SAL for Windows Demo

Welcome to the demonstration version of SAL for Windows. If you have not yet converted to our new Windows product, this is the perfect opportunity to review the software. The demonstration version contains all the features of the full product but comes with a small database of approximately fifty students. The information on this page will tell you what has changed, how to download and install the demo and finally how to login.

If you find any problems or wish to request any enhancements, please send e-mail to admin@ecsi.net.

Warning!
You must not attempt to install this into your production SAL directory. The installation package will attempt to prevent you from overwriting a production version of SAL. Do not attempt to circumvent this warning! ECSI cannot be responsible if you overwrite your SAL system with this demo software.

What's Changed (Updated: 05-02-2000)
The Demonstration Install package again contains the programs needed to convert production data! Unlike previous versions, the install package will not allow you to convert your data as part of the installation. This is now a separate step. Instructions for converting production data are included at the end of this document. As in the 3-30-2000 release, all major modules along with the majority of the on-line help are contained in this package. Also there are instructions to convert your files at the end of this document.

Getting Started
You will need to download the files using either a Web browser or an FTP client. You may use whichever is more comfortable to you. Regardless of which you pick, the file that you need and where you put it are the same.

You will need a place to put the files that you download. Make a directory for the installation file. We suggest C:\SALSETUP but you can use any drive or directory that you wish. Our examples will use C:\SALSETUP.

Download with FTP
If you wish to use FTP, follow these steps:

Connect your FTP client to www.ecsi.net
Change to the /off-site/demo directory on the FTP server. If you are using the Microsoft FTP program, type the command "cd /off-site/demo".
Set your client to binary mode
Receive the file saldemo.exe from the FTP server's directory into your local directory (e.g., C:\SALSETUP).
When the file has been received, close your FTP client and proceed to the installation instructions below.

Download with Browser
If you wish to use your browser, follow these steps:

Right-click on the file below
If you use Internet Explorer, select Save Target As from the popup menu. If you use Netscape, select Save Link As from the popup menu.
When asked for the location to save the files, give C:\SALSETUP (or whatever drive/directory you desire).
When you have saved all files, you can close or minimize your browser.

Demonstration Files

saldemo.exe This is the full installation package including data. It contains all the programs, a minimal archive directory, all the word documents for the Document Writer and, of course, all the SAL documentation that is available.

Ready to Install
After you've retrieved the files, you can proceed straight to installation. Using either My Computer or Explorer, find the directory where you downloaded the files (C:\SALSETUP). Start the program saldemo.exe by double-clicking on the icon. The installation software is fairly self-explanatory. If are unsure how to proceed, please feel free to contact ECSI for assistance.

Converting Your Production Data
This demonstration package includes a small database of approximately fifty borrowers. This should be sufficient to get a feel for the new product. Many clients have requested the ability to look at their live data. You must have completed the installation instructions for the demo before you can convert your data. Once the installation is completed, follow these steps:

Open an MS-DOS or Command prompt
Change to the drive and directory containing the SAL Demo software
Make a directory to hold your security files (md save)
Copy your security files to the directory you created above (copy sal-lib2.* save)
Execute the command: GUI-CONV {path} Where {path} is the drive and directory to the production data. E.g., GUI-CONV L:\SAL-SYS
Several windows will flash, one for each major file in the SAL system
When you are returned to the command prompt, the conversion has completed
Return the security files from the save area (copy save\sal-lib2.*)

Notes
The installation software will make every attempt to prevent you from making common mistakes. For example, if it thinks you are trying to install the Windows Preview into a directory which currently contains a production copy of SAL, you will be warned.

Please read the prompts carefully. Some prompts resemble others unless you read the text. While the installation routine will attempt to prevent mistakes, it cannot Read your mind. If it warns you about installing into a production directory and you tell it to Go Ahead anyway -- it will! To avoid problems, we suggest that you install the demonstration software into a directory \saldemo as this is not used by any other version of SAL.

Once everything is installed, you can start the SAL for Windows Demo program. Use either the icon that was created on the desktop or the icon that is in the SAL folder on the start menu. The Login information is as follows: Name=GUEST, Initials=GG, Password=ECSI.