure Barometric Pressure, press  M  .  If you use Inches of Mercury to 
   Measure Barometric Pressure press  I  .  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU 
   DECIDE WHICH YOU WILL USE BEFORE ENTERING DATA.  The Default is Inches of 
   Mercury.
   NAME AND PASSWORD- Enter your Name and Password when Registering 
   WeatherCaster Gold.
   YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS- Not Currently Used.  Will be used in Future Versions.

				      PAGE 7
				     
				     FORECAST

       You can Access the Forecast Module by clicking on the Icon (Shown above 
   and to the left) or by pressing F at the Main Menu.  WeatherCaster Gold 
   contains a basic, general Weather Forecasting Module.  At this time only 
   generalized Forecasts are made with the data you input.  At times there 
   will be more than one forecast given.  This is because certain factors can 
   lead to different Weather events.  If available, bits of "Weather Wisdom" 
   or "Weather Folklore" will be included with the forecast.  New with Version 
   2.0 of WeatherCaster Gold you can change the actual forecast text to more 
   represent your area.  When you enter data and the forecast given doesn't 
   quite match what really occured you can do the following:  Locate the text 
   file FORECAST.DAT .  With a simple text editor search for the forecast text 
   given that wasn't quite right.  Each "Forecast Entry" starts with a @#### 
   and ends with a ! .  When you locate the Forecast Entry that was wrong for 
   your area, use a word processor to change the text (WARNING: DO NOT CHANGE 
   THE @#### OR !).  After the change, simply resave the file in ascii format.  
   Below is a Sample Forecast Data Input Screen.  use the Up/Down Arrow Keys 
   and [ENTER] to Navigate.  [CTRL][F10] Will take the data you entered and 
   make a Forecast.  Pressing [ESC] will Abort back to the Main Menu.  

					PAGE 8


				       DATABASE

       Database functions can be accessed from the Main Menu by clicking on 
   the Database Icon or by pressing  D  at the Main Menu.  
   Despite the program name of WeatherCaster Gold; the Heart of the program 
   is the advanced Database functions.  From the Database Sub-Menu you can 
   enter Hourly or Daily weather observations, Print a range of records to a 
   file or printer, Browse/Search your weather observations and view Monthly 
   and Yearly Summaries of weather data that you have entered.  To navigate 
   use the Up and Down Arrow Keys.  To abort back to the Main Menu press 
   the [ESC] key.  To Select press [ENTER].

