                                                             File: README.TXT

                	  Virtual Beach 

                         EPA Version 3.0.7

                    U.S. EPA Release, February 2019


            Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM)
    National Exposure Research Lab - Ecosystems Research Division
               Office of Research and Development (ORD)
           U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
                       960 College Station Road
                      Athens, Georgia 30605-2700

                             706/355-8403



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CONTENTS

  SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
  DISTRIBUTION
  INSTALLATION
  KNOWN DEFICIENCIES
  DISCLAIMER
  CONTACTS

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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: 

Approximately 145 MB of disk space is required for installation.  The VB3.0 application is CPU intensive; a system with a modern CPU and a minimum of 2 GB RAM is recommended.  See the Installation Notes section below for DotNet framework requirements.

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DISTRIBUTION:

VB software is available for download from the CEAM Web site at:

https://www.epa.gov/ceam/virtual-beach-vb

CEAM downloads include the latest VB software release, documentation, updates and patches.

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INSTALLATION:

To install VB3.0.7:

1) Download the installer application "Install_VB307.zip" from CEAM.  Note that you should save this file to a local disk drive; not a network or shared drive.  

2) Navigate to the folder where the "Install_VB307.zip" file is stored.  Open the file (double-click) to unzip its contents (setup.exe and Installer.msi).  Save the SetUp.exe and .msi installer file to a local disk.  Double-click the setup.exe file and follow the on-screen instruction to copy the model and documentation files onto your system.

3) For VB3.0.7 program operation, read the accompanying documentation "Virtual Beach 3.0.7 User’s Guide" located in the "Documentation" sub-directory of the installed application.  The User’s Guide is also available in PDF format on-line here:

https://www.epa.gov/ceam/virtual-beach-307-user-guide

Notes:

VB3.0.7 was developed with MS Visual Studio and written in C#, and uses multiple public domain system components (FLEE equation parser, Accord.Net math libraries, R statistical libraries, DotSpatial mapping libraries, Weifen Luo Docking UI, ZedGraph, and GMap.Net).  No license or software purchase is required by the user to install and run VB3.0.7, but an internet connection is required to display GIS information.  Users must have Windows XP or 7 with DotNet Framework 4.0 to assure proper installation and operation.  Assorted errors have occurred when running Windows Vista.   Certain VB3.0.7 data manipulation and model-building operations are computationally intensive so faster CPUs are better, but most modern laptops or desktop systems will be adequate.  Disk space requirements are about 140 MB for VB3.0.7 and 170 MB for the DotNet Framework 4.  The VB3.0.7 application installer will attempt to download and install the DotNet Framework 4.0 if it is not installed on the target system; this also requires a network connection.  If necessary, a user can freely obtain the DotNet Framework 4 installer at: 

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17851
		
An administrative user account is required on the target system to install the DotNet framework component.

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KNOWN DEFICIENCIES:

See the release notes for updates.  If users discover installation or run time problems and/or deficiencies, please contact CEAM (refer to CONTACTS section below).  

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DISCLAIMER:

Although this software has been extensively tested by the author no responsibility is assumed by the author or by USEPA for any bugs, deficiencies or side-effects of using this software. The software is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied.  In no event shall the authors or copyright holders be liable for any claim, damages, or other liability, arising from, out of, or in connection with the software or the use or other dealings in the software. Please make sure that the system is fully backed-up before installing this software.

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CONTACTS:

For questions or information concerning the distribution, installation or to report software bugs, contact CEAM at:

  Phone: 706-355-8403
  E-mail: ceam@epa.gov
  Mail:
    Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM)
    National Exposure Research Laboratory - Ecosystems
    Research Division
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
    960 College Station Road
    Athens, Georgia 30605-2700
                    
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