Nika Download Page

All Nika client components run on Windows XP or later, and require DotNetFramework 2.0. These will normally be on our distribution CD, but if you do need them again, here they are...

Check that you have a folder like C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0... If this does NOT exist, install these components:

Getting Started with your own Online Nika Site

After applying for a site, we'll give you a personalized CD with software to install on your client machines.

We have already created a site with a short message prefix of DEMO. You can get the personalize DEMO download here, unzip it, and follow the steps below. Simon is the editor of the DEMO site. Ask him to sign you up!

  • Uninstall any prior versions of Nika from your machine.
  • Run Setup from our CD on the editors machine and complete the setup steps.
  • Run Start Menu > All Programs > 7 Fountains Digital > NikaUserManager.exe
  • For the first time only, log in using the username editor with password abcd1234
  • Now change the username, and set your password and email. If you don't do this step, your content will be at risk because everyone knows how to get onto your site!
  • Create some accounts for your co-workers. Assign them roles as writers, subs, etc. The Editor role is pretty powerful, and can delete others' stories, sign up new users, change roles, and delete users. Use it sparingly!
  • Close the program.
  • Run NikaLauncher from your start menu.
  • Log in with your new username and password, and click on the New menu item to begin writing your first story!
  • Have fun!

NikaLauncher for trying Nika out against our test site: (this is now obsolete)

  • First, do some manual steps:
    • log onto your workstation as an administrator.
    • Create a folder at C:\NikaTempFiles,
    • Right-click on the newly created folder, select Sharing and Security, select the Security tab. If local machine users are not already in the group or user names, you'll need to add and select users (from the local machine). Once they're visible in the group or user names panel, go to the permissions below and tick the checkbox to allow full control.
  • Then install the launcher from http://netserv.ict.ru.ac.za/nikadownloads/NikaLaunch.msi (431KB).
  • Now run the launcher. Ensure that the server we're going to connect to is netserv.ict.ru.ac.za and give it a whirl!
  • Once you get Nika up, you can use the settings menu to change the servers so that it always connects to our test server.

The NikaExportBrowser