CD help

Introduction

We know youÆre not stupid. Chances are if you were, this CD would be in your floppy drive, which would be merrily chomping away, and youÆd probably be wearing the magazine as a hat. However, itÆs nice to know thereÆs somewhere to go if you do run into some trouble. So read on, troubled one.

The Atomic CD interface

The CD interface is fairly straightforward. Once you go past the intro, youÆll notice a menu to the far left. This is the category menu; it contains a list of group titles so we can stick applications in a sensible place. While this will change from month to month, categories such as Boot sector will remain constant. To access one of these groups, simply click on it.

This will display a list in the middle of the interface containing the applications in that category. Here you can browse each program; just click on a name that interests you and to the far right of the interface an information section will come to life. This section will have important information about the program, including its name, file version, website and a brief description with any extra details that you should know.

To get the application from the CD, simply click on the download link provided. A dialog box will appear (standard grey window with buttons) asking whether you wish to æOpenÆ or æSaveÆ the file. Most files can simply be opened straight from the CD, however, some require presence on a hard drive (and access to disk space) in order to install.

So, try æOpenÆ first. If the install fails, or if you wish to keep a copy of the application on your system, click æSaveÆ instead. Make a note of where you save the file, so you can run it later.

Archives (ZIP; RAR; ACE; 7Z)

Sometimes a file wonÆt be self-installing (these are usually in the form of an EXE file). A lot of smaller developers and individuals will æcompactÆ their applications into a tiny file, called an æarchiveÆ. Not only does this reduce the size of the program (making it download faster), it also keeps all the applicationÆs files in one place. TheyÆre impossible to open without the correct archive tool, or ædecompressorÆ.

DonÆt worry, your salvation is here.

WeÆve provided all the achivers youÆll need to access the files on the CD. While the choice is up to you as to which one you use, we recommend WinRAR or 7-Zip, as these two programs provide the broadest compatibility. This means they open the most number of formats, saving you from having to install multiple archivers.

Except for 7-Zip, all the archivers on the CD are trial or shareware. See the disclaimer for information on these.

When programs fail

One of the hardest things to deal with is a program not running on your system. Is it your computer, or the program? Does it have to do with the weather, or is God just angry at you for some reason? Whatever the cause, there is likely a solution.

An important point to remember is that if the problem doesnÆt relate directly to the quality of the CD (as in itÆs cracked, scratched or corrupted) or its interface, Atomic and AJB Publishing canÆt help you. Sorry, we canÆt and will not provide technical support, or any support for that matter, for the programs on the CD.

DonÆt freak out though, as weÆve covered the unfortunate scenario of æApplication BluesÆ. In the CD interface, youÆll notice a web link for each program you select. This link will take you to the website of someone who should be able help -- usually the developer or a community site, depending on the program. WeÆll also note in the description any specific concerns we know of or have come across.

It also helps to look at the æreadmeÆ file included with each program. This file can come under different guises, but most applications will either show it to you when they install, provide a link to it in the Start Menu, or place it in the main application folder.

Required files

You might find a program doesnÆt run because itÆs missing a ærequiredÆ file. Required files come in the form of custom (made by the developer) or operating system DLLs (dynamic link libraries) and OCXs (ActiveX controls). WeÆll do our best to include these files on the CD if a program needs them, but due to licensing and distribution reasons, we might not be able to. Instead weÆll do the next best thing, and provide a web link to save you from hunting down the files yourself.

Contact us

If you have any problems that relate directly to the physical CD or its interface, contact cd@atomicmpc.com.au. Feel free to fire off comments and suggestions to this address as well.