WISER for Windows - README

Version 5.1
WISER web site: http://wiser.nlm.nih.gov
Provided by the Specialized Information Services Division (SIS) of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM)

Contents

WISER Overview

The Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) is a system concept for providing First Responders at the scene of hazardous material incidents - chemical, biological, or radioactive - with integrated information, decision support, and communications. The WISER application assists First Responders in rapidly determining the substance involved, including aiding in the identification of unknown substances. Once a substance is identified, WISER quickly and conveniently provides critical information regarding the substance, allowing the necessary immediate actions to be taken to minimize the effects of the HAZMAT incident and thus save lives and protect the environment.

Substance information and identification properties come from the Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), developed and maintained by the National Library of Medicine. WISER contains HSDB information and decision support logic for 440+ substances. The substances were chosen based on First Responder inputs, degree of chemical hazard, and historical frequency of incidents.

WISER currently exists as a:

For further information, please see the WISER web site.

For help using WISER, see the Quick Start Guide and User Guide documents that are installed with the application.

Disclaimer

The U.S. Government does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed.

It is not the intention of NLM to provide specific medical advice to the public, but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health.

NLM does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, process, or services.

System Requirements

A personal computer with Windows 7 or later.

WISER is dependent on the Microsoft .NET Framework v4.6.1. The WISER setup program will install this system dependency automatically if it detects it does not already exist on your computer. Its installation requires administrative privileges and could require as much as 500 MB of hard disk, depending on your computer.

Installation

The latest version can be downloaded here.

Simply execute the setup program, WISER_Windows_Setup.exe, and follow the instructions.

If the Microsoft .NET Framework dependency indicated above is not detected on the target computer, it will be automatically installed. If the WISER setup was downloaded (as opposed to a CD distribution), then this dependency must first be downloaded; again this will be performed automatically, and only if necessary.

If the .NET Framework dependency gets installed, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you verify you have the latest updates for it by running Windows Update. In particular, service pack and security updates may be available.

NOTE WELL: If the Microsoft .NET Framework needs to be downloaded, be aware that it is large, and thus the download and installation may take some time.

If desired, the Microsoft .NET Framework V4.6.1 can be manually downloaded and installed from here before attempting to install WISER.

Checking for Updates

By default, if an Internet connection is available, WISER will automatically check the WISER web site to see if updates are available each time that it is started. This option is user configurable, and updates checks can always be manually initiated.

The first time WISER is run a "WISER Update" dialog prompts you to verify that WISER should automatically check for updates. If you answer "Yes", the WISER web site is checked for a new version of WISER each time WISER is started. If your version is the latest, or if an Internet connection is unavailable, this check will be transparent. If an update is available, a "WISER Update" dialog will prompt if you would like to download it. If you do, a browser window will open at the download page of the WISER web site, and you can proceed with downloading and installing the new version. If you choose not to upgrade, then you will continue to be prompted each time WISER is started until the upgrade is performed.

You can change your preference for automatic update checks as follows:

  1. Run WISER
  2. From the File menu, choose "Preferences..."
  3. Set the Automatic Updates option as desired

Regardless of this setting, you can always manually initiate an update check by choosing the "Check for Updates..." option from WISER's help menu.

Upgrading

If a previous version of WISER already exists on your PC, it will be automatically upgraded during the installation of the new version. Any user information (preferences and saved searches) will be retained.

Uninstalling

Uninstall WISER using Add/Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel.

Note that the installation of WISER may have resulted in the installation of the Microsoft .NET Framework v3.5. Uninstall this only if you are sure no other programs depend on it.

User Registration

On the download pages of the WISER web site, and at the end of the WISER setup program, users are encouraged to register if they have not already done so. Registration consists of subscribing to an e-mail list (the WISER ListServ), which is used to send important announcements about WISER, such as data updates, new functionality, bug fixes, and other important news.

Registration is optional, but because such WISER updates could be critical for the accurate and safe use of the information WISER provides, we strongly encourage our users to register. Only an e-mail address is required, and you can unsubscribe at any time. We will not release or use your information for any other purpose, and we assure you that any e-mail we send will be infrequent and concise.

Known Issues

Parts of WISER for Windows will not display properly unless the normal (default) setting is used for the DPI scaling (font size) option. If there are issues with text/controls getting clipped or not sized properly, then verify this setting as follows:

Windows 7

  1. In an open area of your Windows desktop, right-click and select Personalize from the resulting pop-up menu.
  2. In the Control Panel options on the left, select "Set custom text size (DPI)" (note that administrative privileges are required).
  3. In the resulting DPI Scaling dialog, the "Scale to this percentage of normal size" setting must be set to 100% for WISER to display properly.

Release History

5.1 - 1/2/2017

5.0.47 - 9/8/2017

5.0.8 - 9/30/2016

4.6.12 - 4/27/2015

4.5.191 - 12/11/2013

4.5.182 - 10/25/2013

4.4.116 - 03/11/2011

4.4.109 - 03/08/2011

4.3.216 - 01/18/2010

4.3.212 - 11/24/2009

4.3.208 - 11/10/2009

4.3.202 - 9/25/2009

4.3.199 - 8/24/2009

4.3.191 - 8/21/2009

4.2.176 - 4/12/2009

4.2.175 - 2/23/2009

4.2.151 - 1/15/2009

4.2.140 - 12/17/2008

4.2.137 - 12/12/2008

4.2.128 - 12/15/2008

4.2.126 - 12/4/2008

4.1.41 - 4/30/2008

4.1.39 - 4/24/2008

4.0 - 3/12/2008

3.1.52 - 11/3/2007

3.1.46 - 10/1/2007

3.1.45 - 7/12/2007

3.1.44 - 7/11/2007

3.1.35 - 7/6/2007

3.0.354 - 6/1/2007

3.0.351 - 5/29/2007

2.3.231 - 1/30/2007

2.3.230 - 11/30/2006

2.2.95 - 6/5/2006

2.2.94 - 4/23/2006

2.1.11 - 9/29/2005

2.1.8 - 9/27/2005

2.0.145 - 5/16/2005