How To Install

System Requirements

The Process Dashboard is 100% Java, and will run on any system with a Java 2 compliant virtual machine. This includes Windows, Linux, Unix, and Macintosh systems. For access to forms and scripts, a supported web browser is also required.

To use the process dashboard, you must first install the following software:

• The Java Runtime Environment, version 1.6 or greater. If Java is not already installed on your computer, you can receive a download link recommendation by visiting http://processdash.com/java. Third-party Java distributions (based on OpenJDK) are also supported. If you use an OpenJDK distribution, you may need to set the JAVA_HOME environment variable so the dashboard installer can find it.
• Make certain that JavaScript is enabled in your web browser. (This is typically the default setting, so you usually don't need to worry about enabling these unless you explicitly disabled them in the past.)
• If you connect to the internet via a proxy server, you may need to tell your browser to bypass the proxy for the address "localhost". The instructions below may not apply to your browser word-for-word, but should hopefully get you pointed in the right direction:
  • For Internet Explorer, choose "Tools Internet Options". Click on the "Connections" tab, then on the "LAN Settings" button. Make certain the "Bypass proxy server for local addresses" box is checked.
  • For Firefox, no changes are typically necessary. If you have trouble viewing dashboard scripts and forms, open the Options dialog. On the Advanced pane, choose the Network tab and click the button to configure settings for how Firefox connects to the Internet. On that Connection Settings dialog, ensure that the "No Proxy for" box contains "localhost".

Installation Instructions

1. Before attempting to install the dashboard, make certain you have installed the required software listed above. In particular, the Process Dashboard installer program will not run if you do not have the Java Runtime Environment installed on your computer.
2. Download the Process Dashboard installer program from http://www.processdash.com/download and follow the directions found there.
3. The installer will separately ask where the application should be installed, and where your personal data should be located. You may accept the suggested defaults for both. If you'd like to explore the possible options for your personal data location, click here.
4. Please consider subscribing to our announcements mailing list. We will send email to this mailing list when new versions of the tool are available. You can subscribe to the list at http://www.processdash.com/mailingList

Upgrade Instructions

The Process Dashboard installer can also be used to upgrade an existing installation. If the dashboard is already installed on your computer, you can run the installer for a newer version to upgrade. You do not need to uninstall the older version of the dashboard first.

Optional Modules

The Process Dashboard is extensible, and some features are packaged as optional modules. During installation, you can choose which modules you wish to install.

For example, a module is available that provides scripts and forms from the Personal Software Process. If you write software, this module can help you to improve your development process.

If you perform a minimal installation of the dashboard, then decide later that you would like to use one of the optional modules, just run the dashboard installer again. When it asks you which modules you wish to install, just check the boxes for the optional modules you desire. Accept the default configuration settings that the installer offers on the remaining pages, and your existing installation will be updated with the optional modules you selected. (It is never necessary to uninstall the dashboard before running the installer again.)