[Platforms & Operating Systems]
[Hardware Requirements]
[Web Browsers]
[Troubleshooting]
[Related Links]
Physics 2000
System Requirements & Troubleshooting
The fact that you're reading this page means you're most of
the way there for enjoying the Physics-2000 web site. We just
have to make sure you are able to fully use the "applets" that are an
integral part of these pages. We rely
heavily on embedded mini-programs (the "applets") written in the
Java programming language
developed by Sun Microsystems.
The really cool thing about Java is that applets run on most
computers, regardless of the operating system.
You need to have a web browser (such as
Netscape or Internet Explorer)
that is Java-aware, and preferably a
computer that is on the quick side. That's the bad news. The
good news is that you
don't need any other plug-ins, extensions, or special sound or video
features
to experience Physics-2000. We do have
a lot of pictures and graphics that look much better when
viewed on a monitor that can support thousands of colors (16 bit), but
if you only have 256 colors (8 bit) everything will still work
just fine.
"How do I know if my web browser supports Java applets?"
Simple. Look below this paragraph. If you see a cool animated
atom, that's a Java applet and you're all set. If you see a
message telling you that you need a new browser, you probably do,
although you may only have to activate Java
on your current browser.
There is a lot of technical support out there for internet
connections and web browsers, so this resource will focus
mostly on getting Java running smoothly on your computer.
There are a variety of links at the bottom
of the page if you require more help.
The World Wide Web, and the Java language, run on a variety
of platforms, including Windows, the Macintosh, and many Unix
systems. If you have questions about
other operating systems, please email
Physics 2000 and
we'll see if we can help.
Windows95
Unix and Windows are the platforms on which the Java effort
has been the most focused. Consequently, Java seems to run
more smoothly here. If you're using Windows95, we recommend
using Microsoft's Internet Explorer as
your browser.
MacOS
The Macintosh based Java effort has been lagging behind
Windows since its inception. Apple has been making up for it to some extent by
releasing their own software, but in general Java seems to
be a little shaky still on the Mac. Expect more crashes and
system freezes. Netscape's Navigator 3.1
is the browser of choice for the Mac.
MacOS 8.0 If you are using System 8.0 on a
Macintosh, then instead of Netscape we suggest using Internet Explorer,
because rather than have a built-in Java Virtual Machine, it uses
Apple's extension, called "Macintosh Runtime Java" (MRJ 2.0). This
is by far the sweetest setup for running Java.
UNIX
Of course, Java is available in UNIX using either the Netscape
Navigator or the Internet Explorer. However, there are many flavors
of UNIX and many versions to be aware of. We suggest that you visit
either Netscape or Microsoft to learn more about exactly how to
get the browser that's right for you.
Java, while being an exceptionally cool and flexible language,
is not tremendously speedy, thanks to its platform independence
and net-security features. Therefore it is very useful
to have a fast computer. It is recommended that you
have a Pentium or equivalent if you're running Windows, and
a PowerMac for running the MacOS. Older machines, such as
a 486 or a Mac Quadra, will work, but they will be slow. Anything
slower than that could be a source of long waits and lots of
frustration.
The second consideration is that Java runs on what is called
a "virtual machine," or a simulated computer that runs inside
your computer's memory. Kind of like a parasite, but
a nice one. What this means is that you need lots
of memory (RAM) to run it smoothly. You should have a
minimum of 16 megabytes of RAM on your computer, but even more
is better. Netscape 3.0 on the Macintosh is a particularly
notable memory pig.
Finally, Java requires more data to be pulled over the internet,
so a fast internet connection, while not essential,
certainly makes browsing more enjoyable. If you're using
a modem you should get away with 28.8 kbps, but a live (non-phone)
connection is preferable.
You basically have the choice of two browsers: Netscape
Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Both are
Java enabled. There are a couple other choices, including Sun's HotJava
(which happens to be written entirely in Java) and Apple's Cyberdog but if you go
those routes you're on your own.
Oh, yeah...and if you want to download a new web browser, they're all
free.
It's
likely that Netscape's Navigator is the browser you're using to read this.
