FAQ
Quick answers about Earth Shack Software products, purchasing, licensing, local-first operation, data sources, and support.
About Earth Shack Software
What kind of software does Earth Shack Software make?
Earth Shack Software builds focused, local-first browser-based applications for information awareness, tracking, analysis, and personal decision support. Current products include the Sentinel and Guardian situational-awareness tools and Vestrus, a local portfolio tracker.
Do I need to install anything?
No traditional software installation is required. Current Earth Shack Software applications are delivered as HTML files that open directly in a supported modern browser.
Do I need an Earth Shack account?
No. The applications do not require an Earth Shack cloud account or subscription login to operate.
What operating systems are supported?
Current versions of Windows, macOS, and modern Linux distributions are supported through compatible browsers. Current Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari are supported where applicable. See the documentation for each product for product-specific recommendations.
Does the software require an internet connection?
It depends on the product and feature. Local application functions can operate without an internet connection, while live weather, environmental, space-weather, market, news, orbital-element, or other external information requires connectivity. See the individual product documentation for details.
Situational Awareness
What is Sentinel?
Sentinel is a real-time Earth and space situational-awareness display. It brings together earthquake activity, volcano information, tectonic plate boundaries, day/night grayline, satellite tracking, weather context, and related information in a full-screen browser-based display.
What is Guardian?
Guardian is a space-weather, propagation, and signal-environment situational-awareness dashboard. It provides NOAA/SWPC information, HF band-condition context, aurora and geomagnetic information, satellite tracking, local reference information, and configurable information feeds.
Are Sentinel and Guardian the same product?
No. They serve complementary missions. Sentinel centers on Earth activity, hazards, geophysical context, grayline, and orbital awareness. Guardian concentrates on space weather, propagation, signal conditions, and station context. Either may be used independently, or both may be used when a broader operational picture is desired.
What do QTH and DE mean?
Sentinel and Guardian use a local reference location for satellite visibility, weather, local context, and related information. Radio users may call this QTH or DE station location. If you are not a radio operator, simply treat it as the latitude and longitude of the location you want the application to use as its reference point.
What happened to EarthView?
EarthView was renamed Sentinel. If you purchased EarthView, you own Sentinel. Your original download link remains valid for updates included with your purchase. Free updates are included for one year from your purchase date within the purchased version track.
Do Sentinel and Guardian work offline?
Yes, with reduced capability. Locally computed display functions continue operating, while live external feeds pause until connectivity returns. Satellite propagation can continue using available orbital information. Each application provides status information for feeds that are fresh, stale, or unavailable.
Is Guardian a replacement for radio logging or station-control software?
No. Guardian is an awareness and display tool. It does not log contacts, control radios, or replace station software.
What is Guardian's HF band-conditions table?
Guardian derives an at-a-glance HF band-condition view from current solar indices and space-weather information. It is intended as orientation rather than precision ionospheric forecasting.
Can I add satellites to Guardian?
Yes. Guardian supports custom satellite entry using a NORAD catalog ID or TLE information, subject to the capabilities described in the current product documentation.
What are Guardian's custom ticker feeds?
Guardian can display supported public RSS or XML feeds in its configurable ticker. Feed availability is best-effort and may depend on browser, network, source policy, and CORS restrictions.
→ Learn more about Situational Awareness
Vestrus
What is Vestrus?
Vestrus is a local-first portfolio recordkeeping and analysis application for self-directed investors. It provides holdings and account views, transactions, portfolio history, charts, gain/loss analysis, reporting, reconciliation, and Wealth Outlook.
Does Vestrus connect to my brokerage or bank?
No. Vestrus does not connect to brokerage or banking accounts, does not request brokerage credentials, and does not place trades. Portfolio records are entered and maintained by the user.
Does Vestrus require internet access?
No internet connection is required to maintain the local portfolio record. Internet access is required for optional connected market and news information.
Do I need Finnhub or Tiingo?
No. Vestrus operates in Manual Mode without either provider. Finnhub and Tiingo are optional services that can provide supported quotes, news, price history, and other market context when the user supplies credentials from their own provider account.
Where does Vestrus store my portfolio data?
The working portfolio record is stored locally within the browser profile used with Vestrus. Different browsers and browser profiles maintain separate local working copies.
How do I back up Vestrus?
Use Vestrus's JSON backup feature. A current JSON backup is the primary recovery file for restoring your portfolio records or moving them to another browser or computer. Provider credentials are intentionally excluded from Vestrus backups.
Can Vestrus manage multiple accounts?
Yes. A portfolio may contain multiple user-defined accounts, holdings, lots, and cash balances. Vestrus can also maintain multiple independent portfolios, with one portfolio analyzed at a time.
Does Vestrus provide investment advice?
No. Vestrus is a portfolio recordkeeping, awareness, and analysis tool. It does not provide investment, tax, legal, or financial advice.
Licensing, Updates & Purchasing
What does the software license cover?
Earth Shack Software products are licensed rather than sold outright. Current products use a single-user, single-computer license per purchased copy. See the License Agreement / EULA for the complete terms and restrictions.
Can I purchase more than one copy?
Yes. Multiple copies may be purchased when additional licenses are needed for additional computers or permitted users.
How long are updates included?
Free product updates are included for one year from the purchase date within the purchased version track. After that period, the version you already have continues to operate. Access to later updates may require a new purchase.
How are updates delivered?
Your purchase provides a product download link. When an eligible update becomes available, the updated application file can be downloaded through the applicable delivery link or update process described for the product.
Who can purchase Earth Shack Software products?
Sales are currently limited to customers in the United States.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes. Please review the Refund Policy for the terms applicable to digital-product purchases. If you experience a technical problem, contact Earth Shack Software Support so we can help troubleshoot the issue.
Privacy, Data & Support
Does Earth Shack Software upload my application data to its own servers?
Current Earth Shack Software applications are designed around local-first operation and do not require an Earth Shack cloud account for application data. Some features make direct browser requests to external data or market providers. Those third-party services operate under their own terms and privacy policies. See the applicable product documentation and Privacy Policy for details.
Where can I find detailed product instructions?
Use the Documentation section for detailed setup, operation, data handling, backup, and product-specific reference information.
How do I get support?
Use the Contact page. Include the product name, version/build if available, your browser and operating system, and a concise description of the question or issue. Purchase or download questions may also require your order information.