Teachers.Net - TEACHERS.NET Frequently Asked Questions
Internet Tips
Index of Computer FAQ
  • Clearing your cache
    • How do you dump your cache so you don't get gray outs?
    In Netscape 4.0 -- 4.04, go to Edit Preferences under Edit. Then go to Advanced/Cache, there you will see a button to hit for clearing your Cache. In Netscape 3.0 -- 3.04 go to Options/Network Preferences -- there you will find a button to hit to clear your Cache. In MSIE, under View, go to Options and then General in 4.0+ (Advanced in older versions), under Temporary Internet Files (Cache in -4.0), hit the Empty button.
  • Creating Web Pages
    • I'd like to set up a web page this summer...what should I do to get started? Is there a good reference book you've used, etc...?
    We actually have some surprisingly easy tools on our site to help you make a great webpage. We have the Homepage Maker http://www.teachers.net/sampler for example. It will not only create a nice webpage for you, but it is loaded with links and information about really doing a lot with your site for the least effort.
    Does the Homepage Maker cost anything?
    No!
    Netscape itself has an excellent webpage maker built right into itself. It can be found under the "File" menu, "New..." and then "Page from Wizard" (version 4.0+). This is different than their web editing application, this one is a javascript resource that pumps out cool starter webpages. Microsoft Publisher and Frontpage from Microsoft are two more programs that can be used.
    There are lots of good sources on the net, here are a few, http://www.webreference.com/
    http://158.132.100.221/INET_EDU.folder/WebTeachServ.html
    The Netscape Handbook for versions 3.0 -- 3.04 is found under "Help"
    http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/3.0/handbook/
    http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/
    http://www.projectcool.com
    Kevin Werbach's Bare Bones at
    http://www.werbach.com
    has a Bare Bones Guide to HTML - this contains a printable copy of all the web publishing tags for html (web page writing)
    I stare at that Homepage Maker longingly. But after you've picked buttons, icons, urls, graphics, etc., what do you do about getting it on the web?
    Once you've created a webpage, you need a server to store it on. Someplace where it will always be able to be found, and where others can get to it without your own computer being on. Luckily most dial-up providers (like AOL for example) offer their users some free website space, sometimes just a few hundred K, sometimes more. Once you have server space on someone's computer, you can now "publish" your pages where everyone can see them.
    There are several places on the net that offer free web space like Geocities and Angelfire.
    Most ISPs also provide space for their customers, check with your provider. If they do, they will give you instructions as to how to use file transfer protocol (ftp) to upload your page to the free universal resource location (url) that displays your page.
    Netscape Communicator can upload files to both http and ftp addresses. There's no need to purchase additional software. Nor do you have to jump around between two or three different programs when creating, previewing, editing, and publishing.
  • Downloading files
    • I use Windows 95 and am on AOL. Many times when I download files they are just a bunch of gibberish. Am I doing something wrong? I also have trouble finding them and I don't know if where I put them makes a difference as to their readability later! HELP!
    If you have trouble downloading files from links, many times it is because your browser has been set to default to the wrong MIME type (or do the wrong action) for that type of file/link. The MIME settings can be changed for a file type, but it's a bit technical (and I don't know how to do it for AOL). However, note that with Netscape and Internet Explorer you can right-click on a file/link and you will have the option to not only save the file (without opening it, which is the problem for you I think) as well as specifying where, on your computer you want the file to be saved.
    Watch the very most top box in the Save Window. Click and Scroll your way to where you want to save the download, It's a good idea to create a folder for downloads, and maybe even create a new folder within this folder for each new download. Watch the Path so that you will know where it is. After the download, go to the folder, look for the file with the .exe tag. Double click on it to start the Install. If you don't see your files' tags, open View /Options and select to show all files and hide none. Also select to see all file extensions or tags so that you will know what kind of file each is. If what you have downloaded is not an executable file, you won't find the (.exe) tag. You will see another tag. These tags help you to know what program to use to open the file. If you open something with the wrong program, it will either give you an error message or look like a "bunch of gibberish.
