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Quick Index

Utilizing the activity online

• Web Browser: Netscape Navigator 3.0/Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
• Plug-ins: QuickTime and Flash
• Computers: Any system that can run Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
• Operating Systems: Any system that can run Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
• Hints and Tips: How to configure the browser
• Troubleshooting: It's not working. What should I do?

Saving the activity to disk

• Not Applicable (yet)

Web Browser

This activity was designed for use with Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. Earlier versions of Netscape Navigator/Microsoft Internet Explorer will not work.

This activity has not been tested with any other browser.

Netscape 3.0+ can be found at http://www.netscape.com

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0+ can be found at http://www.microsoft.com

Plug-ins

Due to the level of interactivity and the use of multimedia in this activity, both Apple's QuickTime and Macromedia's Flash applications are required. These plug-ins can be downloaded for free.

• To download Apple's QuickTime application go to: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/
• To download Macromedia's Flash player go to: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

Computers

In general, any computer capable of running Netscape Navigator 3.0 (or later) or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 (or later) is all that is needed.

IBM compatible PC hardware requirements

Macintosh hardware requirements

Operating Systems

Any operating system that can support Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0, such as Windows95/98, WindowsNT, or Macintosh System 7 or later.

Most UNIX systems.

Hints and Tips

• Display should be set to 640x480 pixels or better.
• Maximize the browser window to fill the screen.
• Configure the browser to hide the Location Toolbar and Personal Toolbar. This can be done from the View Menu item.
• Make sure JavaScript is enabled. To check in Netscape, do the following:
  1. Go to the Edit menu item.
  2. Select Preferences
  3. Click on Advanced
  4. Check Enable JavaScript
     JavaScript must be enabled.

Troubleshooting

• Clear the cache.
  To clear the cache in Netscape 3.0+:
  1. Go to the Edit menu item.
  2. Select Preferences
  3. Click on plus sign next to Advanced
  4. Click on Cache
  5. Click on Clear Memory Cache
  6. Click on Clear Disk Cache
  7. Click on OK
  8. Try the activity again

   

• The animations are not displaying properly.

When viewing an animation, make sure the page has stopped loading before clicking on anything. Wait for the status message "Document Done."

• Internet Explorer says "An ActiveX object is unsafe" and nothing runs.

This activity makes extensive use of Macromedia's Flash ActiveX component. If this is not installed or an old version exists, the above message will occur. The browser may attempt to download an updated version and it still will not run.

The solution is to go directly to Macromedia and download from their site. See Plugins for more information.

• Error Messages

If you receive either of the following messages while using Microsoft Internet Explorer to view this activity, click YES or OK when prompted.

1. "An ActiveX object on this page may be unsafe. Do you want to allow it to initialize and be accessed by scripts?"
2. "Script error, continue running scripts on this page?"

Downloading Instructions

Send your comments about this page to: amazing-space@stsci.edu