Accessories come in
ZIP archive(D-
-
9)
format on one or more disks, plus an associated Install program
(typically a DOS batch file). The installation batch file un-archives the files
in the module, copies them to the correct Smart Characters directories, and
modifies your initialization or configuration files to complete the
installation. To install the accessory, change to the directory containing the
accessory archive and the install program, then type the name of the install
program followed by the drive letter.
Follow or improvise on the steps contained in the installation file. To extract
the installation file from the archive:
Change directory the directory containing the archive, then enter
c:\sc\unzip ArchiveName *.bat -sDecryptionKey to extract the installation batch
file to the current directory.
To obtain the decryption key, order the
accessory. You can do that by telephone or via modem by calling
Apropos Customer Service(F-
-
1).
In the meantime, the document files in the archive are not encrypted: extract
them and read them to get familiar with the accessory. Make a temporary
directory (e.g., md c:\sc\docs), then:
Enter c:\sc\unzip ArchiveName c:\sc\docs to extract any unencrypted files
in the archive.
Other Files on the Disk
Accessory disks contain updates and other accessories in
ZIP archives(D-
-
9)
to fill up the disk. Some may not have installation batch files, and will
require manual installation. Others are not free, and require a decryption key.
Examine the Readme and .up1 files for contents and directions.
You are welcome to call the Smart Characters
bulletin board(D-
-
1)
anytime. The main number is 617-641-0342 at speeds up to 57600 baud, error
corrected. Allow 60 seconds for the modems to "negotiate." Call
Apropos Customer Service(F-
-
1)
for alternate numbers or access methods. Generally, the BBS is divided into
major menus (e.g., Files, Messages, Doors and Services,
System Bulletins, etc.). These menus are further divided into
directories or Areas of interest (e.g., Chinese and Japanese
User's Group(D-
-
8),
Customer Service, Programmers and Developers, etc.). Updates and accessories
can be accessed using the Files and Doors and Services menus.
If you have an Internet e-mail address, and the ability to send and receive
embedded mime encoded or uuencoded binary files, you can use it
to send queries and receive updates to and from
Apropos Customer Service(F-
-
1).
We e-mail updates by first zipping them with an encryption key, then mime
encoding the resulting
ZIP archive file(D-
-
9)
into the message. The zipping step reduces the file size, and adds a CRC check
to guarantee that the files extract perfectly. You will need a mime or uuencode
decoder (e.g., WinCode) to extract the zip file before running
UnZip to extract the update files. Some e-mail systems (e.g.,
Pine) have built-in mime extraction. For these systems, you just
download the attached binary file.
Incremental updates are new versions to Smart Characters which affect a
specific module or file. For updates that replace existing files, there may be
installation program. General directions for installing these updates are found
in the text file Bullet9.msg (or on the
bulletin board(D-
-
1)
as System Bulletin 9. You will need to work with UnZip to
un-archive and copy these files into your Smart Characters directories. Certain
archives are encrypted: see Pass*.doc for the decryption keys and
directions. You can get decryption keys by leaving a message to the "Sysop," or
by calling
Apropos Customer Service(F-
-
1).
Use your PC to Master Japanese and Chinese