| The following information is provided
to ensure the proper operation of
Feature Identification Exercises: Clouds,
Snow, and Ice Using MODIS. Please read this entire
document. (Print Version users, click here.)
Software Required:
The Feature Identification Exercises module
was coded in Macromedia® Flash MX®.
In order to access the multimedia segments, the Macromedia®
Flash Player 6® plug-in must be installed on your
computer. The appropriate plug-in is installed only with the most
current versions (7.x) of the Netscape® Navigator
and Microsoft® Internet Explorer®
browsers. Users of the older versions of the Netscape Navigator
browser must go to the Macromedia
Website and download and install the plug-in manually. The appropriate
plug-in will install itself if you are using an older version of
the Microsoft Internet Explorer as your browser (it will ask you
for permission before doing so).
Screen Resolution:
Run your browser window at full screen (i.e., hit the maximize button)
before starting the module. The optimal screen resolution setting
for this module is at least 800 x 600, 16-bit color. Running at
640 x 480 resolution is not recommended. You will have to scroll
pages more frequently, and your need to scroll may not always be
obvious as information at the bottom and sides of the page may not
be visible. If you MUST run at 640 x 480 resolution, be sure to
keep your toolbar turned off or the necessary navigation buttons
may not be visible.
Using the Module:
The Macromedia Flash files (which deliver the audio, text, and multimedia
elements) use sequential downloads to begin playing presentation
before the entire file is stored on your hard drive. You can go
back to previous pages to hear them again, but while the file is
downloading (indicated by the spinning globe in Internet Explorer
icon in the upper-left corner or the shooting stars in Netscape
icon in the upper-left corner) you may not be able to access subsequent
pages. There is a preload in the beginning of each section that
enables the presentation to play smoothly after starting.
Button Definitions:
Clicking the Hi Res-button 
opens a new window with all of the full-resolution imagery available
for the current case example. There are options to view the imagery
individually, fade between two images, or fade all images.
Clicking the Channel Info button 
provides background information on using the channels provided with
each case example. Clicking the channels listed below Channel Info
provides information on the specific channels. These resources are
the same for all of the case examples.
Clicking the Hints button 
shows hints to help you answer the question the question you are
currently working on. These hints change with each question.
On some questions, you will be asked to click the Done button
 to indicate
that you have completed the question. After clicking the Done button
you may compare your answers to the correct answers shown. The Done
button becomes the Expert Answer button  ,
and by clicking it you will see and hear an explanation of the techniques
used to arrive at the correct answer.
You may advance the lesson by clicking one of the number buttons
 at
the bottom left portion of the screen.
Clicking the Pages button 
shows the page titles for the current case example.
Clicking the Summary button (insert here) at the end of the page
bar shows the summary for the current case example.
Clicking the Module Summary button 
in the menu bar shows the summary for all of the case examples.
Clicking the Links button 
opens a new window with links to Websites with access to data and
more information related to the case examples.
Clicking the Survey button 
opens a new window with the user survey displayed and ready to fill
out.
Some questions ask you to identify a feature by dragging an icon
or label to a spot on an image. If you have grabbed and/or placed
an icon or label that you later decide not to use, drag it into
the trash can 
and it will reset off the image.
Audio Controls:
There are 3 buttons in the upper-right corner of the browser
window that control the audio presentation during the Introduction
and Expert Answer portions of the module. The Rewind button  skips
back 5 seconds per click to allow you to listen to the audio and
see the presentation again. The Pause/Play button has two functions.
Clicking the Pause button icon 
(dark blue in this case) stops the audio. Clicking the Play button
icon (light blue in this case) starts the audio again. The Fast
Forward button 
advances the audio 5 seconds. The audio progress indicator 
shows your current position in the audio segment relative to total
length of the segment. The number next to the controls shows the
total time of the segment. To restart the audio segment from the
beginning, click the page number you are currently viewing on the
left menu bar.
Cache Settings
It is strongly suggested that you empty your cache and set the
cache size to at least 40 MB or more before starting the pre-load
of graphics for this module. This will enable the graphics preload
feature to run properly. In Netscape® Navigator, use the Edit
menu and select Preferences, Advanced, Cache. In Microsoft®
Internet Explorer®, use the Tools menu and select Internet Options,
General, Temporary Internet Files, Settings.
Potential Audio Problems:
Some computers with older sound cards may not play the audio smoothly
causing a popping or static-like sound. Using the latest software
drivers (available from the manufacturer, often over the Web) may
help solve this problem.
Font Size:
The information layout was designed to be viewed with a default
font of Verdana 10 point in Netscape®, or "Medium"
font in Microsoft® Internet Explorer®.
If you have another default font selected, you should probably change
it now or you may experience text layout problems.
Browser Updating:
It is strongly suggested that you update your browser to a recent
version currently available. This site makes use of dynamic HTML
and Java applets. The module has been tested and functions correctly
when viewed with Microsoft® Internet Explorer®
version 5.x and Netscape® Navigator version 4.7x
or higher. There may be minor differences in performance using Netscape
6.x and 7.x, but the module will still function adequately. Older
browsers (Internet Explorer pre-4.x and Netscape Navigator pre-4.x)
are not recommended or supported for this Website.
Cache Settings:
It is strongly suggested that you empty your cache and set the cache
size to at least 30 MB or more. This will enable the module to run
properly with less time spent downloading the pages. To do this
in Netscape, use the Edit menu and select Preferences, Advanced,
Cache. In Internet Explorer, use the View menu and select Internet
Options, General, Temporary Internet Files, Settings.
Running Other Programs:
It is strongly suggested that you close all other applications while
you use this module. Browsers require a significant amount of processor
capacity, so the usability of the module may be compromised if you
keep other applications open.
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