Python

I strongly endorse the use of Python. The learning curve is a bit steep, but I think one is rewarded with its modularity and versatility. To that end:

My Python Documentation

    The technical documentation for much of my Python code is on this page -- if you see something interesting there, let me know and I'll send it to you (eventually I might get around to putting it up on this website!)

Productivity Enhancements

Data analysis

  • SciSoft compilation -- If you plan to compute and plot with Python, SciSoft is the way to go. It contains SciPy, PyRaf, and others. (OS X binary)
    • SciPy -- Scientific Python, an essential component
    • PyRaf -- standard IRAF wrapped in a colorful Python shell
  • SFTP client implemented in Python
  • AstroAsciiData, your does-it-all Python assistant for handling ASCII data

Great tools

EnGauge Digitizer -- take a bitmap image and extract data curves from it! Fantastic, easy to use, and comes with various samples and tutorials.

Generally useful links

AstroBetter -- a blog for mac-using professional astronomers
Python forum
IRAF forum

UCLA Computing (internal)

UCLA Helpdesk Request
Setup Notes for new "OS X" laptops or upgrades to Tiger
SSHFS setup for mounting remote filesystems on the Mac OS X

Tips and Tricks

  • Convert PNGs into a movie:
    1. Save a bunch of PNGs
    2. At the command line:
      mencoder "mf://*.png" -mf w=800:h=600:fps=75:type=png -ovc copy -oac copy -o output.avi
      Now you have an MPNG AVI file, which most viewers (VLC excepted) can't read.
    3. Open the new movie in VLC
    4. Open the "Streaming/Transcoding Wizard"
    5. Transcode the video to the H.264 codec using the MPEG4/MP4 encapsulation format
    6. Voila -- Mac OS X/Quicktime should be able to read the resulting MP4 file