Frequently Asked Questions for FOSSweb

To use FOSSweb, your computer must have a compatible browser and recent versions of several plug-ins. Your computer may already have these plug-ins installed. Click here to test your browser. The requirements vary for the FOSS K—2 modules and the FOSS 3—6 modules.

1. I just installed Shockwave 11 on my Intel-based Mac and when I try to open an activity, I keep getting error messages saying I don't have Xtras installed.
   Shockwave 11 for the Mac appears to be incompatible with the FOSSWeb activities for the time being. We are still diagnosing the issue. In the mean time, please uninstall Shockwave 11 and download Shockwave 10 and install it. You will need to run your browser in Rosetta mode (instructions below).
   
   
2. When I try to open the FOSS multimedia activities, I receive an error message "Macromedia Flash Player has stopped a potential unsafe operation." What should I do?
   Two new security settings (on Flash Player and ActiveX Controls) could interfere with the use of FOSS CD-ROMS or FOSSweb Flash activities on PCs and Macs. To remedy this, FOSSweb has created a "FOSSfix" to adjust the security settings to allow web and CD-Rom users to access the Flash activities. You can download the installer to fix the security settings here: http://www.fossweb.com/fossfix/index.html
   Posted 10-8-07
   
   
3. 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. Users with Intel-based 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 out of the browser.
      2. Go to your Applications folder and control-click on the browser application bundle.
      3. In the context menu that appears select Get Info.
      4. Under the General heading of the Info dialog select "Open using Rosetta".
      5. Close the Info dialog box
   
   If you are unsure whether your Macintosh is Intel-based or PowerPC-based, click on the Apple menu and select "About this Mac". The processor field will mention Intel or PowerPC.
   Posted 11-22-06

4. Why can't I view FOSSweb activities after installing Windows XP Service Pack 2? Windows XP Service Pack 2 contains pop-up prevention which may block many of the FOSSweb activities and other content. The bar between the navigation bar and the browser window indicates the blocked pop-ups. You can always allow pop-ups from the FOSSweb site by choosing this option the bar.


5. Which browsers are compatible with FOSSweb? FOSSweb is viewable on the Macintosh with Internet Explorer 5.1-5.2, or 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 section of FOSSweb for information on downloading and installing a compatible browser.
   
   
6. What are the plug-in requirements for FOSSweb? The plug-in 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 plug-ins and for information on downloading and installing the software.
   
   
7. Nothing happens when I click the links in the site's navigation. What's wrong? First check to make sure you have a compatible browser and all required plug-ins 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.
   
   
8. I can't access the activities in the modules. What should I do? 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 plug-ins. If you have all plug-ins 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 pop-up blocking software installed and 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.
   
   
9. When I try going to the K–2 or 3–6 module menu pages, the pages don't load correctly. Everything flashes. Help! 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 plug-in page of the Test Your Browser section of FOSSweb to download and install a more recent version.
   
   
10. My browser is sluggish and crashes regularly when I view FOSSweb. Is there anything I do to fix this? 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.
    
    
11. 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? If you are using a Macintosh with OS 8.6–9.x, try increasing your browser's memory allocation, as outlined in Question 6. Because the 3–6 module activities are memory intensive, you may need to periodically restart your browser and/or computer while viewing the site.
    
    
12. 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? 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. If your browser becomes sluggish after the upgrade, and you are using a Macintosh with system 8.6–9.x, see Question 6.
    
    
13. I am having trouble playing QuickTime movies, even though I have the right plug-in. What's wrong? If your computer has a compatible browser and version 4.0 or later of the QuickTime plug-in, your browser may not have enough memory. Refer to Question 6.
    
    
14. The site appears to run normally with Internet Explorer 4.5 on the Macintosh. Do I have to upgrade? IE 4.5 cannot handle certain Flash elements and JavaScripts used in FOSSweb and is, therefore, below the site's minimum requirements. We strongly advise you to use version 5.1 or 5.2.
    
    
15. Why can't I use Internet Explorer 4.0 on the PC? IE 4.0 does not support the printing functions in FOSSweb and is, therefore, below the site's minimum requirements. We strongly advise using IE 5.0 and above.
    
    
16. Can I bookmark FOSSweb? Yes. Go to the Favorites (or Bookmarks) pull-down menu in your browser and select Add Page to Favorites. Please note, bookmarks to specific pages within a module will default to the module welcome pages.
    
    
17. Can I use pop-up blocking software with FOSSweb? No. The FOSS activities appear in pop-up windows. If you have pop-up blocking software installed on your computer, you will not be able to view the activities.
    
    
18. How can I change the display? You can change the display for many of the pages on FOSSweb by changing which fonts your browser uses. Macintosh IE users can change both the font and size by going into the Fonts section of your browser preferences. PC IE users will find this setting under Internet Options.
    
    
19. I am having trouble with my computer when the sound is on. Will I miss much if I turn it off? Sound is used extensively on FOSSweb. However, you can still enjoy the site without it. If the sound suddenly stops on the PC, try restarting your computer. Loss of sound indicates a memory problem, which may lead to other undesirable behavior, such as freezes and crashes.
    
    
20. Do you have any tips for viewing FOSSweb with a slow Internet connection? 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. In the latter case, 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.
    
    
21. Can I print pages on FOSSweb? You can print all pages on FOSSweb except for the Shockwave activities. In all cases, the center frame is printed without the top and side menu bars. If you are using Internet Explorer 4.0 on a PC, refer to Question 10.
    
    
22. How can I contact FOSS? If you are having technical problems with the web site, please contact FOSS using the Technical Questions Form. Do not use this e-mail for submission of materials or general questions about FOSS. For these kinds of inquires, please contact FOSS using one of our Submission Forms.
    
    
23. How do I submit materials to FOSSweb? We welcome user submissions to the site. You can submit pictures, movies, web sites, tips and tricks, posters, and questions to ask a scientist. You can also submit book, software and video titles. All submissions are moderated and approved by FOSS staff before they appear on FOSSweb. The questions for scientists and the posters have their own submission processes. Go the Posters or Ask a Scientist pages in individual modules for more information. Click here to submit any other resources.
    
    You must agree with the Terms of Use before submitting anything to FOSSweb, and all materials, once submitted, become the property of the FOSS program.
    
    
24. PDF files. Many files on LHS/FOSS are available in portable document format (pdfs). You need Acrobat Reader to download and view these files. Acrobat Reader is free and can be downloaded from http://www.adobe.com. If you have problems viewing the pdfs or get error messages, try saving the file directly to your computer (option-click on Macs or right-click on PCs or click and hold on the link until download options appear) and then opening the file from Acrobat Reader.
    
    
25. Who can I contact if my question has still not been answered? If you are having trouble using FOSSweb, please contact FOSS using the Technical Questions Form.