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     * Welcome to SPLAT! -- A Terrain Analysis Tool for Unix/Linux *
     ===============================================================

Requirements
============
SPLAT! requires the libbzip2-1.0.1 (or later) compression library and
header files for successful compilation.  bzip2/libbzip2 is available
at: http://sources.redhat.com/bzip2/

SPLAT! also requires the zlib general purpose compression library.
Any recent version included with your Linux distribution should work
fine.  Note, however, that zlib version 1.1.3 contains a security
vulnerability that has been fixed in version 1.1.4.  The latest
version of zlib may be found at: http://www.gzip.org/zlib/
If you decide to build zlib, don't forget to invoke:

	./configure -s

to build zlib as a shared library.

If you wish to generate terrain and elevation profiles through SPLAT!,
you will also need gnuplot.  The latest version of gnuplot is available
at: http://www.gnuplot.info/

You will also need an application for viewing large PPM graphics
files generated by SPLAT!.  XV, ImageMagick, XPaint, and The GIMP
all perform this task well, especially The GIMP.

It goes without saying that a C++ compiler (gcc/g++) and math libraries
are also needed to build SPLAT!


Installation Instructions
=========================
Unpack the tar.gz file in a source code directory (such as /usr/src
under Slackware):

	cd /usr/src
	tar xvfz splat-1.1.0.tar.gz

This action will generate a subdirectory named splat, and probably
requires 'root' privileges to do so.

Next, cd to the splat directory:

	cd splat

Invoke the configure script to build SPLAT! and related utilities:

	./configure

If you are 'root', SPLAT! and its related man page and utilities will
be installed after the compilation process is complete.  If not, you
will be prompted to su to 'root' and invoke the install script manually:

	su root
	Password:
	./install all
	exit

It's THAT simple!  :-)
 
Before running SPLAT!, carefully read the documentation located under
the splat-1.1.0/docs directory for information on the use of the program.

Remember, topography data must be downloaded and SPLAT Data Files must
be generated (using the postdownload or usgs2sdf utility) prior to using
SPLAT!  Instructions for doing so are included in the documentation.

It is important to realize that when analyzing coverage areas of
transmitters, repeaters, or cell sites, SPLAT Data Files need to be
available for the entire region surrounding the site(s) being analyzed
so an accurate and complete topography map can be generated.  It is
advised that you place all your SPLAT Data Files in a single directory,
and then create a file in your home directory called .splat_path that
contains the full path to that directory so SPLAT! can easily find them.

Please read the README file under the utils directory for information
on the utilities included with SPLAT!.

The latest announcements and information regarding SPLAT! software is
available at the SPLAT! Home Page:

	http://www.qsl.net/kd2bd/splat.html

--
John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
January 24, 2004