Dear AO user,

This email is to inform you that the next generation of CIMA (version
3.0) will become the default version on Monday 27 October 2008.

To become the new default version, CIMA version 3.0 (which has been
available since 12 June 2008) will be renamed from 'Next' to 'Normal'. The
old version 2.2 will at the same time be renamed from 'Normal' to 'Old'.

The old 2.2 version of CIMA will be available at least until the end of
this year, but all users are recommended to switch over to version 3.0 as
soon as conveniant.

Observers using 2.2 and earlier versions of CIMA are advised to consider
the following four points:

* All old configuration files ('.gui', '.iflo' and '.wapp') created by
  version 2.2 and older are INCOMPATIBLE with version 3.0. It is thus
  necessary to create new configuration files ('.conf') using the new
  version. This can be done in off-line mode.
* Source catalogs may need updating if they don't have a a coordinate
  type, reference velocity, velocity frame and velocity type defined for  
  all sources.
* There has been a number of changes of the command file syntax so most
  observers using command files will have to update their command file
  scripts.
* There is a new set of preferences to select from, including a number of
  options to customize the log format.

All observers are strongly recommended to try out version 3.0 in off-line
mode before using it on the telescope.

Information about the new CIMA version can be found on the CIMA homepage:

        http://www.naic.edu/~cima

An even newer version (3.1) will be released towards the end of October.
This version will be called 'Smart' and will include better support of the
Mock spectrometer for ALFA observations as well as the new smart
basketweaving observing mode.

With best regards,
Mikael Lerner
CIMA administrator

-----------------------------------------------------------------------*-*-*---
Mikael Lerner                                   Arecibo Observatory
Tel: (+1)-787-878 2612 ext. 368                 HC3 Box 53995
Fax: (+1)-787-878 1861                          Arecibo, Puerto Rico 00612
Email: lerner@naic.edu                          USA