November 29, 2012
=================

This package provides software to Apogee USB and SBIG cameras on 64-bit
Linux systems. It was tested on OpenSuse 12.2.

We currently use the SBIG STL and ST10, and the Apogee U16M and U9000
cameras.  This software has been tested for them, and it should work
for other similar cameras from SBIG and Apogee currently in production.

Please note that SBIG library is proprietary and is included here courtesy of 
SBIG.  The version in this package is the most recent one offered on their
website when the current code was developed.  It is well documented and 
supporting information is included here. More recent versions may be
available that will allow support for newer cameras.

The Open Source Apogee library is from Dave Mills and is open source.  The
source code is the most recent version as of March 2011.  A compiled library is
included.  

Other software we provide offers scripting automated operation and 
for guiding with ds9, and a prototype of a website that offers an interface
with image preview.  

A more complete user manual that is actively updated will be available 
from the website.

After version 4.1, future released versions will have:

  * XPA support as an alternative to INDI
  * Python code integration for advanced scipting
  * Preflash for Apogee cameras to reduce residual bulk imaging (RBI) 
  * Web interface for easy remote operation

Other features may be added as needed so please contact us when you find an
error or an opportunity for improvement.

John Kielkopf
Physics and Astronomy
University of Louisville

kielkopf@louisville.edu