These FAQ's are provided as a courtesy to assist in making your use of the Archives pleasant and efficient. Every effort has been made and are constantly being refined to make the Archives as interactive and user friendly as possible. For this reason the Archives FAQ will continue to grow and expand as the Archives utilize evolving technologies to bring our members the most efficient database possible. If you have a question relevant to the use of the Technical Archives that we have inadvertently neglected to include, please send them here: FAQ's Suggestions



 

The first section of the FAQ's provides information on the basic utilities that you will need in order to access and utilize the extensive amount of data contained in the Archives Library.

I. Utilities

Adobe Reader
The most frequently used method of data transfer used in the Archives is the Portable Document Format or PDF by Adobe. For a full description of this file type and it's capabilities refer to this Wikipedia listing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_Document_Format The basic Adobe PDF reader that you will need to view and save files from the Archives that are PDF formatted is free from Adobe and can be downloaded at this URL: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html Additionally you can use the following URL to provide updates and receive information pertinent to the copy of the reader you have downloaded: http://www.adobe.com/downloads/

MultiMedia Player's

This utility is obviously, packaged in most of your operating systems that you have on your computer. So chances are you will not need any additional video media players to view the various audio/video formatted files that you will find located in the Archives. In the rare occurrences that this is not true, we have located and evaluated a few alternative media players that are suitable to open all of the media files that are currently being propagated across the internet. (avi, wav, wmv, mpeg, DiVX and vlc). It would be our recommendation that you attempt to use the player packaged with your OS prior to using the ones linked below.

MP4 and .Mov files need to be played with QuickTime Player
Download here - http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html

Media Player Classic will open most file extensions and is the one that I use daily. It allows the use of multiple players being opened in the same environment.
Download here - http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Media_Player_Classic.htm

VLC Player is a cross platform media and streaming server. This media player is pretty much a catch all, if there is an audio/video file extension that none of the other media players will open, chances are this one will do the job.
Download here - http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

The final note for the media player category concerns .rm extensions or Real Player media. Every attempt has been made to convert any existing or future procured A/V files from the Real Player media to any other available option. In many cases you will find that a stripped down version of the Real Player has been packaged on your system already, if however you do find an A/V file that you are interested in viewing, but do not have the player.
Download a trial version here - http://www.real.com/player

For those of you who may be more daring or a little more computer literate than most of us a utility exists that will convert media files from one format to selectable others, if you get bored and want to have a hand at this option.
Download it here - http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html


Compression/Decompression Utilities (Codecs)

This is just a fancy phrase for zipped files, which most of you are probably familiar with. There are only two utilities for the purpose of opening a compressed file that you will need for the Archives and one of those two will open either type of compressed file, so we'll address it first.

WinRAR
Files that have been compressed with this utility will appear with a .RAR or .rar extension. Don't let it scare you or make you think it is something you won't be able to open and read. Simply follow the steps provided below to acquire, and utilize the WinRAR utility:

WinRAR can be downloaded here - http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
You need to download the top file called WinRAR 3.60 beta 8

When you download a .rar file download it to somewhere you can find it (i.e. desktop). Right click on the file and scroll to "Extract to....." Once unpacked a new folder will appear inside will be the file's. That's all there is to it !

The same process applies to zipped files that appear with the .zip extension. WinZip can be downloaded here - http://www.winzip.com/winzip.htm

One note of personal preference with regards to these compression/decompression utilities. WinRAR will open or decompress WinZip files however WinZip cannot decompress WinRAR files. So unless you are in the habit of collecting programs, there really is no need to acquire the WinZip program when the RAR will handle all you need.


II. UPLOADS

We are currently developing and researching methods that will facilitate direct file uploads to the Technical Archive by registered users. This section of the FAQ's will be updated accordingly as those methods are implemented. Article/Document and Files may be submitted to the Archives Administrators for review by mailing them directly to Tech Article Contribution

      III. Non-Electronic Contributions

If you have a hardcopy document that you would like to contribute to the Archives, but do not have the means to digitize the document. We will accept the documents via the USPS. The document will be digitized and the original hardcopy returned to you, at your request. To obtain USPS information for this type of contribution please forward an email to Hardcopy Contribution.

Part of the answer to this question resides in the HVACPROTech® Article of Charter. The Forums and the Technical Archives were established as a communications instrument dedicated to all HVAC/R & Controls trade brothers. As such we are obligated as Administrators of the sites to verify the users of both the Technical Archives as well as the Forums are fraternity brothers and sisters. How do we verify this? Through your registration for membership at the Forums. When you register your username you will be asked for a list of qualifications - which are verified prior to activating the account. After your qualifications have been verified and your account activated, you will then have access to the Forums where you can request a password from the Executive Administrator of the Technical Archives. These methods may be modified as the Administrators deem necessary but valid contact information will always be a requirement.

       VI. What Are The HVACPROTech® Technical Archives?

The Technical Archives are among the nets largest if not the largest Technical Libraries dedicated specifically to the HVAC/R & Controls trade - and they are expanded daily. Our extensive libraries contain collections of databases that address every aspect and genre of the trade. The Archives are a collective collaboration of many tradesmen and many resources. Our files span everything from vintage circa 1930's manuals to cutting edge technology Frictionless Compressor technical papers. Cataloged, Indexed and Searchable.

           VII. Submission Of Original Technical Papers and Articles

As a Technical Library we are always in search of acquisition of original technical papers and articles. If you are an author that would like to submit an original paper, we would be happy to offer link placement to your site in exchange for the paper. Some restrictions may apply to this offer, if you are interested in learning more contact Tony at Original Technical Paper Details

         VIII. Effectively Utilizing The Archives Custom Search Feature to Locate the Document(s)You Need