                                                           From: A.Longinotti
                                                           Date: 21 December 2000


             VLT-SW-NOV2000 - RELEASE NOTES FOR INS COMMON SOFTWARE
             ======================================================


                                 New packages
                                 ------------

BOSS (Base OS):
        It provides the common core for all Observation Software implementations.
        Support for Super-OSs, i.e. applications coordinating several OSs/instruments,
        only partly provided.
        User Manual: VLT-MAN-ESO-17240-2265

XXXX (Template Instrument):
        Added to the release tape (examples/insapp/XXXX)
        It is a complete instrumentation application, using all available
        INS common sw packages.
        It is supposed to be taken as example for instrumentation sw 
        applications development.
        User Manual: VLT-MAN-ESO-17240-1973

TPL:
        It provides a library with common functionality for the development of
        instrumentation specific templates
        The User Manual contains also a set of applicable rules for the development
        of templates.
        User Manual: VLT-MAN-ESO-17240-2240

STOO:
        It provides a common startup tool for instrumentation applications.
        User Manual: VLT-MAN-ESO-17240-2153


                               Existing packages
                               -----------------

DXF:
	No Changes.

PCO:
	No Changes.

IST:
	No Changes.

MISC:
	No Changes.

SLX:
	No Changes
	
OSLX:
	1) new class oslxFITS_EXT, supporting usage of FITS binary tables and
           based on cfitsio library (module cfitsio added to the release).

ICB (Base ICS):
        1) new class icbMOT_POS, for motors with continuous range.
        2) Support usage of 2 or more LCUs.
        3) Added concept of assemblies on WS part
        4) Added Self-Test program ic0SelfTest

                                ___oOo___

