Beta versions
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What is beta software?

Beta software is an updated version of an existing program designed to either fix some particular problem, or to experiment with various new features which may, or may not be in the next version of the program.  
A full release of the program will have been widely tested (through the beta process), and will contain all the files required for running the program such as data files and, where applicable, update Help files.  A beta version, by contrast, may contain just the program and some basic release notes, and none of the other files required for the program to function.  Before using any beta software, you should have a full current version of the program installed, and it should be working correctly.

This beta software:

  • requires the current, released version to be installed and working
  • is updated without notice
  • has no support available
  • has features that may not be in the next released version
  • is not guaranteed to work
  • may have time-limited functionality
  • may crash or give false results
  • requires that you read the release notes
  • .. so use at your own risk!
  • .. and please keep a working backup!
     

How do I use beta software?

As opposed to a full installation, beta software may just contain just an updated executable file, and will therefore need some additional steps in installing.  If you are not comfortable following steps like those listed below, please be patient and wait for the next released version.  Be sure to have the current released version before applying a beta update!

Updating a typical program

  1. Make sure you have the most recent release version of the software installed and working properly.
  2. Visit my Web site, download and save the beta of the MSG Data Manager from the page.
  3. Right-click the saved file, Properties, and click the Unblock button if one is present.
  4. This Zip file contains an updated MsgDataManager.exe program file and an updated MsgDataManager.txt "read-me" file.
  5. Locate your existing installation of the MSG Data Manager.  Most likely this will be (for an English language install):
      C:\Tools\SatSignal\MsgDataManager\
  6. In the case of the MSG Data Manager, this folder will contain files named e.g. WaveletDLL.dll as well as the MSG Data Manager program file.
  7. Stop the MSG Data Manager and close the program down.
  8. Rename the existing executable file:
      MsgDataManager.exe
    to, for example:
      MsgDataManager-old.exe
  9. Copy the new MsgDataManager.exe from the Zip file you downloaded in step 1 to the folder you located in step 3.
  10. If there were more file in the beta download, copy those as well having backed up your working versions.
  11. Restart the MSG Data Manager.

Reverting to the original program

  1. Stop the MSG Data Manager and exit the program.
  2. Rename the new executable file:
      MsgDataManager.exe
    to, for example:
      MsgDataManager-new.exe
  3. Rename the previous executable file you renamed in step 6:
      MsgDataManager-old.exe
    back to:
      MsgDataManager.exe
  4. Copy any other files you backed up to the appropriate directory.
  5. Restart the MSG Data Manager.

The same general procedure is true for all my beta updates.  Please be aware of the limitations of beta software which are listed above.

What are these MD5 signatures?

They are a way you can check if you think your download might be corrupt - very unlikely, but...  Please see: http://www.fourmilab.ch/md5/
 

Current beta-test versions:

As I know that testing by users is far more likely to detect errors that just testing by me alone, I am making programs available here.  Please make a backup of your working version before installing these programs, and please only install them on top of a working version.  You will need a licence for the current release version of the software.

  • BUFR Viewer - 2.0.3.74 - Use Francis Breame's more recent converter, detect AMV files containing '-MSGAMV' in the name.
    MD5 signature: E26A722675F6512C48C8495A0DC67585
      
  • FastWXtrack - 1.0.0.6 - Experimental program for faster DDE tracking and Doppler updates.  Option to get frequency from Radio.ini, add run/stop button, add manual frequency control with +/- 1 kHz buttons and mouse wheel for 25 Hz fine steps, user Interface refinements, remember last satellite used.
    MD5 signature: 29B8BCA1F738627B430B52F833A0A4A4
     
  • GeoSatSignal - 8.0.5.1104 - Support Dundee Himawari data, add 3840 x 2160 resize (for 4K monitors), add 3600x1800 World View option, handle transparent PNG logo files, protect against errors in world view image refresh.
    MD5 signature: C5B62EC1F0CD98BB0AE456F92257C0B8
     
  • GeoSatSignal - 8.1.1.1109 - Start support for MSG IODC coverage (basic channels work, RGB works, animations work, EUMETCast browser updated), support Dundee Himawari data, support Himawari ch.6 (2.3 µm) for RGB (needs new channels selected and work on RGB presets), add 3840 x 2160 resize (for 4K monitors), add 3600 x 1800 World View option, handle transparent PNG logo files, better naming of RGB thumbnails, protect against errors in world view image refresh.
    MD5 signature: 2A3C3FB784B0BEBD23DCF9B7E072F572
     
  • HRPT Reader - 3.0.5.798 - Add enhanced NOAA BD thermal LUT, support .GZ compressed files (uncompressed & writes back to source directory, requiring write access), recognise any .native extension, accept .native files without the header, recognise .native files containing Quorum data, add support for .asda files, add support for HBU data (a mix of .native externally and 16-bit internally), more detail on file used for Kepler data, trap bad boundary overlay data, provide estimated thermal calibration when calibration data is missing but only for Metop-A and Metop-B, updates for Meteor-M N2 data in .DAT format from Oleg via MetFy3x.exe (suppress "bad frames" message, approximate corrected view and save corrected functions), update View|Corrected for Windows-10, added Melbourne to the stations.dat file..
    MD5 signature: 416C58D1DB8E906C9320348C06192F46
     
  • Metop Manager - 3.0.3.345 - Handle "Another copy..." better across restarts.
    MD5 signature: 869ECDE234CF2F53E078A479AAA4C56B
      
  • MODIS L1 Viewer - 4.0.3.158 - Set up/down text colour to blue for blue channel, prevent one variable not being initialised, more choice in the File, Open dialog, accept "Australian" MODIS file names.
    MD5 signature: B719CB47FAFD930C3AF0B1846248475F
     
  • MSG Animator - 3.1.1.289 - Recognise MPE as different when full-scan or rapid-scan, start support MSG IODC data (use correct Land/Sea mask for northerly animations).
    MD5 signature: 05CFC90BA779E903223A4F5C528CACF6
      
  • MSG Data Manager - 3.1.1.1221 - Autumn eclipse updates, identify more RSS channels for animation, neater reporting for MPE after RSS restored (no longer mixed MSG-1/MSG-2 rapid-scan), start MSG-IODC support (files saved in images\IODC and images\MPEF\IODC,  image file names: 201609050915-iodc-ch02.jpg, MPEF file names: 201609051015-cth.grb etc., MSG Animator automation supported, missing segment reporting supported), in Advanced Setup make JPEG quality default 93 and Delete Other unchecked by default.
    MD5 signature: 6A1FA35D73DE977E29DB6E41E50CBE21
      
 
If you wish, you can register for free, automatic e-mail notifications from the Watch That Page service when this page is updated.  This is convenient as you won't need to keep checking my Web site to see what new beta versions are available.  Click the button below to register for update notification.  You may need to register with WatchThatPage first.

I recommend Fred van den Bosch's software DownloadPrograms - which will help to keep an eye on the version numbers and updates for you!

 

 
Copyright © David Taylor, Edinburgh   Last modified: 2016 Sep 27 at 17:24