The Probe software can be shared by several users on a standalone microcomputer, or it can run on a Local Area Network with several users. Each user can have their own default settings for the programme, but with only one copy of the software. The environment variable PROBE can be used, and there is also a note on relative and absolute file names.
1. The PATH should be set in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to be at least...
PATH=C:\DOS;C:\PROBE
2. A directory called C:\PROBE should contain
the following files...
PR4.EXE |
...the Probe software |
PRUPLOAD.EXE |
...upload software |
CALIBRAT.CAL |
...probe calibrations |
COTTON.CRP |
...standard crop/site data |
COTTON.DWU |
...standard seasonal DWU for cotton |
3. A directory for each user should be created. For example...
C:\> MD C:\PROBE\MARY
This directory (C:\PROBE\MARY) should contain
the following files...
PROBE.INI |
(essential) |
OWNER |
(essential, but see Environment below) |
*.SMK |
(essential, but see Environment below) |
MARY.CAL |
(optional - separate calibrations for Mary) |
SOYA.DWU |
(optional - Standard DWU for soya beans) |
POST.DAT |
(optional - separate Post File) |
SOYA.CRP |
(optional - standard site for soya beans) |
and MARY's actual data files..
CONSULT.ALL
*.STS
*.NPS
Mary can now run the Probe software with the commands...
C:\> C:
C:\> CD \PROBE\MARY
C:\PROBE\MARY> PR4
Mary can set her own defaults, stored in the file C:\PROBE\MARY\PROBE.INI.
She may also set...
Calibs File: |
C:\PROBE\MARY\MARY.CAL |
Path for CONSULT.ALL: |
C:\PROBE\MARY\ |
DEFAULT Crop: |
C:\PROBE\MARY\SOYA |
Upload POST FILE: |
C:\PROBE\MARY\POST.DAT |
Standard DWU file: |
C:\PROBE\MARY\SOYA.DWU |
Calibs File: |
C:\PROBE\CALIBRAT.CAL |
Local Area Networks can be set up in a similar manner, with PR41.EXE
and PRUPLOAD.EXE in F:\PUBLIC,
with the other files in the home directories of the individual users. Note that multiple
users can access the same data files, but because the Probe data is all loaded into
workstation RAM, the last user to save will update the data.
The Probe software will not save data without the Sentinal Key in each workstation, or a CopyControl security system on the file server.
The DOS Environment Variable PROBE may be set to the
directory of the location of *.SMK and OWNER. If this is set (with SET
PROBE=C:\PROBE in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file) then
data directories will not need local copies of these files, but they will
need to be in the C:\PROBE directory.
The Probe software requires users to nominate, on the Defaults screen...
Path for CONSULT.ALL:(on Edit/Create Farm)
Calibs. File:
DEFAULT Crop:
Standard DWU file:
Upload POST FILE:
Data Path:
Particularly when the software is being shared, there can be confusion with Relative and Absolute Path and File Names in MSDOS. An Absolute File Name is when the exact disk, sub-directory and file is specified. An example of an Absolute File Name...
Calibs. File: C:\PROBE\CALIBRAT.CAL
That particular calibration file will be loaded.
A Relative File Name is if either the drive or the subdirectory is omitted. An example of a Relative Filename...
Calibs. File: CALIBRAT.CAL
In this case, MSDOS will load the calibration file on the Current Drive and in
the Current Directory. If the DOS prompt is...
C:\PROBE\MARY>, then the Current Drive is C:
and the Current Directory on that drive is \PROBE\MARY.
The calibration file that will in fact be loaded is...
C:\PROBE\MARY\CALIBRAT.CAL
In general, if a relative filename is specified, MSDOS uses two rules to work out exactly which disk and sub-directory to use.
Rule 1 If a drive is not specified (e.g. no "C:"), then the current drive is inserted.
Rule 2 If there is no leading "\"
(or no root directory), then the current directory on that drive is inserted before the
filename.
Particularly when the software is being shared, there can be confusion with Relative and Absolute Path and File Names in MSDOS. An Absolute File Name is
When running on a network, it is possible to corrupt data files if two users simultaneously attempt to save the same file. This can happen, for example, if one user is doing a global update, and another user saving data. Version PR4 of the software supports file locking, which avoids this problem. On the Defaults Screen, set...
File Lock : Lock
However, the DOS programme SHARE, or the
equivalent for the particular Local Area Network, must be run first.