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covering many kinds of celestial objects.  However, some people will
have the need or desire to add objects from completely separate
datasets previously unknown to Guide.  The user-added dataset
capability lets you do this.  It also allows you to display and get
information from a long list of datasets already created by others,
such as quasars,  pulsars,  and double stars,  as well as the catalogues
downloaded over the Internet described on page 56.  There are also
a lot of "lesser" datasets such as globular clusters in M31,  page
outlines for the newer Uranometria atlas,  radio source catalogs,
and so on.  Most people will just use these already-existing datasets,
only occasionally getting around to adding their own.

   The "Toggle User Datasets" option in the Extras menu controls the
display of these pre-defined datasets. When you first use this, only
the pre-defined datasets will be shown in the list box, and you can
turn them on or off,  select colors,  and tell Guide at what fields
of view and to what magnitude they should be shown.  Once displayed,
you can right-click on the objects and get "more info" data,  just as
with any other dataset.  (As with many other types of objects shown
on Guide's charts,  you can also right-click on them and then on
"display",  then turn them on or off,  etc.)

   You can also find objects in these datasets using the "Go to .TDF
Object" option described on page 8.

   The process of adding one's own datasets to Guide is a little too
lengthy to describe here.  Basically,  one creates a small "text
definition file" (.TDF) that tells Guide where data such as the right
ascension and declination may be found in the dataset,  the epoch of
coordinates,  and so on. Several examples are provided in your Guide
directory:  CD_DATA.TDF, CD_DATA2.TDF,  CD_DATA3.TDF,
GSC22.TDF, and so on.  Each contains definition data for several
datasets on the Guide DVD,  or data downloaded from the Internet.

   Full details on adding one's own datasets is given at

http://www.projectpluto.com/tdf_info.htm

21: Adding your own notes for objects     

   Not many people will have a need to add their own datasets, except
for some special-purpose projects.  A more common wish is to add some
comments for an object.  If you know how to use a text editor,  this is
quite simple to do.

   For example,  let's say that you have just observed NGC 253,  and
would like to make some notes on what you saw. Go to your text editor,
and edit the file NGC.NOT in your Guide directory.

   You'll see that a few notes have been added already,  mostly telling
you what supernovae have appeared in which galaxy. This is admittedly
not very crucial data;  it's supplied mostly to give an idea as to how

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