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20030414: finding and downloading the IDV from my.unidata

Tom-


Keywords: 200304141344.h3EDiG7U028380 IDV download
Do what I do: make the "current release" have the same download filename every time. Have links to "previous versions" (perhaps as an ftp directory). 

I want them to have different names, so they are distinguishable.
I use Java model.  I hate downloading files and not knowing
what version it is.
Well, I hope you'll agree that we'd prefer first-timers use IA since it's a lot less hassle. 

It depends on your application.  If you are using a VGEE like
curriculum, you want them to use the WebStart method.  If not,
IA is better.


That might work - something like this:

There are 3 ways to install the IDV on your machine:
1) InstallAnywhere installers for Windows, Linux and Solaris provide all the files (IDV, Java, 3D) you need and are recommended for most users. Click here for details.
2) Java WebStart Technology can be used instead, but you must first install the correct Java environment. Click here for more info. 

3) Individual JAR (Java Archive) files can be downloaded and installed.
This requires the most end-user effort to get the IDV running.  Click here.


Thanks.  I've incorporated this into the next version.  I've attached
a copy for your comments.
I still prefer "hot" links if possible. You've used them under the WebStart section of the download info page, but not under the InstallAnywhere section. It should be consistent. 

Actually, I mispoke earlier.  The download page on my.unidata
is slightly different from the user's guide.  I guess in this
case it doesn't matter since downloading from the on-line
guide may be pointless if you are already running the application.
My point was only that this does not provide a way to track by "my.unidata" users. We ought to be consistent -- we're either going to require a my.unidata account or not. It shouldn't be "required if you use point and click, but not required if you ftp the file(s)."... 

Okay.
I have run into situations with VISITview & NWS where ftp must be used by people behind some firewalls (that apparently don't allow files to be downloaded via http...something that I don't understand, actually). 

I've modified it to say if you can't use the documented methods, then
contact support.



I agree.  Would your knowledgable user be willing to preview the
docs for the next release?
I'm sure...but...it would be best to get a newbie, and not someone who is a computer geek... ;-) 

Maybe it needs to be in geek-ese, since non-geeks haven't been
having problems. ;-)


Thanks for considering the changes...


Thanks for the suggestions.

Don
*************************************************************
Don Murray                               UCAR Unidata Program
address@hidden                        P.O. Box 3000
(303) 497-8628                              Boulder, CO 80307
http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/staff/donm
*************************************************************
Title: Downloading and Running the Unidata IDV
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Downloading and Running the IDV

Please be sure to read about System Requirements before trying to run the IDV applications.

Unidata provides three ways to download and run the IDV reference application. If you have a reasonably fast internet connection, any method should get the IDV running on your system in less than 15 minutes. Little or no setup or configuration is required. About 70 megabytes of disk space are needed for all the software.

If you have any trouble downloading and installing the IDV, first check the FAQ, then please report your problem as described in Support from Unidata.

The 3 ways to install the IDV on your machine are:
  1. InstallAnywhere installers for Windows, Linux and Solaris provide all the files (IDV, Java, 3D) you need and are recommended for most users.
  2. Java Web Start can be used instead, but you must might have to first install the correct Java environment depending on your operating system.
  3. Individual JAR (Java Archive) files can be downloaded and installed. This requires the most end-user effort to get the IDV running.

Using InstallAnywhere Installers

InstallAnywhere installers are self extracting programs which include the IDV reference application, the required Java runtime environment, and Java3D. You do not need to have Java or Java3D installed previously on your system. Even if you already have some version of Java on your system, using the installer ensures that you use the IDV with a recent version of Java and Java 3D that works with the IDV.

First, download the single installer file for your operating system from:

From the Downloads page click on the IDV link, then on the Binary link. Find the installer for your particular operating system and click on the link to save it to your system. If you are not prompted to download automatically, then use the right mouse button and choose the menu option to save the file to your system (On Internet Explorer select menu option "Save Target As..." On Netscape Navigator select menu option "Save Link As...")

The file sizes are about 33 megabytes for the Windows version and about 38 megabytes for the other two files. When expanded during installation, the total disk space needed is about 70 megabytes.

Once the file has been dowloaded, run the installer:

  • On Windows, use the windows system browser (e.g., "My Computer") to go to the directory where the file was downloaded, then click on the file icon to start the installer. Follow the instructions in the installer's pop-up window. Once the IDV is installed, you can start it by clicking on the icon or link created during installation.

  • On Linux and Solaris, run the installer with ./(installer file name), (e.g., ./idv_1_0b5_linux_i586_installer.bin) in the directory where you saved this file. Follow the instructions in the installer's pop-up window. Once the IDV is installed, go to the directory you selected and type ./runIDV to start the IDV.

Using Java Web Start

 Java Web Start is an application-deployment technology from Sun Microsystems that downloads all necessary software for an application and then starts the application with a single click in your Web browser or a click on a Windows shortcut or Linux icon.

One advantage of Web Start is that it will install the program on the first download and will automatically check for updates and retrieve new versions on subsequent startups. New releases of the IDV are common, so this can save you the trouble of manually retrieving new versions.

Web Start has the disadvantage that you have to first install Web Start, and on a Linux or Solaris system you have to install Java first yourself.

Unidata has a separate web page to help you download and start the IDV with Web Start:

For more control of programs run with Web Start, go to http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/demos.html, and find and load the Web Start "Application Manager" by clicking on its "Launch" button. You should see the IDV in the Application Manager's panel. Do this after you have installed Web Start and installed the IDV with Web Start.

For more about use of Web Start with the IDV see the IDV FAQ.

Downloading files manually

If your platform does not support Web Start or if you wish to run the IDV without Web Start and have more control over how and where the application is installed and starts, the following instructions will allow you to run it from a command line. You must have Java and Java 3D installed on your system already.

  1. Download the necessary Java Archive (JAR) files from

    Click on the IDV link, then the Binary link. Download idv_jars.zip from that page.

  2. Unzip the JARs into a directory on your disk.

  3. From that directory, run:

       java -Xmx512m -jar idv.jar

  4. From the command line, the IDV supports several options that allow you to override the default behavior (e.g. load in a particular data set or bundle at startup). For a complete list of options, run: 
       java -jar idv.jar -help


Running the IDV

When you have successfully downloaded and started the IDV, a splash screen appears as the IDV starts up. This will disappear once the application is running:


Downloading the IDV Source Code and Javadoc

The latest snapshot of the IDV source code and associated Javadoc files are also available at:

From that page, click on the IDV link, then on Docs or Source links.

The files are

    metapps_doc.jar (from Download Main Categories->IDV->Docs),

    metapps_src.jar (from Download Main Categories->IDV->Source),

For instructions on building the IDV from source, see the Building the IDV from Source document.

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