• BACKGROUND
• PC INSTALLATION
• MAC INSTALLATION
• ACORN INSTALLATION
• UNIX INSTALLATION
• TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• CD CONTENTS
• MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
• QUICK FIXES
• UNINSTALL
• Technical Support document (MS WORD6)

See also the online Help and Latest Information pages.

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1. BACKGROUND
The ‘Window on the World’ CD-ROM (CD) has been specifically designed to run on most computers (PC, Mac, Acorn and UNIX) using recent internet software (web browsers and plugins), although no internet connection is required. In some ways the speed of your CD drive simulates that of a modem connection, a slower drive will take longer to ‘download’ information to the browser on your computer screen.

Many readers who have computers matching the minimum specification (see below) will already have a compatible (MS Internet Explorer 3 / Netscape Navigator 3 and above) web browser on their system and will not need to install a browser. However, there are other elements to install before the full interactive multimedia experience can be realised. Demo CDs often involve installation of very small amounts of software so that the ratio between viewing the sample material and installing software to enable the CD to be run is kept in balance. The ‘Window on the World’ CD is fully functioning with hundreds of megabytes of data included. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that an investment in terms of installation time is required at the first sitting. Recent computers will install the five components very quickly indeed.

2. PC INSTALLATION (Written by Paul Underwood of Highlander Software Ltd)
After inserting the CD into the PC, you should view the README and INSTALL.TXT files using any word processor package. These files contain important information that will make the installation process easier to follow. Analysis of technical support queries has proved that a high percentage of calls can be averted if users read such files thoroughly before attempting an installation. Almost forlornly, I ask you to do just this. Next you should run the Setup.exe file from Windows, (go to Start, Run and browse to the Setup.exe file in the CD drive) and the above screen will appear. If you have Windows95 or later, it should automatically appear.

As the diagram above shows, you should run each install, then return to this window to continue with the next one and so on until all the components have been installed. More information can be accessed on each, by clicking on the ‘More Information’ buttons associated with each stage. When you have finished all installations, you should click on the ‘Finish’ button, followed by ‘Restart’ on the next window.

After restarting, you should double-click the ‘Launch Earth Observation’ icon that will have appeared on your desktop or open your browser and then the ‘launch.htm’ file from your CD’s root directory. The README and INSTALL.TXT files give more information on the CD’s background and how to navigate through the CD’s pages.

Please note that if you cancel a component install, the main install window will still show it as having been installed. If your computer autoruns this SETUP.EXE file again after restart (or subsequently when viewing the CD again), check that all the components you require are installed and then click ‘Finish’ followed by ‘Close’ and double-click the ‘Launch Earth Observation’ icon on your desktop.

Improvements in the Windows95 environment generally ensures a smooth installation. However, users should be aware that, particularly in Windows3.1x, install windows may be displayed behind each other and, therefore, some sorting through may be required. In Windows3.1x this can best be overcome by using the ALT+TAB keys together.

3. MAC INSTALLATION (Written by Sak Wathanasin of Network Analysis Ltd)
This installation involves the same software, but with all the options at the beginning and then a chained install of components requiring a standard version of MacOS 7.5 with Applescript. Running disk analysis and repair software is always a good idea before any installation. Indeed a badly managed disk is one of the most likely causes for a crash mid-install. Sak advises ensuring that you have run a recent version of a package like ‘Disk First Aid’. A web site for an updated version is listed in his READ ME file.

The first part of the install involves installing a specific set of programs to the hard disk. You may notice, that a ‘finishing installation’ message will appear momentarily. However, this is for this part of the process only, not for the whole thing - don’t be fooled. Depending on which components are installed, a number of restarts are then required. The installation copies the programs to a temporary directory to ensure that the installation can continue, but it may take up to a couple of minutes after each restart for the installation to re-activate depending on the speed of your CD drive. During this period, the desktop will look inactive and some interaction with it will be possible (although not recommended). A dialogue box saying ‘Window on the World continuing…’ will appear and the installation will continue after you click ‘OK’. It will be clear when the installation has finished because it will start the browser that you specified and open the CD’s ‘launch.htm’ file.

