Oracle User's Manual {c:\program files\metascient oracle\msoracle.txt} MetaScient Oracle 4.2 For All Windows 95 and Later The MetaScient Oracle Self-Empowering Personal Knowledge System A Program for Psychological Self-Reflection Powered by the MetaScient Oracle Computer Mystic A "Spin of Consciousness" Application Created by Richard Knapp/MetaScient Technology 24 Dec 2005 [This User's Manual covers technical issues only. Otherwise, click "Help" or press "F1" on the MetaScient Oracle program, then search. If you encounter problems using the program that are not covered here or in the Information Library ("Help"), go to the section 'Contact'.] CONTENTS [Use the Notepad 'Find' utility on a selected section.] Installation Problems INFORMATION Changing Program Windows Size Unregistered Trial Program Unregistered Demo Program Program Registration Register the Program Go to Purchase Instructions Receive Passcode Unlock the Program with the Passcode Difficulties No Affect by Updates Terms of Registration Purchase Summary of EULA Summary of Registration Grants and Limits Summary of License Agreement Installing Updates Insuring Your Program Save the Passcode Backup the Registration Backup the Install Program Backing Up Your Registration Registration Backup Make a Registration Backup Disk Reinstating Your Registration Reinstate your Registration Replace your Registration Registering Programs on Other Computers Registering from a Backup Disk Viewing the MsoracleID Viewing the Passcode DIFFICULTIES Lost Registration Font Requirements Required Fonts Install Fonts Font Problems Registry Conflict Correcting a Registry Conflict Last Resort Program Bugs Run Problems with Memory Error Messages Uninstalling Your Program Automatic Removal Manual Removal Reinstate the Registration ABOUT Consulting with Richard Knapp Trademarks and Copyrights End User License Agreement Contact INSTALLATION PROBLEMS If you have a problem with your installation, search for and open: for new or for update installs, and . The log gives the data, and repair explains what to do. If you cannot find the repair document, get it from www.msoracle.com in the Documents section. If you encounter any installation problems that are not covered in the 'Instructions to Repair Installation', please go to the section 'Contact' and report the problem to MetaScient Technology. [INFORMATION] CHANGING PROGRAM WINDOWS SIZE The program windows are fixed in their size. To change their displayed size with your monitor and Windows resolution, right- click "Help" to open the Utilities window, then click "Display Size Window". After you make your selection and close the window, the program will open the next time with the new size setting. [Note: the 80% size for 640x480 display is not recommended.] UNREGISTERED TRIAL PROGRAM If you are a new user and your installation is unregistered, the program allows you a 14 day trial of all its features and functions. You activate the unregistered trial by clicking one of the three left-most upper command buttons on the main Write window. The trial period does not begin until you activate it. UNREGISTERED DEMO PROGRAM If your installation is unregistered and the trial is over, the MetaScient Oracle is a demonstration program. Only instructions, basic knowledge, and existing dialogues can be accessed. PROGRAM REGISTRATION Registration unlocks the program for unlimited access to all content. Because the MetaScient Oracle can create an infinite number of unique and personal responses to your entries, the program can never become obsolete. [Register the Program] To register the program, click "Yes" on the Registration window when you close the program, or right-click "Help" then click "Registration Window". Click "Read Details" and review the procedure and Terms of Registration. Click "Purchase Passcode", then "Yes" as your agreement to the Terms. The purchase instructions are shown in Notepad and the MsoracleID is placed on your Windows clipboard. [Go to Purchase Instructions] Go to www.msoracle.com, click the link "Register", then "Purchase..." (which takes you to the purchase form on our partner's secure e-commerce website). Follow the instructions on the purchase form for your preferred method of payment. When prompted, paste the MsoracleID into the purchase form. Be sure that all and only the 12 digits are present. If you purchase by telephone, give them the product number shown on the web page "Register" and have your MsoracleID ready. [Receive Passcode] Your registration Passcode will be emailed to you within two working days. [Unlock the Program with the Passcode] Open the Register window. Then click "Enter Passcode". Paste or type the 6-digit number into its text box. Be sure to enter only the 6 digits. Click or press "Enter". Your program is unlocked for unlimited interaction. [Difficulties] If you have difficulty registering the program, please review the details here or on the registration form. If you cannot resolve it, describe your problem in an email. [see Contact below] [No Affect by Updates] Registered users may update their program anytime without affecting registration (see below). TERMS OF REGISTRATION PURCHASE [Summary of EULA] This section provides a partial summary of the Terms given in the End User License Agreement (EULA) which you "electronically signed" to install the program. [Summary of Registration Grants and Limits] When you register the MetaScient Oracle for Windows, you are purchasing a license for 1 original passcode registration, 2 registrations for new installations from a backup disk, unlimited re-installations of updated programs, and unlimited re- registrations of the licensed 3 from a backup disk as necessary. Because your free trial of the program has familiarized you with all its features and methods, your purchase of the registration Passcode acknowledges your acceptance of the program as it is. Once your Passcode is released, the registration transaction is final. MetaScient Technology will not issue your registration Passcode again. It is your responsibility to retain your Passcode and backup your registration. After you enter your Passcode into the Register window, you may backup your registration then or any time thereafter. [Summary of License Agreement] When you installed the program, you agreed to the following: The software and text files are authored, owned, and copyright by Richard