The code is actually well documented. But the explanation notes are intended for my own use. Up until a few months ago I had no easy way of circulating copies of the program. So there was no reason to generate the extensive types of documentation that other people would need in order to understand what different subroutines etc. are doing.

On August 2 I finally learned how to create .exe versions. As a result, program users no longer need to download and get a Perl compiler running on their computers. So the program will be usable by many, many more people around the world.

The development of the ability to create the .exe versions came as quite a surprise. And immediately after developing that ability I changed the focus of the program development efforts from doing research and adding new data processing routines etc. to the program to getting it ready for circulation. Right now there are perhaps three help files left to install and a ReadMe file to create that will provide a detailed discussion of program options and theory etc. In perhaps a week I will begin circulating 10 megabyte zip file copies to a larger group of researchers for testing purposes.

This effort is probably a lot more important and well organized than people realize. I am presently planning to eventually prepare CDs containing copies of the program and ship them to governments and disaster mitigation groups around the world with detailed instructions for how to use and further develop the program.

One of the things presently being worked on when there is time is finding a suitable Web site where copies of the program can be stored for downloads. There will likely be a number of those sites. And it is hoped that one can be found where program development efforts can actually take place. I could easily get a site of my own where that type of work can be done. But I don’t have time to manage an active Web site, help direct other people’s research efforts, and do my own research and development work.