   ENTER NEW DAILY OBSERVATION: Enter single daily observations here.  You 
   will have an opportunity to enter Max/Min/current temperatures, wind 
   direction, etc.  Use the Up/Down Arrow Keys and Enter to navigate.  [ESC] 
   aborts the entry.  Pressing [CTRL][F10] will save your entry.
   ENTER NEW HOURLY OBSERVATION: You can enter hourly observations per day 
   with this selection.  Since it's hourly observations there are no fields 
   for Max/Min temperatures, Watches and Warnings, etc.  For these use the New 
   Daily Observation Entry selection.  The Time Field should be entered in 
   Military Format (1 to 24 hours).  For example, 1 PM would be 13 hours.
   EDIT A DAILY OBSERVATION: Here you can edit an observation you have 
   previously entered.  When Selecting this a Year / Month / Day screen will 
   appear that will show the Year(s) of data, Month(s) of data and Day(s) of 
   data you have on record. Navigate the Year / Month / Day screen by using 
   the UP/Down Arrow Keys.  [ESC] aborts. [ENTER] Selects. (See following 
   pages for an example of the Year / Month / Day selection screen).  After 
   selecting the Year, Month and Day to edit, you will be presented with a 
   data entry screen.  Data that you have entered will be shown and you may 
   now edit any of that Data.  Use the Up/Down Arrow Keys to navigate.  [ESC] 
   aborts edit.  [CTRL][F10] Saves the newly edited Data.
   EDIT AN HOURLY OBSERVATION: This selection is the same as Edit A Daily 
   Observation (See instructions above) except that you must also enter the 
   HOUR in which you wish to Edit.  PAGE 1-D
   BROWSE DAILY OBSERVATIONS: You can view Observations on Record with this 
   option.  You will be presented with the Year / Month / Day screen (For 
   instructions on navigating see Edit a Daily Observation above).  After 
   selecting the Year, Month and Day you wish to view you will be presented 
   with a graphical screen showing data for that day that you have entered.  
   Heating Degree Days, Cooling Degree Days, Windchill, Heat Index and Comfort 
   Index is automatically calculated and displayed.  For the Next record on 
   file, press  N  or click your mouse on the N ext button.  For the Previous 
   record, press  L  or click you mouse on the L ast Button.  To quit press  Q  
   or click your mouse on the Q uit button.
   BROWSE HOURLY OBSERVATIONS: This selection is the same as Browse Daily 
   Observations (See instructions on previous page) except that you must also 
   enter the HOUR of the Observation that you wish to view.
   SEARCH DAILY OBSERVATIONS: You can conduct a keyword search of Daily 
   Observation Records.  Fields that are searched are : Past Weather, Current 
   weather, Precipitation and Comments.  A list of available years will first 
   be displayed.  Enter the year you wish to search.  Next you can enter a 
   keyword to search for; for example: THUNDERSTORM .  All records containing 
   the word "Thunderstorm" in the fields listed above will be displayed.  For 
   the Next record that contains the keyword type  N  or click your mouse on 
   the N ext button.  For the Previous record that contains the keyword type  
   L  or click on the L ast button.  To Quit press  Q  or click on the Q uit 
   button.
   SEARCH HOURLY OBSERVATIONS: Searching your hourly observations is the same 
   as Search Daily Observations (see above for instructions).
   PRINT DAILY (DAY): This selection allows you to print a Daily Record (Day 
   record) to either a file or your printer.  You will be presented with the 
   Year / Month / Day menu that will allow you to select the Year, Month and 
   Day to print. To print to a file click on the File Icon or press  F  .  
   Enter a valid filename and the record will be printed to the file in ascii 
   form.  To print to the Printer click on the Printer Icon or press  P  .  
   Enter the port # your printer is connected to  (usually 1).  The record 
   will then be printed to your printer.  To Quit click on the Quit Icon or 
   press  Q  .
   PRINT DAILY (MONTH): This selection is the same as Print Daily (Day) (see 
   above) except that it will print out records that are present for the 
   whole month you selected.  Note that in the Year / Month / Day Menu you 
   will not be given a day option since the whole month is to be printed.
   PRINT DAILY (YEAR): This selection is the same as Print Daily (Day) (see 
   above) except that it will print out records for the entire year that you 
   selected.  Note that in the Year / Month / Day Menu you will not be given 
   a Month or Day option as you will be printing records for the entire year.
   PRINT HOURLY (MM/DD/YY): This selection is the same as  Print Daily (Day) 
   (see above) except that it will print out a day of hourly Observations.
   VIEW/PRINT MONTHLY SUMMARIES: This selection will allow you to get a broad 
   overview (summary) of certain data per day in a month.   From the Year / 
   Month / Day Menu you can select the year and month for the summary.  Data 
   such as Cloud Type, High and Low Temperatures, Barometric Pressure, 
   Humidity, Wind Speed, etc. per day will be displayed.  Also certain 
   averages for the month will be calculated such as average Barometric 
   Pressure, Average Wind Speed, Average Temperature, etc.  By pressing N you 
   will be taken to the next page of data (there are 2 pages of data for the 
   Monthly Summary).  Pressing  P  will cause the screen to be printed to 
   Printer Port #1.  Pressing Q will take you back to the Database Sub-Menu.  
   Note the View/Print Monthly Summaries is for DAILY observations, not 
   HOURLY observations.
   VIEW/PRINT YEARLY SUMMARIES: This selection will allow you to get a 
   monthly average for a particular year.  From the Year / Month / Day Menu 
   you can select the year for the summary.  Averages such as High and Low 
   Temperatures, Barometric Pressure, etc. will be shown per month.  Pressing  
   P  will cause the current screen to be printed to your printer on Printer 
   Port #1.  Pressing Q will take you back to the Database Sub-Menu.  Note 
   the View/Print Yearly Summaries is valid only for DAILY observations, not 
   HOURLY observations.     

				Cloud Cover Chart
   When entering Cloud Cover into the database, it must be as a number from 0 
	      to 9.  Below is a chart that shows what each # means.