Mac PowerPC users who decide to install Internet Explorer will have to manually copy the Quicktime plugin from the Quicktime folder on your hard disk to the plug-ins folder which is in the Internet Explorer folder which itself is in the Microsoft Internet Applications folder. The plugins are copied automatically for Netscape users. Users with 68K-based Macs should decline the offer to install ‘OpenTransport’ during the Internet Explorer install by clicking ‘Skip’.

4. ACORN INSTALLATION
The README.TXT file in the RISC_OS directory provides comprehensive information on the install (in conjunction with the CD’s other README and INSTALL.TXT files).

5. UNIX INSTALLATION
No installation has been included for UNIX, although readers who have a Netscape Navigator 3-compatible browser already installed should be able to access the core HTML documents included on the CD; by opening the ‘launch.htm’ file from the browser.

6. TECHNICAL SUPPORT
For both installations, the Quick Fixes listed below complement the CD’s other Help resources:

1. README file in the root directory
2. INSTALL.TXT file in the root directory
3. HELP.HTM file in the HTML directory on the CD’s root
4. ONLINE HELP FILE (www.bnsc.org/help/faq.htm)

A detailed listing of frequently asked questions and possible problems related to use of the CD (post-installation) is included at: /HTML/HELP.HTM

An updated copy of this document will be available at the BNSC web site:
www.bnsc.org/help/faq.htm
and you can send email queries to:
faq@bnsc.org
although only new issues will be added to the online help document and no personal replies will be sent. Work-arounds for missed links, that have been identified, will also be included. For instance, the ESYS Ltd page in the Sponsors’ section can be accessed by typing in the address path (shown when the cursor is over their logo) or via their contact details shown on the notepad in the Address Database. Unfortunately it is almost inevitable with a product of this size that there will be some missed links (despite attempts to prevent them). The web site (www.bnsc.org) will also carry other updated information on the CD.

7. CD CONTENTS
Once the installation has been completed and you have restarted your computer, you can start to delve into the contents of this voluminous encyclopaedia of Earth observation (EO). Over 2000 pages detail more than 100 business and education case studies from 200 companies who are engaged in EO-related activities. Fast links activated by a single mouse click called hyper-links enable quick movement between sections so that you can go on your own voyage of discovery from one area to another - wherever your interest takes you. On the way there are more than 220 EO-specific glossary entries which will help you understand the terminology.

And if you prefer, you may continue to investigate EO on the web through the CD’s internet links section. For instance, you can discover the latest dramatic colour images of El Nino from NASA’s Topex/Poseidon page (topex-www.jpl.nasa.gov) or the latest UK weather (and satellite images) from the UK Met. Office’s page (www.meto.govt.uk). The European Space Agency (ESA) has two sites in particular that are worth a mention. ENVISAT (envisat.estec.esa.nl) is a satellite dedicated to monitoring the Earth and atmosphere environment. This site aims to explain how the satellite will achieve its ambitious objectives. ESA also has a site (called Earthnet) which is ideal for general interest/first point of contact for all ESA EO-related information. One part of it enables you to select some of ESA’s ‘Best Sample Images’: earth1.esrin.esa.it/isb.html.

As long as the material is for personal or educational use only, you can also copy and paste text and images from the CD into a word processor or image viewer for printing. Earth observation images tend to be aesthetically pleasing and today’s recent colour printers can produce fine hardcopy images. Alternatively you may create your own personalised guided tour (see /HTML/GT.HTM) which you can show to friends, relatives or at school.

A Teachers section has been included to help integrate EO information into the classroom situation with many examples of its relevance to the National Curriculum. The Winchester case study contains a wealth of information and would make a good (cross-curricula) school field trip destination.

8. MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
PC
System requirements are as follows:

• 486 computer running Windows 3.1x or Windows95
  
• 4 megabytes (MB) of RAM
  
• 2x CD-ROM drive
  
• Standard soundcard, video and display drivers
  
• SVGA monitor
  

9. QUICK FIXES

• If either installation program crashes, first run a recent release of a disk analysis and repair program (disk management problems are the most common reason for a crash after disk space and memory incompatibilities). Then re-run the installation. If it crashes again, install the components individually by opening the relevant folders and running the PC ‘EXE’ or Mac ‘INSTALLER’ files from the /INSTALL directory and restart. You may also wish to check free disk space and install minimum/compact options. Mac users need to open the browser then launch.htm from the CD’s root directory using File/Open/Open File (in Browser) or Browse.
• Some Windows3.1 users may have screen settings that prevent them from seeing the ‘OK’ button in the screen that is displayed after clicking Install on the main Install window. They should enlarge the size of the window by dragging the bottom right-hand corner until the ‘OK’ button is revealed.
• Some Windows98 PCs may not automatically run the Setup.exe file. If this happens, use CTRL+ALT+DEL when the error message appears (do not press OK) and then select ‘End Task’ twice. You should now ‘run’ Setup.exe from the Start menu options and before restarting disable the autorun function (or simply follow the steps above after restart). You will then be able to get into the CD ROM in the normal way.
• To uninstall any of the components on a PC, use the appropriate Uninstall icon or Add/Remove Programs Control Panel in Windows95 and above. Do not delete files manually. After all components have been uninstalled, delete Astral.ini in your default Windows directory.
• During the Mac install, you should keep the CD in your drive throughout there may be up to 4 automatic restarts before your browser is automatically opened (signalling the end of the installation). After each restart, a dialogue window will appear to show that the installation is still running, although it may take a few moments depending on the speed of your computer. If you accidentally interrupt the installation, you should drag the ‘XXX Remove Installers’ file from your System folder’s ‘Startup Items’ folder to the wastebasket and then empty it using the command in the desktop’s Special menu.
• To uninstall any of the components on a Mac, drag the component’s folder to the wastebasket and add any folders with the applications exact name from your System’s Preferences folder. Then empty wastebasket (from the desktop’s Special menu). RISC_OS 3.1 or 3.5 users without an Internet connection may find that a "missing File Picker" prevents them from using the CD ROM. The solution is simply to contact your local Acorn dealer for Acorn’s FREE new boot sequence software. Your dealer should also be able to provide you with installation instructions or the name of a qualified technician. If you have any other problems, you could telephone Ant Ltd on 01223 567808.
• If the ‘Launch Earth Observation’ icon on the desktop does not open, it is most likely because your computer doesn’t have a default browser. You should open the browser that you have just installed from its folder on the desktop and nominate it as the default. If you prefer, at this stage, you can now open the launch.htm file from the CD’s root directory using File/Open/Open File (in Browser) or Browse.
• If your browser tries to connect to the Internet, stop it by clicking ‘OK’ or ‘Cancel’ - no Internet connection is required to start up the CD, although you may find one useful to find out more about the world of Earth observation.
• If you have a problem with either browser, close it down and install the other one (remembering to re-run the Quicktime and Acrobat installations afterwards. To start the browser, double-click the executable file on your hard disk in File Manager, Windows Explorer or via the folders on your desktop.
• If you accidentally install Internet Explorer 3 over Internet Explorer 4, or you can’t restart Windows, you should approach a qualified Windows95 technician or call the Microsoft Technical Support line on 0870 501 0100.
• If the Games icons don’t work in Windows, re-run the Games installation (Stage 1 install) ensuring that you select a ‘Typical’ install. With the ‘compact’ install, the games will only work from the CD through Internet Explorer on your PC.
• If the Games won’t run because the correct file association cannot be found, you should ‘edit’ the ‘file types associations’ in Windows to run them with the following file: ‘C:\Windows\asym\runtime\tbload.exe’ assuming that your default Windows directory is called Windows and is on your C:\ drive.
• If you can’t hear sound or see the video after clicking the relevant button, firstly check the appropriate section of /HTML/HELP.HTM. If this doesn’t solve it, simply try loading the page with a different browser (you will need to re-run the Quicktime installations after installing the browser. You may need to copy the plugins (DLL files) to your browser’s plugins directory manually. If using Windows Explorer, you may need to ‘Show all files’ in View/Options.
• Some older video cards may not be compatible with the latest version of Quicktime (which will cause the screen to freeze when the Quicktime files are loaded). To rectify this, you should contact your computer video card/monitor dealer for copies of the latest video drivers, or visit the company’s web site to download them.
• See /HTML/HELP.HTM for more solutions or download the Technical Support document (Wow.doc) below - The telephone technical support lines have now closed. Please fax feedback on the Window on the World (Wow) CD ROM to +44 (0)171 215 0804 or email to martin@bnsc.org

Technical Support document
Please download this WORD6 document (Wow.doc) which includes comprehensive instructions and all the latest FAQ's.