Download Instructions

Location

All MBLogic files are hosted at Sourceforge. This is a popular repository for free/open source software. Due to a recent web site redesign at Sourceforge, selecting MBLogic packages is not as easy as it once was. However, if you follow these instructions you will be able to obtain the packages you are looking for.

Note: The Sourceforge web site is provided by a third party. This web site changes from time to time without warning as the Sourceforge operators make improvements. The instructions on this web page attempt to remain up to date, but please note that changes to Sourceforge can be as much as surprise to me as they are to you.

Available Packages

MBLogic is distributed in five different packages. These are MBLogic-All, MBLogic, HMIServer, MBTools, and MBLibs.

MBLogic-All

This is simply a combination of all MBLogic packages in a single combined package for easier download. Select this if you want all the MBLogic packages, or if you are not sure what package you want. MBLogic-All will always contain the latest releases for each of the individual packages.

MBLogic

MBLogic is the name of a package was well as the name of the project as a whole. The MBLogic package has a complete soft logic and HMI system with many additional features. If all you want is the MBLogic package, you do not need MBTools or MBLibs.

HMISerer

HMIServer provides the same web based HMI as is used in MBLogic, but in a stand alone form. If you just want the HMI system but without the control functionality of MBLogic, you can use HMIServer.

MBTools

MBTools contains a number of programs which can run independently of MBLogic. These are useful for troubleshooting, commissioning, testing, as well as providing tools for solving simple applications involving industrial communications.

MBLibs

MBLibs contains libraries which can be used to help write your own custom software. The MBLogic and MBTools packages contain their own copies of these libraries, so you do not need MBLibs to run MBLogic or MBTools. These libraries are simply provided separately as a convenience to other software developers.

Sourceforge Project Page

The main page for the MBLogic project on source forge is referred to here as the project page. The following image shows the key portion of these web page.

The MBLogic-All package will be displayed here. This will contain all the MBLogic packages together with a "Download Now!" button. Select this if you want everything, or if you are not sure what you want. When you click on this button and the download process will begin. If this is not the package you want, then you will need to proceed to the "View all files" page.

All Files Page

To access additional download options, click on the "View all files" button beside the "Download Now!" button. When you click on that button, you will be taken to a new web page which will look something like the following:

The "main" download files will be at the top. Below that you will find a list of the packages (MBLogic, MBTools, MBLibs, HMIServer). To see the list of releases for each package, click on the triangle to the left of the package name. Note that the Sourceforge web site is updated from time to time, and the details of its appearance may change.

Selecting a Release

The "All Files" page has every release made of all of the packages. Each release is numbered consecutively. Some packages have changed name over their history, but the newest release is always at the bottom of each list. Normally, you will want the most recent release. However, you may select an older release if you wish.

Selecting a File for Download

Once you have selected a package and a release, you need to select the actual file for download.

MS Windows Versions and Linux Versions

Each release comes in two versions - an MS Windows version and a Linux version. Both versions are identical, with the exception that the files in the MS Windows version are reformatted to use the non-standard new line characters which MS Windows uses. These consist of a carriage return plus a line feed instead of just a line feed. This results in the MS Windows files being slightly larger. The conversion is performed automatically when a release is generated though, and there is no difference in the actual content.

One of the new features in Sourceforge is the ability to tag files as being for MS Windows or for Linux. The project page will detect whether your current computer is using MS Windows or Linux, and will present you with the version in the "Download Now!" button which is appropriate to that OS. If you wish to download the version for a different OS than the one you are currently using, you will need to do so from the "All Files" page.

The different versions may be distinguished by the following simple rule:

MS Windows versions end with a ".zip" file extension.
Linux versions end with a "tar.gz" (or just ".tar" in some cases) file extension.

Mac OS/X Support

MBLogic is not tested with Mac OS/X (due to lack of a Mac). However, Mac OS/X users report that it will work on a Mac. If you have a Mac and want to use any of the MBLogic packages, choose the Linux version.

Installation

Once you have downloaded your package, you can install it by unzipping the downloaded file. Each package includes installation instructions (in a PDF file in all newer releases). Installation may require downloading additional third party packages. Read the installation instructions for step by step instructions on how to do this.

Help and Support

Help and support can be obtained by leaving a message in the "Help and Support" forums. These can be accessed via the menu at the top of the main project page (see "Support" just below the project name).

Project Web Site

The project web site (including this web page) can be accessed from the main project page by clicking on the URL located below the "Download Now!" button.

Documentation

Complete documentation ships with each package. In addition, copies of the documentation are located on this web site. Browse the web pages located here to see what features are included in each package and how it works.

Source Code

Each package is shipped with complete source code.