    0 - Sky is Clear
    1 - Less than 1/10 cloud cover
    2 - 2/10 to 3/10 cloud cover
    3 - 4/10 cloud cover
    4 - 5/10 cloud cover
    5 - 6/10 cloud cover
    6 - 7/10 to 8/10 cloud cover
    7 - 9/10 (Overcast with some openings) cloud cover
    8 - 10/10 (Overcast)
    9 - Sky is Obscurred
   Note, if you do not enter a number from 0 to 9 for cloud cover when 
   displayed the cloud cover graphic will be incorrect.
				CLOUD TYPE CHART
       You may enter whatever cloud type name you wish into the database.  
    However, by not entering a cloud type from the chart below it will not be 
	considered in the monthly summary portion of WeatherCaster Gold.
     STRATUS, ALTOSTRATUS, NIMBOSTRATUS, CUMULUS, ALTOCUMULUS, CUMULONIMBUS, 
			      CIRRUS, CIRROSTRATUS
		       SUMMARY OF RULES FOR ENTERING DATA
    1. Enter cloud cover as a number from 0 to 9.
    2. Enter Wind Direction as Degree Bearing (ie: 160); do not use 
   abbreviations such as NE, NW, etc.
    3. Month, Day, Year and Time must be entered as a number, not as an 
   abbreviation (ie: JAN).
    4. Sun is Hours of Sun; no longer % of sun for the day.
    5. To print Monthly Summaries and Yearly summaries your printer must be 
   connected to parralel port # 1.

				   PAGE 15

			  YEARLY COMPARISON GRAPHS

       Yearly Comparison Graphs can be accessed from the main Menu by 
   clicking on the Y Graph Icon or by pressing  Y  at the Main Menu.  Graphs 
   are a key part in analysis of weather patterns and visualization of 
   weather events.  With the Yearly Comparison Graphs you can compare 
   conditions between 2 years via a line graph.  Use the Up/Down arrow keys 
   to navigate.  [ESC] aborts. [ENTER] selects.  Once you select a Graph 
   you will be presented with two Year / Month /Day menus.  Select the 
   first year to Graph.  Then, Select the second year to Graph.  A line 
   graph with the 2 years selected will appear as well as the data for 
   the 2 years.
   Below are the Graphs Available.  Graphs reflect the TOTAL for each month.  
   For example, if you select the Compare High Temperature Comparison it will 
   Add the High Temperatures per month and display them via a graph.  You 
   will not receive an average of the monthly figures, but the sum of them 
   compared to another year.  Graphs Available:

   COMPARE TWO YEAR RAINFALL
   COMPARE TWO YEAR HI TEMPERATURE
   COMPARE TWO YEAR LO TEMPERATURE
   COMPARE TWO YEAR WIND SPEED
   COMPARE TWO YEAR THUNDERSTORM WATCHES
   COMPARE TWO YEAR THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS
   COMPARE TWO YEAR TORNADO WATCHES
   COMPARE TWO YEAR TORNADO WARNINGS
   COMPARE TWO YEAR FLOOD WATCHES
   COMPARE TWO YEAR FLOOD WARNINGS
   COMPARE TWO YEAR TOTAL SUN

   Note to compare two years you must have two years worth of data.  Skipped 
   days will skew the results of the chart.  

				   PAGE 16
				   
				MONTHLY GRAPHS

      Monthly Graphs can be accessed from the Main menu by clicking on the M 
  Graph icon at the Main Menu or by pressing  M  at the Main Menu.  Monthly 
  Graphs of Data will give you the Average or Total (depending on data being 
  graphed) of particular weather data per month for a year.  Below are 
  Graphs available :

  TOTAL MONTHLY RAINFALL (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  AVERAGE MONTHLY SUN (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  AVERAGE MONTHLY HUMIDITY (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  AVERAGE MONTHLY DEW POINT (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  AVERAGE MONTHLY LOW TEMPERATURES (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  AVERAGE MONTHLY HIGH TEMPERATURES (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  AVERAGE MONTHLY WIND SPEED (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  TOTAL TORNADO WATCHES (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  TOTAL TORNADO WATCHES (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  TOTAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHES (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  TOTAL SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  TOTAL FLOOD WATCHES (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
  TOTAL FLOOD WARNINGS (PIE AND BAR GRAPH)
				
				   PAGE 18

			   DAILY OBSERVATION GRAPHS

       You can access the Daily Observation Graphs from the Main Menu by 
   clicking on the d Graph icon or by pressing  G  at the Main Menu.  Daily 
   Observation Graphs are Bar Graphs that represent daily data. Once selected, 
   you will be taken to the Year / Month / Day selection menu.  You will 
   then select the day and month in which you wish to graph.
  You can chart the following observations by day.  Days are automatically 
  configured based on the month.  Bar charts will be drawn representing the 
  data and a character below the screen will represent the day.  By the 
  character will be the actual daily value.

