At least one, and as many as three run control files are used to customize the settings of Place-n-Time.
 

RUN CONTROL FILE	DESCRIPTION
/etc/placentimerc.first	Host-wide defaults for all users.
$HOME/.placentime/placentimerc	Defined for a specific user, overrides the above.
/etc/placentimerc.last	Host-wide requirements for all users, overrides the above.

The format of all three files is the same.  Normally only /etc/placentimerc.first need be installed.  If a single user wishes to create a personal run control file, he or she may create .placentime/placentimerc in his or her home directory.  (Please note that the directory name .placentime/ begins with a dot.)  Rarely, if ever, will there be a need to create /etc/placentimerc.last.  This would only be necessary if the system administrator felt the need to override any unfriendly settings that a user might set in his or her personal run control file.

What follows is a list of all the items currently supported by the run control files.  It is probably a good idea to include all items in /etc/placentimerc.first, but each item need only appear in one file.  So it unnecessary (although permissible) to put any items in $HOME/.placentime/placentimerc other than the ones to be customized.  No items should appear in /etc/placentimerc.last except those which the system administrator wishes to override.
 

ITEM	DESCRIPTION
dlg_directory	Directory at the top of the tree containing the SDTS files.
essential_files_directory	Directory containing the files that are essential to the operation of Place-n-Time.
fips55_pathname	Directory and name of the file containing the FIPS 55 codes for states, counties, and townships.
gnis_directory	Directory containing the GNIS files.
included_symbol_directory	Directory containing the graphic characteristics symbols that were included in the Place-n-Time package.
init_lat	Initial latitude to display at center of window.  Range is -90 to 90.  Fractional values are okay (e.g., 43.6875).
init_lon	Initial longitude to display at center of window.  Range is -180 to 180 (remember, North America is negative).  Fractional values are okay (e.g., -72.3125).
init_series	Initial map series to display.  Must be 2000000, 100000, or 24000.
init_zoom	Initial zoom level.  Range is 0 to 8  (See Levels for init_zoom, below, for definitions of zoom levels.)
lookup_24_pathname	Directory and name of lookup file for 1:24000 series surfaces.
lookup_100_pathname	Directory and name of lookup file for 1:100000 series surfaces.
lookup_2000_pathname	Directory and name of lookup file for 1:2000000 series surfaces.
mdd_24_path	Directory containing the Master Data Dictionary for 1:24000 series surfaces.
mdd_100_path	Directory containing the Master Data Dictionary for 1:100000 series surfaces.
mdd_2000_path	Directory containing the Master Data Dictionary for 1:2000000 series surfaces.
recursive_depth	Maximum number of subdirectories to search below the directory named by dlg_directory.
reserved_symbol_directory	Directory containing the graphic characteristics symbols whose names are reserved by Place-n-Time, such as none.
symbol_directory	Directory containing the graphic characteristics symbols needed for overlay maps.

The point defined by init_lat, init_lon, and init_series must, of course, correspond to a surface in your SDTS collection (unless you enjoy looking at a blank window).  Most of the other items will never need to be changed from the values defined in the  /etc/placentimerc.first file supplied in the Place-n-Time package.

Here is a sample run control file:

dlg_directory=/usr/local/share/usgs/
reserved_symbol_directory=/usr/local/lib/placentime/symbols
symbol_directory=/home/dmapper/.placentime/symbols
included_symbol_directory=/usr/local/lib/placentime/symbols
essential_files_directory=/usr/local/lib/placentime/essential
recursive_depth=5
mdd_24_path=/usr/local/share/usgs/dlg24/Master/
mdd_100_path=/usr/local/share/usgs/dlg100/Master/
mdd_2000_path=/usr/local/share/usgs/dlg2000/Master/
fips55_pathname=/usr/local/share/nist/fips55/all
gnis_directory=/usr/local/share/usgs/gnis/
lookup_24_pathname=/usr/local/share/usgs/dlg24/lookup
lookup_100_pathname=/usr/local/share/usgs/dlg100/lookup
lookup_2000_pathname=/usr/local/share/usgs/dlg2000/lookup
init_lat=43.6875
init_lon=-72.3125
init_series=24000
init_zoom=3

Levels for init_zoom:

UTM Coordinate System (native to 1:24000 and 1:100000 series)

init_zoom	cm per pixel	pixels per km
0	32000	3.125
1	16000	6.25
2	8000	12.5
3	4000	25
4	2000	50
5	1000	100
6	500	200
7	250	400
8	125	800

GEO Coordinate System (native to 1:2000000 series)

init_zoom	millionths of a degree per pixel	pixels per degree
0	32000	31.25
1	16000	62.5
2	8000	125
3	4000	250
4	2000	500
5	1000	1000
6	500	2000
7	250	4000
8	125	8000

Copyright © 2008 by Dapper Mapper