% @(#)news.alq	14.1.1.5 (ESO-IPG) 07/19/00 12:59:25

                News file for MIDAS version 99NOV
                ---------------------------------
 

Midas commands in Unix - KB 990713
All Midas commands not using display or graphics windows can also be executed 
directly from the Unix command line.
For details see the help about [Host+Midas].

verification procedures - KB 990930
The verifications have been expanded a lot. You should always execute them
when installing Midas. They are executed via:
Midas> @ vericopy
Midas> @@ veriall
 
context RBS - KB 991020
New context RBS (Reduction Block Scheduler) has been implemented. 
This context is relevant for users who have VLT data from FORS1, FORS2 or UVES 
and want to execute the pipeline recipes without the need of having the full 
ESO Data Flow System installed (which is only possible on HP at the moment). 
See the help for details.

INFO/FILE - KB 991120
New command INFO/FILE has been implemented. See the help for details.

Daophot - PN 991220
The max. image size for the Daophot context has been increased to
4096x4096 pixels.

Midas command line - KB 000117
The max. length of a single token (atom) in a Midas command line has been
increased from 80 to 150 chars.
The max. length of the total command line remains at 400 chars. as before.

FITS extensions - KB 000329
It is now possible to access directly extensions of FITS files in Midas.
See the help about [Filenames] for info about syntax, etc.

debugging Midas procedures - KB 000417
The problems with the debugging of Midas procedures (command DEBUG/PROC) 
have been solved and a few new debugging commands added.

FITS file handling - KB 000714
New options DSCALLOC= and DSCHELP= have been added to the command SET/MIDAS.
For files with huge FITS headers (e.g. VIMOS data files) the adequate setting 
of DSCALLOC will make a big difference in performance.

There will also be a VMS version for 99NOV (pl2.1), for details contact
Jean-Pierre De Cuyper at system@midasc.oma.be.

We finally have also our GUIs working smoothly on Linux systems, since 
Motif became public software recently.