  • Gray Screens
    • My screen went gray. Why does that happen?
    Gray screens are caused by the server not being able to properly execute the program that runs this chatroom. When the server is unable to address as many requests as it gets, then the system may hiccup and send out a gray page. You'll note it happens more frequently when many people are on-line. The performance of the chatroom is affected by the number of people in the chatroom.
  • How to start using the Internet with kids
    • We're getting the internet in our classroom next year, any advice on how to start using it with kids?
    Here are a couple of sites with links and ideas to get you started;
    Yahooligans - Children's Search Engine
    http://www.yahooligans.com
    Ask Jeeves for Kids!
    http://www.ajkids.com
    Link to Learn
    http://www.l2l.org
    BONUS.COM the SuperSite for Kids
    http://www.bonus.com
    Kids Did This! Hotlist
    http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/hotlists/kids.html
    The Kids on the Web
    http://www.zen.org/~brendan/kids.html
  • Interrupted Downloads
    • Could you please tell me when I am downloading a file and stop before completion , do I need to do something to retrieve the part of the file that was already sent?
    These days, most broken FTP downloads can be resumed, but it is generally a
    function of the server on which the object being downloaded resides. People who do a lot of downloading from FTP sites should consider obtaining an FTP program such as CuteFTP, WS_FTP (PC) or Fetch(Mac). In these programs, when opening an FTP site, you will see a welcome screen. If the screen message says "This site can resume broken downloads" you can be pretty certain that the file will come across intact after
    resuming a download. As programs get larger and larger, and your ISP gets more tempermental, it becomes more important to be able to resume broken downloads.
    If you don't have a program like this, the best you can do is start over. If there's anything from the previous attempt you will get a message asking if you want to replace it, answer, "yes". It is supposed to be possible for your FTP program to go back to a file download and start back up where it left off, but too often there are errors, so it's best to start over. With win 3.1 and Windows95 there is a program you can download that will start downloads from the point of interruption...I am not sure how effective it is...but you can get it at www.shareware.com
  • Netscape Communicator causing computer freezes
    • Ever since I've been using Netscape Communicator my computer freezes. What could be the problem?
    Those of you who are having freezing troubles with Netscape version 4, here are two things that might help. If you're on Mac, versions 4.01-4.03 all had a java problem that caused frequent freezing up. Upgrading to 4.04 for the Mac may solve your problems. Also, those who are having trouble in general when upgrading to version 4, you should realize that Navigator 4 is very memory (RAM, not hard drive) hungry, and this low memory is usually the cause of frequent unexplainable crashes.
    What time do you think is the best time to download NS 4? And which should I get, Netscape communicator or NS 4??
    Communicator, if your system will handle it, because you then have everything you need in one package, Browser, Email, Page Editing and Creating, and Publishing Tools. Depending on your connection, the time of day is preferably late evening or early morning.
    How do you know if your system will be able to handle Communicator?
    Communicator uses up about 9-11 megs of RAM to run, so that, plus running your system - I'd say at least 24 megs of RAM, and System 7.5.3 or better.
    You can go to the Netscape site at
    http://cgi.netscape.com/cgi-bin/upgrade.cgi
    to see automatically. Check it out. If you can't afford more memory (it's cheap now!) then you should run version 3 of Netscape.
    Mac users may want to learn more about Memory Management, That's usually a problem with Macs, Here's an address.
    http://developer.apple.com/techpubs/macos8/mac8.html
    I have 3.1 gigs, should I get more?
    It depends what you want to store in that 3.1 gigs.
    Hard Drive memory space determines the number and size of programs and files that you can permanently save. (e.g. 3 gigs)
    RAM (Random Access Memory) determines the amount of memory available to run programs. When programs crash it most often is because of a lack of sufficient RAM. (e.g. 32 mg)
  • No Data messages
    • What does it mean when the message appears, No Data on this document? What do I do when this happens? Sometimes I have to log off and on again.
    I think that the net is just busy when the "no data" error appears. Just click on "OK" and then hit the link again and it usually works.
