Most of the AIX Version 4.3 documentation, including the libraries' home pages and navigation articles, is designed to be viewed using an HTML version 3.2-compatible browser. For easiest access to information, you should choose a browser that supports frames, such as the Netscape browser that ships with the AIX 4.3 Bonus Pack.
Documentation is shipped as part of the operating system on the following CDs:
Search indexes are supplied for HTML-based single byte language (Latin 1 code set: ISO8859-1 and IBM-850) documentation, making most of the AIX Version 4.3 libraries fully searchable. A user can perform general searches by searching all indexes registered on the system, or the user can control searches by selecting specific indexes to search.
A small portion of the AIX Version 4.3 documentation is shipped in PDF format. This documentation can be searched and viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader that is shipped with the AIX 4.3 Bonus Pack.
With the enhanced AIX Version 4.3 man command support, the reference documentation shipped in HTML format can be accessed either through a browser or through the man command.
Much of the documentation that is shipped with the AIX Version 4.3 operating system will be available to Internet users through the IBM RS/6000 Resource home page at:
http://www.rs6000.ibm.com/resource/
If a customer has not installed all of the AIX documentation and is unable to mount the AIX documentation, the customer can visit the IBM RS/6000 Resource home page to look up information about AIX.
The AIX Version 4.3 Base Documentation CD includes most user, system management, and application programming guides for AIX Version 4.3. This CD also contains the basic AIX Version 4.3 reference manuals such as Commands Reference, Technical Reference: Base Operating System and Extensions, Technical Reference: Communications, and Files Reference. This CD is shipped with the AIX Version 4.3 Operating System.
The system administrator can mount this CD or install the contents of this CD onto an AIX Version 4.3 system.
AIX Version 4.3 Base Documentation CD contains the following types of documentation:
AIX Version 4.3 Extended Documentation CD contains system programming guides and technical reference documentation.
The system administrator can mount this CD or install the contents of this CD onto an AIX Version 4.3 system.
AIX Version 4.3 Extended Documentation CD contains the following types of documentation:
Most of the information necessary to support the AIX Versions 4.1 and 4.2 operating systems and many other licensed programs is available in softcopy as well as a conventional hardcopy library. Using the softcopy library, you can find information about using the system without having to search through the hardcopy library.
The softcopy library is available in a form that uses hypertext information-access techniques. Information can be viewed on display devices and selectively printed by the users. The hypertext medium enables you to see any part of the more than 25,000-page information library rapidly, using a variety of specialized retrievability techniques.
Hypertext retrievability is provided through the InfoExplorer Program. InfoExplorer allows you to retrieve information on either ASCII terminals or within a window interface. Hypertext simulates many of the ways you handle hardcopy information and provides you with rapid cross-referencing to the information you need. You can locate information by using techniques such as:
Hypertext provides a variety of information-access techniques to enable you to access information rapidly as shown in the figure, Information-Access Techniques in the Hypertext Medium.
Hypertext offers several advantages such as more accurate information access, multiple windows for viewing information, and elimination of large hardcopy libraries.
More accurate information access. Conventional hardcopy libraries are composed of books that are collections of guide, concept, and reference information. To use this form of information, you must be able to choose the right book and the right section within the book. With softcopy information, you struggle less to determine the right book, and the right section within the book, in which to locate your information.
Multiple windows for information views. In the window interface, you can view the documentation in multiple windows and thus simulate the traditional hardcopy scenario of having several books open at the same time. For example, if you are following procedures in a guide article and need additional information on a command, you can see both the guide article and the command article in separate windows on the same screen.
By running softcopy information in several windows, you can view the documentation at different points simultaneously as seen in the figure, Viewing Documentation at Different Points Simultaneously.
Elimination of physical effort with hardcopy information. One of the greatest advantages of softcopy is the elimination of the physical size and inconvenience of the bulky hardcopy library. In a large library, simple tasks such as finding a space large enough to store the volumes and handling several volumes at once are challenges. These problems are eliminated by reducing the size of the library to that of a single compact disc.
The softcopy library consists of a number of databases, which are packaged as subsets and shipped with various licensed programs. Because of hypertext links back and forth among these databases, anytime you update a subset of your softcopy library, you must also order and install replacements for any other subsets that you use. Contact your sales representative for more information.
