Please read the Licence Conditions that apply to the use of the Unravel program software before proceeding.
Running the Unravel program directly from an executable jar file (referred to here as Jar Direct mode) has the advantage that start-up delays are short. The main aim of the software is to facilitate the unscrambling of cubes of large size. That would normally involve many program switch-on/ switch-off cycles. In such situations start-up delays can be bothersome. The following table compares Jar Direct with Web Start modes for running the program:
| Running Mode |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Web Start |
Downloads and runs on all platforms. Checks for Unravel program updates when run on-line (the default way the program runs). Can be run off-line (but not as straight-forward as it used to be). Has high level of security checking. |
Start-up time is long. Security condition changes with ever-changing Java JRE (Java Runtime Environment) updates can result in the Unravel program, which had previously run smoothly, being unable to run without program revision or run only with changed security settings. Security checking questions can further increase start-up time. The downside of checking for updates is that it will unnecessarily increase start-up time when such checking is unwarranted as usually applies for the Unravel program. |
| Jar Direct |
Very robust form of implementation (very unlikely to crash because of JRE or other updates). Start-up time is short. An installation add-on is available for users running Windows. |
Users (especially those not running on Windows) have some extra first-time actions for running the uninstalled program from a Desktop shortcut. |
The following paragraphs provide instructions on how to run the program in uninstalled Jar Direct mode.
The UnravelJ.zip file needs to be unzipped and that can be done anywhere. The UrvbaseJ directory with all its files and sub-directory Licence will appear. All files required to run the program are contained in the UrvbaseJ directory. The UrvbaseJ directory coupled with all its child components can remain where it has been unzipped, or preferably, moved or copied to its default location. For Windows users that is:
C:\ProgramData\KFFraser Software\Java Unravel\UrvbaseJ
and for Unix and Linux users the default is:
/ProgramData/KFFraser Software/Java Unravel/UrvbaseJ
Any new folders would need to be created. The Unravel program can be run in various ways. Two ways are outlined below:
Double click on the urvall.jar file which has been set up to be executable. Normally, when Java is installed, jar files are associated with javaw.exe (or java.exe) with the -jar command line option. If that association has not been made it will need to be done before the program can be run in this manner.
Use a command line instruction. For Windows users jarRun.bat and UnravelJ.exe (an exe version of jarRun.bat), which are also extracted from the zip file, can be used. File jarRun.bat uses jre_path.bat which is intended to use the jre with the latest date on the user's computer. It may need to be updated to reflect ever-changing representations of the jre. Non-Windows users could create their own version of jarRun.bat.
For convenience with either of the above approaches, a shortcut to the relevant file can be created and placed on the Desktop. If that is done it is recommended that the shortcut be renamed UnravelJ Direct and the default icon be replaced with unravelDesktop.ico that is included in the unzipped UrvbaseJ directory.
For those who wish to add an Unravel program shortcut to the Start Menu, in lieu of or in addition to a shortcut icon on the Desktop, consult Google or other source on how to "Add application to Start Menu" for your particular version of Operating System.
Everything required for running the Unravel program uninstalled is contained in the UnravelJ.zip file and, for those who wish to make a backup copy, that file is the one to store. Windows users have the option of making a backup copy of an installer for the Unravel program.
The Unravel program has on-line help to assist users in running the program. For assistance with solving cubes of any size, additional help to that available on-line can be obtained from the cubesolving.pdf and markctr.pdf files that cover the solving of standard cubes with unmarked centres and cubes with marked centres. Both files are available at the website created by the developer (Ken Fraser).