Compatibility
This application has been written in the Java language, so it can be installed and run without modification on either
Windows or Linux computers. It is not intended to be run on Android or other portable devices.
The application can be installed on a system drive, a networked drive or removeable memory device, such as a memory stick.
But there are two important observations:
- The drive must be writeable so new data can be stored.
- The performance may be slow, as some devices are not intended for operational data transfer rates.
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Download
The application and all it's dependencies are contained in a single compressed file in .zip format. This file needs to be uncompressed before use, as described below.
All the currently available versions are listed here. The link invites you to download the file to your preferred location. This can be anywhere you choose,
and does not have to be on the device you intend run it from.
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Windows installation
- Decide where you want to the application to run from.
For example C: for the operational hard drive, D: for a removeable drive etc.
- Using the file browser find the .zip file in the location used for the above download.
- Right click on the zip file and select Extract All.
- When prompted for a destination select the location to place the application.
This must be a drive root (e.g. C:\ or D:\ etc) and not a subdirectory or folder.
That is it. No more complications or files distributed around the system.
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Windows uninstallation
- Using the file browser locate the java directory where the application was extracted.
- Delete the java directory. This removes all the files and leaves no trace.
- If a graphic launcher is used (see below) it will need to be deleted from the main screen.
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Windows network operation
This application can be installed on a shared memory service over a LAN or the internet.
A single copy of the application can be installed anywhere on the shared memory.
Each workstation (including the one where the installation is uncompressed) must map a drive letter (e.g. E:) to the parent of the shared java directory.
Installation and operation proceeds the same as for a single user.
This is not a database application, so there is no protection against users altering each others data. So
the SignalBox directory and the main data directory should be given read-only access for all except the installer/maintainer.
Other users should be provided separate data directories with read/write access.
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Windows operation
- Use the File Manager to find the SignalBox directory within the java installation
- Double click on the launcher script - SignalBox.bat
or Right click and select Open
- The application itself occupies the whole screen.
- There is also a black/white monitor screen containing text messages.
This is unlikely to be of interest except for diagnostic purposes and may be found hidden behind the application.
It can be minimised if it is confusing or in the way.
- For convenience you may create a desktop launcher with a graphical icon on the computer main screen, using this same script file.
The application directory contains gif and ico file images for this purpose.
The launcher may optionally be configured to suppress display of the monitor panel.
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User guides and sample data
User documents are provided in the form of Powerpoint auto-run demonstrations.
- They are included in the docs directory of the application itself.
- They can also be downloaded independently of the application from the index on this site.
These documents may contain references to video sequences which are resident on this site.
Where this is the case an internet connection is required to see them properly.
A number of sample site plans illustrating the various components can be found in the default data directory included with the application.
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