Help

We cannot answer each feedback individually but if you see a problem and report it, we will correct it if we update the course. In your feedback, it helps to identify your hardware and the browser version that you're using. Also, be sure to mention the name of the course.

We have captured a number of questions that people have asked about this site. The questions are divided into two categories: General and Windows. Note that OS/2 is not supported; the courseware requires Dynamic HTML. Until recently, this was not possible with OS/2 browsers. Beta reviewers noted that the latest OS/2 browser (Netscape 4.6.1) will run the course.

General

Using Streaming Audio
 

This course employs HotAudio, a new IBM audio compression algorithm. To hear audio, just give the HotAudio player time to download fully. The download is automatic and occurs the first time you go to a slide in one of the topics (there's no audio on the Main Menu). You don't have to do anything or find a plug-in! When the download is finished, you'll hear audio for the slide you're on. Once the player has downloaded, you can use the player controls to control the audio.

If you can't hear audio when you take the course, you may have one of several problems. Check these two things first:

  • Make sure your audio volume is turned up.
  • Make sure you have multimedia capabilities (a sound card) on your machine.

We note the following technical issue using HotAudio:

  • HotAudio will not work with the IE 5.0 browser if the browser has the the 4.0 JVM. The outcome of using HotMedia in this browser is the applet breaks after one or two courseware screens. You will no longer hear audio. To fix this, install the latest JVM (5.0 and above) from the Microsoft download page. We suggest the JVM Microsoft (R) VM for Java, 5.0 Release 5.0.0.3167.

If your audio is not working properly or if you prefer to read, we've provided most of the lecture text in a scrolling box on the right of the screen. Code sample screens just have audio, no scrolling text. If you want to look at the course but not listen to the audio, cut you audio volume down until you can't hear it.

   
Course Navigation
 

While you're in the course, we have covered your browser navigation buttons. All navigation controls, Forward, Back, Reload, Menu and Exit, reside in the course itself. When you exit the course, browser navigation is restored.

We note the following technical issues using IE 5.0:

  • Occasionally, IE 5.0 will complain that the server cannot be contacted. If IE 5.0 asks you to Try Again, click OK and the course should run. If not, click on the reload button and the course should run.
Font Size and Screen Resolution
 

This and other new courses run in a fixed 800X600 window. If your screen resolution is set to 640X480, part of the courseware window will be cut off and you will not be able to take the course. Also, we've noticed that some machines running 800X600 make the text on our site very difficult to read if your default font is smaller than 12 point. To fix these problems, adjust your system as follows:

Change Your System Font and Resolution:

  1. Right click on your desktop
  2. Select Properties
  3. On the Display Properties screen, choose the Settings tab
  4. Verify your settings: 800X600 resolution and small fonts

Change Your Browser Font:

  1. Select Options from your browser pulldown menu
  2. Select General Preferences
  3. Select the Fonts tab
  4. At "Use the Proportional Font", select Choose Font
  5. Select a 12 point default font size

   

Windows 95/98 Users

Audio Problems for ThinkPad 760 and 765 Users
 

There's a known problem with some Thinkpad models running Mwave audio. The audio plays but it breaks up while it's playing, try installing the patch for MWAVE.

1. Right click here and pick "Save Link As" or "Save Target As".
2. Browse to c:\temp. Click Save.
3. Under your Windows95 Start Menu, click "Run".
4. Type c:\temp\patch.exe Click on "OK".
5. The program will launch and walk you through installing the patch.

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