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Linux/Windows DOS Do read the licence agreement before use (see 4im_licence.txt).

QUICK INSTALL (Windows/Linux)

Download the Windows or Linux archive. Create a separate folder named for instance "4im" and uncompress the archive there. Then either just click on b4im or launch it from a command-line:
./b4im ( Linux )
b4im.exe ( Windows )
Nota bene: 4IM searches its blockfiles in the current directory. If 4IM doesn't starts by clicking from a GUI filemanager, you'll have to launch it from a shell script like this one:
cd $HOME/4im # edit the path to fit you config ./b4im & Alternatively, you can set the HOME_4IM variable to point the home directory of 4IM; e.g. in your .bashrc:
export HOME_4IM=/home/fred/4im
Windows sets the working directory to the path of the executable, or you can set it in the shortcut to the executable, so it should work as-is. However you can also set the HOME_4IM environment variable: use the control panel, system, Advanced, create a user environment variable named "HOME_4IM" and set it to the appropriate value.
This way, if in 4IM you prefix filenames with en '&', the file will be searched in this directory.

As written earlier, the DOS, Linux and Windows versions are meant to be compatible with each other at the core vocabulary level. However, there are differencies between these versions (mainly in the supported extensions). For this reason, I'll sometimes write "B4IM" when talking about a Linux/Windows version specific issue. Also note that because of portability, B4IM could be used to generate a genuine DOS program.

FULL INSTALL

If you wish to add or remove extensions of 4IM, you'll have to recompile its kernel. This is fairly easy under Linux as we use the standard toolchain and librairies; a precompiled GraphApp lib is even provided. Under Windows, you'll probably have to install a C compiler first.
First download the sources then create a 'src' subdir in your 4IM directory and unpack there.
You'll find there a makefile, in which you may modifiy a few compilation options. Note that it builds the main program and the shared libraries. If you succeed in compiling 4IM, you'll get the main binary is written in the parent directory, overwriting the current one, so it may be quite a good idea to backup it first.

Compilation under Linux

It should be easy to compile 4IM under Linux. The only problem I'm aware of is the dependency on the ncurses lib if you select the ncurses-based terminal. In this case, you may have to install the ncurses5 development files (Debian users: install the ncurses5-dev package).
Please report to me if you encounter problems.

Compilation under Windows

Under Windows, either you already have a C compiler installed, and in that case you may fearlessly try to recompile 4IM with it, either you install one.
I used MinGW to produce the shipped b4im.exe file. MinGW is fairly easy to install; moreover, you'll be able to recompile the GraphApp lib with it. Downland the MinGW and Msys packages here, and use the default paths.

The GraphApp library

I provide a modified version of Loki's great GraphApp GUI library. The home of GraphApp is here.
This modified version mainly fixes a few issues, and is proposed to the author of GraphApp as a contribution. I also stripped it of the things I don't currently use in 4IM. The full source is provided in the source package of 4IM.
If you need more clues, drop me an email.

Issues

Under Linux, with the ncurses-based terminal (as in the shipped binary), the ESC key doesn't works properly: one has to wait 1 second before the key is delivered by ncurses to the app. As a walk around, I translated the key just below ESC (the little "2") into an ESC key. Tips on this are welcome.
Extensions are more or less tested.
The helpfiles, translated in english from french, may in some places be understood only by a person speaking both languages. The fact is that I do not use the english version as the french one, so the only way to improve it is to report me the troubles you encountered.

There are probably other bugs. The only way to see them fixed in the next release is to report them to me. I suggest you to use the word TODO for that purpose.

DOS/Standalone version

As stated above, this version needs to be updated with regard to some changes done while developing the Windows/Linux version, the name of the game being to keep as much source-level compatibility as possible.
First of all, backup your sensitive files. If you want to create a standalone disk, you will have to enable a feature that, if wrong commands are issued, may perform random writes to the floppy disk drive. It is recommanded to use this version with this feature only when needed, or to check that there's no DOS floppy disk in the drive when you use it.

Create a separate directory on your disk - say 4IM. Uncompress the contents of 4im.zip into this directory.
Under DOS ( or DOS box) move to that directory: CD \4IM
At this point the DOS version is installed. Type 4IM BLOCKS.4IM to run it. To get help, type MM, select "QUICK" then "Select help file", and finally "main" (press Space or Backspace Key to move, Enter to select item). Now you can type HELP and follow the links.
Here are the few steps to create a standalone disk. In a first step, we'll have to rebuild the DOS kernel in order to activate the "slot4" feature, which is required for this operation.
Run 4IM, invoke the main menu with MM. goto the "UTILITIES" submenu, and select "Rebuild kernel". Answer Yes to all "include ..." questions. The new kernel is the NEW4IM.COM program. Run it. Go again in the UTILITIES menu and select "Make disk". Answer "Yes" to all except "Remap keys" unless you have an AZERTY keyboard.
As the program overwrites the bootsector of the floppy, Antivirus programs may panic. All is OK as long as only the floppy in drive A: is concerned.
Once the floppy is written, type BYE
Your floppy is ready to boot.