| 100,000 Stars ~ Programmed by enthusiasts at Google, this is an interactive and experimental visualisation of our stellar neighbourhood. It shows the location of 119,617 nearby stars, with 87 of these picked out for special attention before you reach our solar system. You’ll need a suitable graphics card and a browser that supports WebGL… |
| Abacus Astrology ~ Apparently not updated since 2004, this site offers three programs that calculate your birthchart for you, then providing either a brief or more detailed interpretation and a synastry comparison between you and someone else for compatibility purposes. They’re free and run fine in the latest browsers. Why not try them out? |
| Adding
Sedna to Solar Fire ~ Solar Fire dominates the market for professional
grade astrology software. Here you’ll learn about tweaking your existing
Solar Fire 5.1 installation to include the very latest in astronomical
discoveries. This isn’t really a website, more an invaluable piece
of advice from Astrolabe. Tell your friends if they haven’t upgraded! |
| A Literary Appreciation Of The Tz Database ~ The tz database is your best source reference for time zones across the world and for when daylight savings are observed. Besides being adopted by some of the most important computing systems around, if you take the trouble to study the notes behind this reference, you’ll see it is a long way from a dry academic exercise. |
| Ancient Government Computers ~ If you find it a hassle keeping your computer up to date, spare a thought for the US government. Its nuclear deterrent relies on 8-inch floppy disks, phased out for the 5.25” equivalent after five years in 1976 and ousted by the sleeker 3.5” version in 1982. The US Treasury runs on museum pieces from about 1960, with no plans to upgrade… |
| Astrocom.Com ~
Website of Astro Communications Services, better known in astrological
circles simply as ACS. As well as describing their essential publications
and range of software, you can also choose from a fantastic selection
of free desktop wallpaper and send some of the best astrological e-cards
that are out there. |
| Astrolabe v. Olson ~ Astrolabe are behind some big sales of astrology software. The tz database is used for time zone data in the majority of computer systems worldwide, but is free and maintained by two volunteers. Astrolabe decided to sue for copyright infringement, based on undisguised references to some of their own widely available products… |
| Astrolog 7.10 ~ This charting software has near-mythic status among astrologers, as one of the first programs able to calculate your horoscope accurately, of still being among the best for the various flavours of Linux and because finally, it is totally free. Released in 1991, with a lengthy silence after v.5.40 (1998), in 2015 v.6.00 arrived and Walter Pullen resumed development. |
| Astrology Ephemeris ~ Android has been the best-selling operating system (OS) for smartphones since 2011. As of May 2017, it has the largest installed base of *any* OS. This free application comprises an ephemeris, details of lunar phases and draws a basic chart using one of four different house systems. More is offered in a pro version; if you feel like encouraging the developers. |
| Astrology Plugins for WordPress ~ WordPress is a content management system that runs 27% of the Internet. This popular platform allows users who’d struggle otherwise to get a website together quickly and easily. Its plugin architecture lets you add features to your site, with a couple of clicks or a drag and drop. Those with an astrological theme are all around the Web… |
| Astrology Tools ~ An excellent site, developed in the UK by Tracy Delaney.
Initial impressions belie hidden complexity, because here you can carry
out all sorts of online astrological calculations, including many recent
astronomical discoveries in your workings. Everything is seamless and
very easy to use. Highly recommended! |
| Astrology under Linux ~ I’d love to move to Linux, since the cooperative ethos and idea of software as a shared resource for everybody, certainly appeals. The only problem as you’ll see from this feature is the limited range of applications available once you do. If you need an emulator or such to run Windows programs still, really what’s the point? |
| Astronomy Freeware ~ Links to a staggering array of astronomy freeware, from specialist applications through software planetaria, to programs that control and even help you make your own telescope. A few links are dead, but it’s surprising the number that persist, although how some of them might run these days I’d certainly be inclined to wonder. |
| Astronomy Simulations & Animations ~ The trend within software currently is to move away from proprietary technologies towards a more open source future. That’s fine, but at the end of the day it comes down to the user experience, as this range of simulations and tutorials from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, written in Adobe Flash all demonstrate beautifully… |
| AstroSimple.com ~ This site starts out from a unique perspective, as my first recommendation to be presented mainly in Thai. However, there is plenty to ensure a worthwhile visit for English speakers too, with some absorbing chart calculation software written in Flash for use online and a custom version of the venerable Astrolog to download… |
| AstroViewer ~ There are several maps of the night sky online that will help you pinpointing the planets and the backdrop of the constellations for your location and moment of observation. This interactive example is one of the best I’ve seen, with plenty of features to customise and a full version you can try live or feature on your website. |
| AstroWin ~ Once you’ve used the online services, you start thinking about some
astrology software for yourself, to use in the unimaginable
situation of finding yourself minus your high speed broadband connection.
Search for a few moments and you are sure to encounter
AstroWin. It’s free and must be worth a few hours of your time… |
