This version of 'gaspan' runs under UNIX with X-Windows. The window from which gaspan is started should be able to handle vt100 escape modes, xterm will be okay. In order to compile 'gaspan' you need a FORTRAN Compiler and a C-Compiler. 1. deflate the xxx.tgz files with the command tar xvvpzf xxx.tgz 2. Move into the direcory gaspan and edit file 'gascdc.h': In line 38 you will find the variable '*helpfilepfad[]' which should be modified according to the location of the file 'gaspan.hlp' which is part of this contribution. You may specify as many paths as you like but the last path must be an empty string. 3. edit 'makefile': 'makefilel' contains preset compiler options for a) SGI machines under IRIX 6.x with at least a R4000 processor b) HP machines under HPUX 9.x and 10.x c) PCs under linux with g77 and gcc (uncommended) Just uncommend your system. Of course any other system will do it but the Fortran compiler must recognize VAX-extensions (do ... enddo, do while ... enddo, etc, most of modern FORTRAN compilers will do this) and must generate one underscore after function- and subroutine names. Again, most of the FORTRAN compiler will do this automatically, others have options for this. Use the compiler options 'extended lines' (or similar) and 'static variables'. 4. compile and load by typing `make gaspan` If the path for 'gaspan.hlp' has been set correctly, you can obtain online help with the command `help` or `help topic` Note: 'gaspan' generates files in the directory you are running it therefore you must have write permission for this directory. You can test gaspan by running the shell procedure gtestsuite in testsuite.tgz F. Riess email: friedrich.riess@physik.uni-muenchen.de