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Frequently asked questions and instructor notes
All our courses assume that each student has a personal computer to use during the class. Our hands-on approach to learning requires that they do. This topic gives information on how to set up the classroom to teach this course. It includes minimum requirements for the students’ personal computers, setup information for the first time you teach the class, and setup information for each time that you teach after the first time you set up the classroom.
Hardware requirements
Each student’s personal computer should have:
· A keyboard and a mouse
· A Pentium 700 MHz processor (or higher)
· At least 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
· 2 GB of available hard-disk space
· A DVD-ROM drive
· An XGA or better monitor, capable of 24-bit color or more (1,024
´
768 monitor resolution) with 16-bit video card
Software requirements
You will need the following software:
· Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 2, Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1
· Microsoft Expression Web 2
· Mozilla Firefox 3 or later
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
– Installation of the .NET
Framework during installation of
Expression Web 2.
– Downloading the student data files (if necessary)
First-time setup instructions
|
If you’ve already taught this course and are preparing to teach it again, you can use the abbreviated setup instructions provided in the following section. See “Setup instructions for every class.” |
The first time you teach this course, you 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’re 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 or Windows Server 2003, but the screen shots in this course were taken using Windows XP, so students’ screens will look somewhat different. |
2 Install Microsoft Expression Web 2 according to the software manufacturer’s instructions. Install the .NET Framework if you are prompted to do so by the Expression Web 2 setup wizard. (This might require you to update the Windows Installer as well.)
3 Adjust the computer’s display settings. Right-click the desktop, choose Properties to open the Display Properties dialog box, and change settings as follows:
· On the Settings tab, change the Color quality to 16 bit or higher and the Screen resolution to 1024 by 768 pixels. (If your monitor is small, consider using a higher screen resolution, if possible.)
· On the Appearance tab, set Windows and buttons to Windows XP style.
Click OK. If you’re prompted to accept the new settings, click OK and click Yes. Then, if necessary, close the Display Properties dialog box.
4 Adjust Internet properties as follows:
a Start Internet Explorer. Choose Tools, Internet Options.
b On the General tab, click Use Blank and click Apply.
c On the Advanced tab, under Security, check Allow active content to run in files on My Computer, and click Apply.
d Close the Internet Options dialog box and close Internet Explorer.
Windows Vista setup: In the Internet Options dialog box, on the Security tab, select the Local intranet zone, then set its security level to Low. Close the Internet Options dialog box. If an information bar appears about security, click it and choose “Don’t show this message again.”
5 Display file extensions.
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 Close Windows Explorer.
Windows Vista setup: Click the Start button and choose Control Panel, Appearance and Personalization, Folder Options. Activate the View tab, clear “Hide extensions for known file types,” and click OK.
6 Install the latest version of Mozilla Firefox. (You can download Firefox free of charge at www.mozilla.com/firefox.
a Accept all default settings during the installation.
b When prompted, import bookmarks and the home page from Internet Explorer.
7 Use Internet Explorer to download and install the QuickTime plug-in from www.apple.com/quicktime. Accept all defaults during installation.
8 Download and install Flash Player from www.adobe.com. Accept all defaults during installation.
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.
12 Start Expression Web 2. If
the Privacy Options dialog box appears, click Next. Activate the software and
set it to not download updates. Close Expression
Web 2.
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, uninstall and then reinstall Microsoft Expression Web 2 to reset any defaults that have been changed in previous classes. If you don’t wish to reset the defaults, you can still re-key the course, but some activities might not work exactly as documented.
2 Delete the contents of the Student Data folder, if necessary. (If this is the first time you’re teaching the course, create a folder named Student Data at the root of the hard drive.)
3 Copy the data files to the Student Data folder. (See the download instructions in the preceding section.)
4 In Internet Explorer, set the home page address to about:blank.
CertBlaster software
CertBlaster pre- and post-assessment software is available for this course. To download and install this free software, students should complete the following steps:
1 Go to www.axzopress.com.
2 Under Downloads, click CertBlaster.
3 Click the link for Expression Web 2.
4 Save the EXE file to a folder on your hard drive. (Note: If you skip this step, the CertBlaster software will not install correctly.)
5 Click Start and choose Run.
6 Click Browse and then navigate to the folder that contains the EXE file.
7 Select the EXE file and click Open.
8 Click OK and follow the on-screen instructions. When prompted for the password, enter c_expWeb 2.
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.