• Web Tool added for plotting one MDSplus signal vs. another - November 21, 2005
  See mdsCrossPlot.html.

• Web Plotting and Listing servers discontinued on taurus - November 14, 2005
  All features are working reliably from Linux. See Web Plotting Options.

• Web Tools Servers moved to a Sunfire Computer - August 31, 2005
  This should speed up plots from the Web Plotting Options.

• Set Plot Maxima on MPTS Web Plotting tool - August 31, 2005
  The MPTS Plotting Tool now has optional fields for setting plot maxima for Te, Ne, Pe, and Ne-L.

• Unlimited Color Choices on Web Tool Plots - August 31, 2005
  The MDSplus Adjustable Scope Plotting Tool and the MDSplus Signal Plotting Tool now have options for any number of colors. For example, you could plot shots "116116+19" and put findgen(20)*10 in the "Color Indices for Lines" field to have a smooth variation of colors over the 20 shots.

• Easy IDL Structure Editor Widget - April 29, 2005
  strucedit.pro will create a widget to edit a structure of scalars in IDL. The names of the input fields are the names of the structure elements. The new structure is saved in an IDL save file.

       tern% idl
       IDL> strucedit,  instrc={a:0, b:1.0, c:'label name'}
  

  for options, type:

       IDL> doc_library,'strucedit'
  

• OS and directory structure change for PPPL Linux computers - February 28, 2005
  For better security and manageability, Linux computers at PPPL, such as the petrel cluster, are being upgraded to a new version of the operating system. When this occurs, the names of petrel084-087 will be changed to falcon084-087; the remaining petrels should be changed by the end of March. The directory structures will be changed at the same time (e.g., there will be no /usr/local), and YOU WILL HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR LOGIN SCRIPTS. Note also that nothing in /local/... directories will be moved. If you are using the csh or tcsh shell, you might want something like the following at the top of your .cshrc file (at least until all nodes have been converted):

  #############################################################################
  #
  # test to see if modules exists on the current system...
  #
  /bin/grep Enterprise /etc/redhat-release >& /dev/null
  if( "$?" == "0" ) then
     #
     # The below code is to be run on Red Hat Enterpris Linux 3 system,
     # (sometimes referred to as Workstation 3), such as falcons and sunfires,
     # which have /usr/pppl and Modules.
     #
     module load nstx/mdsplus
     ### uncomment for TRANSP:
     #module load lff95
     #module load mpich
     #set RHEL=true
     #
     # End of RHEL 3 startup scripts
     #
  else
     #
     # The following code is run on older system such as the petrels and taurus.
     #
     source /etc/cshrc.default
     alias setup 'set __args="\!*" ; source $NSTXUSR/util/setup/setup.csh'
     setup nstx
     setenv PATH "$PATH":/usr/pppl/bin:/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/pppl/mdsplus/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin:/usr/pppl/epics/base-3.14.2/bin/linux-x86:/usr/pppl/epics/extensions/bin/linux-x86
     ### uncomment for TRANSP:
     #source /usr/ntcc/etc/.transprc_csh
     #
     #
  endif
  #############################################################################
  # should work on all platforms:
  setenv HOST `uname -n | awk -F. '{print $1}'`
  #
  # Your personal additions to Environmental variables may follow, e.g.
  #
  # # APPEND your stuff to IDL_PATH:
  # setenv IDL_PATH "$IDL_PATH":+/u/bdavis/mp:/u/sveitzer/billtest
  # # PREPEND your stuff to PATH:
  # setenv PATH /u/sveitzer/tdldist/bin:$PATH
  
  

  See http://beowulf.pppl.gov/ws3/logins.html for more information.

• Shot number entry made easier in Web Tools - 14-Jul-2004
  The web tools that process multiple shots, listed at http://nstx.pppl.gov/nstx/Software/WebTools/searchcompare.html and , http://nstx.pppl.gov/nstx/Software/WebTools/webplottingoptions.html, now allow easier ways to input shot ranges. You can specify a range (e.g., 112300-112310, or give a shot number and indicate you want the 10 shots (e.g., 112300+10) after it. A very useful feature may be the ability to plot the last n shots, e.g. 0-10 will plot the current shot and 10 shots before it.

