The SuperCD is designed to be as easy to use as possible. It automatically scales itself to suit your system. Much of the technology behind the interface relies on the use of Internet Explorer, but don't worry if you don't use Internet Explorer because there is a version of the interface that runs on any system. This new design has allowed us to create an interface that offers more features depending on the hardware and software you run it on, from a Windows 3.x machine at 640 x 480 through to a Windows 98 machine with 1024x768.

Here is a brief explanation of the various versions of the interface:

Version 1 640 x 480 screen resolution running IE3 or 4, Windows 3.x or 95/8/NT - Only two frames. Right hand index and main frame. Javascript enabled with different features available depending on version of IE being used. IE3 version has warnings that remind you about how to open files correctly from the SuperCD and warnings when you are about to go outside the SuperCD environment to log onto a website and has the video played in-line. IE4 version has IE3 features and rollover image buttons, all warnings can be cancelled, warnings can be permanently disabled here in the Help section, top animated GIFs are suppressed to save on screen usage, screen size is detected automatically.

Version 2 800 x 600 screen resolution running IE3 or IE4, Windows 3.x or 95/8/NT - 3 frames. Left hand contents frame, main frame and right hand index frame. All the features of the 640 x 480 version plus no-scrollable contents for instant access to any section.

Version 3 1024 x 768 screen resolution running IE3 or 4, Windows 3.x or 95/8/NT - full 4 frames. Left hand contents, main frame, bottom frame and right hand index frame. All features of other versions plus additional frame for displaying additional information and tips (nothing essential is displayed here which isn't displayed in the other frames so that lower end users don't lose out, but this frame does allow quicker linking to relevant pages from sections). More importantly the table of information for individual products is suppressed in the main frame under IE4 to make the interface less cluttered, but instead is displayed in the bottom frame. This means that the information, links and install button are permanently available to you as you read about the product, saving you scrolling up and down to find the installation section.

Version 4 Standalone interface - 2 or 3 frames. Launched by executing the file PCPlus.exe from the SuperCD. No Javascript enhancements are available, so there are no warnings about going on-line, but files are opened automatically anyway, so you need to do nothing special but browse the program and click on the ones you want to install. A version appropriate to your screen resolution will be opened, using 2 frames for 640 x 480 users and 3 frames for 800 x600 or above users. The bottom frame is never opened because it is controlled purely by Javascript and because this version doesn't support Javascript, there would be no benefit to loading it. N.B. If you are running this version and click on a link to website or e-mail address, you will simply be told that the file cannot be opened. If you do have a connection to the Internet but have chosen to use this version to browse the SuperCD because you don't run Internet Explorer, simply copy the URL or e-mail address into your own client software. We will attempting to fix this anomalie as soon as possible.

N.B. Windows 98 users who view their folders as web pages (as is the default) will find that the interface opens automatically when they open the SuperCD in My Computer. Under Windows 95, this is dealt with by the SuperCD checking for Internet Explorer when it starts and using it if it is found, or defaulting to the standalone interface if it isn't.

Netscape users There is a single reason why Netscape's browser cannot be used effectively to browse the SuperCD interface. When you click on a link to a file, Navigator only allows you to copy the file (download) to your hard drive. Because installation files normally consist of more than one file, if you do this and then execute the install file from your hard drive, the installation will not find all the files it needs as they are still on the SuperCD. Instead, you need to e able to execute the file in place on the SuperCD which Internet Explorer allows you to do by choosing to Open it or Run it rather than Save it. If you have Navigator you are recommended to either install Internet Explorer to run the interface or to use the standalone interface that is supplied for users without Internet Explorer. If you want to browse the interface using Netscape in order to read about the programs, you can by opening Main.htm. However, if you attempt to install a program from the interface you will be warned about the problem and not able to continue with the installation. To install programs, use the standalone interface which will be started automatically under Windows 95. Alternatively run the PCPlus.exe file manually.

When you click on a link that refers to an installation program for a piece of software, you will be informed about the way in which Internet Explorer handles files. When a file is accessed, Internet Explorer will ask whether you want to copy/download a file or Open/Run from its current location. You must choose the later option and open the file directly from the CD, rather than copying the file across. If the installation file is not run from the CD, the setup would fail and it is because of this requirement that only Internet Explorer can be used with the SuperCD interface, not Netscape as it does not offer anything other than copying the file. Internet Explorer will also advise of security issues if the product has not been digitally signed. PC Plus tests the products rigourously for viruses prior to duplication and has the CD checked by the UK's leading virus detection centre. Note however that neither PC Plus nor Future Publishing accepts any responsibility for any errors or problems arising from the use of this CD-ROM and this includes ones caused by viruses. However, if you do not click OK to continue past the security warning, the installation program will not be executed and the software will not be installed.

Contacting us
The technical support hotline is available Monday to Friday 10:00am to 5:30pm on +44 (0)1225 442244. You can fax us on +44 (0)1225 732279 or E-Mail support@futurenet.co.uk. Technical Support can only answer problems concerning the installation of the programs on the SuperCD. They cannot give detailed advice on the operation of Windows and a basic knowledge of using a PC will be expected. If you e-mail the support desk you will automatically receive a FAQ that lists any common problems and solutions. This is sent out immediately to try and solve all problems as quickly as possible. If your problem is not listed in the FAQ, there are instructions at the bottom of the FAQ for contacting the support desk via e-mail for individual problems. You can also visit the SuperCD forum and the Help Screen forum on the PC Plus website where you can post questions that will be answered by other readers and where possible the PC Plus team.
There is no technical support for Linux available from PC Plus directly, but a very active Linux forum exists on the PC Plus website where readers can post questions and get replies from other Linux users and occasionally from PC Plus' Linux consultants.