wxtide32

What works

Basic functions work as expected and match behavior on a WinXP system. Even the ship's bell feature works (download the .wav files and select the option in the appropriate menu). With the introduction of Wine 0.9.57, apparently the native comctl32.dll is no longer needed; the app runs with the builtin file. The display of lunar phases, which had been in error by about a week, now appear to be correct. Minimizing the main window is consistent with the same actions under Windows (e.g., minimizes to system tray icon). The app is basically quite usuable except for...

What does not

...pop-ups in the main window and tide station selection map. Popups for the tide and current station location maps are still present but blank, as are the popups in the main window (right-click on window for tide data or use left and right arrows to move a cursor).

Workarounds

What was not tested

All options tested except Setup.exe (use not encouraged by app author).

Hardware tested

Graphics:

• GPU:
• Driver:

Additional Comments

The app's web site is ambivalent about using the setup.exe installation path. The installation process is to extract archives (see the app's web site for picking the appropriate archives - wxtide47.zip is the only required archive) to a folder for the app (C:\Program Files\WXTide32\ works well). With the exception of the popups, the app now fully mirrors Windows behavior.

Manual installation is recommended. In addition to the base package in WXTide47.zip, wvsstarter.zip (for locating tide stations) should be downloaded. For those wishing to have the sound of a ship's bell struck to mark the passage of watches (if you don't know what this means, try it if you want, it's not needed and can be switched off, if installed, from the preferences options), shipsbell.zip should also be downloaded. Follow the instructions below, from the WXTide32 web site, to install the app. Create a shell script or use

wine ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/WXTide32/wxtide32.exe

to launch the app. Use File -> Location to launch the tide station location popup. Left-click zooms in on an area, right-click zooms out. Red marks are tide stations, blue marks are current stations, only stations in the vicinity of the mouse click are displayed.

If you prefer to do a manual install or if an automatic install fails:

1. Create an empty folder for the program, usually "C:\Program Files\WXTide32\" but any folder will do.
2. Unzip all files into that new empty folder. The files "setup.exe" and "wxtide43.inf" are not needed.
3. Find "WXTide32.exe" in the new folder and right click drag it to your desktop to make a shortcut for the program.

"Do not rely on the output of this program for decisions that can result in harm to any person or property. There is no way to provide certified data on a zero budget so if you need guaranteed results then WXTide32 is not for you."