However, you may be using an older version of Netscape. If
you aren't sure what version you have, choose "About Netscape..."
from the Help menu (on Windows) or the Apple menu (on a Mac). If
you want to download Navigator 3.1, click the icon above.
WARNING Navigator 4.0 for the Macintosh (and
4.01
and all of its
siblings) is NOT reccomended. It has a terrible bug in its
implementation of Java which makes most of the applets in Physics
2000 look awful. For the techies out there, the problem is that
transparent GIFs are not transparent. This bug has been reported
many times to Netscape, but they don't seem terribly interested in
fixing it. Our suggestion: delete 4.0 from your machine and get
Internet Explorer instead.
Internet Explorer, in most ways eerily similar to Navigator, has
one big advantage on Windows95: it runs Java applets much faster.
It also avoids a graphics display problem
that Navigator for Windows95 seems to have.
However, we at Physics-2000 have had a lot of trouble
getting applets to run correctly on the Macintosh version of
Internet Explorer. Hopefully that will be fixed soon. If you
want to download Internet Explorer 3.0, click the cute animated
icon.
Only available on Macintosh,
Cyberdog 2.0 is in final release, and so won't be upgraded ever, but has
everything you need to go through this website. In many ways it makes
navigating through large web sites easier than with either of the other
two main web browsers. You need at least System 7.5.3
and a 68030 or better processor. Under System 8 this browser runs
beautifully, though the java is a bit slower than NN 4.0 and IE 4.0.
You will need MRJ 1.5 or 2.0 to use
Java. (MacOS 8 comes with MRJ 1.0.2, so remember to upgrade.)
If you want to download Cyberdog 2.0, click the icon above.
The nice thing about Cyberdog is that it almost never crashes.
(Note, if you are running MRJ 2.0, you'll need to go
here.)
Activating Java
Once you have the right browser, you still need to make sure that
it's "turned on" for your machine. This basically involves just
flipping a switch:
For Netscape Navigator, pick
"Network Preferences..." from the Options menu, click the
"Languages" tab, and make sure "Java" is checked. You may
have to restart Netscape.
For Microsoft Internet Explorer, pick "Options..." from
the View menu, click the "Security" tab, and check "Enable
Java Programs" down near the bottom. While you're at it, click
the "Advanced" tab and make sure "Enable JIT Compiler" is
checked. This is the way hip feature that makes Internet
Explorer run Java applets so quickly.
For Cyberdog, java is activated by default, but you can make sure
if you go into the preferences.
This is a list of problems we've encountered, with solutions,
work-arounds, or vivid descriptions of the hopelessness of the
situation, perhaps with additional gratuitous diatribes directed
toward the responsible parties. If you have a problem or find
a bug that is not in this list, please send us email so we can figure out
what's wrong and add it to the list. (If you include the solution
that would be even better!)
First, make sure you have a Java-aware browser. See the section
on browsers above.
If you do have the right browser and it's still not working,
you might have Java turned off, and all you have to do is
activate
it.
A couple of things to check. If all of the
pictures look "grainy" it might be that your computer
is set to 256 (8 bit) color. Open up the control
panel called "Monitors" (on the Mac) or "Display" (on a PC)
and make sure it's set to the color depth
you want.
The other possibility, if only some of the graphics
are grainy, is that you're using Netscape for Windows95. If
this is the case, then the images displayed by Java applets
will have a reduced color palette, while graphics displayed
normally as part of the page will appear normally. Unfortunately,
we're stuck with this situation until Netscape fixes it.
Hello, Netscape? Are you reading this?
"I can't read the choices in the popup menus because the
font is too small."
If you're on a Macintosh, we've seen this, too.
In our case, there was a font conflict. It was with some fonts which
were intended for a laser printer. They were fonts that were unneeded
in our case, and removing them solved the problem. Let us know if
you have this problem, but not our solution.
"I have Cyberdog 2.0 installed with MRJ 2.0 and it still doesn't run
java."
It's most probably because you need a file called "Apple
Applet Viewer," and it needs to be put into the folder Macintosh HD :
System Folder : Editors : Cyberdog Libraries. When you download the
file and put it in its place, quit and restart CyberDog and all should
be well.
Netscape Navigator 3.0 and 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 and 4.0
Apple Cyberdog 2.0
