                        How To Run Algebra Interactive
                        ==============================


Algebra Interactive runs under UNIX, Linux or Windows (95/98/NT) operating systems.

If you are using UNIX, then consult README.unix.

If you are using Linux, then consult README.linux.




How To Run Algebra Interactive under Windows 
============================================

From now on, we assume you are using

      Windows95, Windows98, or WindowsNT.

To run Algebra Interactive you need a browser like Internet Explorer 4.x or
Netscape4.x.  
If one of these browsers is present on your machine,
Algebra Interactive (the program called ida.exe on top level of your
CD-rom) will start automatically after insertion of the CD-rom or
with the program

      ida.exe

which you will find on the CD-rom at top level. 
However, if you do not have a browser,
you can install Netscape Navigator 4.08
from the CD-rom by starting the installation program

      ida-win/bin/n32e408.exe

to be found on the CD-rom.
After installing Netscape you can start Algebra Interactive by running
the program

      ida.exe 

which you will find on the CD-rom at top level.  
By the way, by re-insertion of the CD-rom, Algebra Interactive will start
ida.exe automatically (as described above).

If not already present, the ida.exe program will install a 
Java-plugin for your browser.  
After installation of this plugin it fires up the browser with 
the text pages of Algebra Interactive as well as the GAP-server 
for Algebra Interactive.
After the first time you run Algebra Interactive, 
the executable programs of Algebra Interactive will be 
added to the start menu under programs.

WARNING
=======
 
Algebra Interactive  will only work properly when an 
ethernet card is inserted in your PC.
In particular, the GAP-server needs this to run the so-called gapplets. 
Your PC, however, need not be connected to a network.



Running Algebra Interactive with or without GAP
===============================================

The browser and GAP-server can be started independently by
 
     navida.exe  (for browsing Algebra Interactive without the gapplets being active)

and 

     gapplets.exe (for the GAP-server to activate the gapplets)

This enables you to use your browser without GAP and start
up GAP again when you are returning to Algebra Interactive.

If you want to use the computer algebra package GAP
independently from Algebra Interactive, start the program
     
     rungap.exe



Closing Algebra Interactive
===========================

Algebra Interactive is closed in two steps.

1. First the connection with GAP should be closed 
   by clicking the button [Kill Gap] in the left margin.

2. Then close your browser.



De-installation
=============

The program Remida.exe will remove Algebra Interactive from the
start menu. The java-plugin can be removed using its de-installation
program.