sunPATH for Lion

We are currently working on a new version of sunPATH that will run on OS 10.7 Lion.
We do not yet have a release date.

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sunPATH and Lion - OPTIONS

• sunPATH report subscription
• sunPATH on Windows PC
• sunPATH on PC emulators ( Parallels or VMware Fusion)


sunPATH Report Subscription
A few sunPATH users have suggested that I provide sunPATH reports on a subscription basis until a Lion compatible version of the software is available.  I will give it a try.  If you feel it would be useful please check out the details at: sunPATH Subscription Info  Subscriptions can be purchased providing credits for sunPATH reports as PDF files sent via email. This will ONLY be available to licensed users of sunPATH for Macintosh. If you want to order a subscription Click Here.


sunPATH on Windows PC
If you are a licensed Mac sunPATH user and have access to a Window's PC I can send you a free copy of sunPATH for windows. Contact Us

sunPATH on PC emulators

If you have a PC emulator (Parallels or VMware Fusion) on your Macintosh I can send you a free copy of sunPATH for windows.  I do not recommend purchasing an emulator only to run sunPATH.  It is expensive.  The emulators are about $50-$100 but you also have to purchase a Window's license from Microsoft which is much more expensive.  But if you already run software on an emulator then this is a viable option. Contact Us

sunPATH and Mac OS 10.7 Lion

IMPORTANT -- If you are considering switching your Macintosh operating system to Mac OS 10.7 Lion please read this.

Dear sunPATH User,

Apple is scheduled to release a new operating system this summer 2011 (Lion Mac OS X 10.7).  If you do not plan on upgrading to the new operating system, please disregard this message.


Lion Bites Back
What Apple has NOT told you about Mac OS 10.7 Lion.
Longtime owners of Mac computers may find the conversion to Lion a time consumming and expensive experience. Adapting to OS 10.7 will take work and planning for this group of people. Owners who recently joined the Mac community, however, will find Lion to be an easy conversion with respect to their data files and applications.

You may be using programs now that will not work in Lion. You will need to purchase updates (which can be expensive like Photoshop or MS Office) or find alternative programs and deal with transferring your data which you must do if you use programs like Quicken or Quickbooks 2007.

The real cost of Mac OS Lion is more than the $29.99 that Apple charges. You may need to purchase a number of update and new replacement software.  If you are not currently running Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard, you must purchase and install this system to allow you to access the App Store so you can purchase and download Lion.

I am sorry to report that sunPATH will NOT run in Mac OS 10.7 Lion.  

sunPATH was originally programmed for the older PowerPC architecture, and was able to run on newer Intel-based Macs due to an Apple technology called Rosetta. Sadly with Mac OS X 10.7 Lion, Apple has discontinued support for Rosetta.  Rosetta is a brilliant utility that works invisibly in the background of Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard allowing you to run PowerPC applications.  Apple has not said why they are discontinuing Rosetta in Lion.

Macworld Article “Lion and the Rosetta dead-end”

My Options:

Completely rewrite sunPATH for Intel-based Macs.  I am a filmmaker.  Computer programming is a hobby.  I will have to look into the cost of time and money to rewrite sunPATH.  sunPATH sales have dropped greatly in the last few years but I know a lot of you still depend on sunPATH on a regular basis. Let me know what you think. Should I rewrite sunPATH or has sunPATH outlived it’s usefulness? A new version will require an update charge?  How much would you be willing to pay?

Send me your thoughts at:  Click Here to Comment

Your Options:

One option, of course, is to not upgrade to OS 10.7. Be aware, however, that if you buy a new Mac after Lion is released it will have Lion installed as the operating system.

A second option is a two-computer option. Dedicate one computer to running Snow Leopard for sunPATH and your other PowerPC applications. Transfer Universal and Intel applications (and corresponding data files) to the second computer that can be upgraded to Lion.

This is cumbersome, but sunPATH and your PowerPC applications’ critical data files will still be accessible. 

