14 May 1996

                               MapPad 2.0 (beta 4)

[This is a beta version. If you encounter problems setting up or using
MapPad version 2.0, please send a complete description of the problem you 
had to John Keltner jkeltner@paleosciencedata.net).]

MapPad is a Microsoft Windows (3.1 or higher) program that allows you to
save your site and associated text and image information to a simple text
file. You can then display this information by clicking points on a map.

MapPad is available free of charge and may not be resold.
 
                           Self-Extracting Files

This version of MapPad, distributed via the Internet, consists of this 
Read-Me plus a self-extracting executable file: mp20b4.exe

mp20b4.exe (MapPad Version 2.0 beta 4) contains the MapPad installation 
program, the main application files, and a sample datafile that uses
a map of North America. If you need a map other than North American, then
you will need to download it from the ftp site or via the WWW.


                               Version 2.0

Several features were added for version 2.0. These include:
  - Availability of much improved regional-scale maps.
  - Different map symbols.
  - User determined map center for printing.^M
See the Version section of the Help file for more information on these
new features.

Version 1.1 added the following features:
  - A resizeable main window.
  - Printing for maps and site information.
  - Image referencing, a Viewers dialog box, and an internal viewer
    for Windows bitmaps and metafiles.
See the Version section of the Help file for more information on these new 
features.


                 Important Differences From Earlier Versions

MapPad 2.0 uses a different mapfile format than versions 1.0 and 1.1. You
may still use version 1.1 maps with version 2.0. If you are upgrading from
version 1.0, however, then you must reinstall any maps that you were using.
Existing datafiles are not affected by the version change.


                             Installing MapPad

Execute mp20b4.exe from the DOS prompt to extract the compressed archive. 
Before executing mp20b4.exe you should change to an empty, temporary 
installation directory on your hard drive with at least 2.0 Mb of free disk 
space (1 Mb for the setup files, which you may erase after installation, 
and 1 Mb for the MapPad program and sample datafile). 

    D:\TEMP\INSTALL\DIR> mp20b4.exe

Once you have extracted the installation files from mp20b4.exe, install 
MapPad by selecting File and Run from the Windows Program Manager (or from
Start/Run in Windows 95) and then typing: d:\temp\install\dir\setup.exe

Note that all .EXE files are binary files and therefore all transfers between 
ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov and your PC or network server must be in binary mode. Failure 
to specify BINARY mode transfer will result in corrupt and unreadable files.


                                Additional Maps

Additional maps are available in the /paleo/softlib/mappad/version_2.0/maps
subdirectory for access by ftp. The easiest way to get additional maps is via 
the WWW. Please feel free to request (to jkeltner@paleosciencedata.net) 
additional maps, if the area you are interested in has not already been provided.


                                 Using MapPad

Please refer to the Help file for information on using MapPad. Select Contents 
from the Help menu or press F1 at any time while MapPad is running.


If you have questions or comments about MapPad, please contact:
  John Keltner  jkeltner@paleosciencedata.net
  Lou Maher     maher@ice.geology.wisc.edu