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Technical Notes


The following information is provided to ensure the proper operation of
Feature Identification with Environmental Satellites. Please read this entire document.

Software Required:
The Feature Identification with Environmental Satellites module was coded in Macromedia® Flash 5®. In order to access the multimedia segments, the Macromedia® Flash® player plug-in must be installed on your computer. The appropriate plug-in ships with and is installed with the most current versions (4.x and 6.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.

There are 3 buttons that control the audio and bullet presentation located in the upper right corner of the browser window. 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 menubar.

Image Control Buttons:

The High Resolution button, , displays an image's full resolution available in this Webcast. The Thumbnail button, , shows a small version of the graphic to help navigate the high resolution graphic. The Hint button, , when active, provides more information about the current case example. The Link button, , when active, launches a separate window with links to other polar satellite training relevant to the current case example. When in the high resolution mode scroll bars appear to allow you to navigate the image. Where more than one image is available a fade button, , allows you to fade from one image to another. This enables you to compare specific features across the two images.

This site uses frames!

Because this site uses frames, avoid using the Back and Forward functions of your browser. You should only use the menu bar or links embedded in the menu bar on the left of the page to navigate between pages and sections.

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 Internet Explorer version 5.x and Netscape Navigator version 4.7x or higher. There may be minor differences in performance using Netscape 6.x, but the module will still function adequately. Netscape 7.0, as well as 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 12 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.



Rev. 08/28/02

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