Technology Manual Online Geology
Dr. Suzie Alwash, ECC

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Getting Started On the Internet

First, you need access to a computer with Internet and Email capabilities. To access the Internet, you need a computer with a modem, a telephone line, an Internet Service Provider, and appropriate software.

If you don't already have access to a computer with Internet access, appropriate computers are available in the Library Media Technology Center (LMTC) located in the basement of the library's east wing. If you use this option, all you will need to do sign up for Email. If you don't have Email, you can get free Email at either of the following locations: http://www.hotmail.com, or at http://edit.my.yahoo.com.

If you have a computer available but haven't yet surfed the net, you need to make sure that your computer has a modem that hooks up to a telephone line. You also need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as America Online, AT&T WorldNet, or EarthLink. Free Email and low-cost Internet Access is also provided by LA FreeNet. See the following table for phone numbers. Your ISP will provide you with an Email address.

Equipment Requirements

Hardware: Minimum hardware requirements for online courses include an IBM-PC 386 (or compatible) or better, with at least 4 MB RAM (8 MB recommended), running Windows 3.1 or Windows 95. A comparable Macintosh computer will serve equally well.

Modem requirements: A modem is required; one that can transfer data at 14.4 Kb/sec or faster is strongly recommended.

Telephone requirements: A telephone line is required to connect to the modem. You can use the telephone line in your house, but be aware that while you are online, you cannot receive or make other calls. If you have call waiting, it should be disabled in order to use the modem.

Software: The publisher of WebBoard recommends that users have Netscape 3 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3 or a higher version of either. Version 3 is necessary in order to use the chat feature of WebBoard.

Online Services

The following table compares various online services and their costs as of January 1999.

Voice contact numbers:
  America Online  (800) 827-3338
  AT&T  (800) WORLDNET
  Earthlink  (626) 296-2400
  LA FreeNet  (818) 954-0080

Our Class Website

To get to your virtual classroom, start up your software program (Internet Explorer or Netscape or whatever) and type the following in the box labeled "address":
http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/salwash
Hit the "enter" or "go to" key and you'll be there. You'll need to log on at least once a week. Your screen should show two frames. The left frame is always there and functions as a table of contents to the website. To explore the website, place your cursor (mouse) any underlined word and click on your left mouse button. You can use the arrows on your menu bar to go backwards and forwards as you traverse the page. I think that most everything on the website is self-explanatory if you have basic familiarity with the Internet. If not, I will be holding a technology session - be sure to attend. If you click on the line that says "talk to students" you will be taken to the WebBoard set up for our class - that does require some instructions you will find below.

WebBoard

WebBoard gives you a way to exchange messages with others. WebBoard is similar to computer bulletin board services in that it lets you have discussion forums and real-time chat sessions.

Logging on to WebBoard

El Camino College uses WebBoard software for Web conferencing. To access the software, you need the URL of your course's WebBoard. Go to that WebBoard using your Internet Web browser. The current URL addresses for online geology is:
http://webboard.elcamino.cc.ca.us/~geology/login

NOTE: You must have "cookies" enabled in your Web browser. Accept any cookies that WebBoard gives to your computer. They are simply a means by which WebBoard keeps track of visits by frequent users.

Once you have reached the address, you will see a Welcome page where you can log in as a Guest, a New User, or as an Existing User

Registering As a New User

The first time you log in, you need to choose a unique login name and password. These will be required each time you log in to WebBoard (unless you have WebBoard remember your name and password). You will then be asked to complete a short user profile. Follow the directions on the screen and fill in the required blanks marked with red dots. When you have completed entering information, click Create. You will see the WebBoard's Welcome user page, where you can link to the Conferences list, from which you can participate in conferences and chat sessions.

Registering as an Existing WebBoard User

Use this option is you are already a WebBoard user. Enter your name and password in the two textbox fields. You will not need to do this if you have asked WebBoard to remember your name and password.

Remember my Password

Check this box to have WebBoard remember your password for six months. You won't have to enter it each time you log in. NOTE: If you are using a computer to reach WebBoard that others may also use for WebBoard access (for example, a computer in a computer lab), do not check the box on the login page that tells WebBoard to remember your password. Don't check the box, at least, while you are using WebBoard from that particular computer. WebBoard remembers passwords by recording them to the hard drives of whatever computers are used to access the software when the box is checked.

• When you post messages, you are identified by your real name (that is, whatever you give them as your real name), not your login name.
• You need to know your email address in order to log in. Once you enter an email address, only I can change it (I'd be happy to); otherwise you can change anything by editing your profile. Your email address doesn't have to belong to you -- but you'll need to be able to access it to get your temporary password.
• Be sure to choose Frames view.
• After completing the login profile, check your Email for your temporary password and be sure to log back onto the webboard using this password within 24 hours. Then you can change it by editing your profile.
• If you ever forget your password, go ahead and try to log in (you will need to remember your login name) and click on "forgot your password?" and it will be sent to the Email specified on your profile.

