Downloading,_Installation_and_Startup_of_Nip2

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title: Downloading, Installation and Startup of Nip2 permalink: /Downloading,_Installation_and_Startup_of_Nip2/

Origin

This page has been written as part of the NIP2 Beginners Guide.

General Comments.

nip2 can be installed from the original source code^{[#note29\ 1]} or as prepared, executable, binary distributions^{[#note30\ 2]}. Working with the the source code will not be covered in this document. If you would really like to work with the source code please refer to the information on the website^{[#note31\ 3]} and the documentation that is provided with it. The current stable binary releases can be downloaded from the Vips website^{[#note32\ 4]}, by accessing the /textbfcurrent stable page from the menu on the left-hand side of the webpage. Older versions of the software are also available from the /textbfprevious stable page. The file names of all of the downloadedable versions of nip2 contain version numbers, i.e. nip2-7.10.9.zip. These version numbers will continue to change as the software is developed, so version numbers of the files avaliable for download may not match those described in this document.

Installation and Start-up on a Windows Computer.

At the time of writing there are two options for installing nip2 on a windows machine, both should work for win 2K and win XP, they may run in win98, but won't run on win95.

1. #* Download the standard nip2 windows archive, currently (April 2005) nip2-7.10.9.zip.

   • Unzip the file somewhere (doesn't matter where ... I often just leave it on my desktop), this will produce a folder called nip2-7.10.9.
   • Move into nip2-7.10.9 by DLMB on the folder icon, and then move into the bin folder.
   • The nip2 software can now be started up by DLMB on the nip2.exe file.
   • You can't drag nip2.exe out of the nip2-7.10.9 folder, as it will stop working. However you can make a shortcut^{[#note33\ 5]} to it though and move the shortcut to your desktop.

2. #* The other method is to use the widows installer prepared by Denis Pitzalis, It does install/uninstall and adds a entry in the programs menu.

   • Download the nip2 windows installer, currently (April 2005) Nip2-7.10.9-setup.exe, by CLMB on the link provided.
   • Once downloaded DLMB on the Nip2-7.10.9-setup.exe file to begin the installation process and then follow the on-screen instructions.
   • When the installation process is complete nip2 can be started up from the standard windows program window, normally accessable by CLMB on the [Start] button in the bottom left corner of your screen.

At this time (April 2005) large file support (more than 2GB) will not work in the windows version of nip2, sorry.

Installation and Start-up on a Macintosh Computer.

At this time the newest Mac version of the software, nip-7.8.11.dmg is actually listed on the previous stable page. There is no real installation process just download the file and then use it in the same ways as other Mac programs. However you do need Max OS 10.2 or greater and you need to install Apple's X11 server, for more information see http://www.apple.com/macosx/x11/

Installation and Start-up on a Linux Computer.

At the time of writing the Linux binary should work on most Linux machines, but you will need to have a program called fontconfig installed^{[#note34\ 6]}

• Download the standard nip2 linux archive, currently (Nov 2004) nip2-7.10.9.linux-x86.tar.gz, and save it in your home directory ^{[#note35\ 7]}, /home/username.
• You will now need to open a command line terminal, (see section [#sec:xterm B.2]sec:xterm), for example xterm^{[#note36\ 8]}. If you do not know how to start up a command line terminal it may be a good idea to consult the documentation you received with your version of Linux.

Within the xterm window run the following commands in order^{[#note37\ 9]}, the commands will be given in this font.

• Move to the directory containing the linux binary:
• cd /home/username
• Unpack/untar the file:
• tar xfz nip2-7.10.9.linux-x86.tar.gz
• Create a global link to your chosen directory:
• su
• Enter the root/superuser password and then hit [Return].
• cd /home/username/nip2-7.10.9/bin
• ln -s run-nip.sh /usr/local/bin/nip2
• exit
• You can now start up the /nip software with following command:nip2

Setting up a nip2 icon on your linux desktop

In addition to running nip2 through an xterm window you can also set up a clickable icon to open it from your desktop.

• CRMB over an empty area of the background.
• Select [Create new]:[File]:[Link to Application ...] from the menus that appear. Or a similar option if this exact one does not exist. This will open up a small window entitled Properties for Program.desktop - KDesktop, with a text box containing, Link to Application
• CLMB over the text box and change the text to read: nip2
• CLMB on the Application tab, near the top of the window.
• CLMB over the text box next to Command: (or Program Name:) heading and then enter: nip2
• CLMB on [OK]

An icon will then appear on you desktop with nip2 under it. The picture used for the icon is the default icon for applications. If you wish to change the picture you can do so as follows:

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[Image:nipbeginguide009.png](/Image:nipbeginguide009.png "wikilink")

Figure 4.1: Initial welcome message that appears when a new version of nip2 is run for the first time..

fg:welcome_message

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• Open the Properties window: CRMB over the icon and chose properties from the menu and ensure that the General tab is selected.
• The CLMB on the picture of the current icon.
• This will open up another window containing a large selection of alternative pictures, scroll down until you find one that you like, select it by CLMB on it, then CLMB on [OK], to close the window.
• Then CLMB on[OK] in the Properties window to close it.
• Your new chosen picture should now be in place on the desktop.
• You can now run start nip2 by CLMB on your new icon.

Initial message and the .nip-xxx folder

The first time you start up a new version of nip a pop-up message box will appear welcoming you, see figure [#fg:welcome_message 4.1]fg:welcome_message. It will also inform you that a new directory has been created on you system, this folder will be called .nip-xxx, where xxx stands for the versions numbers of your current copy of nip2. It will be placed in you home area, or user document area, such as:

• /home/joe/.nip-7.10.9
• C:\Documents and Settings\joe\.nip-7.10.9

This new directory will be used by the software to store temporary files and some configuration information. Further use of this directory goes beyond the scope of this document and is not required for the standard use of nip2.

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

References

[1] The source code represents the original files the software is built from.

[2] A binary distribution is one that has already be built from the original source code.

[3] http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk

[4] http://www.vips.ecs.soton.ac.uk

[5] In windows shortcuts to a file can be made by CRMB on the file and selecting Create Shortcut for the resultant menu.

[6] You can test whether fontconfig is installed on your machine by testing for the presence of a particular file using the command ls /etc/fonts/fonts.conf. If you do need to install fontconfig consult your Linux documentation and follow the instructions provided for installing additions programs from your Linux CDs or DVD.

[7] Every user that has been set up on your computer, i.e. a unique user name and password, will be given a corresponding home directory or folder. For the user 'general' the home directory would be '/home/general'.

[8] In most distributions of Linux there is a windows Start like button in the bottom left-hand corner of your screen, the actual icon changes between distributions. If you CLMB on this button you will be presented with a large variety of menus and programs, if there is an option for Run Command, CLMB on it to open a run command window. In this new window enter in the command xterm and then CLMB on the appropriate button to continue. This should open up an xterm window.

[9] Again these commands are assuming that you have downloaded the linux binary into your home directory. If you have saved or moved the file somewhere else you will need to alter the commands accordingly.