I just opened the CD package. Now what?

The product CD has documentation files located in its root folder so that you can access them before installing the product.

The main product help file (Dspw.*) and the Getting Started Tutorial (Tutorial.*) are available in Windows HTML Help format (.CHM) and Adobe Reader format (.PDF).  You may also wish to peruse the Readme file (Readme.rtf), Installation Help file (Installation_Help.rtf) or the License Agreement (License.rtf).

Installing
Insert the CD into your CD drive & close.  On Windows Vista, you may be asked whether you want to run setup.exe or view the CD contents.  You should choose run the setup.exe.  On Windows XP or 2000, the 'autorun' facility of Windows should start the setup program.  If it doesn't, you should click the Windows Start button and choose Run.  In the Run dialog box, Browse to Setup.exe in the root folder of the Deep-Sky Planner CD.  Follow the directions in Setup.exe.

Getting Started
Once you've installed Deep-Sky Planner, you should review the Getting Started Tutorial.  It will help you to:

• select your geographic location
  
• set preferences (e.g., date & time format, Lat/Lng format, RA/Decl format, report font & colors etc)
• set up the equipment that you will reference in your Observing Log (telescopes, eyepieces, cameras etc)
  
• set up inter-operation with the planetarium program you use
  
• set up telescope control
• review some example planning scenarios

Further Steps
When you run Deep-Sky Planner, you will be reminded to activate your license within 30 days of installation.  You should run the Software Activator (Help | Activate License) and consult the help if necessary.  If you have difficulty, there are articles addressing activation problems in this Knowledgebase.

Your activation code is returned via e-mail.  This message also includes log-in directions for the Licensed User's Support web page, and you will be encouraged to join the the Deep-Sky Planner discussion group on Yahoo! where you can ask your own questions and read other users'  comments.