Rocketry Planet

Announcing the release of Winroc 4.0: The Winroc suite of model rocketry programs has been improved and expanded once again. This is the most extensive revision in the 5-year history of Winroc, but I think you will like what I've done. Winroc has been available as shareware since around 1993. The full version has been sold by several vendors, including myself, Black Sky Research, Public Enemy, and NARTS. There are hundreds of Winroc users on 5 continents.

Changes and improvements for version 4.0:

Winroc goes 32-bit!
I've gone all the way with this one, changing the file formats to support long filenames, changing controls to 32-bit versions, and using Win95 conventions where possible. The setup program supports Win95 registry updates and uninstalls. It's been tested with NT4, too.

Bigger, more extensive file structure
The data files now have numerous fields for storing more information about your rockets. I figured, if we have to change them to support long filenames, why not expand even more? The file structures have many extra, unused, fields for future expansion. Included with the full version are programs for converting your older Winroc data files to the new formats.

Winroc splits!
From now on there will be two versions: Winroc and 'Winroc Lite'. The Lite version is primarily intended for use in the field, on computers with limited storage and processing power. Everything not needed for the field has been removed from Winroc Lite, making it faster to load. Right now, Winroc Lite consists of leaner versions of Alticalc and CPCalc. These will be included with the full release. Lite versions use the same file formats as the full version. Future developments for Winroc Lite might include 16-bit or WinCE versions. The 4.0 shareware program will also be Winroc Lite.

Alticalc goes batch
Now you can create a list of motors and run multiple sims on the same rocket. A neat one-page report shows the results. You can do the same with a range of weights and Cd's. Make a motor batch report for each of your rockets and carry them to the launch. You'll have all the data you need to choose motors and delays.

Thrust curves get more info
Thrust Curve Manager has been reworked into a tabbed dialog, showing the thrust data, motor data, and a spreadsheet-like grid. Store tons of information like case type, delay type, propellant, test and expiration dates, and more. Includes a giant database of 378 thrust curves for use with Alticalc.

Winroc sees the Wizard
A new program, MotWiz, simplifies the creation of thrust curves. Just enter a few items of necessary data, the burn time and total impulse, and choose one of 4 general curve shapes. MotWiz does the rest.

CDROM!
Winroc 4.0 will be shipped on CD-ROM. I have a CD recorder and will be making my own disks on the CR-R format. It was either this or ship it on 4 floppy disks. Of course, I'm not using even close to the 650 megabytes available. Who knows what that extra space will eventually be used for? Those of you who can't use a CDROM will have to let me know so arrangements can be made.

...and the rest...
Some small improvements have been made to the other programs in the Winroc Suite, WRGraph and CPCalc. I went nuts with the ToolTip feature in VB5 so my programs now sprout help flags all over the place. Naturally, the help files have been updated, too.

Where do I get Winroc?

The shareware version of Winroc Lite is available on my ftp site: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/st/stevedr/Winroc/

It may also be available here, though it is not posted yet: http://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/archives/rec.models.rockets/Winroc

Check it out first to get a feel for what Winroc can do for you. Then read the help file section on Shareware for information on how to get the full version from me. Other vendors will eventually be carrying Winroc 4.0 disks but this may take a while.

The cost of the full version is still $20.00

I've already bought Winroc. How do I get the new version?

In the past, my policy has always been, send me your old disks and I will upgrade you for free. Many of my users have been upgraded like this 3 times. However, this is a big upgrade and the costs of media and postage for some 200 users, many of them overseas, has forced me to rethink this. I'm going to ask for a donation of $5 for each upgrade. If you can supply me with a good email address, and can download attachments, we can upgrade you that way and it costs nothing. Otherwise, send me your disks!

My address is:

Steve Roberson
P. O. Box 238
Mesa, AZ 85211

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TRA #1158 - NAR #53741

To all my fans, loyal users, and beta testers: It's you who have made Winroc a success. My thanks to all of you for your support!