Site Help

-- a university of arizona course on methods and approaches for studying the future

The help items below are all technically oriented. You can get general class advice in the FAQ list, class tour, class course introduction or the overview of the futures topic.

Using Email

People (students and others) use their preferred email account, whether or not their is an official address or not. You can use any email program to exchange email, but please tell me if you change accounts (and let me know the new preferred address). Some people prefer a web based email (so they can get email through any browser) and others prefer a POP account (where the mail is automatically downloaded and stored and is therefore faster to use.

Using Internet

Take a look at the Internet guide (also located in the Tours section) to get a quick description of Internet and how to effectively use it for this class.

Browser and Overall Design Constraints

Only some of the tours require a frames capable browser, the home page requires a tables capable browser, and most pages are done with simple text/images. While older browsers should work, the browser manufacturers (Netscape and Microsoft Explorer primarily) made major changes with the 4.0 versions. Both browsers are free and you should acquire the most recent for their increased efficiencies, features, and look and feel. Rarely, someone might still be using the first text based browser (Lynx); if so, things will look a bit funny. If you are in this category you will be missing a lot of useful formatting and it will be more difficult to move around - it would be better to get one of the above mentioned graphics browsers. These later browsers also allow you to place your own entries on one of the task bars at top of screen; you can place this class home page there for convenience. Then you are only one click away from class!

Organization and Navigation Issues

• Take advantage of the home page layout. Many links to common answers to questions are found here.
• Key home page areas for navigation are assignments (keeps you informed about where the class is) and sitemap (a listing of nearly everything on one page).
• For help using your specific browser, use the "help" button at top of screen.
• For a general overview of the class content, look at the overview.

Using Caucus

• Go to Caucus and read the official help file. In addition, my own caucus help (including tips) is available from the caucus conference of the class web home page.
• Caucus is a "discussion" activity and differs from a listserv because you must select when you want to see the entries and because the discussion is "organized" within topics. You can always go back and read the old material but only the new material is given to you when you select "new". More details are on the caucus help page.
• There is a short etiquette summary on how to use computer conferencing and get along with your other classmates in the process.

What to do in an emergency

• Try any help files/buttons that are evident
• Send email to the instructor (address below) or call CCIT (Center for Computing and Information Technology) help (621-HELP) during normal business hours; you may have to leave a voice mail message.
• Call instructor (Roger Caldwell - 520-621-2010)
• Catch someone in class for an answer
• Remember, you can always get out by turning off the computer, you cannot hurt anything