The information in this article applies to:
This article includes a description of the software and information that can be installed from the program CD. This article also covers the directory structure of a typical Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software installation.
When installing Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software, you will be asked to specify a location for the program files. Full-user systems are installed to the specified location. However, Trial Software and Trial Software with Sample Data are installed to directories under the specified location.
The Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software is installed differently depending on whether you are running Version 15 and later, or Version 14 and prior. The default file location of Version 15 and later software is the C:\TABS3 folder. The default location of Version 14 software is the C:\STI folder. These file locations are listed separately in the information below.
The following is a list of systems and information that can be installed from the program CD:
The following diagram is an example of the default directory and subdirectories that are created on the server hard drive when installing Version 15 and later Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software.
The following diagram is an example of the default directories created on the server hard drive when installing Version 14.3 and prior Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Software.
When installing the software, a Browse button lets you select a location by drilling down to it, whereas a Search button will search for all instances of the software on your system. The Search button may take some time to complete its search. If you specify a location that does not exist, the installation program will ask to confirm that you want to create the directory.
When installing the software, you can optionally install starter data. Starter data simplifies the initial setup process by pre-defining information in various setup files such as transaction codes, categories, text macros, etc. Additional information regarding starter data can be found in the Installation Instructions provided on the program CD.
Full-user software is software that is fully functional and does not have the limitations that are present for the Trial software. When installing full-user software, you will be asked to specify the location of the program files. The default location is C:\TABS3 (Note: The default location is C:\STI for Version 14.3 and prior). Program files, help files and optional starter data are installed. Trial Software with Sample Data is also installed (including clients, fees, costs, payees, bank accounts, etc.). Complete details regarding Trial Software with Sample Data can be found in the Trial Software with Sample Data section.
Trial software is interactive software that is available for trial purposes. It functions like full-user software but has minor limitations on the number of records that can be added to prevent the software from being used as fully functional software. For example, when using Tabs3 Trial Software, you can enter a maximum of 30 clients. When using Tabs3 full-user software, you can enter an unlimited number of clients.
When installing the Trial Software, you will be asked to specify the location of the program files. The default location is C:\TABS3 (Note: The default location is C:\STI for Version 14.3 and prior). Regardless of the location specified, the trial software is installed in an EVAL folder under the specified location (e.g., C:\TABS3\EVAL, or C:\STI\EVAL). The installation is intentionally designed this way in order to prevent you from accidentally installing the Trial Software over your current full-user installation. If you entered data in the Trial Software the you want to retain, and have since purchased the full-user software, please refer to the message in KB Article R10016, "Full working version of "Tabs3/PracticeMaster Software" must not be installed into a folder where trial software is installed" for steps to move this data into a new installation of Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software.
The Start | Programs | Tabs3 & PracticeMaster | Trial Software menu options are used to start the Trial Software. When installing the Trial Software, the program files, help files and optional starter data are installed. Trial Software with Sample Data (including clients, fees, costs, payees, bank accounts, etc.) are also installed. Complete details regarding Trial Software with Sample Data can be found in the Trial Software with Sample Data section.
Trial Software with Sample Data consists of sample data that is used to demonstrate the software's features and functionality using the program's tutorial that is provided on the CD in a PDF format (refer to the Documentation section). Trial Software with Sample Data is automatically installed when installing full-user software or Trial Software. Trial Software with Sample Data functions like full-user software but has the same minor limitations as Trial Software (only a limited number of records can be added). For example, the Tabs3 Trial Software with Sample Data includes clients with fee, cost and payment information. You can add more clients to the Trial Software with Sample Data until a limit of 30 clients is reached.
During installation of the software, sample data files are placed in a TUTOR folder under the location specified when installing a full-user or Trial Software (e.g., C:\TABS3\TUTOR\, or C:\STI\TUTOR). The Start | Programs | Tabs3 & PracticeMaster | Trial Software with Sample Data menu options are used to start the Trial Software with Sample Data.
For example, when installing full-user software, the icons in the Trial Software with Sample Data menu use a Target field of C:\TABS3 and a Start In field of C:\TABS3\TUTOR. Likewise, when installing the Trial Software, the icons in the Trial Software with Sample Data menu use a Target field of C:\TABS3\EVAL and a Start In field of C:\TABS3\TUTOR. Therefore, no program or help files are installed to the TUTOR folder. (Note: When using Version 14.3 and prior, the default location is C:\STI, rather than C:\TABS3, and therefore the TABS3 folder would be named STI in the above example for Version 14.3 and prior.)