  PLEASE LIMIT SEARCHING OR PLOTTING 1000's OF SHOTS TO TIMES WHEN NSTX IS NOT RUNNING.

• Animations from FCmovies improved. - 12-Jul-2004
  FCmovies can now show full Fast Camera images, along with Thomson data, Efit flux surfaces, and a signal of your choice. (It currently works only on VMS, since the files are only accessible there.) It can also create MPEG movies. See FCmovies.pro for more information or the FAQ for more on creating MPEGs in IDL.

• Units may be appended to column headings when listing signals in MDSlist.html - 27-Apr-2004
  See MDSlist.html

• An adjustable version of the NSTX MDSplus Scope Plotting Tool. - 23-Apr-2004
  A new version of MDSscope.html now allows many more options for configuring the look of the plot. See MDSscopeAdj.html . This will be especially appropriate for scopes with many plots, because you can set the distance between plots to 0 (like the original Scope program).

  It also plots in a different window, so you don't have click "Back" to change entries. This will allow you to go back to previous plots, like scrolling up in VersaTerm :-).

  This version runs on PPPL Linux computers, where computation speeds should be 4 times faster.

  As with other web-tools, when you e-mail a postscript file to yourself, it should be editable in Adobe Illustrator, Canvas, etc.

• Instructions for Licensing IDL on PPPL Mac's & PC's - 15-Feb-2004
  See IDLonMACOSX.html and IDLonPC.html.

• Beta version of MPTS Plotting Tool on the web. - Dec. 1, 2003
  See mptsplots.html , a user-friendly web interface to the plotts.pro routine.

• FAS can be used to access MDSplus data at other sites. - Oct. 6, 2003
  See the example for HIT machine at the University of Washington,

• IDL 6.0 Available on Linux - Sep. 23, 2003
  On the PPPL Linux computer named tern, you can now run IDL 6.0:

       tern% setup idl60
       tern% idl
  

  Many people will find the iTool utility particularly useful.

  (We will not change the default version of IDL until after APS of this year.)

• Color EFIT flux contour plots from the web - Aug. 23, 2003
  Plot a cross section of NSTX with flux surfaces from EFIT with filled color contours. Optionally overlay Te and Ne from Thomson Scattering, and/or include a plot of any other MDSplus time-varying signal. See EFIT Flux Plotting. Postscript output can be mailed to you.

• FAQ Additions - Aug. 13, 2003
  "How can I make publication quality plots to place into Word and PowerPoint?" added to the NSTX Data Analysis FAQ.

• The Web Plotting Tools can now E-MAIL your postscript files - Aug. 12, 2003
  mdsscope.html, mdssignals.html, and mdsplot1.html, now have an option for producing postscript output files (a check box near the PLOT button). If you want the files e-mailed somewhere (rather than needing to use scp), fill in the appropriate field. These Postscript files are of publication quality; you may edit them in Adobe Illustrator or Canvas.

• "Search NSTX Software Pages" greatly improved. - June 11, 2003

• DbAccess now has plotting and statistics - June 11, 2003
  See the version 2 DbAccess manual.

• IDL Routine to print Scope-like pages from a list of shot numbers and a scope file. - January 27, 2003
  
  
  Works from Unix or VMS, though on Unix you may select a printer from a menu, if one is not specified.

• Neutron Rates, as a function of time, are being automatically entered into MDSplus shot trees. - January 26, 2003
  
  
  Use \PARTICLES::NEUTRATEQUIK for scopes. \PARTICLES::NEUTRON_RATE_RDD0D is a rate based on a model, and is calculated after MPTS data is stored.
  
  
• IDL Routine to discover all Unix printers on-line - January 22, 2003
  
  
• Easy-to-use IDL Plotting Routine GA_PLOTW - January 14, 2003
  
  
  Resizable graphics, printing options and controls over most plot parameters. Uses General Atomics plot objects. Being incorporated into DbAccess .
  