Knapp [MetaScient Technology], made available by the author's permission for your personal use only. You will not in any manner distribute software or text components extracted from the installation program by whatever means, nor will you use the program as a service to others in any context without written permission from the author. This applies whether the program is registered or not. You accept the software system 'as is', accepting that the author makes no warranty of any kind. You accept full responsibility and will not hold the author liable for any computer problems you encounter by installing and using the program, whatever the cause. By installing the program, you have agreed to the following: New ideas may illuminate greater possibilities, but you alone choose to evaluate them and perhaps take action. You accept that you create its literary experience as a reflection of your own intentions, so you accept full responsibility for acting upon the ideas and suggestions the program offers. INSTALLING UPDATES Program updates are listed on our website, www.msoracle.com/latest.htm [Latest, on the home page]. To update your registered program, download the latest , then run it. Re-installations do not affect your registration, content, or settings. INSURING YOUR PROGRAM [Save the Passcode] Store your Passcode in a safe place. Your registration Passcode identifies your computer system, so any version of the program can be re-registered with the same Passcode on that same computer, if necessary. [Backup the Registration] Different computers create different MsoracleIDs and Passcodes. If you need to install the MetaScient Oracle on another computer (your license allows 2 others of your own), or you need to reinstate a completely lost registration, you must use your original Passcode and a registration backup disk which you made beforehand. [Detailed instructions below.] [Backup the Install Program] We also recommend that you save the latest MetaScient Oracle installation program for safekeeping each time you update. Only the latest installer need be saved. For the information on program updates, go to www.msoracle.com/latest. BACKING UP YOUR REGISTRATION [Registration Backup] With the registration backup utility on the Register window, you may create a registration backup disk that you use in the event of computer failure or to register installations on your other computers. Your license allows no more than 1 original (from passcode) and 2 new (from backup disk) registrations on computers that you own. Note that a program registered from a registration backup disk cannot itself create a backup disk, nor can that program reveal its Passcode. The registration backup system was designed to insure that your registered program does not become lost. Make sure that you create your registration backup disk when you have purchased your Passcode and unlocked the program. Your registration backup is written on a removable disk drive that directly reads/writes files (e.g. floppy, zip, or drive-configured CD/DVD, not standard CD/DVD setups). Note that this only backs up the registration license, not the program itself (which is much larger). [Floppy backup is recommended, because it is robust and most computers have those.] Save the installation programs on any media (such as CD/DVD). [Make a Registration Backup Disk] To make a registration backup disk, open the Register window, click "Make Backup Disk", select the drive, insert the disk (remove copy protection), then click the button again. Special registration code is copied to the disk, allowing you to register 2 other installations without purchasing another Passcode, and allowing you to re-register an installation, if necessary. Be sure to save your Passcode with the disk, required for registering a program with a backup disk. REINSTATING YOUR REGISTRATION [Reinstate your Registration] If your program's registration becomes lost on your original installation for some reason, but your hard drive is operating properly, simply re-enter your original registration Passcode into the Register window. The backup disk should not be used on your original installation, only on computers with a different hard drive. [If the program has become corrupted and cannot operate, read the section, "Error Messages".] [Replace your Registration] If your computer system becomes changed in some basic manner (e.g. replaced hard drive, etc.), your original Passcode may not be valid. If you cannot reinstate your registration with the original Passcode, then you may do so with a registration backup disk (see below). A backup-registered program cannot itself create a backup disk, nor can it reveal its Passcode. However, you may purchase and enter a Passcode into that installation, thus make it a passcode- registered program with a full backup capability. REGISTERING PROGRAMS ON YOUR OTHER COMPUTERS You may use your registration backup disk to register 2 new installations on your other computers, or to replace/reinstate a prior registration. Install the MetaScient Oracle and register it with a backup disk as described below. REGISTERING FROM A BACKUP DISK To register a new installation or reinstate a lost registration from your backup disk, open the Register window, click "Register from Disk", select the drive, insert the backup disk, and click the button again. Then enter your original registration Passcode. VIEWING THE MSORACLE-ID Each installation has a unique MsoracleID which you may obtain by clicking "Purchase Passcode" in the Register window. Each MsoracleID has its own unique Passcode that unlocks the program for unlimited interaction. VIEWING THE PASSCODE On your original passcode-registered installation, open the Register window. Click "Show Passcode". Your registration Passcode is shown. Store it in a safe place. Note that installations registered with a backup disk cannot reveal their Passcodes. [DIFFICULTIES] LOST REGISTRATION MetaScient Technology has provided sufficient safeguards for your registration purchase, thus cannot be held responsible for lost registrations. If you lost everything, i.e. no original registered installation or registration backup disk, then you must purchase another registration Passcode. Please understand this necessity for internet-distributed software, so that we may continue to serve your interest over the years. Your acknowledgment is