Welcome to BlueStorm: General FAQ

Table of Contents

  1. Display Settings and New Windows
  2. Browser Requirements
  3. Required Additional Software
  4. Using BlueStorm
  5. Required Additional Software

Answers

  1. Display Settings

    Properly to view BlueStorm you must do the following. You must have your screen set at least at 1024x768, but BlueStorm is optimized for 1280 x 1024 or higher. Any setting lower than 1024 x 768 will result in your browser inundating you with scrollbars that can make viewing BlueStorm very difficult if not impossible. You must be set at a minimum of 16 bit color. Generally you should raise this setting even higher if your system will cope without any loss in speed. Display settings are adjustable under display- you can get to display from your control panel. Click on settings in the display menu and make the relevant adjustments. These changes do not require a reboot. If you are on a lan you may have to speak to the persons in charge of the station you are using. Mac or Linux users should consult the relevant documentation.

    On occasion BlueStorm will open a new window. These can typically be resized, though in some cases where it is not necessary they cannot. But even in this case you can drag the window around and place it where you want. In some cases this is very useful, for example if you want to keep the screen open while you are working. Browsers can be rather erratic in how they handle new windows. If you find you cannot see everything then maximize the window- this is the middle button on the top right of your screen. But note that little of this will help unless your settings are as specified above.

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  2. Browser Requirements

    BlueStorm is optimised for current browsers. Two current browsers are included on the CD. Most problems arise from using an outdated browser and can be solved by installing the current release of your favorite browser. But if you are running on a lan and having trouble you may have to speak to the persons in charge of the station you are using. As BlueStorm makes extensive use of style sheets you may have difficulty if you have Explorer lower than 5.5 or NetScape under 6.2.

    Those who are using older browsers or Internet Explorer may have problems with Java (TM Sun), something that is used extensively in BlueStorm. BlueStorm now incorporates an applet for truth table construction that requires the use of a java level not supported by Microsoft. In order to use this applet you will have to obtain the java engine provided by Sun Microsystems: Get Sun Java. (Should this link be inactive simply go to sun.com and find the current location.) Note that this java engine must be the one used by your browser if you are to use the truth table applet.

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  3. Additional Software

    BlueStorm uses some flash movies. These require a player. This is already present on most systems, since browser packages typically install it by default. However if you need one or want to update simply go to Macromedia and obtain the (free) appropriate player.

    BlueStorm uses some pdf files. These require a reader in order to view them This is not typically installed by default, so on many systems it is not already present. However if you need one or want to update simply go to Adobe and obtain the (free) appropriate reader.



    See the note under browsers for information on Java.

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  4. Here is how it works. Once you enter BlueStorm choose the exercises or quizzes from the topic that you wish to study. Once you open one you will find a screen that typically resembles this one (resizing of this image has caused some image degradation- if you click on it you can see a fuller sized version.



    The questions themselves will typically occupy the left of your screen. The blue bar at the upper right indicates the exercises set or quiz that you are undertaking. The '?' on the right of that bar will, if clicked, enable you to access the general help. The smaller bar immediately below that indicates how many questions there are in the exercise set and how many you have attempted. As each question incorporates a number of subquestions the bar below that indicates the number of subquestions you have attempted and the number you have gotten correct. The next blue bar tells you which question you are attempting. The '?' on the right of that bar will open the answer-explanation page. You will not benefit much from BlueStorm if you look at the answers before attempting the question. The panel below that is where you enter your answers. Precisely how you do that depends on the questions. As well as the help provided via the ? symbols there are from time to time additional links available inside a given question or explanation. These typically provide additional information. Many links available in this way open a new window in your browser. Simply close that window to return. Most explanations include an email link to someone who can help you. The use of the Email link requires going online. Finally on the right you will see several buttons that will, for example, reshow the question, mark your answers or enable you to move on. At the bottom right there is a dropdown menu that enables you to return to a main menu of your choice.

    The structure in Topic 7 is a bit different. But most are explained there. And you should be quite experienced with the use of your browser by then.

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