  
• Parallel IDL documentation - January 8, 2003
  
  
• Database Access Application Manual is on the Web. - October 24, 2002
  
  
• An (Unofficial) EFIT 2-D Signal List is on the Web. - October 11, 2002
  
  
• Poloidal Flux from EFIT plotted in Web Tools - October 11, 2002
  
  
  R vs. Z plots of Poloidal Flux (from EFIT) can be plotted for various times by following the TDI example on NSTX MDSplus Signal Plotting page. For example, for the 6th time slice, you enter set_range(65,65,map(\efit01::psirz,make_range(5,*,*))) as the signal. (An easier method is "on the to-do list")
  
  
• Line Integrated Electron Density Nodes added for Firetip - October 1, 2002
  
  
  Line INTEGRATED values for electron density are \MICROWAVE::NE_C2_INTEG and \MICROWAVE::NE_C1_INTEG These are simply the existing line averaged nodes (\MICROWAVE::DEN_FIRETIP and \MICROWAVE::DEN_FIRETIPC1) multiplied by the corresponding path lengths. DESCRIPTION and LABEL sub-nodes have been added to all the Firetip signals, as well.
  
  
• Linux nodes petrel084-petrel092 designated for NSTX Use - September 27, 2002
  
  
  You should be able to ssh to these nodes and run things as you do on Solaris machines. If you have problems, send e-mail to unixadmin@pppl.gov.
  
  
• The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section has been completed. - September 10, 2002
  
  
• The shot numbers used for Calibration Files are now available on the web. - August 30, 2002
  
  
• EFITviewer is now available for Beta Testing on NSTX data (on Solaris Unix or Linux Petrels, at this time) - August 30, 2002
  
  
• Directories Shared Between VMS and Unix - August 23, 2002
  
  
  On VMS, directories are found under NSTX$:[SHARED].

  On Unix, directories are found under /v/nstxshr/.

  Sub-directories can be made from VMS, and will automatically show up on Unix. E.g.,

      $ CREATE/DIRECTORY NSTX$:[SHARED.users.bdavis] 

• SCOPE from Unix - August 22, 2002
  
  
  Scope will work on Unix (including the Petrel Cluster). E.g., assuming you have "setup nstx", use either of these invocations:

      dwscope -def $NSTXUSR/util/scopes/wf.scope &

  or

      scope $NSTXUSR/util/scopes/wf.scope  

  As usual, enter a valid shot number in the field at the bottom, if you don't want the current shot (which can have no data for test shots).

  You can print from Unix Scopes (although problems have been reported when using the ctwm window manager). Be aware that printer selection (from the Customize...Print... menu) is reset to a postscript file when you "use saved settings from" a file.

  If your favorite Unix printer is not in the drop-down list, ask Tom Gibney to add it.

  Automatic updates from event recognition seem to be working, as well.

• NSTX Logbook from Unix - August 22, 2002
  
  
  On UNIX (including the Petrel Cluster), assuming you have "setup nstx", invoke IDL and:

  
  	 IDL> syb_entry 

  Errors and questions may be directed to Dana Mastrovito.
  
  
• On-line UNIX Help - August, 2002
  
  
  See a list of web pages on learning Unix and Unix for VMS Users.
  
  
  
• Entries now remembered on Web Plotting Tools - August, 2002
  
  
  Entries for some fields will be will be remembered between uses on the following pages.

  mdsplot1, NSTX MDSplus Plotting Tool

  mdsscope, NSTX MDSplus Scope Plotting Tool

  mdssignals, NSTX MDSplus Signal Plotting

  
  
  This requires you have JavaScript turned on in your browser, and allow the use of Cookies.
  
  
  
• Site Map - August, 2002
  
  
  See http://nstx.pppl.gov/nstx/Software/Overview/sitemap.html. This site map outline is difficult to maintain, so should only be considered a general guide.
  
  
  
• Local IDL Routines Web Page Updated - Jul 29, 2002
  
  
  Many IDL routines were added or updated, and the documentation updated on the Local IDL Routines web page.
  
  
  
• Copy-and-Paste from Logbook Queries into the Shot Search Page - June, 2002
  
  You can Copy a list of shots from the " Search the NSTX Logbook Comments" page (or other lists of shots), and paste them into the shots field on the " Search for Shots in the NSTX MDSplus tree" page.

Edited 16-Mar-2005 by: Bill Davis