Contents:
Current Build is:
6.4.17 0(08/26/04). Build 6.4.16 Update is available. All previous 5.x.x builds are obsolete.
The MMU program is available to Civil Air Patrol members through a download from the Internet web site. There are several options available for obtaining the setup and installation files. For users that have already installed a version of the utilities, an update file can be downloaded that contains a new executable, a readme.txt file describing the changes and special installation instructions (be sure to install all files in the .zip file onto your system). Users may also download files that can be used to create a set of installation diskettes or can be used for a local installation on the target workstation. Finally, CD ROM disks may be purchased at a nominal fee.
Note: The build 6.x.x versions of the MMU support CAPR 60-3. If you have not installed either a build 6 or an MMU beta version on your computer, you should uninstall previous versions and complete a full installation of the new software..
Before beginning the installation process, it is necessary to gather certain information about the workstation environment so that information will be available to configure the program when it is installed. This customization information will be saved in a special file named ES.ini that will be located in your Windows folder after installation.
Since the MMU program creates reports and screens that may be used to distribute and archive information, it is advantageous to have these screens and reports customized to reflect the wing information. The following table indicates the minimum information that each workstation should have available to customize the application:
|
Wing or Region Abbreviation |
This is either the two character postal state identification for wings (OR) or the three character abbreviation defined by national for a region (PCR). |
|
Wing Name |
This is the full name of the wing or region. When entering this information later, use the suffix of "Wing" or "Region" |
|
Home Latitude |
This is the default location of the mission base. This will be entered in the format of "dd mm.m". |
|
Home Longitude |
This is the default location of the mission base. This will be entered in the format of "dd mm.m".
|
|
Import/Export Path |
This is the location on the computer that will be used to save or read files containing mission information that were generated on or will be sent to another computer. |
|
Database Backup Path |
This is the location where a backup copy of the database will be maintained. |
The MMU program allows multiple workstations at the wing or mission site to share a common wing database. In order to use this feature, each workstation must be set-up on the LAN with its unique workstation name. One of the workstations must be designated as the master workstation. All other workstations will use the database on this system to store and retrieve information when running the program. The following table indicates the information that each workstation should have available to customize the application:
|
Network Name of "Master" workstation |
This is the name of the workstation designated to hold the master database. To determine this name, go to the master workstation and use the mouse to right click on the Network Neighborhood icon, then left click on the Properties selection. Next left click on the Identification tab. The name will be listed in the Computer Name box. |
In order to minimize the time required to download the program from the web site, the files required for installation onto your computer have been compressed. You will need to extract these files after downloading so that you can install the program onto your computer. It is recommended that you create a special folder (c:\Program Files\Mission Management Utilities\Installation) to store the installation files. To do this, you can use your Windows Explorer. If you are not comfortable with using the Windows Explorer to create a folder, the steps required are:
Es2.zip
Es3.zip
Es4.zip
Es5.zip
Es6.zip
An update is available for the MMU. This update consists of a zip file that can be downloaded and extracted to copy certain files over the existing files from build 6.3.3 or higher. To download the file, click on ES.zip and save the file in your ES Mission Management folder. Unzip the ES.exe and README.txt files to the ES Mission Management folder.
Use your Windows Explorer to double click on the file (on the right hand side) named Setup.exe to start the installation. You should follow any instructions given on the screen and you should accept default paths and file names. It is normal to get some warning messages indicating that your are about to copy a file older than one existing on your machine. The installation files are the latest provided by Microsoft® and you should allow these files to copy over your existing files. You may also get an error message associated with a sharing violation associated with a CRT dll. This is normal and you should Ignore the error (on the next screen, be sure to indicate that you want to continue the installation process).
Note: You may get the following message:
Setup cannot continue because of some system files are out of date on your system ... You will need to restart Windows before you can run setup again...
If you get this message, you should click on the buttons to perform a restart of your system. When the system has restarted, start the setup program again. If you get the message a second time, you have a shared file in use that needs to be updated. Restart the computer in the Safe Mode (hold the Control key down while booting) and perform the installation and reboot in the safe mode.
Before running the MMU program for the first time, you need to edit the initialization file to customize the program for your wing. The information that you need was previously described and should be readily available prior to editing the file. To start the editor, click on Start - Run and type:
Notepad
C:\Windows\ES.ini
Press the <Enter> key to start the editor. The default file should look like (the example shows Oregon Wing):
[ES]
WingDatabaseName=ORWing.mdb
WingName=Oregon Wing
Abbreviation=OR
MissionImportPath=c:\xfer
HomeLatitude=45 06.3
HomeLongitude=112 36.0
DBBackupPath=c:\Program Files\ES Mission Management MissionExportPath=c:\xfer
Make any changes to the text to the right of the equal (=) sign. Do not modify the text to the left of the equal (= ) sign! There may be additional entries in the file. These need not be of concern as they are maintained by the MMU utilities during operations.
When you have modified the ES.ini file to contain
the information, click on File - Save and then File
– Exit
An unlimited number of workstations can be networked using theMMU. See the networking instructions that are included in the download..
Documentation in the form of PowerPoint presentations is availble when the CD media is purchased from PANDER Systems. Make your request to pla@starband.net .
There is a $15 charge for each CD and this includes postage. The CD will also contain all the maps that have been generated and the current build of the MMU. Make your check payable to PANDER Systems and mail it to PANDER Systems, 39505 SW Gibson Road, Gaston, OR 97119.