Monday, December 19, 2022

updated the L2C QRC

The recent Stellarium updates got me thinkin'...

Al, too. When we spoke recently, and when I said, "Bookmarks are back!", he wondered about how to address the matter in training.

The old Stellarium bookmarks feature we taught in the level 2 intermediate course until they broke. 

I recall in a trainers meeting we agreed to drop the topic. We hid the slide. We would not mention the feature (unless someone asked).

I was a little fuzzy on where and how we covered it. I double-checked the level 1 introductory materials. No mention of it anywhere.

Found in on the level 2 (computer) syllabus. In fact, the process of using a bookmark list was documented in the intermediate Quick Reference Card. It showed how to add a bookmark. We briefly discussed how to use existing bookmarks and how to highlight all in a list.

But the new way is Stellarium version 1.1 was quite different. So I started editing the L2C card. 

And it turned out to make for a big update! 

In the end, it was not possible to simply edit the existing content on the QRC; I needed to completely rewrite it. The improved "observing lists" feature demanded two topics! Import an Observing List and Use an Observing List. 

Also, while updating the QRC for 1.1 stuff, I revised the telescope-mount control "Slew" topic for the new Abort slew button in the Move window. 

Added telescope mount driver port information for Linux...

Misc. other clean-up and cosmetic changes. 

§

I updated the level 2/3 graduates in the Stellarium "classroom," suggesting they visit the Google shared folder drive. It should be obvious, the new PDF for the QRC.

§

It was good to get this sorted. Especially if we're not going to directly teach it in a course... It makes the QRC quite valuable.

§

This got me thinkin' again. Observing lists could be covered properly in an EPO course.

Maybe it's time to develop that course...

No comments: