USING THE COMPASS CD-ROM

YOUR COMPUTER. Since I don’t know anything about the computer you are running, it is a bit difficult to explain all the different things you may run into as you work with the software. For example, Windows XP works a bit differently from Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. All of them will do the same things; it is just that each one may require slightly different steps. In addition, your operating system can be configured in different ways, which can cause it to behave differently.

All this means that it is a good idea for you to have a basic idea how your computer works and how it is configured. In particular, it is a good idea for you to have a basic idea of how Windows works, what folders, files and directories are and how to use Window Explorer and a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. This will make it a lot easier for you to work with Compass and make it easier to understand the documentation. There are tutorials and other information in Windows Help that explains all these things. You can get to Windows Help by clicking on the Start Button and going to the Help item.

BROWSER.  If you plan to execute programs directly from the Compass CD, Internet Explorer is easier to use than other browsers. Internet Explorer allows you to click on the programs and execute them directly. Other browsers require that you save the programs before you execute them, which could be a problem on certain computers where there is limited disk space or where the hard drive is protected from writing.

If you normally use another browser such as Google Chrome, FireFox, or another browser, you can temporarily set Internet Explorer as your default browser while you are using the CD and then set it back later. To set Internet Explorer as the default browser, run Internet Explorer and click on the “Tools” menu button and then choose the “Internet Options Menu” item. On the “Programs” page, press the “Make Default” button.

If you don’t need to execute Compass programs directly from the CD, if you just what install Compass programs, any browser will work fine.

CD-ROM. You should begin by putting the CD in your computer. Depending on how your computer is set up, just putting the CD in your computer should cause it to automatically bring up a special “web page” from the CD that allows you to easily explore the CD. It also allows you to install parts or all of Compass on your computer and even run Compass without installing it.

If the CD web page does not automatically run, it means that you have the “auto execute” feature of your CD-ROM is turned off. For information on how to enable the “auto execute” check the Windows help under “automatically playing CDs when inserted.” You also can manually browse the CD by using Windows Explorer. Using Windows Explorer, just go to your CD-ROM and find a file called “compcd.htm”. Double click on this file and the “web page” should come up.

INSTALLATION. After you browse the CD, you probably will want to install the basic Compass package. You do this by following the “links” at the bottom of the page. Find the “Install Compass Programs” link and double click on it. This will take you to the “Install Page” which will have more links on it. Find the “Compass For Windows” link. There will be instructions next to the link that will tell you how to proceed. Read them and then double click on the link and carryout the instructions you just read. This will install the basic Compass system on your computer.

Once you have installed Compass on your computer, there will be a new icon on your desktop and a new menu item in your “Program Menu.” To start Compass, double click on the Desktop Icon.

HELP FILES. Each Compass program has its own set of help files. When you are just getting started with Compass, it is useful to look through all the help files to get an overview of the program and how it works.

To access the help files, click on the Windows “Start Button” and then the “All Programs” item. (Some versions of Windows, the item will be labeled “Programs.) There should be an item titled “Compass.” If you look in this menu item there will be several programs and help files. To begin with, you should select the help file called “Getting Started.” It will give you a quick overview of the Compass system. Next you should look at the “Project Manager” help file. The Project Manager is the core of the system and most everything happens there. Finally, try running the Project Manager and then open FULFORD.MAK. This is a sample cave that will give you a good idea how everything works.

If you will be using Compass a lot, you will probably want to create other Compass shortcuts. For example, you could put a Compass shortcut on your Taskbar to make it even easier to run Compass. How you create a shortcut depends on which version of Windows you are using. Refer to Windows Help under “shortcuts, creating” for more information. If you have installed Compass using the default settings, the Compass files will be located at: "C:\cave\compass".

Finally, be sure to spend some time browsing the CD. There is lots of extra information and useful stuff on it.