Release history:
Release history v12.2.0 was released in April 2005 as part of HEAsoft 6.0. It was updated to v12.2.1 as part of HEAsoft 6.0.4 in November 2005. v12 runs on all HEAsoft supported systems except OSF.
We also included v11.3.2. Our policy on v11 is we will continue to fix critical bugs but will not add new features. New models are only added to v12.
v12 features:
v12 features A spectrum can be fit by a model of form M1*R1 + M2*R2 + …
Arbitrarily complex combinations of model components are allowed.
Parameters can be linked to polynomial functions of other parameters.
Memory is used more efficiently and in many cases execution is faster.
Type II (multi-spectrum) files are fully supported.
Adding local models is much easier. Models can be written in Fortran (single or double precision), C, or C++.
Help works either through local PDF files or web pages.
A summary of the differences between v11 and v12 can be found at http://xspec.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xanadu/xspec/xspec12/compatibility/xspec11/xspec11.html
in the next release…:
in the next release… energies command specifies energy grid on which the model is calculated. This is a replacement and enhancement of the v11 extend command.
Improved flexibility for models of form M1*R1 + M2*R2 + … on my wishlist… improved Bayesian/MCMC capabilities and better integration with other aspects of the program.
web-based, cross-referenced model documentation to guide users towards appropriate models for classes of objects and physical processes.
where else should we put effort ?:
where else should we put effort ? scripting options in addition to Tcl/Tk - perhaps Python or S-lang ?
more models - which physical processes and/or astronomical objects ?
better support for spatial-spectral and temporal-spectral modelling ?
cooperating (or competing) with Sherpa and/or ISIS ?
parallelization ?
…