AstroWorkBench - Download Notes

AstroWorkBench - no nag screens, no adverts, no payment - it's just free

Since version 2.0.0, AstroWorkBench has been a Microsoft .Net 2.0 (via Visual Studio 2008) application that uses SQL Server Compact as a back end database.

Why I am telling you this? Well, it means that the installer not only contains the application itself but also the installers for the .Net 2.0 framework and SQL Server Compact runtime.

I have not used any other third party products in this application.

I believe that it's nice to know what you are getting with an application hence this explanation.

All three components (AstroWorkBench, .Net Framework 2.0 and SQL Server Compact) will all appear in the Windows Control Panel -> Add Remove Programs facility so nothing will get installed that you cannot remove at a later date if you so wish.
INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS
Download the AstoWorkBench installer by using the download button on the download page. This downloads a self extracting zip file called AWB2010.exe.
 
Save AWB2010.exe to a folder of your choice and execute the program. You will be presented with the following screen shown in Fig. 1 below..


Fig. 1 - Running the downloaded AWB2010.exe

 
Just follow the on screen instructions to extract the setup files to a location of your choice. Once the extraction is completed go to the location you selected - one of the files there will be setup.exe.

Execute setup.exe.

If you do not have Net 2.0 framework already on your PC then you will presented with the following screen shown in Fig. 2 below. Press the 'Accept' button.

 

Fig. 2 - .Net Framework Setup

 

If you do not have SQL Server Compact on your PC then you will presented with the following screen shown in Fig. 3 below. Press the 'Accept' button.

 

Fig. 3 - .SQL Server Compact Setup

 
The .Net framework and SQL Server compact will then install presenting the following progress screens (Figs. 4 and 5). This will take a couple of minutes for the .net framework and a matter of seconds for SQL Server Compact.

 

Fig. 4 - .Net Framework Progress

Fig. 5 - .Net Framework Progress

 

You will then be presented with the install screen for the AstroWorkbench application as shown in Fig. 6 below.  Respond to the various prompts with the 'Next' button.

 

Fig. 6 - AstroWorkBench Installation

Upon completion you have a new entry under the Windows Start->All Programs menu called 'AstroSoft' with a shortcut to run the AstroWorkBench Application.