WISER for Windows - README

Version 4.2


Contents
========

* System Requirements
* Installation
* Checking for Updates
* Upgrading
* Uninstalling
* User Registration
* Known Issues
* Release History
* WISER Overview
* Disclaimer


System Requirements
===================

A personal computer with Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista.

- At least 128 MB of RAM is recommended.
- At least 22 MB of hard disk space is required; more will be required if
  the Microsoft .NET Framework must be installed.

WISER is dependent on the Microsoft .NET Framework v3.5 Service Pack 1. The
WISER setup program will install this system dependency automatically if it
detects it does not already exist on your computer. Its installation requires
administrative privileges and could require as much as 500 MB of hard disk,
depending on your computer.


Installation 
============

Simply execute the setup program, WISER_Windows_Setup.exe, and follow the
instructions.

If the Microsoft .NET Framework dependency indicated above is not detected
on the target computer, it will be automatically installed. If the WISER
setup was downloaded (as opposed to a CD distribution), then this dependency
must first be downloaded; again this will be performed automatically,
and only if necessary.

If the .NET Framework dependency gets installed, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that
you verify you have the latest updates for it by running Windows Update
(http://update.microsoft.com). In particular, service pack and security
updates may be available.

NOTE WELL:
If the Microsoft .NET Framework needs to be downloaded, be aware that it
is large, and thus the download and installation may take some time.

If desired, the Microsoft .NET Framework V3.5 SP1 can be manually downloaded and
installed from the following site before attempting to install WISER:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ab99342f-5d1a-413d-8319-81da479ab0d7&DisplayLang=en


Checking for Updates
====================

By default, if an Internet connection is available, WISER will automatically
check the WISER web site to see if updates are available each time that it is
started. This option is user configurable, and updates checks can always be
manually initiated.

The first time WISER is run a "WISER Update" dialog prompts you to verify
that WISER should automatically check for updates. If you answer "Yes", the
WISER web site is checked for a new version of WISER each time WISER is
started. If your version is the latest, or if an Internet connection is
unavailable, this check will be transparent. If an update is available, a
"WISER Update" dialog will prompt if you would like to download it. If you
do, a browser window will open at the download page of the WISER web site,
and you can proceed with downloading and installing the new version. If you
choose not to upgrade, then you will continue to be prompted each time WISER
is started until the upgrade is performed.

You can change your preference for automatic update checks as follows:
 - Run WISER
 - From the File menu, choose "Preferences..."
 - Set the Automatic Updates option as desired

Regardless of this setting, you can always manually initiate an update
check by choosing the "Check for Updates..." option from WISER's help menu.


Upgrading
=========
If a previous version of WISER already exists on your PC, it will be
automatically upgraded during the installation of the new version. Any
user information (preferences and saved searches) will be retained.


Uninstalling
============
Uninstall WISER using Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel.

Note that WISER may have resulted in the installation of the Microsoft .NET
Framework v3.5. Uninstall this only if you are sure no other programs depend
on it.


User Registration
=================

On the download pages of the WISER web site, and at the end of the WISER setup
program, users are encouraged to register if they have not already done so.
Registration consists of subscribing to an e-mail list (the WISER ListServ),
which is used to send important announcements about WISER, such as data updates,
new functionality, bug fixes, and other important news.

Registration is optional, but because such WISER updates could be critical for the
accurate and safe use of the information WISER provides, we strongly encourage our
users to register. Only an e-mail address is required, and you can unsubscribe at
any time. We will not release or use your information for any other purpose, and
we assure you that any e-mail we send will be infrequent and concise.


Known Issues
============

WISER for Windows will not display properly unless the normal (default)
setting is used for the DPI scaling (font size) option. If the right and bottom
edges of WISER windows are being cut off, then verify this setting as follows:

Windows XP
1) In an open area of your Windows desktop, right-click and select Properties
   from the resulting pop-up menu.
2) Select the Settings tab.
3) Press the Advanced button.
4) You should see a "DPI setting" drop-down list. The "Normal size"
   option must be selected for WISER to display properly.