Once You're In Our WebBoard

The WebBoard has three main parts. The conference list (left frame) displays conferences, topics, and messages. These are arranged like the chapter and subchapter headings in a book. The message window (right frame) is the working area where information and forms are displayed. For example, the message window is where you read and post messages. The top frame is the menubar, which has buttons for using WebBoard's commands and features. If you don't see this, edit your profile and make sure that you selected frames mode.

Using the Menubar

Here is a table with some of the most important menubar commands and menu items that are associated with those commands.

Browsing Conferences

Before you participate in any conferences, take a few minutes to browse them. That way you can see what information is in the conference and how others are presenting information.

Each conference is like a chapter heading. Next to each conference, there's a + sign inside a box. Click on the plus sign (it will change to a - sign) to see the actual messages that have been placed in the conference. Click on the underlined message title, and the message will appear in the right frame of the WebBoard. Then you can do a lot of things.

• Read the message and move on by clicking a difference conference or topic.
• Respond to the message on the WebBoard. Remember that anyone in the world can see your response. Click on the blue-underlined "reply" that should be both above and below the original message. (note, please don't use the "reply/quote"). Compose your reply, and then click on "post" to send.
• Respond privately to the message by emailing the person. Do this by clicking on the blue underlined "Email Reply" or on the blue underlined Email address next to the person's name (after "From").
• Post a new message in the conference. This differs from a reply in that the reply will be listed as a sub-heading under the original message. A new message will be listed as a separate heading directly below the existing messages. Do this by clicking on the blue underlined "Post" above the message or "Post New Topic" below the message or the "POST" button on the black toolbar.

The listed conferences and their purposes are as follows:

• Announcements: Subscribe to this mailing list; then my messages here will be broadcast to all of you out there so you won't miss anything like test dates, extra credit assignments, or grade postings.
• Classroom Bulletin Board: This provides an area for students to discuss geology questions, set up study groups, talk about some great roadside geology, ask for computer-related help, or address administrative or logistical questions.
• Chat Room: This is where we can hold chat sessions for real-time live discussions.

Due to a quirk in the WebBoard program, after you finish reading all of the messages, you must click on the menu bar "mark all read" to get rid of the NEW sign over the topics.

Reading Attachments

Some of my messages, and some of yours, may have computer files attached to them. Almost all of my files that you will need to read are in HTML -- which means they can be read directly. If my message indicates that there's an attachment, look beneath the message for a little icon picture then an underlined file name. You can click on the file name and the text will appear on your full screen. You may either read it, print it (using your main menu "Print" command on the upper tool bar) or download it (using your "File" "Save As" buttons also on your upper tool bar of your browser software). Most of the files can then be read using Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Power Point (I'll indicate which one). If you're living in a different computer world, just try compatible programs. Once you've finished with the attachment, you can't get back to the three-frame view of conferences by clicking the "Back" button like you normally would. Look at the bottom of your screen and locate the file name that you're reading. Click on it with your right mouse key and select "Close." Or using your left mouse key, click back on the minimized WebBoard button.

Mailing Lists

Take a minute right now to subscribe to mailing lists. This will send all new conference messages to your Email address. At a minimum, subscribe to the "New Announcements" mailing lists. To do this, click on the black button bar marked "MORE". A listing of possible actions appears on the right frame. Click on the underlined "Mailing Lists" and then click on the boxes to subscribe to mailing lists. (Note: Email notify provides a similar service, but only alerts you that a message has been posted, and doesn't give you the full message. I prefer mailing lists. Don't do both its redundant.) If you only want to receive messages once a day, edit your profile and choose "digest mode" for mailing list format. Non-digest mode will get them to you immediately. Note that attached files are not sent via either mode.

Chatting

We will probably schedule optional appointments to meet in the virtual world of the Chat Room. If you have problems getting in to the chat room, maybe you're not using the right software. You must have a program that is Java enabled. You must be using MS Internet Explorer (3.0 or higher) or Netscape Navigator (3.0 or higher). If you do not have either of these programs, go to the ECC homepage at http://www.elcamino.edu/; on the bottom of the page is the symbol and a link to download MS Internet Explorer. Click on the link and download the program, then try again using Internet Explorer.

Basically, you select "Chat" from the black menu bar, then click on the underlined "Chat Room." Then type in some text in the box, click "Send" and you're talking. Remember, anyone in the world could be listening in. If you want to get fancy, you can use the "compose" box. Select "close" when you're ready to leave.

Remember your study groups can always schedule your own chats. You will always know who is in the room, and the mailing lists don't provide everyone with the text of the chats.

More Information about WebBoard

WebBoard has extensive online help available. You can reach it simply by clicking on "Help" in the menubar.

General Considerations in the Use of Computer Communications

• Please sign all messages with your name and e-mail address at the end.
• Don't violate any laws, including state/federal laws and regulations affecting electronic communications.
• Don't violate the confidentiality of private e-mail.
• Don't violate copyrights when posting messages incorporating the work of others.
• Be polite.
• Be concise by limiting the length of your messages. Some Internet providers limit the size of attachments that can be received, or the size of a single message, including any attachment.
• E-mail messages can be subpoenaed in legal actions.
• Do not forward "junk mail" messages to other people.
• Avoid typing your message text in all capital letters. This is regarded as SHOUTING!