Perpetual Chinese Calendar

LunarCal User's Guide - How to Use

Navigation

LunarCal does not use standard menus! It uses context menus. This means you access (popup) the menu by pointing at the LunarCal display screen and right click with your mouse.

When LunarCal starts up, it shows a splash screen for approximately 1.5 seconds. Then it will show the default Chinese Lunar calendar for the lunar month corresponding to the current PC time.

For example, if your PC time is Jan 24, 2001 the 1^st lunar month calendar is displayed since Chinese New Year falls on Jan 24, 2001. However, if your PC time is Jan 23, 2001, LunarCal will display lunar month 12 of lunar year 2000 (last day of the previous Chinese lunar year).

HotKeys

The following hotkeys are defined:-

Unlike the Gregorian calendar where we can easily calculate the number of days in a given year, the Chinese Lunar calendar requires a lot more calculations. Thus, in order not to slow down the program, the [PgUp] and [PgDn] keys will move to an approximate month of the previous / next lunar year. So keep in mind that the [PgUp] / [PgDn] keys may be one lunar month off. After you have selected the year, use the [UpArrow] or [DnArrow] to move between the lunar months.

You can use the [UpArrow] and [DnArrow] keys to move to the previous or next lunar month. If the lunar month moves into the previous or next year, then the year will change accordingly.

LunarCal will recognize the roller buttons and the left/right side buttons if your mouse have them. The left/right mouse side buttons will only function if you have the appropriate drivers loaded.

There are some keys which seemingly does nothing depending upon the context (ie. screen currently displayed). For example, the [LeftArrow] and [RightArrow] keys have no meaning when the Chinese Lunar calendar is displayed. But it is used when the summary page is displayed, where you want to move from one Gregorian day to another. The equivalent Chinese Lunar date is also displayed on the summary page.

Remember: If you are lost, just click on the right mouse button while pointing to the LunarCal screen!

Menu

LunarCal uses context menus - which means you right click the mouse (while pointing at LunarCal) to bring up a menu. This is a neater approach than the fixed menu which I find distracting. Once the menu is displayed, you can select the option you want. If there are more options available, sub menus will be displayed.

Here's another menu to temporary change the date / time (your PC date/time is not affected). It only tells LunarCal to assume a specified date/time to enumerate the calendar. You can set your local time or GMT (UT). You only need to set either the GMT DateTime or the your Local DateTime and LunarCal will automatically adjust the other.

Whenever you are lost, just point the mouse on the LunarCal screen display and right click on the mouse.

There is a configuration menu which allows changing of colors, 12-hr or 24-hr time format, selection of a home city, etc. These parameters, may be saved (LunarCal version 5.00 or later).

If your home city is not on the list above, you will have to add your city to the database. Refer to Add / Modify City Parameters (User's Guide).

Generally, selecting a major city (similar timezone) near your home should be good enough to get an accurate calendar. Only the moon phase (moon compass) may be slightly incorrect. If you require an accurate view of the moon phase, location and moon rise/set, then you should enter the geographical coordinates of your home. Please check your local atlas, local council or government mapping agency for this. There are some good sites that provide such information - see Add / Modify City Parameters.