downCast is not fully compatible with J2SE version 1.4.x due to a very unfortunate packaging of an outdated XML parser und XSLT processor (which downCast relies on) with the basic Java runtime library distribution. We're investigating how to resolve this issue. downCast will use more recent versions of these tools in which several important bugs have been fixed when running on J2SE version 1.2.x or J2SE version 1.3.x.
In order to install downCast on a Windows machine, we supply an installer (requires J2SE version 1.2 or later). After downloading it, simply double-click its icon to start the installation. Follow the instructions given on screen. When you are asked for the Java Virtual Machine to be used to run downCast we recommend the use of Sun's J2SE version 1.3 runtime environment (JRE).
The installation process automatically creates an entry for downCast in the Windows menu, in the group .
For installation under Mac OS X, we supply a disk image (.dmg) containing the application. Mount the disk image by double-clicking it and copy the downCast application into the Applications folder.
downCast is not compatible with Mac OS 9 or earlier, since for these systems there is no support for J2SE version 1.2 or later available.
To install downCast on a Unix machine we supply an installer that should run on all supported Unix (and derivatives) platforms. After downloading it, set the appropriate rights (use the chmod+x command) and execute the installer. Follow the instructions given on screen. This installs downCast on your machine.
When you launch downCast for the first time, you will be presented with a window containing the Software License Agreement for using downCast. Please read that agreement carefully. If you agree to the license, click , otherwise choose and remove the application from your storage device(s).
On Windows machines, start the application with the help of the Windows menu, in the group . In case you installed our downCast JAR archive without the help of the installer, simply double-click the downCast JAR archive icon (requires J2SE version 1.2 or higher).
We have experienced occasions where this does not work reliably. In that case, open the commandline prompt and type java -Xmx512M -jar C:\fullpath\to\downcast.jar and hit the return key.
On Unix systems you either need to type downCast_Install in a shell/console window and hit return. In this case be sure that the current PATH environment variable includes the folder where this file (actually a batch file created by the installer) is located.
In case you have downloaded just the downCast JAR archive, type java -Xmx512M -jar downcast.jar. This requires J2SE version 1.2 or later to start the application. The main class in every case for the application is de.infinityloop.downcast.DownCast.
When requesting or purchasing a license from infinity-loop, you'll receive a file named downcast.license by email. This is your license key, store it at a safe place (make a backup to a different storage medium).
You can supply this license file in two ways: either by placing it at a specific location in your computer's file system or by packaging it into the downcast.jar file (advanced users only).
Drop the file downcast.license into the application's licenses folder:
userhome/infinity-loop/downCast/Licenses/
/Users/user/Library/Application Support/infinity-loop/downCast/Licenses/
~/infinity-loop/downCast/Licenses/