FAQ

Most frequently asked questions - and answers.

1. General Questions

How can I get the software?
I downloaded the software. How can I start the program?
Is the software free? Are there any license fees or other restrictions?
How can I make a donation?
Is there any active Mailing List?
How can I change the language of the program?
I would like to see the software running in my native language.

2. Astrological Questions

How can I use the software?
I am a beginner in Jyotish. Can you guide me?
I calculated my chart. Where is the interpretation?
I send you my birth details. Can you give me chart interpretation and remedies?
I get wrong calculation results.
Dasa start and end date calculations differ from other Jyotish software. What is wrong?
How can I enter the time zone for a birth place in India?
I need the feature "xyz" for my work. Can you add that feature?

3. Technical Questions

I get errors when I try to compile the program on my Linux machine. What can I do?
I see strange Latin letters "A", "B" etc. in graphical chart or text views. What is wrong?
I see strange symbols (rectangles, spaces etc.) in the program. What is wrong?
I get a message box telling me that Swiss Ephemeris Data Files are missing.
I am Linux or UNIX user. Can you provide binary packages for my platform?
I am MacOS user. Is my platform supported?
Are Mobile Devices supported?
The program doesn't run on my Windows 98 computer. Is that platform supported?
Are the source codes of the program available?
The program crashes. What can I do?

Answers

1. General Questions

1.1: How can I get the software?

The software can be downloaded for free from the Download Page.

1.2: I downloaded the software. How can I start the program?

Read the Installation HowTo.

1.3: Is the software free? Are there any license fees or other restrictions?

The software is free for personal and professional use.

Details are described on the License Page.

1.4: How can I make a donation?

Thank you for that noble offer.

Please donate for religious purposes or for the poor and needy people on this planet.

1.5: Is there any active Mailing List?

No. Latest news are reported on the Home Page.

1.6: How can I change the language of the program?

Windows users can easily change the language in the General Tab of the configuration dialog.

Please read the Charset Page about advanced properties or multi language support on UNIX systems.

1.7: I would like to see the software running in my native language.

Information about translation can be found on the Translation Page.

2. Astrological Questions

2.1: How can I use the software?

Read the Getting Started Section.

2.2: I am a beginner in Jyotish. Can you guide me?

Learning Jyotish is a long process. It requires a lot of time and power.

Is that really what you want? If so, meditate and the person who can guide you will come one day.

2.3: I calculated my chart. Where is the interpretation?

Chart interpretation requires a spiritual mind. Software can't do that.

Other programs can generate interpretation reports. Look if that is what you want.

You will find nevertheless something like interpretation in Maitreya's Yoga View.

2.4: I send you my birth details. Can you give me chart interpretation and remedies?

I give you the software for free, but this is no online shop for chart readings.

Please consult a good astrologer or one of the online Jyotish groups.

2.5: I get wrong calculation results.

There are several possible reasons.

You have a location in India and set the time zone to 5.3 instead of 5.5
Birth data are not entered correctly. Please control the formats for date, time, etc.
Ayanamsa is wrong. Please remember that there are slightly different versions even of standard Ayanamsas like Lahiri.
Some other configuration problem can be the reason (like topocentic coordinates, etc)
You found a bug: please report it!

2.6: Dasa start and end date calculations differ from other Jyotish software. What is wrong?

Be sure that both programs have exactly the same Moon positions for the chart you compare.

If not, compare Ayanamsa configuration or other properties (like topcentric coordinates etc.) in setup.

2.7: How can I enter the time zone for a birth place in India?

India's time zone is 5:30 hours east. This must entered as "5.5" or "5,5", depending on your language configuration.

2.8: I need the feature "xyz" for my work. Can you add that feature?

Please read the Feature Request Page

3. Technical Questions

3.1: I get errors when I try to compile the program on my Linux machine. What can I do?

Read the console output and try to understand what happened. Most errors appear because needed programs are not installed.

If this doesn't help: copy the console output and send it to the author. Don't forget to give name and version of the operating system. Be sure that you used the latest version of Maitreya software.

3.2: I see strange Latin letters "A", "B" etc. in graphical chart or text views. What is wrong?

Likely that you didn't install the symbol font (MaitreyaSymbols.ttf resp. MaitreyaSymbols6.ttf).

Please read the Charset HowTo.

3.3: I see strange symbols (rectangles, spaces etc.) in the program. What is wrong?

Seems that something is wrong with your charset configuration.

Please read the Charset HowTo.

3.4: I get a message box telling me that Swiss Ephemeris Data Files are missing.

Theses files are required for calulation of some planetary objects (like Planetoids). Configuration of the data files is described in the section about Ephemeris Configuration.

Details about the data files are described in the section about Installation of Swiss Ephemeris Data Files .

3.5: I am Linux or UNIX user. Can you provide binary packages for my platform?

Work on Ubuntu/Debian packages is in progress and will likely appear in release 6.

You are welcome to contribute and build packages for your favourite Linux or UNIX platform.

Remember that building packages once is not enough since this must be supported over the time, too.