Editing

Editing is the process of modifying fields containing numeric fields, alphabetic fields or a parameter. Editing commences with the selection of the particular value and holding down the [Enter] key until the system responds with a beep and a blinking cursor over the first character of the item. [The LX200 cursor inverts the foreground and background colors rapidly to create a blinking effect.]

The following are common to all editing sessions:

• Starting an editing session depends on a particular sequence unique for each changable item. The unique sequence for each item is descibed elsewhere.
• Moving the cursor is done by pressing either the [E] and [W] (Think of them as and keys). The [E] and [W] keys allow you to move back and forth to correct an improper character, digit or sign, to move to the next character or simply to step over a valid character.
• Terminating an editing session is done by pressing the [Enter] key until the system responds.

There are three basic types of editable items, numeric or alphabetic fields and parameters.

Numeric Fields

Editing numeric fields is intuitive; to change a digit simply press the desired number key. If a number has a sign, you can reverse the sign between + and - by using [NEXT] and [PREV]. As you type a digit the cursor moves to the right. For example to change the latitude from +00 00 to -27 31 you would start with the curson on the "+" and reverse it with a NEXT key. If you did not wish to invert the sign, you would simply press the [E] key. You would then press the keys [2] [7] [3] [1] [Enter].

Alphabetic Fields

There are no alphabetic keys on the control paddle. When an alphabetic field such as a SITE name is selected and you wish to edit it, you change the letters by using the [NEXT] and [PREV] keys to cycle through the letters of the alphabet. For example if you wished to change a SITE name of "AAA" to "FDO", you would begin with the cursor over the first "A". Pressing the [NEXT] five times would convert the first character to "F". You would then advance the cursor with the [E] key to the middle "A". Three presses of [NEXT would change this to "D". Shifting the cursor to the final "A" and pressing [NEXT] 14 times would result in the desired "O". Of course if you cycled through alphabet and passed the desired letter, back up using [PREV].

Parameters

The LX200 indicates that a function is enabled or disabled by spelling its parameter in upper (enabled) or lower (disabled) case. For example options which are specific to polar aligned telescopes appear in lower case while the telescope is set up as in alt-azimuth mode.

Parameters are code words where the case of the letter indicates if the particular code is enabled or disabled. For example a search parameter of "gPDco" would select Planetary-nebulae and Diffuse-nebulae, but would exclude galaxies, globular-clusters or open-clusters.

Changing from UPPER to lower case is simple, move the cursor to the desired letter using [E] and [W] and then use [NEXT] or [PREV] to toggle between the cases.