User support

• Reporting bugs
• Known problems
• Future developments
  

If you find any bugs, or have any queries or suggestions, please contact us.

• Recent copies of Windows 95 and all copies of Windows NT tested (v3.5 and v4) are much slower than earlier Windows 95 with the map-filling functions. It is not clear where the problem lies, though it may be a change in the Win95 system to bring it into line with WinNT. The problem can be avoided by using Mapgraphics | Mapdraw | Mapfill option off.
• Some other applications (e.g. Word or Excel) when running simultaneously may occasionally cause failure of the map-filling functions. This is a problem with the Windows system (when the palette is reassigned by another application), not of WORLDMAP. It is usually overcome automatically by WORLDMAP re-asserting control over the colour palette whenever it regains the system focus. However, if the problem persists, it can be avoided either by closing other Windows applications, or by using Mapgraphics | Mapdraw | Mapfill option off.
• The coloured squares plotted on the grid cells do not always meet properly, without either fragmentation of the image or partially overlap of grid cells (this may be especially obvious if an empty grid is viewed). This is a problem with the Windows graphics functions, not with arithmetic within WORLDMAP (zooming the affected part of the image will show the correct gridcell registration). The gridcell plotting function attempts to offset this problem by calculating an additional overlap factor when the image is scaled down on the screen. The problem is being monitored and adjustments made.
• When the coastline is set to automatic contrast (black/white) with the background, it prints to the printer as black. This can only only be captured as a bitmap (.BMP) at present.
• WYSIWYG printing requires polishing.

• Data import/export facilities will be augmented as required for collaborative projects.
• Tree-drawing functions from WORLDMAP 3 will be implemented.
• Tree-distance measures will be implemented more fully as collaborative projects with suitable data arise.
• Area-selection methods and biogeographic tools will be developed as required for collaborative projects.