       --- Release Notes for SAO/PROS Patch 2.5.p2 (Oct.99) ---
       --------------------------------------------------------


I) Setting up to use the XRAY package :

    Required packages for Sun :
      IRAF V2.11.2
        (iraf.noao.edu)
      TABLES 2.1
        (stsci.edu)
      PROS 2.5 and 2.5_p1
        (sao-ftp.harvard.edu)

    optional packages:
      EUV (cea-ftp.cea.berkeley.edu)

    >>> Users must rerun the "mkiraf" task and answer 'yes' to the  <<<
    >>> 're-initialize uparm?' option before running.               <<<


II) Summary of changes made in this release (PROS 2.5.p2) :

   <package.task> - <description>

   1. xspatial.offaxisprf - 
          a new task (based on rosprf) that computes off-axis 
          PRFs for the PSPC. 

   2. xdataio.fits2qp, qp2fits and libpros -
          updated to create qpoe and fits files to have the 
          keywords '*DATE*' in the new format 'yyyy-mm-dd'

   3. xtiming.timcor.apply_bary and xproto.evalvg -
          updated to read in and write out the keywords '*DATE*' 
          with the new format 'yyyy-mm-dd'

   4. xspatial.qpsim -   (H&P#26)
          Generate simulated events for a ROSAT HRI field. There was 
          a problem with the 'rename' call.  It has been corrected.

   5. xproto.wcsqpedit -  (H&P#26)
          Edit the WCS parameters in a QPOE file.  The bug did not 
          allow changing to negative declinations (CRVAL2).  It has 
          been fixed.

   6. LINUX port for the PROS_2.5.p1 release -  (H&P#25)
          If you want to install PROS 2.5_p1 under linux, be sure to 
          read the appropriate README file in the directory
            "/pub/pros/pros_2.5_p1/linux_data_src/" from our anon ftp.


III) Other Information

  A. PROS User's Guide (PUG)  ( revised on 5 December 1996, see hp#20)
        NB: an update is planned for spring 1998.

    Latex and/or postscript files are available via anonymous ftp:
        sao-ftp.harvard.edu; from subdirectory /pub/pros/PUG.
    The WWW version can be accessed with URL:
         http://hea-www.harvard.edu/PROS/pros.html

  B. Cross-referencing information

    We are continually trying to improve the cross-referencing information
    in PROS.  We recommend using either "references" or "xapropos" to look
    for information on given keywords, e.g., "references prf" or
    "xapropos prf" (xapropos requires the CTIO package to be loaded).

  C. Hints & Pointers

    As the provider of the PROS software package ("xray" in IRAF), the
    ROSAT Science Data Center (RSDC) at SAO distributes HINTS & POINTERS
    to PROS Users via email.  When we find answers to often asked
    questions, or when we have implemented new software solutions to
    longstanding problems, we will send this information directly to our
    users.  These messages will also be available via anonymous ftp*, but
    to receive the email version, you should register with us. If your
    username is the one associated with your site registration, you are
    already registered for "HINTS & POINTERS", but we encourage other
    users (even at the same sites) to register.

    Mailings will be sent as the need arises, perhaps every month or so.
    If you would like to suggest items for future issues of H&P or add
    your name to our distribution list, please contact us at the following
    address:

    ***********************************************************************
    Internet - rsdc@cfa.harvard.edu    RSDC    MS-3
                                       Center for Astrophysics
                                       60 Garden St. Cambridge MA 02138 USA
                                       tel: (617) 495-7134  FAX: 495-7356
    ***********************************************************************
