This article
makes the assumption that you have completed the setup of your
network and all of your computers are in communication with one
another. If you need assistance with Windows Networking, it is
recommended that you hire a network installer or consult the
Microsoft Knowledge Base for articles describing Windows Network
Setup. This article is intended to aid the installer with a network
in place to set up the Sensible Cinema Box Office Pro software for
use over the network.
NON-TICKETING SERVER
The Box Office Pro software should ideally be installed on a network server or manager office station. Ticketing workstation computers in your box office should run the software over the network connection. A server based installation will minimize down time because if you are actually ticketing from the server and the computer locks up, all workstations must wait for the server workstation to be restarted.
INSTALLING BOX OFFICE PRO
Once the Box Office Pro software has been installed on the server computer, register the software using the information provided with the software. After you have done so, complete the Theatre Configuration within the software.
NETWORKING - SERVER SIDE
The Box Office Pro software is installed to a folder called C:\BOXPRO by default. This folder should be shared with full read/write priviledges to allow other computers access to the software across the network. *Note: If broadband internet access is installed on the system, a password for the shared folder is highly recommended. Please do not share the entire drive on the server. You only want to share the Box Office Pro folder.
NETWORKING - WORKSTATIONS
The workstation computers must be connected via a LAN to your server computer or hub. Once the networking connections are established, browse the Network Neighborhood (or My Network Places) to locate the shared Boxpro folder on the server computer. Once found, map a network drive to the folder by right-clicking and selecting "Map Network Drive" or choosing the option from the Tools menu. Assign the drive letter and check the "Reconnect when Windows is Restarted" checkbox. The contents of the folder will be displayed when the dialog is closed. Select the BOXPRO.EXE application file from the folder, right-click, select "Send to Desktop" and "Create Shortcut." This will now have placed an icon on the desktop which may be used to start the program. Alternatively, you may create shortcuts directly to the terminal screen for the appropriate terminal number:
Epson Printers:
TERM1.EXE, TERM2.EXE, TERM3.EXE and TERM4.EXE
Boca and Practical Automation Printers for 2x4" Off Center
Perfed Tickets:
PATERM1.EXE, PATERM2.EXE, PATERM3.EXE and PATERM4.EXE
Boca and Practical Automation Printers for 2x3.25" Center Perfed Tickets:
BOTERM1.EXE, BOTERM2.EXE, BOTERM3.EXE and BOTERM4.EXE
WINDOWS - OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
In addition to creating your shortcuts, please see the bulletin about disabling print spooling for MS-DOS applications. On Windows 2000 systems, the default 50 lines setting should be changed to 25 under the screens tab in the shortcut properties. In all operating systems, it is recommended that you run Box Office Pro in FULL SCREEN mode to take advantage of caching which makes the application run up to 10 times faster. *VERY IMPORTANT: Windows system resources may be quickly depleted if the Box Office Pro Main Menu is displayed on the server or any workstation while ticketing terminals are running. Avoid letting the program idle on this screen if at all possible. Any other screen within the program is ok to idle. The Main menu constantly polls the terminals for totals. This is a problem with Windows and does not occur on systems running the Box Office Pro software under DOS. To avoid lockups, hang-ups, etc. it is recommended that your workstations be restarted at minimum once per day under Windows 2000 and twice daily or more often under Windows 9x and ME depending on your volume.