    When you get a "no data" error in a Teachers.Net chatroom, you can usually solve it in the following fashion: First, hit ok to the message. Second, hit the "refresh" button on the left. If you don't get a new page within ten seconds, try right clicking on the right screen where the messages appear and selecting "reload frame." Or try to hit the "Freeze" link up top followed by the "resume" link.
  • Preventing getting kicked off-line by a ringing phone
    • When my son's girlfriend calls and someone is on the net, she hits re-dial over and over until she kicks us off. Then the phone rings. Is there any way to block that?
    Add the prefix of *70, to the beginning of the dial up script...right before the ph number. Where you type in the ph# to dial up, add *70, right before the number. Then dial up. That blocks call waiting. Don't forget the comma - it pauses the dialer a second or two to disconnect the second line.
  • Safety in Student developed web pages
    • I have been doing a project that is part of some BBN research funded by the National Science Foundation and the Presidential Technology Initiative. My particular interest is student webpages used as a showcase for their work and a place where we can share what we've done with other classes worldwide. The question revolves around whether it is safe or not for students to develop and publish webpages. What kinds of information should they be allowed to include like first name, picture, interests, etc. along with the work they have completed. I have found many schools in the US using student webpages and wonder what other teachers think about this issue.
    It's very safe as long as you don't include any information that will enable someone to make direct contact with a student. All email responses to a web page should go through you or another teacher. No student Phone numbers or personal email address or snail mail address should be included. No school should post any student info outside of an intranet without a signed waiver from the student and the parents. Student's last names must never be used.
  • Saving favorites to disk
    • Can you save favorites to disk? I have an IBM with microsoft works and internet Explorer. I know you can do this with a Mac. But haven't figured out how to do it with my home PC.
    Open your Favorites, Select them and then in the File menu or from a right click pop-up window select, Send to Floppy.
  • Two versions of Netscape on a computer
    • I still have the Netscape Gold in my computer (PC)- Could it be what is conflicting with the Communicator?
    I doubt it. I also have both and even have them both open at times with no problems. Your problems are most likely due to not having enough RAM.
  • Upgrading Netscape on Networked computers
    • Our school system is on Netscape 2.0 and on fiber optics...can I up grade the computer on my desk to 4.0 without messing up the system?
    Good question! You most likely can install and run the program from your desktop without any problem, but you might have to know some network settings if you have to go through a firewall or gateway. Can your system administrator help you with that?
  • What value does the Internet hold for teachers?
    • Regarding the Internet, what value does it hold for teachers - What are the concrete benefits? For that matter, what value does Teachers.Net really offer teachers?
    I see many advantages of the internet for the classroom. I have my students doing research as well as learning games that they would think boring and dull if they had to do with the conventional textbooks. My class participates in projects and curriculum related activities that I would have never known about without Teachers.net and the internet! I use the Internet every day for research in lesson planning, finding worksheets, and sharing ideas from fellow educators. We did a postcard exchange and found a great school. Together we formed a wonderful partnership.
    I have been asked by the National Geographic Society to represent the midwest on a project because of a post card exchange I found out about at Teachers.Net! For a community of only 350 people that is something! It's called The Geo Mystery Project.
    http://www.hern.hawaii.edu/hern96/pt053/GEOMYstery/geomysCOL.html
    Teachers.net is of tremendous value to teachers. We have a place to ask questions, learn new things and vent or empathize. We can even let our hair down and make typos and nobody judges! I've had more dialogue with colleagues in the profession at Teachers.Net in 4 months than I have had in 4 years in my school!
    Teachers.net is the best mentor to have as a rookie Teacher--I'd be lost without the help.
  • Working the net with Special Needs kids who can't type or spell
    • Got any good ideas for working the net with Sp. ed. kids who can't type or spell?
    Mac has a utility called "talker" which makes web pages speak! PC users (possibly Mac also) can look into a peripheral called the Intellitype Keyboard. It allows the teacher to customize a graphics based "touch board" from which students can operate programs. There is no need for the student to type or spell.

     
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