Introduction



Right from the start pivique Astrology was designed for PDA’s and therefore it’s especially geared to mobile demands. Among other things, we have attached particular importance to the precise calculation of the planets’ positions as well as to an accurate handling of the available storage devices. Moreover, we have ensured that pivique Astrology is user friendly as possible and that there is an balanced graphical representation. By using large symbols, discreet colours and by putting all our loving care into the details we have managed to enable the optimal use of the PDA’s small screen.

Please devote some time to reading this user manual, because some special possibilities of pivique Astrology will be revealed through closer examination.



General concepts

Pivique Astrology administers all pieces of information concerning a person or a special event in a so-called Chart. A chart consists of all the data you have entered like the chart’s name, time and place of birth, as well as all data resulting from any calculation.
The representation of a chart’s data – therefore the characteristics of a horoscope – results via so called views. Each view is assigned to its own page, but only those functions and methods will be inserted on your menu bar which are applicable to this view.



Application problems

To establish a database comprising time corrections of all countries in the world takes a lot of time and trouble. As a matter of priority we have tried hard to integrate the most frequently demanded countries and periods of time.
Although this database was established with the greatest possible care, we recommend you to check the corrections of time by using additional sources. In some cases, you will need to make thorough enquiries. Please pay particular attention to

    - time changes between summer- and winter time
    - changes of zonal time
    - changes of border lines
    - calendar from which you took the date
    - change of calendar (i.e. from Gregorian to Julian calendar)


Especially before and during the First and Second world wars there were many changes of time and area. Sometimes the local time was dependent on the occupying power of the day. The best references to this subject are undoubtedly the works of

   Thomas G. Shanks,
   The International Atlas
   World Longitudes and Latitudes, Time Changes and Time Zones,
   San Diego, CA, 1991

and also

   ACS American and International PC Atlas.


Although pivique Astrology is very easy to handle do not be deceived about the subject’s underlying complexity. Please consider: a useful interpretation can only be built on a correctly calculated horoscope. A very good article about problems with astrological software is for instance, "The Optimal Use of Astrology Software" by "Hank Friedman", which you can find easily by using one of the net’s search engines.



Uptdates and prospects of the next version

You will certainly miss a range of astrological functions like transits, progressions or Synastry and you will be disappointed by getting to know that these functions won’t be available until the next version has been released. But we think it is more useful to implement the most important methods thoroughly before we introduce any new features.
Some of the subjects in the next version will be

      Additional languages like Spanish and German
      Astrological methods like transits, synastry, ...
      Inclusion of Chiron and Lilith
      Integration and evaluation of interpretation texts
      Printing of charts and interpretations
      Integrated help comprising the most important information about zodiac signs, planets, etc….
      Export of charts to HTML, PDF and other formats


If you miss a certain function in particular, or think you have come across a mistake, please let us know. We enjoy reading your letters, which helps us to improve our products.