|
I will be reviewing a new set of programs from Russia's Center of Temporal Problems, Analysis, and Prognoses in depth in a forthcoming Mountain Astrologer issue. The programs are called VegaSviri Horary, VegaSviri Expert, eSybill, and Neuro Hit!. Like other software that I've seen created in Russia, the user interfaces are unconventional and need to be learned, but many of the features of the programs are unique and valuable. One of the most powerful and innovative features of VegaSviri Expert is the ability to create dynamic graphs of the cumulative effects of transits (and/or progressions, profections, arcs, and directions) for a single person, two people, or even a whole group of people. Imagine viewing a graph of the best and worst times for your relationship, so that you can be careful and nurturing during the challenging times, and plan vacations together at the good times! The program also offers advanced astro-mapping of planetary lines for returns and other predictive methods. eSybill, on the other hand, is written for novices who want to see graphs of one's temperament, personality attributes, and much more, as well as a complete and well-written report on one's natal chart. It includes weekly and monthly forecasts in the form of graphs for different areas of life (business, health, love, and stress), offering one graph for oneself and another graph for one's relationship. It even does a graphic of one's compatibility to a partner. I think this will be a very popular program because it doesn't require any knowledge of astrology and gives a lot of information for each chart and relationship. For more information about these unusual programs, you can go to the following link: Click here for information on all of their software. Or Click here for their free beginners program. [Important Added Note: After the original author of VegaSviri Expert left the company, the programmers were no longer able to fix very serious bugs, so I no longer recommend getting the program. ] Tools For Programmers There are many sources of algorithms for astrological programmers. Among the most accurate and advanced are the Swiss Ephemeris programs from Astrodienst. If you are creating free astrology software, you are permitted to use the Swiss Ephemeris files at no cost. Other sources of planetary algorithms include the work of Steve Moshier, available Here and Here on CDRom. Many of the mathematical formulae for planetary positions are also available Here. Finally an open source (free) of Vedic Java algorithms is provided by Jyotish Online via their AstroJava Project Here. Just go to the AstroJava section from the top menu. Neat Stuff 1 - Calendar Magic Calendar Magic is an incredible resource for astrologers interested in the many different calendrical systems throughout the world. This free Windows program offers Gregorian, Chinese, Hebrew, Hindu lunisolar, Islamic civil, Julian and Persian calendars, side-by-side comparisons of calendars, Special Days for over 50 countries since 1990, a large selection of "Date Facts", calendar conversions, the ability to create reminders, the dates and times of equinoxes, solstices and Moon phases for any year from 1582 to 3000, Solar and lunar eclipse data for any year up to 3000, Sunrise and sunset information for any date up to the end of 2200 for nearly 6000 locations across the world, Moonrise and moonset information for any date up to the end of 2200 for nearly 6000 locations across the world, and much more. You can view the entire feature list here and download the software here. What an incredible free resource. Neat Stuff 2 -- Surya Vedic Freeware A new free Vedic astrology program has just come to my notice. Surya can import files from Win*Star and Solar Fire, calculate dashas, planetary strengths, major and minor directions via the Nadi system of directions, search and sort your chart collection, view North and South Indian charts and ShriPati house cusps, harmonic charts and vargas, and more. You can view the features page here and download the software here. Neat Stuff 3 -- AstroFrames Freeware If you are interested in Primary Directions, Ed Falis offers a unique program that calculates two major systems of Primary Directions: 1. Classical Ptolemaic directions. In this system, called "zodiacal" in the program, the ecliptic projections of bodies and points are directed to other ecliptic projections. 2. Classical Placidian mundo directions. In this system, the bodies themselves are directed to other bodies and points. In other words, the directions are taken with radix latitude. Ed plans to implement Svarogich's "conform directions" as soon as he can get to them. His page describing these methods can be read here and the software downloaded here. The Bug Report If you are using Parashara's Light version 2000 to calculate planetary yogas in their "1001 Yogas" menu item, you will have to turn on "Use Functional Benefics and Malefics" (by checking the box) and then turn off "Use Functional Benefics and Malefics" (by unchecking the box) in order for the yogas to be calculated correctly. Even then, many of the yogas shown are not actually present in the chart. However, in my experience, Vedic computer programs in general tend to delineate yogas inaccurately for several reasons: 1. Their methods of determining yogas are not perfect, so some yogas are found that don't really exist in the chart. 2. There are many differing methods of assessing what makes up some yogas. 3. None of the programs presently available take into account -- at all -- the strength or weakness of the planets comprising the yoga. As a result, the delineations are useless. E.g. if a Gajakesari Yoga -- formed by the Moon being at an angle to Jupiter -- is formed with a New Moon and a Debilitated Jupiter, it has literally no power to cause positive effects. Discounts on Software Software discounts starting May 2002: When you purchase astrology software through me, you will get: 1. My free expert guidance in choosing the right program. 2. The best pricing distributors are allowed to offer. 3. Free U.S. shipping (and for some programs, free Express shipping Worldwide). 4. Additional benefits. E.g. I offer a free transit report program for purchasers of Sirius, over 60 beautiful extra artistic wheels for Solar Fire Gold, etc. 5. You are supporting my website, allowing me to continue posting astrology tutorials, software reviews, and much more. 6. Your software is fully registered to you and shipped to you directly from the manufacturer, with their full customer support as well as mine. To go to my secure astrology software order form, click here. You can support SoftStar News by: Telling others about our website. Sending us your insights and feedback on astrology software, Alerting us to new programs and astrological resources, Linking your website to ours, and by purchasing your astrological software through this site. Click to Return to Send e-mail to Hank Friedman by clicking here Copyright © 2002 Hank Friedman |
