BOLSIG+ is available in two executable forms:

• Windows application with graphical user interface, named bolsigplus.exe, featuring menus and dialogs for the input of the calculation parameters as well as various facilities to quickly access and analyze the calculation results. Recommended for standard usage.
• Console application for Windows, Linux or Mac without graphical interface, named bolsigminus, handling all input/output through text files. For experienced users who prefer a console type environment.

The input and output for both of these BOLSIG+ versions are described in the manual. Before reading this and using BOLSIG+, users should be familiar with the physical principles of BOLSIG+ described in the following paper:
G. J. M. Hagelaar and L. C. Pitchford, Solving the Boltzmann equation to obtain electron transport coefficients and rate coefficients for fluid models, Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 14, 722-733 (2005) [download]

Any scientific publications involving the use of BOLSIG+ should make explicit reference to (1) the above paper by Hagelaar and Pitchford and (2) the cross section data set(s) used as input, following the instructions given in the input file and the header of the output file.

Although no direct support is provided for using BOLSIG+, users are encouraged to report proven errors to the author, in particular faulty calculation results.