  DAILY RAINFALL
  DAILY SUN
  DAILY HUMIDITY
  DAILY DEW POINT
  DAILY LOW TEMPERATURE
  DAILY HIGH TEMPERATURE
  DAILY WIND SPEED
  DAILY TORNADO WATCHES
  DAILY TORNADO WARNINGS
  DAILY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHES
  DAILY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS
  DAILY FLOOD WATCHES
  DAILY FLOOD WARNINGS

				     PAGE 19
				     
			    METEOROLOGICAL CONVERSIONS

       You can access the Meteorological Conversions section by clicking on 
   the c Onversions Icon or by pressing  O  at the Main Menu.  WeatherCaster 
   Gold offers a variety of useful conversions.  Some results are "rounded 
   off" (left as an integer) while others will contain decimal points.   When 
   selecting Conversions you will be shown a selection screen.  Use the Up/
   Down Arrow keys to navigate.  [ESC] aborts.  [ENTER] selects.  Then enter 
   the value you wish to convert.  Conversions Available:

   FAHRENHEIT DEGREES TO CELSIUS DEGREES
   CELSIUS DEGREES TO FAHRENHEIT DEGREES
   KNOTS TO MILES PER HOUR
   MILES PER HOUR TO KNOTS
   MILLIBARS TO INCHES OF MERCURY
   INCHES OF MERCURY TO MILLIBARS

				    PAGE 20

			   METEOROLOGICAL UTILITIES

       You can access the meteorological Utilities Section from the Main Menu 
   by clicking on the Utilities Menu or by pressing  U  at the Main Menu.  
   WeatherCaster Gold offers many useful Utilities; both of a mathematical 
   nature and text information.  To select an Utility use the Up/Down arrow 
   keys to navigate, [ESC] aborts, [ENTER] selects.  

			       AVAILABLE UTILITIES

   CALCULATE HUMIDITY (FROM TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT)
   CALCULATE DEW POINT (FROM TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY)
   CALCULATE CLOUD HEIGHT AND CLOUD TEMPERATURE
   CALCULATE HEAT INDEX
   CALCULATE WIND CHILL
   BEAUFORT WIND SCALE (TEXT)
   TORNADO TRACKS (TEXT)
   U.S. RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES (TEXT)
   U.S. RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES (TEXT)
   TORNADO FORCE SCALE (TEXT)
   HURRICANE FORCE SCALE (TEXT)
			  
			  ABOUT THE ONLINE TEXT READER

       WeatherCaster Gold has a basic online text reader for text documents 
   such as those contained in the Utilities and Severe Modules.  The basic 
   commands are :
   UP / DOWN / LEFT / RIGHT ARROW KEYS TO NAVIGATE ONE LINE AT A TIME
   PG UP / PG DN KEYS TO NAVIGATE ONE PAGE AT A TIME
   HOME / END KEYS TO GO TO THE BEGINNING / END OF THE DOCUMENT
   [ESC] ENDS AND TAKE YOU BACK TO THE DOCUMENT
   PRESSING THE 0 - 9 NUMBER KEYS WILL CHANGE THE FOREGROUND TEXT COLOR

				  PAGE 22
			   
			       SEVERE WEATHER

       To access the Severe Weather Module click on the S evere Icon or press  
   S  at the Main Menu.  One of the most exciting new features in 
   WeatherCaster Gold is the Severe Weather Module.   You can view text 
   safety rules and factoids and weather history events.  You can also make 
   your own "echo map" and track storms, snow, etc. on the map.  Select 
   "Enter Locations to StormTracker Map" from the Severe Weather Menu.   Your 
   location is the large red square in the middle of the white circle.  With 
   your mouse, click the center of the red square.  It will ask for the name 
   of the location.  Enter a 3 CHARACTER identification for your locate (ie: 
   hom or den, etc.).  When it asks you if you want to include it on the map 
   select  Y  .  Notice on the right in the box is an area where the numbers 
   change as you move the cursor.  This is how many miles out the cursor is 
   from the center square (your location).  Next, enter locations such as 
   cities, towns, landmarks, etc. to your map.  Just point and click the 
   cursor on the map to place objects.  You may choose not to put location on 
   map.  Doing so will not put the location on the map but will be included 
   in the eta calculations when tracking an echo.  It's recommended you use a 
   3 letter identifier for locations and put a minimum of locations on the 
   map else your map will become cluttered.  When done press the [ESC] key.  
   Next, try out the stormtracker by selecting the "Access Stormtracker to 
   Track Echoes" from the Severe Weather Menu.  You will be presented with 
   the echo map with the locations you added earlier.  With your mouse 
   cursor, click on the current location of the echo (storm, etc.).  A 
   magenta Circle will then appear.  Next, using the direction  in which the 
   echo is moving and how many miles you want to track the echo, click again 
   on the map.  A second magenta circle will appear along with a red line 
   connecting it to the first.  At the box on the right, you will see 
   estimated time of arrivals of the echo (in minutes) along the line.  Note 
   that some locations shown will be quite a few miles away from the line 
   drawn.  To limit the number of ETA locations make the line shorter (track 
   the echo for a shorter distance).  The rest of the Severe Storm Section 
   are text files.  See the page describing the online text reader for 
   instructions.