Windows Vista
1) In an open area of your Windows desktop, right-click and select Personalize
   from the resulting pop-up menu.
2) In the Tasks on the left, select "Adjust font size (DPI)" (note that
   administrative privileges are required).
3) In the resulting DPI Scaling dialog, the "Default scale" 
   option must be selected for WISER to display properly.


Release History
===============

Application v4.2.151, Data v4.2.16
Bug fixes:
- proxy-server compatibility issues for mapping and check-for-updates features
- using edit menu on map location text boxes causes crash
- fix text for no-connectivity message
- wrong context-sensitive help after using "view protective distance data" link
  on map status bar

Application v4.2.140, Data v4.2.16
- Rad reference materials: sync with REMM source content
- Mappings: guide 145, 146, 148 evac distance is in all directions

Application v4.2.137, Data v4.2.15
- Add printing ability to the ERG tool
- Bug fix: non-US culture settings result incorrect distance overlays for the mapping
- Bug fix: installer was verifying .NET 3.5, but not SP1

Application v4.2.128, Data v4.2.15
- Bug fix: auto-update user preference not saved

Application v4.2.126, Data v4.2.15
- Add mapping feature with protective distance overlay
- Add Transport (placards/rail cars/road trailers) to Help Identify Unknown feature
- Add signs/symptoms imagery to biological agents
- Data updates based on the latest HSBD, REMM, CIDRAP (biological agents), and EPA AEGL content
- New substances: p-Cresol, Dicrotophos, Acrylamide, and Ethyl Acetate
- Account for ERG 2008 errata
- Improved user interface for results list grouping in Help Identify Unknown feature
- Many miscellaneous user interface enhancements and fixes
- Migrated to v3.5 SP1 of the Microsoft .NET Framework

Application v4.1.41, Data v4.1.7
- Bug fix: double-clicking column headings in ERG list can cause a crash

Application v4.1.39, Data v4.1.7
- ERG 2008 update
- Add find-by-guide and find-substance-for guide to ERG Tool
- Misc. ERG Tool enhancements
- Add picocuries and terabecquerels to radiation unit converter
- Support for 64-bit Windows

Application v4.0, Data v4.0
- Add biological substance data
- Add WMD Response Guidebook data
- Add additional substance categories for WMD agents
- Add Radiation Unit Conversion tool
- Add automatic update check
- Data updates based on the latest HSBD
- Updated AEGL data
- New substance: Sodium Nitrate
- Miscellaneous app and data maintenance and enhancements

Application v3.1.52, Data v3.1.1
- Updates for compatibility with new CoBRA 4.2 release

Application v3.1.46, Data v3.1.1
- Write temporary html files to user app data folder to avoid security issues

Application v3.1.45, Data v3.1.1
- Reinsert "license" display in setup wizard

Application v3.1.44, Data v3.1.1
- Fix Vista installation issue (virtualization of wiser.db)

Application v3.1.35, Data v3.1.1
- Add enhanced substance printing capability
- Updated AEGL data
- Fix display of NFPA 704 health hazard values
- Make tools (rad, ERG) available in 3rd-party integration support
- Fix searching in 3rd-party integration support (e.g., CoBRA)
- Fix printing in the reference document viewer
- Miscellaneous minor fixes and enhancements.

