AstroStack 3 download

(You need Java in order to run AstroStack, see instructions below)

Read the license agreement.
Download and save the zip file AstroStack3LE.zip to a temporary place on your hard disk.
Unzip it to the final directory e.g. C:\ (Windows) or /yourhomedir/ (Linux/Mac). Subdirectories AstroStack3le and AstroStack3le/img will be made. You may have to make a new directory yourself and then copy the files in AstroStack3LE.zip to it.
Run by doubleclicking the jar file AstroStack3le.jar.
If this does not work on your system, then do the following:
Open a DOS prompt (Windows) or a terminal (Linux/Mac) **).
Check if you have java installed by typing java -version.
Go to the directory where the astrostack files where unzipped.
Type: java -Xmx256m -jar AstroStack3le.jar

The -Xmx256m assures that Java can use up to 256 Mb memory. You can increase this number if you run into memory problems.
Do not make it larger than the amount of physical RAM you have installed on your computer, or the program can become slow.
See for permanently reserving memory below.
Take some time to read the manual !

**) Opening a command terminal:
Windows 98 users: Start - programs - MS-DOS
Windows XP users: Start - All Programs - Accessories - DOS/Command
Mac OSX users: Applications - Utilities - Terminal

Uninstall

Just delete the files you don't need: AstroStack3LE.zip, AstroStack3le.jar and everything else that was unzipped.

Installation of Java can be a bit cumbersome and confusing, especially when you have never worked with it before.
Here are some hints and tips:

In short: you will need Java J2SE JRE to run AstroStack 3.

Java installation steps:

Windows/Linux

Go to the Java download page
Go to J2SE v 1.4.2_05 JRE Read the Installation Instructions first if you want.
Click Download J2SE JRE .
Click accept and continue to accept the license agreement .
Now select the file j2re-1_4_2_05-windows-i586-p.exe for windows or j2re-1_4_2_05-linux-i586-rpm.bin for linux
Both files are about 15 Mbyte in size.
Download the file of your choice to a temporary location on your computer, then run the file to start the installation.

Macintosh

Java comes preinstalled with OSX but you can read more about Java or download the latest version at Java for Macintosh.

Test and run

Test the Java installation by opening a DOS prompt, terminal or console **) and type java -version or just java.
Install and Run AstroStack: See Installation.

**) Opening a command terminal:
Windows 98 users: Start - programs - MS-DOS
Windows XP users: Start - All Programs - Accessories - DOS/Command
Mac OSX users: Applications - Utilities - Terminal

Java extension directory:

This is the place where Java programs find resources and libraries they need.
The best thing is to copy all jar files (astrostack3le.jar or astrostack3.jar and plugin ASP*.jar) to the Java extension directory, including all extra external libraries you may need.
The extension directory can be found in AstroStack in the General / Info tab. If more than one directory is listed (separated by ; or :) pick the first one.
After coping any jar file to it, you need to restart AstroStack (you can always start from the AstroStack directory where you unpacked the zip file).

Some Java terminology:

Java 2 platform Common name for modern Java.
The name Java 2 is in use since version 1.2 (they are now at version 1.4.2).
J2SE: Java standard edition. Java for desktop computers.
J2EE: Java enterprise edition. Java for enterprise/networking applications.
SDK: Software development kit. Contains everything needed to run or develop Java programs (30-50Mb download).
JRE: Java runtime environment. Contains everything needed to run Java programs (15Mb download).

Memory issues

Reserving permanent more memory for AstroStack

Windows
In Windows Explorer select menu 'Tools/Folder Options .../File types'.
Look for Jar and select Advanced (see attached JARtype.jpg).
Look at 'application used to perform action:'
There is a line under 'application used to perform action' like:
"C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\javaw.exe" -jar "%1" %*
Now just add the memory option before the '-jar' part (use a space before and after the memory option):
"C:\Program Files\java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\javaw.exe" -Xmx256m -jar "%1" %* and press OK.
This should give AstroStack permanently a maximum of 256Mb memory when starting it by doubleclicking astrostack3.jar, without having to use a DOS prompt.
You can change this value if needed (-Xmx512m for 512Mb etc). Preferably keep it below your physical RAM memory or the program could become very slow when using its given maximum.

Click here for a screenshot:

Linux

The quick-and-dirty method
Start a terminal or console window
Make sure you are in the AstroStack directory: type "CD Astrostack3" if necessary.
Type: java -Xmx256m -jar AstroStack3le.jar
This starts AstroStack with 256M of memory. Change the number if you need more memory. Do not enter a higher number than 70%-80% of the total real physical amount of RAM memory of your machine. So if you have 1Gb onboard, use 768m etc...
The permanent solution
coming ..

Mac

The quick-and-dirty method
Start a terminal window: Applications - Utilities - Terminal
Make sure you are in the AstroStack directory: type "CD Astrostack3" if necessary.
Type: java -Xmx256m -jar AstroStack3le.jar
This starts AstroStack with 256M of memory. Change the number if you need more memory. Do not enter a higher number than 70%-80% of the total real physical amount of RAM memory of your machine. So if you have 1Gb onboard, use 768m etc...
The permanent solution
coming ..

Installation

(You need Java in order to run AstroStack, see instructions below)

**) Opening a command terminal: Windows 98 users: Start - programs - MS-DOS Windows XP users: Start - All Programs - Accessories - DOS/Command Mac OSX users: Applications - Utilities - Terminal

Uninstall

Java

Hints on Java installation

Java installation steps:

Windows/Linux

Macintosh

Test and run

**) Opening a command terminal: Windows 98 users: Start - programs - MS-DOS Windows XP users: Start - All Programs - Accessories - DOS/Command Mac OSX users: Applications - Utilities - Terminal

Java extension directory:

Some Java terminology:

Memory issues

Reserving permanent more memory for AstroStack

**) Opening a command terminal:
Windows 98 users: Start - programs - MS-DOS
Windows XP users: Start - All Programs - Accessories - DOS/Command
Mac OSX users: Applications - Utilities - Terminal

**) Opening a command terminal:
Windows 98 users: Start - programs - MS-DOS
Windows XP users: Start - All Programs - Accessories - DOS/Command
Mac OSX users: Applications - Utilities - Terminal