Comments on the files in the "photon" directory:

INSTALLATION:

Install all the files from the PatStat.zip file into a 
single directory on your PC. Then execute PatStat.exe 
from that directory. Either Windows 95 or Windows 98 
will work well. Instructions are included in the program.

PolyStat.exe (a portion of PatStat) is included as a 
separate file for your convenience. PolyStat initiates 
its execution by analyzing whatever is in the PC's 
clipboard. It's a nice tool for quick preliminary 
analysis of an unknown cipher. Merely 'copy' the 
cipher and click on your PolyStat icon. Directions 
for analysis are included in the PatStat help files.

PolyDOS.exe is a DOS program and should be executed from 
a DOS window. The PolyDOS zip file includes an instruction
file.


RUN-TIME SUPPORT FILES:

PatStat and PolyStat are written in Visual Basic 
(Version 6.0), and as with all Visual Basic programs, 
they require certain run-time files to be present on 
the computer. Many commercial Windows programs install 
these files during installation, so they may be 
present on your computer already. If you get an error 
message saying one or more of the run-time files is 
missing, then you should download the file VBRUN60.EXE 
and execute it. 

It is a large file (about a megabyte) which, when you 
execute it, will load the run-time files on your PC. 

Run-time files need to be installed only once. They 
are not included in the zip file because many (most?) 
PCs have installed them already; thus saving a large 
download if you have them already. 


RESOLUTION:

PatStat is designed to run on a PC with resolution 
of 1024x768. It can be used with 800x600 by dragging 
the windows to examine pertinent work areas, but it 
can not be viewed properly with resolution of only 
640x480.

If you haven't tried the 1024x768 resolution on your 
screen, try it - you may find the additional work 
space very useful, even though the type looks a bit 
smaller.

SPEED:

PatStat runs well on a 233MHz PC, but is a bit slow 
on a 50 MHz PC.

HELP:

PatStat has help files and a sample Patristocrat 
solution built into the program.