appreciated. FONT REQUIREMENTS [Required Fonts] The MetaScient Oracle requires that the fonts "Times New Roman" and "Times New Roman Italic" be installed. These exactly-named fonts are necessary, standard on most Windows systems. There may be some variations in font names in non-English versions of Windows, although the installer should alias their names for proper operation. If the program check fonts procedure has detected that either of these fonts is not installed, the program cannot run. You must then download the font from our website and install it. [Install Fonts] If the program notifies you that a font is not installed, note the name, download the font (see below), then install it with the Fonts utility in the Control Panel. [See "Start, Help, Adding Fonts" if necessary. Install fonts only with the Fonts utility, never by moving files into folders, or you might create a registry conflict.] After you install the font, you must exit then restart Windows to activate it. You may download these fonts from our website: Times New Roman www.msoracle.com/times.ttf Times New Roman Italic www.msoracle.com/timesi.ttf FONT PROBLEMS [Registry Conflict] You have a registry conflict if the correct font is installed and you still get an error when you try to open the program. [In the Control Panel, Fonts folder, you may verify a font name and its file by right-clicking the font and selecting "Properties". Fonts cannot simply be placed in the Fonts folder; they must be installed with the Fonts utility.] [Correcting a Registry Conflict] If you have a registry conflict, use only the Fonts utility to correct it as follows: copy the font file to a safe place elsewhere on your disk, then uninstall (remove) it from Control Panel, Fonts. Exit and restart Windows. Then install the font downloaded from our website. Again exit and restart Windows. The conflict should be corrected and the program should open. [Last Resort] If the above procedures do not correct the problem, go into Windows Explorer, then copy the correct font file into your "Fonts" folder. If a file is to be replaced, save a copy of that file, then replace it. Restart Windows. The Windows system may re-write the Registry so that the font may be used. PROGRAM BUGS We have performed extensive testing on our software system, and (at the above date) there are no known bugs in the program. Generally, a program bug creates an improper response when you do something for the first time. If you encounter a program error doing something that worked before, that is not likely a bug: Windows may have a temporary problem, or your system may have become corrupted. [See the sections below.] If you encounter what you think is a program bug, for the sake of all of us, please describe everything you know about it in an email [see Contact below]. For the latest information, visit our website, www.msoracle.com/latest.htm. RUN PROBLEMS WITH MEMORY The MetaScient Oracle requires considerable memory, typically 8M. If your computer has 32M of memory or less, depending on your Windows setup, you might encounter problems running the program, particularly when other programs are open. In that case, it is best to close the other programs before opening the Msoracle. ERROR MESSAGES A technical error message is one that forces the program to close. If the program is properly installed, you will not see technical error messages while the installation is intact. If for some reason you receive an error message that closes the program, then a temporary Windows problem may have developed. That is corrected by restarting Windows. If a technical error repeats after you restart Windows and open the program again, the Msoracle may have become corrupted (e.g. from a computer crash, virus, etc.). Then you must un-install, re-install, then re-register the program with your original Passcode. UNINSTALLING YOUR PROGRAM The MetaScient Oracle cannot be removed from your system with the the Windows Add/Remove Programs utility. A custom program is provided in the MetaScient Technology program group. [Automated Removal] Make certain that the MetaScient Oracle program is closed, or the automated uninstall will fail. On your Task bar, click 'Start, Programs, MetaScient Technology, Uninstall Oracle' to open the uninstall program, then follow the prompts. If you have an installation problem and cannot open the Uninstall program, go to www.msoracle.com and download it from the Programs section. [Manual Removal] If it is necessary to manually remove a faulty installation, follow these instructions. Note that incomplete or corrupted installations may not require some of these steps: Click 'Start, Settings, Taskbar, Start Menu Programs'. Remove 'MetaScient Technology'. Locate and delete the folder C:\Program Files\MetaScient Oracle\. Drag the Desktop shortcut to the Recycle bin. [Reinstate the Registration] If you need to remove and re-install a registered program, after you have re-installed it, you must register it by entering your original Passcode. Review the section, "Reinstating your Registration". [ABOUT] CONSULTING WITH RICHARD KNAPP Visit our website www.msoracle.com/consult.htm [Consult] to obtain information on consulting with Richard Knapp. TRADEMARKS and COPYRIGHTS Trademarks "MetaScient", "MetaScient Technology", "MetaScient Oracle", "Computer Mystic", "The Spin of Consciousness", and the MetaScient Technology programs are authored, owned, and copyright per the program build date by Richard Knapp/MetaScient Technology, registration pending. Unauthorized distribution of programs and/or their components in part or whole is prohibited by domestic and international copyright law. All written materials associated with MetaScient Technology on the website, the program software, and the documents associated with the MetaScient programs are copyright per the program build date by Richard Knapp/MetaScient Technology, all rights reserved. Distribution of the MetaScient Technology installation programs for business purposes requires written permission from Richard Knapp/MetaScient Technology. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT The End User License Agreement you "electronically signed" to install the MetaScient Oracle program may be reviewed by running an installation program (without needing to install). CONTACT Go to www.msoracle.com/contact.htm [Contact] for the latest contact information.