Application v3.0.354, Data v3.0.39
- Fix CoBRA integration issues

Application v3.0.351, Data v3.0.39
- Add radioisotopes to the substance list
- Add substance category filtering to the substance list
- Support wild-card searches in the substance list
- Add substance categories to Help Identify Unknown Substance feature
- Add ERG 2004 tool
- Add tools/reference materials in support of radiological events
- Add 9 new chemical substances
- Sync data with the latest HSDB

Application v2.3.231, Data v2.108
- Upgrade System.Data.SQLite.DLL to v1.0.39.1; fixes "cryptographic provider
  not available" error encountered by a couple users
Application v2.3.230, Data v2.108
- Migrated to v2.0 of the Microsoft .NET Framework
- Database migrated to SQLite; system dependencies for database no longer exist
- Enhanced support for 3rd-party integration
- Database upgraded to latest HSDB content
- Added new substances: Acrylic Acid and Ethyl Methyl Ether
- Added new data item: Ionization Potential (see Physical Properties data menu)
- Added new data item: Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL) (see Medical
  data menu)
- ERG 2004 data and display enhancements
- NFPA 704 data update, including addition of special hazards data
- NFPA 704 data display now includes display of the placard
- Help Identify: NFPA 704 feature now supports special hazards (white diamond)
- Add TOXMAP to substance data form's on-line lookup feature
- Add event tracking (logging)
- Time/date stamp saved searches
- Minor data and application fixes and improvements
Application v2.2.95, Data v2.85
- Don't require .NET 1.1 installation if 2.0 is installed
- fix toolbar enabling bug in the CoBRA integration
Application v2.2.94, Data v2.85
- Added 15 new substances
- Database update to match the latest HSDB content
- Help Identify functionality: new NFPA 704 search feature
- Supports integration with CoBRA v4.1
- User data is written to application data folder (allows run-from-CD capability,
  and support for user-specific data in a multiple-user installation)
- Added event tracking (user events logged to text file)
- Fix online help TOC and content synchronization
- Enforce a single instance of the application
- If search is new (no selections made), don't save as a previous search
  (disable New Search button)
- Allow substance list selections with the return key
- Enable/disable toolbar buttons based on active form
- Minor data and application fixes and improvements
- Downloads signed with NLM certificate
Application v2.1.11, Data v2.66: data maintenance release
- Regenerate identification elements - some out of date 
Application v2.1.8, Data v2.65: maintenance release
- Added printing capability
- Database updated to match the latest HSDB content
- All substances now have symptom search data
- Data bug fix: guide number prefixing for substances referencing multiple ERG pages
- Bug fix: UN/NA and STCC numbers not always displayed properly on substance data form
- Bug fix: empty results list could cause crash
- Substance data menu options with no data are now disabled instead of excluded
- Link to the installed documentation from the help menu
- Improved human body graphic for symptoms selection
- Add PubMed to the on-line lookup options on the substance data form
Application v2.0.145, Data v2.45: maintenance release
- performance improvements for results list sorted by UN/NA and STCC
- add core substance count to database version info
- improved error handling
- proper handling of edits in the search-by text field
- installer fixes for .NET Framework detection

WISER Overview
==============

The Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) is a
system concept for providing First Responders at the scene of hazardous
material incidents - chemical, biological or radioactive - with integrated
information, decision support, and communications.  WISER provides critical
chemical information quickly and conveniently on mobile devices, such as
PDAs, tablet computers, field laptops, mobile phones, and mobile data
terminals, as well as on PCs and Internet browsers.  It aids in the
identification of unknown substances and, once a substance is identified,
provides guidance on immediate actions necessary to save lives and protect
the environment.  Substance information and identification properties come
from the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), developed and maintained by
the National Library of Medicine.

WISER currently exists as a standalone PDA application for Pocket PC or
Palm OS devices, as a desktop/laptop application for Microsoft Windows PCs,
and as an Internet application (http://webwiser.nlm.nih.com).  It contains
HSDB information and decision support logic for 400+ substances.  The
substances were chosen based on First Responder inputs, degree of chemical
hazard, and historical frequency of incidents.  The WISER application
assists First Responders in rapidly determining the substance involved and
gives the First Responder critical information regarding the substance,
allowing them to take the necessary immediate actions to minimize the effects
of the HAZMAT incident.


Disclaimer
==========

The U.S. Government does not warrant or assume any legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any
information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed.

It is not the intention of NLM to provide specific medical advice to the
public, but rather to provide users with information to better understand
their health.

NLM does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, process, or
services.