A variant on the two-computer option is to use multiple hard drives/partitions by partitioning your computer’s internal hard drive into a Snow Leopard volume and a Lion volume or by use of an external hard drive for one OS and the internal for the other OS. Once those are set up you can choose to start the computer running the desired OS from the appropriate source, using System Preferences/ Startup Disk/ Restart. (This is the method I will use)

When you run sunPATH you can print all your reports to PDF and access them later when you are using Lion.

osXdaily Article “How to Install and Dual Boot Mac OS X 10.7 Lion and 10.6 Snow Leopard”

Let me know what you think...  Click Here to Comment

David Parrish SOC

Wide Screen Software LLC

7 July 2011

Other PowerPC programs you may be using, a few but not all have expensive updates

(not a complete list):

Quicken 2007 and earlier (including all previous years data)
Quickbooks 2007

Microsoft Office 2004 and 2008
Quicktime 7

VLC

Freehand

Appleworks

Photoshop 7

URL Manager Pro

WebConfidential

Eudora

FileMaker Pro 6

Practica Musica

Canon photo software

OmniGraffle 3

Amadeus II 3.84

Bookends UB

Intaglio UB

iSiloX

WordPerfect 3.5

some Printer and Scanner software and drivers

MTR 2.6.6

AOE II

Starcraft 1 :O

EasyWMA (freeware version)

Fallout 1

Jomic

Resknife

Stronghold

number of older games

TidBITS “Preparing for Lion: Find your PowerPC Applications”

iPhone - sunPATH Update

My programmer is a college student. He should be finishing his final tests soon. I will then be on him to complete the iPhone app during his summer break.

I do not set release dates because it is unfair and frustrates users if we miss them and it can force sloppy programming to make a preset date.

I have not set any prices yet. There will be 2 versions; a standard sunPATH that provides the information that the current sunPATH computer application provides and then a higher priced Pro version that has a couple of REALLY NICE useful new features.

This is my first iPhone app. I am unsure how much control Apple allows the software publishers with their apps. The app can only be sold through the App Store on iTunes. I do not know if I will even know who purchases the apps. It will probably be impossible to give discounts to previous sunPATH users. I know the apps can be updated at the store but I do not know if it will be possible to upgrade from the standard version to the pro version. I will release both at the same time, Apple willing, so you have the choice from the beginning which to purchase. I do not want users to pay for the standard version and then have the Pro version come out later and they have to pay again. This would not be a problem if I controlled the sale of the sunPATH apps but that is not the case.

When the sunPATH apps are released I hope to have full tutorials with screen shots available from our web site so you can make a fair decision on which version to purchase.

Like the sunPATH computer program the iPhone apps have been designed by a working filmmaker for the needs of Photographers and Filmmakers.

Thank you for your patience, I am sure you will be happy with the sunPATH apps.

David Parrish SOC
Wide Screen Software LLC
Los Angeles - May 17, 2010

sunPATH Macintosh Update Available Now

The sunPATH Macintosh Update is Available Now (16 January 2010)

sunPATH v 1.6.4

Click here to order the Update

The update will cost $20 US Dollars.
(The last time we charged for an update was 2004.)

This update includes the Magnetic Declination data for 2010 - 2015.
The update also includes changes for Time Zones and Daylight Saving Time (summer time) for over 12 countries.
All previous updates are included.

Magnetic Declination

What is Magnetic Declination?
It is the angle between True North and Magnetic North at a particular place and time on Earth. Magnetic Declination is used in sunPATH calculations so you can quickly and easily use a compass without making adjustments for the declination. Magnetic declination varies both from place to place, and with the passage of time. Due to the constant change of the declination sunPATH uses data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide highly accurately calculations of the sun's position . NOAA updates the Magnetic Declination data every five years.
Magnetic Declination Wikipedia

iPhone - sunPATH

I am excited about the development of sunPATH for the iPhone.

We will release two versions of the software. sunPATH and sunPATH Pro

sunPATH will provide the same information that you now receive from the computer version of sunPATH. Formatted and modified for the smaller screen.

sunPATH Pro will add a number of new "tools" that I believe will become indispensable for filmmakers and photographers. Tools for use during prep, on location scouts and during shoot days. We have two features that let you use sunPATH in places that compasses are unreliable. Ever try to use a compass in New York City?


We do not yet have a release date but all the major functions of the software are coded and we are now fine tuning the app so it is as easy to use and as accurate as you have come to expect from sunPATH.




© 2010 Wide Screen Software LLC. All Rights Reserved.
sunPATH ® is a registered trade mark of Wide Screen Software LLC

sunPATH Compatible with Windows 7

We have reports from users that sunPATH for Windows version 1.4 is compatible with Windows 7.
Users who updated VISTA to Windows 7 and users who went from XP to Windows 7 have reported that sunPATH works with the new system software.