A. Prerequisits:

   Download 64-bit JRE 1.8 from Oracle, install and set as default
   You may like to read Linux installation instructions to prepare to fight potential 32- and 64-bit incompatibilities.
      https://ulcar.uml.edu/SAO-X/SAOExplorer/linux/LinuxInstallation.txt

B. Installation steps:

1. Download our special version of SAOExplorer installation zip-file for Mac OS from https://ulcar.uml.edu/SAO-X/SAO-X.html.
   As of Jan 2020, the latest available version is 3.5.5, file SAOX_3.5.5_mac.zip. Inside zip archive, there is one folder (SAO-X home).
2. Once downloaded, unzip the file into your user home folder (not Applications). You will need permissions to work with SAO-X on Mac.
4. Use the terminal window to change directory to that new SAOX_3.5.5 folder.
5. Make shell file saox.sh and binary nhpc.app to be executable by using command chmod,
   chmod 744 saox.sh
   chmod 744 nhpc.app
6. Update SUNSPT.ASC file (download from https://ulcar.uml.edu/SAO-X/SAO-X.html).


C. Running SAO Explorer on Macs:

   Only manual start is provided (no icon).
   From the terminal window, cd to SAOX_3.5.5, and start saox.sh

   ./saox.sh

   Wait for SAOX window to appear.


D. Connecting to Lowell DIDB:

   This operation is done once in the beginning. Then SAO Explorer will be connecting to Lowell DIDBase each time you start.

1. in menu File push menu item "Database connection"
2. in the field "Alias" enter alias name of UML DIDB, for example "Lowell DIDBase"
3. Do not change anything in the field "Database URL"
4. In the fields "User name" and "Password" enter your user name and password correspondingly (from GIRO account application)
5. Push button "Save in List"
6. Push button "Connect"
7. After connection complete, you will see in the upper window bar "(Lowell DIDBase is online)"