Setting Up 6000

Soil Profile, Borehole and Core-Logging 32-bit PC Software:

What are dotPLOT and HotPlot?

If you don't know what dotPLOT is and what it can do, click here to go to the main dotPLOT page.

If you don't know where HotPlot fits in, click here to go to the HotPlot page.

For a list of recent revisions, click here to see What's New in dotPLOT and HotPlot

Latest Versions

The latest dotPLOT version is dot6008 of 16 September 2011. The latest HotPlot is Version 3.4.0 of 16 September 2011. It allows access to all the main features of dotPLOT, and has its own Text file editor and SET file editor. It also includes a HTML Help file containing the information you need to get productive on dotPLOT. HotPlot is supplied in a combined package with dotPLOT and the two programs install together. The package includes copious examples and a dotPLOT User Manual, current for dot6008 and HotPlot 3.4.0. This Manual can also be downloaded separately.

32-bit Operating System

The dot6000 series runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 32-bit. It will not run on 64-bit machines, for which you will find dot7000 here. "Home" versions of Windows are generally not supported, but the 64-bit version runs on Windows Vista Home.

Disclaimer

This software has been tested extensively and never been known to damage a PC, contain viruses, or lose files. Nevertheless, as with all software, neither Winston Jones nor Software Africa nor any of their staff assume any liability for any loss you may suffer as a result of using this software. By using it you assume full responsibility. Please back up your previous dotPLOT files before testing this software.

Download and Install the HotPlot + dotPLOT Combined Package for 32-bit Windows:

You can upgrade to the latest dot6000 series dotPLOT and HotPlot with this download. If you do not have the package, download the program here and run it in Demo mode until you are ready to licence it. If you want to run dotPLOT from DOS, without using HotPlot, scroll down to the foot of the page.

Instructions:

If you previously installed HotPlot, do not uninstall it: The new setup will simply write over it.
You need to have a separate program that can read PDF files, such as Adobe Reader (58 MB), available free here)
Click here to Open the Combined dotPLOT + HotPlot Setup Package Hot6000Setup.exe (3,394 KB).
When you click the above link your Browser will ask if you want to Run or Save the file. Choose Run.
(for multiple PCs, you can Save it (remember where!) and then Run it later on each PC)
Wait a minute or two until the program has downloaded.
A screen will open saying "Welcome to the dotPLOT and HotPlot Setup Wizard". Click Next >.
"Select destination location". The Setup Wizard will propose to install HotPlot into the folder C:\Program Files\HotPlot.
dotPLOT will always install into C:\dot6000. Existing *.SET, LOGO?, and ???VOCAB.* files will NOT be overwritten. Click Next >.
The Setup Wizard may say that the folder: C:\Program Files\HotPlot already exists. Would you like to install to that folder anyway?
Click Yes.
"Ready to Install". Click Install.
The installation should run, with progress shown by a progress bar.
After a few moments it should say: "Completing the dotPLOT and HotPlot Setup Wizard".
Tick the appropriate box if you would like to:

Copy your setup files from a dot5000 installation
run HotPlot now,
open the HELP file, or
open the User Manual (PDF file),.

Click Finish.

After Installation:

You should find a "red dot" HotPlot icon on your desktop, and another on Start > Programs.
When you first run HotPlot, it will notice that you have dotPLOT installed and set the path (C:\dot6000) in the top box.
Click Help for pointers on getting started.
Sample Text files are installed on C:\dot6000\Examples
Manuals and sample output are installed on C:\dot6000\Manual
If this is a new installation, click the License button for instructions on how to License dotPLOT (and see below).
You can upgrade the system at any time by repeating the installation process.

The program will run as a demo until licensed. See below for the licensing process.

This install includes the latest User Manual and Examples, but not the Tutorial, which you can download from here:

Download Tutor, Examples and Manuals

These are PDF files: You will need Adobe Reader to be able to read or print them. Click on the hyperlink and choose "Save" (save to folder C:\dot6000\manuals, which you may need to create for the purpose):

Not included in the Install packages:

dotPLOT Tutor (4 MB): 47-page Tutorial with extensive examples and exercises, not updated for dot6000 features yet.

The following are included in the Install packages: Download them only if you are not installing yet.

dotPLOT Examples (426 KB): 14 pages of examples of dotPLOT output.
dotPLOT Symbols (198 KB): Chapter 8 Examples from the User Manual (soil and rock symbols). This file is included in the dotPLOT install package.
dotPLOT User Manual (697 KB): Detailed 78-page User Manual for dot6008, dot7003 and HotPlot 3.4.0 (latest releases) with extensive Index. Also included in the dotPLOT install packages.
HotPlot Help File (295 KB) in case you want to get an overview of HotPlot without installing it.

Demo Version and Licensing

Until it is licensed, dotPLOT will run as a fully-functional Demo program. The only restrictions are that your company name will not appear on the output, and a watermark of "DEMO" will appear on the output, gradually darkening with each printout.

Once you have paid, dotPLOT is licensed in two ways:

General Users: By means of a security file ("dongle") loaded on your own USB flash drive, a local (C:) drive, or any network drive. Input and testing can be done on any PC, but the the drive must be available (with sufficient licenses) to do final output. The output is personalized to your company and the flash drive is therefore worthless to a thief, but should be insured for replacement cost. Likewise, the server or local drive license is valid for the life of that drive, and should be insured against theft and hard disk crashes. To access this licensing method, run the program and press Alt+L: You will be asked for your company details. Fill these in and then e-mail us the file C:\dot6000\MAILFORM.OUT. We will reply with your license file and the location to which to save it.
Academic Licences: For installation on the C: drive of one machine. Phone 011 802-2685 / 6440 / 1 (within South Africa) or Internationally +27 11 802-2685, or e-mail us for a Serial Number. Run the program, then press Alt+P: You will be asked for the Serial Number. The program will give you a code. Phone or e-mail us this code and we will provide a password. Once you have entered it, that PC will be licensed forever with your License in the name of your company. The Password is valid for that machine and hard drive only. If the hard drive crashes, is stolen, or obsoleted, legal proof must be provided and there will be a charge for re-issuing the password.

Running dotPLOT from Windows

dotPLOT is a DOS program. You can run it directly in a DOS Window by first running HotPlot and then clicking the button "Go to dotPLOT". If you want to run dotPLOT on its own without using HotPlot, in Microsoft Windows you can run it in a DOS Window as follows:

Click Start > Run.
Type in (or Browse for) C:\dot6000\PROFILE.EXE
Click OK.
dotPLOT will start and display a DOS screen.
dotPLOT uses the function keys F1 to F5. See the User Manual for instructions.
Press Esc to exit the program.

If you prefer, create a Desktop Shortcut pointing to C:\dot6000\PROFILE.EXE.

Press Ctrl+F to search this page for keywords.

You can buy or license all kinds of personal computer programs directly from Software Africa. Click here for a list of programs available, or e-mail us your questions. If none of this software suits your needs, look at our References and the Free Stuff. We can write similar bespoke programs for you!

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