When installing the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster software, you will be asked if you want to install Desktop Shortcuts. Installing desktop shortcuts creates a quick link to the software from your Windows Desktop. The shortcuts for the full-user software link to the current working directory on the server. If you select to install the software to the default location, the shortcut will use a Target and Start In field of C:\TABS3.
When installing the Tabs3 and PracticeMaster Trial software to the default location, installing desktop shortcuts creates a quick link to the Trial Software with Sample Data. In this situation, the shortcuts will use a Target field of C:\TABS3\EVAL and a Start In field of C:\TABS3\TUTOR, thereby allowing the trial software to use the sample data. (Note: When using Version 14.3 and prior, the default location is C:\STI, rather than C:\TABS3, and therefore the TABS3 folder would be named STI in the above examples for Version 14.3 and prior.)
To confirm that a shortcut links to the correct location, you can right-click the desktop icon and select Properties. A window similar to the following example will be displayed, where you can confirm the contents of the Target and Start In fields. If you want the desktop shortcuts to point to the Trial Software (without Sample Data), change the Start In field to C:\TABS3\EVAL, instead of C:\TABS3\TUTOR.
The Documentation provided on the program CD consists of manuals, report packs, and tutorials in a PDF file format (Portable Document Format). It requires Adobe Reader Version 4 or later (Adobe Reader Version 6 or later is recommended to enable all features), or other PDF viewer software. Adobe Reader can be downloaded from Adobe's Web site.
The tutorials provide hands on, step-by-step instructions that allow you to become familiar with the software's features and functionality by guiding you through working with sample data in the Trial Software with Sample Data menu option. The Help in each program is linked to the report packs to provide examples for each report that is provided with the software.
Manuals, report packs, and tutorials are installed in a DOCS folder under the specified location (e.g., C:\TABS3\DOCS) unless otherwise specified. The manuals, report packs, and tutorials can be accessed by selecting the Start | Programs | Tabs3 & PracticeMaster | Documentation menu options. (Note: Documentation is installed to C:\STIDOCS in Version 14.3 and prior.)
Slide Show Demos provide an overview of the features and functionality of each program by providing a slide show. Slide Show Demos differ from "Trial Software with Sample Data" in that the Slide Show Demo includes descriptions about various features in the program, whereas the "Trial Software with Sample Data" are actual programs with sample data allowing you to work with the programs and the features. Slide Show Demos are installed in an SSD folder under the specified location (e.g., C:\TABS3\SSD) unless otherwise specified (Note: Slide Show Demos are installed to C:\STIDEMO in Version 14.3 and prior). The demos can be accessed by selecting the Start | Programs | Tabs3 & PracticeMaster | Slide Show Demo menu options.
The training videos (multimedia tutorials in Version 15 and prior) provides videos with sound that are ideal for introducing unfamiliar features as well as providing training for new personnel. The training videos can be run from the program CD, or from a hard drive. Additionally, the Help includes links to various topics in the training videos. However, in order to use the links in the Help, the videos must be installed to a hard drive. Training videos are installed by default with Version 15 and later software, rather than separate from the program installation. If at the time of installation you choose not to install the training videos, you will need to install them from the program CD or from the Web site. During the installation you will be asked to specify the location of the program files. The default directory is C:\TABS3 (Note: The default location is C:\STI for Version 14.3 and prior). Regardless of the location specified, the training videos are installed in a VIDEO folder under the specified location (e.g., C:\TABS3\VIDEO, or C:\STI\VIDEO). The Start | Programs | Tabs3 & PracticeMaster | Training Videos (Multimedia Tutorials in Version 15 and prior) menu options are used to start the training videos.
Version 14.3 & Prior Note: In versions of the software prior to Version 15, multimedia tutorials are required to be located in a VIDEO folder under the program directory. Because of this requirement, it is necessary to install the multimedia videos again if you want to use them in conjunction with Version 14.3 and prior of the Trial Software or Trial Software with Sample Data.
Version 15 and later also contains a new version of the Setup program (SETUP.EXE) that creates a local installation folder on each workstation. After the software is installed on the server, the Setup program is used to install program, .DLL, and documentation files to the local installation folder. For complete information regarding what is installed on the local workstation versus the server, refer to KB Article R11229, "All About the Local Install."
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