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Frequently Asked Questions for FOSSweb
As technology evolves, so must FOSSweb. We’ve included some of the FAQs concerning browsers and plug-ins. For more FAQs and future updates regarding technology, please check the FAQs at http://lhsfoss.org/fossweb/faq.html.
To use FOSSweb, your computer must have a compatible browser and recent versions of several plugins. Your computer may already have these plugins installed. You can check your browser at the FAQ website listed above. The requirements vary for the FOSS K–2 modules and the FOSS 3–6 modules. Depending on how many of the plug-ins you are missing, you may need to spend 10 to 20 minutes downloading and installing software before you begin. Once you have installed the software, you will not have to do this again (until the next update happens).
Current Support Topics as of November 22, 2006
Q When I click on an activity, Firefox opens a window asking me to install additional plug-ins, even though I have the most recent version of Shockwave. Using Safari results in a blank window.
A Users with Intelbased Macs may experience problems opening activities that use Shockwave on FOSSweb or on the CDs. In order to run Shockwave files, you will need to change your browser mode to run in a Rosetta Emulation mode.
Follow these steps to run Rosetta Mode:
1. Quit the browser.
2. Go to your Applications folder and controlclick on the Firefox
or Safari icon.
3. In the Preview menu that appears, select “Get Info.”
4. Under the General heading, check “Open using Rosetta.”
5. Close the Info dialog box.
If you are unsure whether your Macintosh is Intelbased or PowerPCbased, click on the Apple menu and select “About this Mac.” The processor field will indicate Intel or PowerPC.
Q Why can’t I view FOSSweb activities after installing Windows XP Service Pack 2?
A Windows XP Service Pack 2 contains popup prevention that may block many of the FOSSweb activities and other content. An Information Bar between the navigation bar and the browser window indicates the blocked popups. You can allow popups from the FOSSweb site by clicking the Information Bar when it notifies you that a popup has been blocked. Then click “Temporarily Allow Popups.”
Q Which browsers are compatible with FOSSweb?
A FOSSweb is viewable on the Macintosh with Internet Explorer 5.1–5.2 , Safari 1.0 or later, or Firefox 1.0 or later. It is viewable on the PC with IE 5.0 or later or Firefox 1.0 or later.
FOSSweb was optimized for IE and is therefore best viewed using this browser. Earlier versions of IE and Netscape cannot handle certain Flash and JavaScript elements on FOSSweb and do not support the site’s printing functions.
Go to the Compatible Browsers page in the “Test Your Browser” (http://www.fossweb.com/detector/intro.html) section of FOSSweb for information on downloading and installing a compatible browser.
Q What are the plug-in requirements
for FOSSweb?
A The plugin requirements are different for the K–2 modules and the 3–6 modules. To view the K–2 modules, your browser must have recent versions of Flash and QuickTime.
To view the 3–6 modules, in addition to Flash and QuickTime, your
browser must also have a recent version of Shockwave.
Go to the “Test Your Browser” section of FOSSweb to determine if you have all required plugins and for information on downloading and installing the software.
Q Nothing happens when I click the links in the site’s navigation. What’s wrong?
A First check to make sure you have a compatible browser and all required plugins to view FOSSweb. Then go to your browser’s “Preferences” menu and make sure JavaScript is enabled. If you have the correct software and JavaScript is enabled in your browser, and you still can’t view the site, please contact FOSS using the Technical Questions Form (http://www.lhsfoss.org/fossweb/email/techQuestions.php).
Q I can’t access the activities in the modules. What should I do?
A If you are having trouble accessing the activities, first go to the “Test Your Browser” section of FOSSweb to determine if you have all required plugins. If you have all plugins but are still unable to view the activities, the problem may be pop-
up blocking software.
The FOSS activities open up in pop-up windows. If this type of software is installed on your computer, it will prevent the activity windows from appearing. Check to see if your computer has popup blocking software installed. If so, remove it to view the FOSS activities. If you are using a school computer and do not have Administrator privileges, you may not be able to remove this software. Consult your local tech support person for help.
Q When I try going to the K–2 or 3–6 module menu pages, the pages don’t load correctly. Everything flashes. Help!
A If the content on the module menu pages (or any other module page) flashes continually, you have an outdated version of the Flash plug-in. Go to the Flash plugin page of the “Test Your Browser” section of FOSSweb to download and install a more recent version.
Q My browser is sluggish and crashes regularly when I view FOSSweb. Is there anything I do to fix this?
A If you are viewing FOSSweb on a Macintosh with OS 8.6–9.x and are experiencing frequent crashes, increase the memory allocation to your browser. To change your memory allocation, refer to the steps outlined on the Compatible Browsers page in the “Test Your Browser” section of FOSSweb. You can also consult your Macintosh Users Manual.
Memory is allocated automatically in OS X and in all PC operating systems. If your browser is sluggish, or crashes regularly and you are using one of these platforms, try restarting the browser and/or the computer. If problems persist, consult your local tech support people for help.
Q I get an error message that says my browser is out of memory when displaying the activities in the 3–6 modules. What should I do?
A If you are using a Macintosh with OS 8.6–9.x, try increasing your browser’s memory allocation, as outlined in the previous question. Because the grade 3–6 module activities are memory intensive, you may need to periodically restart your browser and/or computer while viewing the site.
Q I got a message saying to upgrade to the latest version of Shockwave. However, my browser’s current version meets FOSSweb’s minimum requirement. Do I have to upgrade?
A It is not required that you upgrade to the latest version of Shockwave, but it is advisable. Although the new version requires more memory, it will make Shockwave animations run smoother and faster on your computer.
Q Do you have any tips for viewing FOSSweb with a slow Internet connection?
A Go to your browser’s “Preferences” menu and increase the cache. Your browser stores previously downloaded pages in the cache. Increasing the cache size in your browser will allow you to store more pages and thus speed up FOSSweb. Bear in mind that if a page has been updated, or the page has downloaded incorrectly, you won’t see the new or correct version until the page has been refreshed or the cached version has been deleted.
Click “Refresh” in the browser toolbar to download a new version of the page. You may need to hold down the Shift key while clicking “Refresh” for the new version to download.
To change your cache size or empty your cache, look under the browser’s “Preferences” menu (Internet Options for Internet Explorer on a PC and FILE:PREFERENCES on a Mac). The cache is listed under the Advanced settings for all but IE on the PC. For IE on the PC, the cache, or Temporary Internet files, is under “General” in the “Options” menu. Use the settings to change the cache size and to delete cached pages.
Q How can I contact FOSS?
A If you are having technical problems with the website, please contact FOSS using the Technical Questions Form (http://www.lhsfoss.org/fossweb/email/techQuestions.php).
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