Linux and astrophotography

You might try 'Cartes du Ciel' better known as 'Sky Charts' on the web.


I believe It may have a camera interface in the software. BTW it is still
in the developmental stage but as it stands is very good in Linux. I have
had it on my computer several times. . . I'm continually switching Linux
and Unix Distro's to see where the progress has been made and kept up in
the software development. Windows is going out the Window with me.

.. Right now I'm using 'Bianca-Linux Mint' which is
(Gnome)not KDE. It is very good and uses Ubuntu repositories. It also
interfaces well with Debian files. Sky Charts works well with it.

What Linux Distro are you using?

Give 'Sky Charts' a try. Installation is pretty easy (you have to install
several Catalog files for the super full functionality of the software
(i.e. galaxy,globular,double-star catalogs,etc.). It has a camera
interface but I can't say how well it will work. . .

For all you 'Windoze' people that can't justify 'Linux' for anything
here's what I feel needs to be said:

I will someday dump Microsoft on my other computer. I still need
Windows because of my other photographic activities. . . (panoramic
photography). .though a good program is being developed in Linux that will
completely ween me from Microsoft altogether.

(Rant)

Windows and all of the commercial software that works with Windows is a
bottomless pit draining money continually from millions of
people who get sucked into this one machine, one registered package per
computer software mentality, along with the endless version upgrades
promoting new 'Lower Suds', and 'Whiter than White' performance over
previous software Versions, this just costs you more $$$ in the end and
gives you an added feeling of 'insecurity' that maybe you are missing
something that will add 'new and improved' life to your computer or new
visual 'eyecandy'. If developers want to play the one software package per
machine game. . .then all of the future version updates should be
provided 'Free'. After all I paid for the right to use their copyrighted
software.

I own 4 personal computers at home and I'll be damned if Microsoft or
anyone else profits excessively from me over this.

Linux and Unix and open-source software is making more sense to me all
the time. On going software development is a slow process but at
least it won't cost me an 'Arm or a Leg' in cash. Hopefully the public
will 'wake-up' to this on going software money making scam.

(End of Rant)

Richard