DIP2000 user manual: Changes in software

DIP2000 user manual

Changes in software

Changes of V3.2.3 with respect to V3.2.1

1. Bug fix
Reset-retry action was sometimes unstable because one of the processes in the data collection software did not terminate normally when
it received an interruption for termination. This is a bug specific to versions 3.2.0 and 3.2.1.

2. Y2K fix
Time stamps in the Error and History windows were modified to display the century part in the year numbers. Transition tests confirmed the absence of a Year 2000 problem in the xpress software.

3. Reverse beam data collection
In the data collection software a facility is added which makes it possible to use reverse beam measurements (oscillations at angle +180 deg. distant from the previous normal oscillation positions are made alternately). It is activated by giving the output file name as "*nnnI.ipf". The letter I(capital i) before dot is replaced by "a" or "b" in the measurement software when filing according to the setting of the oscilla tion axis, normal or inverse respectively. The three letters before it(nnn) are replaced by frame numbers as usual.

4. Exposure time input
In the datacollection window the exposure time for oscillation or Weissenberg photos can now be input in the data collection window. A checking routine runs when the "Return" key is pressed in the exposure time input field. The scanning speed and repetitions are selected
(ignoring these values even if they were already input previously) and the exposure time is adjusted to fit the specified oscillation range.

5. Better logging of errors
When an error situation has been detected in the control of DIP, the recent contents of command communication logging buffer are automatically dumped into a file in directory $HOME/cmdlogs with file name of date and time of the event. Every time when the DIP Xpress session is closed, a similar dump file is also updated with file name "last_ending" in the same directory. These files are expected to be helpful for trouble shooting as well as the usual Line-eye logs especially when the reset-retry option is used, where errors might not be noticed. Users would sometimes check the contents of this directory(and the total size of it too).

6. Improved data collection termination
Stopping routines in the data collection procedure were improved for cleaner termination after an interruption by the operator.