Welcome to A.L.A.N. (Apocalypse Local Area Network). This guide explains every feature of the app clearly. It works for beginners and advanced users alike. Use the search bar to jump to sections like Profile, Settings, or Tools. Follow the steps below to get the most out of A.L.A.N.
> GETTING STARTED
A.L.A.N. launches with a splash screen showing "BOOT SEQUENCE" and version info (e.g., v3.3). It displays loading messages like "SURVIVAL CORE UP" and "Load FILES" before opening the main interface.
The main screen includes a header, a Distress Beacon button, user options (Profile, Settings, audio controls, Party Mode), and a menu with sections like COMMS, TOOLS, and GAMES & MEDIA. Click around to explore.
First time using it? Check the status message ("Initializing survival protocols...") and look at the centered section with SYSTEM INTEGRITY and RESOURCES. Use the A.L.A.N. AI Assistant chat at the bottom for questions.
> SET UP YOUR PROFILE
Click Profile button next to Settings. A form opens where you enter your name (e.g., "Alex") and location (e.g., "Home Office").
Click Save to store your details. This info links to features like Distress Beacon, The Wall, and Email, showing who you are and where you’re at. Don't worry about people from the Internet seeing your info. You are running an offline network!
Owner and non-owner users are treated different. Owner has all the permissions and can delete things others can't. Users who connect to your network get their own profiles and are stored on your machine as seperate files to keep all data isolated and secure.
> USER SETTINGS
Click Settings in the top-right corner next to Profile. A panel opens with options to customize the interface.
Select Font Size from Small, Medium, or Large to adjust text readability. Choose a Font like Courier or Orbitron from a dropdown list.
Pick a Color Scheme: Green for a classic look, Blue for a calm tone, Red for bold contrast, or Orange for a warm feel. The screen updates instantly.
Toggle Start Muted to On to silence startup sounds like beeps and static. Switch it Off to hear them again.
Choose Backgrounds: Static Noise for a textured effect, some preloaded ones installed at the factory, or Custom to upload your own image (max 7MB) via a file picker.
Adjust Terminal Transparency with a slider (0 to 1). At 0 it’s see-through; at 1 it’s solid. Toggle Scanlines On for a retro CRT effect or Off to remove it.
Set Shadow Intensity with a slider (0 to 1). Higher values make text shadows stronger for a glowing effect.
Click Save to apply changes. Click Reset to revert to default settings (e.g., Medium font, Green scheme). A.L.A.N. updates the display immediately.
> YOUR IP ADDRESS
Find your A.L.A.N. IP near the top center (e.g., "192.168.1.100:5001"). It appears under "> A.L.A.N. IP" once the app loads.
Copy this address. Share it with others on the same Wi-Fi network. They can type it into their browser to connect to your A.L.A.N.
Click the QR button next to the IP to display a QR code. Scan it with a device to join quickly. A.L.A.N. runs offline too if there’s no network, just make sure you have your router running or enable a mobile hotspot on windows.
Problems connecting to owner's A.L.A.N.? Check the format you are using in phone's browser: >>> http://192.168.1.13:5001 <<< Try enabling airplane mode on phones and try again.
> NETWORK STATUS
Check NETWORK STATUS in the centered section. It shows "ONLINE" with an internet connection or "OFFLINE" in red without one.
A.L.A.N. works fully offline. Features like Guides, Tools, and Games don’t need internet. Online mode only enables updates for the app. Nothing you do on A.L.A.N. goes near the internet except when the owner first enters their purchase code. A quick check to justinwerner.com veries your code and you are offline from that point on.
> KEEPING A.L.A.N. RUNNING
Look at SYSTEM INTEGRITY under "> SYSTEM INTEGRITY". It starts at STRONG but drops to FAIR, UNSTABLE, or WEAK over time.
Click Perform System Maintenance (with a wrench icon) to reset it to STRONG. A message like "Kicked the server, works better now" appears briefly.
Run maintenance every few days to keep performance smooth. It’s like a quick system tune-up.
> TRACKING DAYS
See "Day X Since A.L.A.N. Online" in the centered section. It starts at 0 and increases by 1 each day the app is active.
This counter tracks how long you’ve been using A.L.A.N. It persists across sessions unless you reset the app.
> STAYING ALIVE: RESOURCES
In the RESOURCE TRACKER section, click the People, Food, or Water input boxes. Enter numbers (e.g., 2 for People, 10 for Food, 20 for Water).
Data is saved automatically when entered. A.L.A.N. calculates survival odds, showing SAFE in green for good levels or CRITICAL in red for low ones.
Click Inventory (with a box icon) to view or edit a detailed list of items. Click Barter Bot (with a swap icon) to track your trades.
