Guidelines for Network Installation of HyperNiche

For the Network Administrator

1. Using the installation CD, install HyperNiche on the file server.
2. Communicate to individual users the location of the executable file.
3. User management. KeyServer from Sassafras Software is a usage management software compatible with HyperNiche.

For Network User

1. Your instructor or network administrator will provide you with the folder location containing the main executable file, HyperNiche2.exe.  Alternatively, you can find it yourself by using Windows to search the network drives for the folder containing HyperNiche2.exe.
2. Navigate in the file system to this folder.
3. Double click the HyperNiche2 icon to start the software.

To put a HyperNiche icon on your desktop

1. Find the executable folder as instructed above.
2. Within that folder, find the icon for CreateDesktopShortcut, then double click it.
3. Select Local under Start In if you plan to do your analyses mainly on one machine.  Select Network or removable drive if you want to take your HyperNiche session with you between machines.  Then Browse to a removable drive or network drive to which you have write privileges.  Note that conflicts will result if multiple users are using the same folder at the same time.
4. Click OK.  If you do not have write privileges to the selected folder, you will receive an error message, "You do not have write privileges to Start In Folder".  In that case, choose a different drive or folder.

To set up HyperNiche so that your settings are carried with you

1. Place a HyperNiche icon on your desktop as described above.
2. When you specify the Start in location, choose a removable drive or network drive to which you have write privileges.

For more information, see Network Example or  "Network Environments" in the HyperNiche Help system after installation.

Example Network Installation

This is an example of network use of HyperNiche at one university. HyperNiche is installed on a university server that provides class software for the whole campus. Files are installed from the CD into a folder for HyperNiche that resides on the network server.

The software can be run from classroom machines in computing labs. These include both Windows machines and dual-boot Macs. It doesn't run on the mac side, only on the windows side. The students never need the CD. Nor is the software installed on individual machines -- it resides just on the server. At runtime, the executables are loaded automatically into the client as needed.

While many students access the software from just the computer labs, it is also possible to run it from elsewhere on campus or personal computers or laptops. This is relatively easy with hardwired machines on campus, by using a Run command to access that particular file server. But it can also be done from home, wireless, etc., by using the University's "umbrella server", accessible only to enrolled students. This provides a mechanism for class software to be used by off-campus students.

Students are given a path to navigate to the executable file, or they can find it on their own by searching for their class identifier. The instructor encourages students to simplify the process for subsequent use of the software by placing a HyperNiche icon on their desktop. This is done by double clicking the CreateDesktopShortcut icon in the HyperNiche folder on the network server.

The network administrators have provided the instructor with write-permissions for the folders containing the software, so that the instructor can install fixes and updates without bothering the IT people. To install updates, the instructor just unzips the files into a temporary folder on a local computer, then copies the files to the server, overwriting the old files.