Basic, ACE Edition
Frequently asked questions and instructor notes
Hardware requirements
Each student’s personal computer should have:
· A keyboard and a mouse
· An Intel Pentium 4, Intel Centrino, Intel Xeon, or Intel Core Duo (or compatible) processor
· At least 512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)
· 2.5 GB of hard disk space
· A CD-ROM drive for installation
· A monitor with a minimum resolution of 1280x960 at 24 bit color or better
Software requirements
You will need the following software:
· Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 3, or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise (certified for 32-bit editions), updated with the most recent service packs
· Flash CS4 Professional
· QuickTime 7 or later
· Internet Explorer
Network requirements
The following network components and connectivity are also required for this course:
· Internet access, for the following purposes:
– Downloading the latest critical updates and service packs from www.windowsupdate.com
– Downloading the student data files (if necessary)
First-time setup instructions
The first time you teach this course, you will need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer.
1 Install Windows XP on an NTFS partition according to the software manufacturer’s instructions. If the student machines have Internet access, and they are behind a software or hardware firewall, install the latest critical updates and service packs from www.windowsupdate.com.
Note: You can also use Windows Vista, but the screen shots in this course were taken in Windows XP, so students’ screens might look somewhat different.
2 From the Control Panel, open the Display Properties dialog box and apply the following settings:
· Theme — Windows XP
· Screen resolution — 1280 by 960 pixels
· Color quality — High (24 bit) or higher
Note: To avoid a blurred or distorted screen, users of flat panel or widescreen displays should either choose their monitor’s native resolution or disable image stretching and scaling if possible. Students’ screens may look slightly different at other resolutions.
3 Display file extensions and hidden files.
a Start Windows Explorer.
b Choose Tools, Folder Options and select the View tab.
c Clear the check box for “Hide extensions for known file types.”
d Select “Show hidden files and folders” and click OK.
e Close Windows Explorer.
4 Ensure that sound is enabled in order to complete the sound activities in the unit titled “Timeline animation and interactive buttons.”
5 Install Adobe Flash CS4 Professional according to the software manufacturer’s instructions.
6 Start Adobe Flash CS4 Professional. Choose Help, Updates to open the Adobe Updater. In the Adobe Updater, click Preferences. Uncheck “Automatically check for Adobe updates” and click OK.
Warning: The activities in this course were tested with updated software as of December 2008. If any subsequent Adobe updates include significant changes, some activities might not work exactly as described and some screen shots might not match what students will see on their screens. Therefore, if you choose to update the software, we strongly recommend that you go through the entire course, noting any changes so you can point them out during class.
7 Install the latest version of QuickTime (version 7 or later). The latest version can be downloaded from http://quicktime.apple.com. Accept all defaults during the installation.
8 Configure Internet Explorer to allow active content. This is necessary for several activities that preview animations in a Web browser.
a Start Internet Explorer and choose Tools, Internet Options.
b On the Advanced tab, under Security, check “Allow active content to run in files on My Computer.”
c If you are using Internet Explorer 7, activate the Programs tab. Click Manage add-ons to open the Manage Add-ons dialog box.
d In the Name list, select Shockwave Flash Object. Under Settings, select Enable.
e Click OK. If a message box appears, click OK.
f Click OK to close the Internet Properties dialog box.
9 Create a folder called Student Data at the root of the hard drive (C:\).
10 If you don’t have the CD that came with this manual, download the student data files for the course. You can download the data directly to student machines, to a central location on your own network, or to a disk.
a Connect to www.axzopress.com.
b Under Downloads, click Instructor-Led Training.
c Browse the subject categories to locate your course. Then click the course title to display a list of available downloads. (You can also access these downloads through our Catalog listings.)
d Click the link(s) for downloading the Student Data files, and follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
11 Copy the data files to the Student Data folder.
Setup instructions for every class
Every time you teach this course (including the first time), you will need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer.
1 If necessary, reset any defaults that you have changed in Flash.
2 Delete the contents of the Student Data folder.
3 Copy a fresh set of data files to the Student Data folder. (See the download instructions in the preceding section.)
Topic B: Frequently asked questions
There are no frequently asked questions for this course at this time.
Topic C: Course notes
There are no notes for this course at this time.
Topic D: Additional information
There is no additional information for this course at this time.