Winteracter Technical Support


These notes provide guidelines for users of the full version of Winteracter or X/Winteracter who require technical assistance.

Documentation

Before submitting a technical support request, please ensure that you have reviewed all of the available Winteracter documentation. The exact location and organisation of the supplied documentation depends on which release you are using:

  • v8.0 onwards : All of Winteracter's documentation is accessible under a common contents control, via winter.chm (Windows) or winter.htm (Linux and Mac) in the help sub-directory. Alternatively, use the Help menu in any of the visual tools, on any platform.
  • v7.xx : Nearly all of Winteracter's documentation is accessible under a common contents control, via winter.chm (Windows) or winter.htm (Linux and Mac) in the help sub-directory. This is also accesible via the Start menu (Windows) or the Help menu in any of the visual tools (all platforms). A searchable PDF version of the Programming Guide can be found in the manual directory.
  • v6.xx : Nearly all of Winteracter's documentation is accessible under a common contents control, via winter.chm (Windows) or winter.htm (Linux) in the help sub-directory. This is also accesible via the Start menu (Windows) or the Help menu in any of the visual tools (all platforms). A searchable PDF version of the Programming Guide can be found in the manuals directory.
  • v5.xx : Electronic documentation is accessible via index.htm in the help directory. Individual help files are also accessible via the Help menu in each of the visual tools. Searchable PDF versions of the User Guide and Subroutine Reference can be found in the manuals directory.
  • v3.xx/4.xx : Electronic documentation is accessible via the Help menu in each of the visual tools. Searchable PDF versions of the User Guide and Subroutine Reference can be found in the docs directory.

Also, in recent versions, Desktop "Documentation" shortcuts are set up on all platforms, where selected during installation. On Windows, the program group on the Start menu/screen also includes an equivalent shortcut.

Two documentation resources which are particularly recommended reading:

  • The FAQ may already provide a solution. It is located in the supplied documentation. As of v11.0, it has its own top level entry in the table of contents. In earlier versions, it is located in the Programming Reference (the "winter" help file, prior to v6). It is also accessible from WiDE's Help menu.
  • Each Winteracter release includes substantial new functionality. If you are having problems using a new feature, consult the Release Notes (or the whatsnew file in the docs directory if using v1.xx-3.xx).

Example Programs

You will find a large number of example programs in the demos sub-directory. These illustrate a wide range of features. Examine and build these to learn more about Winteracter's operation. A categorised list of these programs can be found in the Demos section of the Programming Reference.

Updates

Bug fix updates are posted regularly. We recommend that you download and install the most up to date bug-fix revision for your currently licensed Winteracter version. Details of fixes are available in the release notes. See the Updates (10.0 onwards) or Updates (7.10-9.30) pages for download instructions.

Feature Suggestions

Winteracter is under constant development. Click here to suggest a product feature for inclusion in a future release.

Submitting Support Requests

If your question does not appear to be addressed by the supplied documentation, examples or downloadable updates, registered users can submit Winteracter technical support enquiries by email to:

  • Do :

Please be sure to use a subject line that is descriptive of the problem or question (i.e. not just "Question" or "Winteracter").

When submitting a support request please quote your :

  • Winteracter serial number (8nnnn or 4nnnn) and version number.
  • Operating system version and service pack or revision level.
  • Compiler type and version (e.g. "LF95 5.70" or "Intel Visual Fortran 16.0"). If you are using Intel Visual Fortran, also indicate the associated Visual Studio version (e.g. "VS2010").
  • The "bitness" (i.e. 32-bit or 64-bit?) of both the operating system and the compiler/libraries being used.

When reporting issues concerning unexpected program behaviour please provide the following:

  • Complete source code for a brief sample program which can be recompiled to reproduce the observed behaviour.
  • Example resource file(s). We particularly need this when diagnosing dialog/menu related problems or any other resource related issues.
  • Any data files which are required by the sample source code.
  • The exact wording of any compiler, linker, visual tool or operating system error messages.
  • Precise instructions on how to reproduce the fault.
  • If the problem is hardcopy related, details of your printer type/driver.
  • The switches used to compile and link your code. If you are having problems compiling/linking in WiDE, send your project (.wpj) file and WiDE configuration/initialisation file (wide.cfg as of v11.0, previously wide.ini).

Supporting material should normally be attached in a zip (or 7-zip) file or a compressed tar (.tar.gz or .tar.Z) archive.

  • Don't :

The following material is rarely useful and should not be sent unless specifically requested:

  • Program executables (Send example programs in compilable form.)
  • Large source codes (Send a short example which focusses on the problem.)
  • Source code as bitmap images or Word documents (Sources should be plain text.)
  • Screen images or videos, except where these illustrate an error message or machine-specific behaviour (Send a program which reproduces the effect otherwise.)

Technical Support Service : Conditions of Use

While we endeavour to answer questions about Winteracter promptly and accurately, please note the following conditions of use:

  • This is not a general programming advice or program design service. Support is available for questions concerning development of Fortran 9x/200x code in combination with Winteracter's official specification as defined in the supplied documentation. Questions should address specific features of Winteracter's functionality.
  • This service does not cover non-Fortran languages (e.g. C++), non-Winteracter calling interfaces (e.g. Windows API, Xlib, etc.) or third-party software products (e.g. configuration of Visual Studio).
  • ISS reserves the right to vary the nature, availability and lifetime of this free of charge service at our sole discretion.
  • Entitlement to use any free of charge Winteracter technical support service offered by ISS is reliant on observance of these support instructions.