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Stand Alone (Downloadable)
IRIS database
January 1, 1999

This page has been created for users interested in having a copy of the entire IRIS web site on their local hard drives. We are making this available in response to the needs of users traveling or with intermittent internet access. The "Stand Alone Version" will allow users to have full access to the IRIS Chemical Substance files without access to the Internet. The compressed database is just under 5 megabytes in size but after extraction the database will consume over 12 megabytes of disk space. In order to run this database you must have a local version of Netscape or Internet Explorer on your IBM compatible PC running Windows* 95, NT or 98. Once you have downloaded and extracted the files to your PC you just open the file "INDEX.HTM" from your web browser.

There are several limitations to the use of these files. First, while the IRIS web site is updated continually, the stand-alone database will be updated only quarterly (January, April, July, October). Therefore, even if you reload the stand alone database quarterly, be aware that you will not be using the very latest version of IRIS unless you go directly to the IRIS web site. Changes to the IRIS database will be noted in the web version "What's New" page between updates so that stand alone users can keep abreast of all significant modifications from one update to the next. Second, you will have complete access to all the IRIS substance files and you can SEARCH the substance list and the individual files with your local browser. However, you will not be able to globally SEARCH the entire database as you can on the web using the server based Verity SEARCH engine. As a result, the SEARCH button at the bottom of every page will not work.

A. Select the File(s) to Download

We offer three different methods of downloading the IRIS database. Please select the file that best meets your needs.
  1. One File Download. This download file is the easiest way to get the data to your local hard drive. If you have a web connection on your PC and also want a stand alone version for when you are not connected to the web this is probably your best option. This file is a self extracting PKzip file for easy Windows 3.1/95 installation. This file is (10.2 Megabytes) in size and if you have a fast internet connection you can install this version in very short order. We recommend extracting this version to a directory or folder called "IRIS-db". Click here to download this version then go to section B below for more detailed instructions on downloading and installing these files.

  2. Diskette version. This set of 8 downloadable files were made to be stored on diskettes. This option was designed for users that want to install the database on a machine that has no internet access. For example, if you want to install the software on a stand alone laptop computer, or bring a copy home to install on your home computer, etc. This set of files is a self extracting PKzip version split into 8 files. This version must be copied to 8 separate diskettes and then extracted from diskettes. After downloading the files and copying them to eight diskettes then open the first diskette and run the file "iris-db1.exe". Select from the four files below.
    Note: These eight files have been named "iris-db1.exe, iris-db2.exe,.. etc." for easy downloading to your local hard drive. However, when transferring these files to floppy diskettes they must all have the same file name in order for the extraction process to work. We recommend that after copying each file to diskette that you rename the files on disks 2 to 8 to "iris-db1.exe"

    Be sure to rename each file to "iris-db1.exe" when placing them on diskettes and then run the file "iris-db1.exe" from the first diskette. You will be prompted to insert the last disk and then the first disk and then each disk in sequence. After extraction is completed, go to section B below for more detailed instructions on downloading and installing these files.

  3. Standard PKzip Version. This version is provided for older users of PKzip. It is not automatically self extracting. Users must already be familiar with PKzip software products, in order to use this file. We have provided this version of the file for you technical people who know all about PKware's products and how to use them. (Download "iris-db.zip" - 10.2 Meg file)
    B. Downloading the file

    EXAMPLE DIALOG BOX (Yours May Differ)

    If you see this dialog box, or one like it, click on "Save File..." and accept the suggested filename. A progress bar will then appear. When the bar is complete and disappears, continue to the next step.

    (Note: the default file name "iris-db.exe" will appear in the file window. Be sure to note the directory that your file is being saved to, you will need to return to this directory later.)

    C. Installing the software

    1. Download the file to your local hard drive as explained above.

    2. Locate the file "iris-db.exe" using your Windows browser (File Manager or Windows Explorer).

    3. Execute the file (Double Click on the file) and a Dialog box will appear on the screen.

    4. Select a directory or folder to extract the files to, we recommend "IRIS-db".

    5. After selecting a target folder, or directory. ("IRIS-db" or other folder) press the EXTRACT button. The files will be extracted into this directory

    6. Return to the "IRIS-db" folder (directory) and locate the file "index.HTM"

    7. Double Click the "index.HTM" file from your File manager or from your Internet browser and the IRIS opening screen should appear in your Web browser.

    8. Note:- an Internet browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer) must be installed on your PC in order to view the IRIS database. The database may be opened from your Internet browser by opening the file "index.HTM".

    9. Remember to repeat this process every quarter in order to keep your database as current as possible. We recommend installing the next "Quarterly Update" to a different directory and after testing the new installation delete the old directory.

      *Note: Windows 95, NT, or 98 are recommended because some of the files have filenames greater then eight characters. As a result, the database will work on a Windows 3.1 version but some of the supplemental files will not load properly in Windows 3.1.

      These compressed files were created with PKware's software PKzip for Windows. For more information on PKware's products or to download the latest version of their software see there site at http://www.pkware.com.


      IRIS Home Page Substance File List
      Comments on the IRIS web site Search the IRIS database National Center for Environmental Assessment Office of Research and Development's Home Page EPA's Home Page


      Last updated: 8 January 1999
      URL: http:/www.epa.gov/iris/STANDAL.HTM