> SURVIVAL GUIDES
In the menu under SURVIVAL GUIDES, find topics like Animal Tracking, First Aid Manual, or Water Purification. Click a title to load its content.
Use the search box at the top of a guide (or this manual) to find info fast (e.g., type "bandage" to jump to First Aid tips).
Click Back to A.L.A.N. (with an arrow icon) to return to the main screen when done.
> TOOLS
Under TOOLS in the menu, access Morse Code, Calorie Tracker, Distress Beacon, Water Ration, Rubble Search Grid, and more. Click a tool to open it.
Morse Code lets you type text and convert it to dots and dashes. Calorie Tracker logs daily food intake. Water Ration calculates usage per person.
Distress Beacon shows at the top. Click OFF to turn it ON (flashes red), broadcasting your name and location to users on your network. Click again to stop it.
Rubble Search Grid displays a clickable grid to simulate searching. Click Back to A.L.A.N. to exit any tool.
> GAMES & MEDIA
Under GAMES & MEDIA, play Tetris, Slots, Solitaire, Stronghold or any of the games. View Art Gallery, Terminal Tapes (videos), or use Art Pad to draw.
The A.L.A.N.NET is where owner and user-created websites (website builder) can be viewed in your offline network. So you can recreate the Internet when it all goes dark.
Click Mute Audio at the bottom to silence game sounds or background tracks. Click again to unmute. Some games auto-mute temporarily.
> BOOKSHELF
Under GAMES & MEDIA, click Bookshelf. Titles like The Art of War appear. Click one to open it.
Use Next and Previous buttons to flip pages. A.L.A.N. remembers your last page. Click Back to A.L.A.N. to close the book.
> LOGS
Under LOGS in the menu, find Health Log, Local Cache, Rad Log, Threat Log, and Inventory. Click one to open it.
Add entries like "Sprained ankle" in Health Log or "Found a battery" in Inventory. Type your note, then click Save. Local Cache stores miscellaneous text.
> TALKING TO A.L.A.N. ASSISTANT
In the middle, use the A.L.A.N. AI ASSISTANT chat. Type a question (e.g., “How do I start a fire?”) in the text area and click Send (paper plane icon).
Wait briefly for a reply. The AI knows the A.L.A.N. Manual and Survival Guides, and will give links if a guide matches your search. It’s a zero-shot reasoning model—it figures out responses without prior training on your exact question, making it powerful but not perfect.
Make prompts detailed for best results. For example, ask “How do I purify water using the guide?” instead of “What’s water stuff?” Vague questions might get vague or wrong answers since the AI can’t guess that good.
Click Clear Chat (refresh icon) to start a new conversation if needed.
> SHOUTBOX
Under COMMS, click Shoutbox. Type a message in the box (e.g., “Meeting at 5 PM”) and click Send or press Enter.
Messages show instantly to Wi-Fi users on your IP. A top-right alert (Shoutbox Float) pops up for new messages. Click it to view them.
> THE WALL
Under COMMS, click The Wall. Upload an image (e.g., a photo) and add a caption (e.g., “Team meeting spot”). Click POST TO WALL.
Posts appear with your name, caption, and timestamp (e.g., "Alex | Team meeting spot | 2025/04/05 14:00"). Wi-Fi users see them. Owners can click DELETE to remove a post after confirming.
> THE BARTER BOOK
Under COMMS, click The Barter Book. Enter an item (e.g., “Batteries”) and description (e.g., “3 AA, new”). Click POST TO BARTER.
Listings show with your name, item, and timestamp (e.g., "Alex | Batteries | 3 AA, new | 2025/04/05 14:00"). Wi-Fi users see them. Owners can click DELETE to remove a listing after confirming.
> UPDATES
When online, A.L.A.N. checks for updates. If “Newer version available!” shows near the top, click the link to download the latest version.
Replace the old .exe file with the new one after downloading. Restart A.L.A.N. to use the updated features.
> TROUBLE?
If the app freezes, click Shutdown A.L.A.N. at the bottom. This resets everything, clearing logs and profiles. Use it only if stuck.
More problems? Try refreshing your browser. It fixes almost all problems.
Nuclear option - If it's just not working and you can't click shutdown ALAN, close the server window that starts with the app, then close the browser tab. Start it again.
For quick help, type your detailed problem in the A.L.A.N. Assistant chat. If online, email admin@wernerhost.com for support from Justin.
> AUDIO CONTROLS
A.L.A.N. plays sounds and music all over the app. Click Mute Audio (with a speaker icon) at the bottom to turn all audio off.
Click it again to unmute. You can also click settings and choose to start audio muted. Play Beethoven changes the background track. Click it again to cycle through three classics. Some games have their own mute buttons like solitaire.