iraf.net

Hi Jeanette,
I wrote to you a couple of days back asking whether IRAF runs on
NeXT machines... too bad it doesn't! How about on Macintosh machines?
I seem to recall reading something in the IRAF newsletter about this,
but I haven't heard anything else. If it runs on Macs, what sort of
setup does one need with regard to memory and disk space? Thanks very much for answering all my questions... as you can see
I'm pretty keen to get IRAF running on something I can get my hands on
at home! Bob AbrahamPS. I guess it doesn't run on IBM PC compatibles running UNIX?

A few questions regarding running IRAF on a Macintosh:1) will it run on later Macs than the MacII (i.e., 68030 and 68040 machines)?2) how much RAM and hard disk space are required/recommended?3) is an extended keyboard required/recommended?4) what image display is available (e.g. imtool, saoimage,...)?Dan Welty
University of Chicago

Hi Dan,> 1) will it run on later Macs than the MacII (i.e., 68030 and 68040 machines)?A/UX-IRAF can be run on any Mac that can run A/UX. This includes some recent
models such as some models of Quadra. Unfortunately A/UX is not supported on
some recent Macs so you have to be careful. The FAQ for comp.unix.aux has
some information on what Mac models A/UX is supported on.IRAF does NOT run on a mac running only MacOS - you have to have A/UX (Apple's
UNIX). A/UX and the 680xx Macs will eventually be obsoleted by PowerPC systems
running a different version of UNIX, but the 680xxx based systems should be
available for a few more years.> 2) how much RAM and hard disk space are required/recommended?You need about 150 Mb for A/UX alone. A mininum of 100 Mb or so more
for IRAF with space for some data. Disks are cheap nowadays, I would get
a 1 Gb internal disk if possible, 600 Mb if one doesn't want to spring for
the bigger disk. You can make do with less but having adequate disk space
is very important.

> 3) is an extended keyboard required/recommended?Any Mac keyboard is fine. (I am using a DataDesk from MacWherehouse).> 4) what image display is available (e.g. imtool, saoimage,...)?ximtool and saoimage, and some others are coming - all X window based.
It helps greatly to have a large Megapixel, color screen.The truth is that A/UX, X11, and IRAF is a lot of software for a Mac, but
if you can keep A/UX and X11 running, you won't have much trouble with IRAF.See the README file in iraf.noao.edu:iraf/v210/AUX3 for additional
information, as well as the comp.unix.aux FAQ. - Doug