I. Installation

Access to the package is open via FTP for anonymous user at the address:
ftp://quasar.ipa.nw.ru/pub/WINAMPLE.

AMPLE package distributive (created with program InstallShield for Microsoft Visual C++) has been downloaded on FTP server of IAA RAS as archive Ample.zip.

There is also the possibility to get AMPLE distributive on a compact disk.

I.1. Installation

Before the installation of AMPLE close all other programs. When installing, it is discouraged to use DOS shells (Norton, FAR). To install AMPLE package do following.

1.Setup

1)Start installation of AMPLE package. There are two ways to do it with compact disk:

a) Open introduction page (.html) and click on Win icon at the bottom of page (near label "Installation of AMPLE").

Note: If the window "file download" appears, select Open... switch button, then press OK button.

Warning: Active content can harm your computer or disclose personal information. Continue the process if you are sure that you want to allow CDs to run active content on your computer.

b) Enter the directory "disk1" and run program Setup.exe (make double mouse click on Setup.exe icon, or select it and press <Enter>).

2) Carefully read the information in setup windows, answer questions and press Next button to continue, Back button to return back and Cancel button to cancel.
First question is about the disposition of AMPLE package (TARGET folder). Take the path given by default, or input (insert) the path in the field, or use Browse button (with dots … ) to select folder in the directory tree. In every case one can correct the path manually or insert name of a new folder (it will be created).
Warning: AMPLE Setup may NOT start if it placed into folder with name longer than 8 characters.
Second question is about the working directory (WORK folder; by default its name is "AmpleWork"). This folder will contain configuration files, test files, SetPar and SetPath files that are necessary for AMPLE execution. The shortcut for AMPLE will be linked with this folder, and auxiliary files will be created here during AMPLE work.

3) Press Finish button to finish installation.

After successful installation source ("disk1" folder ) can be deleted.

During the installation folder "AMPLE-##" (## — last two digits of year) will be created in the TARGET folder. It contains following subfolders:

AmpleExe – program, help and DLL files;

AmpleDat – data files and auxiliary information

AmpleDoc – documentation

AmpleTst – examples of input text files for IDENTIFICATION, O-C, PLATE

and examples of configuration files.

SetPar – system files

2.Execution

Setup program creates the shortcut to run AMPLE package. It is located in Main menu. To run AMPLE package, press START button, select Programs, then AMPLE. When running AMPLE all auxiliary and new configuration files are created in the WORK folder.

Setup creates also the file "AMPLE.bat" and makes it accessible everywhere. One can open DOS or DOS shell and enter "AMPLE" in the command line to run AMPLE package. In this case current directory is considered as WORK folder. If it contains no Setpar or Setpath files then they are created automatically. If it contains no configuration files then AMPLE will create new minimal configuration by default. To use some old or test configurations copy them from another place (for instance from WORK folder created during setup).

3.Useful tips

If you want to change WORK folder open the Main menu folder in some way (for instance, make right mouse button click on START button and select Open command). Then click on Programs icon, make right button click on AMPLE shortcut, select Properties in drop-down menu and change name of WORK folder or path to it. Press OK.

One can move or copy AMPLE shortcut to Desktop or to another folder. So everybody can have own shortcut for AMPLE and own WORK folder (use right mouse click on shortcut to change WORK folder).

User can get AMPLE help service with Help section of menu and context help through F1 key.

I.2 Warning

Execution of AMPLE package fails when "setpar" or "setpath" files are corrupted. Delete them in WORK folder and run AMPLE once more. All be recovered if standard installation from AMPLE distributive has been done.

If this procedure has no effect it means that system information is corrupted or package disposition was changed. For instance, somebody copied (moved) the package to another place. In this case one should customize file “setpath" manually in every WORK folder: This text file must contain single line with right path to data folder; correct this line with any text editor. For example, set the line to contain text "C:\AMPLE–## \AmpleDat\".

I.3 Updating

At least every year the data for AMPLE package is to be updated.

It is strongly recommended to update data in following way.

1. Clear the folder <TARGET folder>\Ample\AmpleDat (delete all content).
   
   
2. Insert into this folder the new data received from IAA RAS.
   
   
3. Check that the "setpar" file in this folder has the extension ".new". It is a kind of signal for AMPLE system that package must be updated.