     Selections include Enter Locations on Map, Track echo via Stormtracker, 
     Tornado Safety Factoid, Hurricane Safety Factoid, Lightning Safety 
     Factoid, Flooding Safety Factoid, Winter Weather Safety Factoid, Severe 
     Thunderstorm Safety Factoid and Historical Weather Events for the 12 
     Months of the year.             

				   PAGE 23
			 
			METAR SURFACE OBSERVATIONS

       You may access the METAR functions by clicking on the m Etar Icon or 
   pressing  E  at the Main Menu.  Metar Surface observations are weather 
   reports from NWS and Airports.  Current Conditions and Weather are given 
   in these coded text files.  There are quite a few places you can download 
   these text files on the internet or via the DUAT system.  The METAR raw 
   data file included with WeatherCaster Gold was downloaded off the WWW 
   internet at : gopher://metlab1.met.fsu.edu:70/11/data/surface/sao  .  
   Hourly raw weather observations can be found at this and similar places.  
   When downloaded, you must first compile it with WeatherCaster Gold to view 
   the observations.  Select from the Metar Selection Menu "Compile Raw Metar 
   Surface Observations".  Give the full path and name of the raw data file 
   to compile.  Once Compiled, you can use the other features in the Metar 
   Observations selection Menu.  NOTE:  When plotting Metar observations on 
   map; you should have only a few observations from the raw data file, 
   otherwise it will fill up the screen map and become too cluttered!  On the 
   following pages are examples of the Metar Selection Menu, Observation 
   display and Display map.  From the Selection Menu you can select Compile 
   Raw Data, Search Metar and Display by Station (3 letter code, ie: hsv), 
   State (2 letter abbreviation), City, and Weather (ie: rain, snow, etc.).  
   You can graphically plot on a map of the U.S. the following: Humidity, Dew 
   Point, Thunderstorm, Temperature, Precipitation (D = Drizzle, W = Shower, 
   R = Rain, I = Ice, S = Snow, H = Hail, T = Storm), Weather (Represented by 
   a W).                            

				 PAGE 25
			      
				ARCHIVES

       You can access the Archives Module by clicking on the A chives Icon or 
   pressing  A  at the Main Menu.  The Archives section allows you to Record, 
   edit and View significant weather events.  To Enter a new Weather Archive, 
   at the Archive Selection Menu Select "Add New Archive Record".  At the 
   input screen, use the up/down arrow keys to navigate, [ESC] aborts and 
   [CTRL][F10] Saves.  To view or Edit Archived Records, you will be taken to 
   a Selection Screen that shows you the Current Archived Data.  Use the Up/
   Down arrow Keys to navigate, [ENTER] selects.  You may save with your 
   Archived Data up to 3 .gif pictures.  The picture(s) MUST be in the 
   following format : It Must be 16 colors or Less and the dimensions must be 
   640 (or greater) x 480 (or greater).  Anything else will not show up very 
   well or may crash the program.  
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We hope that you find WeatherCaster Gold fun, useful and easy to use.  
Comments and suggestions are always welcome; especially from people who
have registered / purchased a license.

As with any software; future versions (if any) will depend on the consumer/
computer user.  If not many people purchase WeatherCaster Gold then there
is no need to update the program and develop it to its fullest potential.
I believe WeatherCaster Gold delivers more features for a lower price then
any weather type program I have seen; and the potential for future 
features is tremendous!

If you would like to register / purchase a license for WeatherCaster Gold 
please find the enclosed file ORDERFRM.TXT .  Print it out, fill it out and
send $34.95 + shipping and handling to have your registered full featured 
program rushed to you.

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