Set up shop for this course
- 1. Log in to Sakai
- Verify that you can log-in to Sakai@UD and access the course area for ART 307. We'll use Sakai for taking quizzes and issuing grades. Please note that Sakai@UD is not completely compatible with the Apple Safari web browser.
- 2. Have you received e-mail from the instructor?
- The instructor's class mailing list uses your udel.edu address. Make sure that e-mail sent to your udel.edu address reaches you at your preferred e-mail address. If necessary, enable e-mail forwarding and make sure that all e-mail from udel.edu is accepted (white-listed).
- 3. Can you view web pages with more than one web browser on your computer?
- Install a minimum of two up-to-date web browsers on your personal computer. For Windows, the latest version of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome are recommended. For Macintosh, use the latest version of Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome are recommended. Opera is also an acceptable alternative browser. Be prepared to occasionally use the "other" platform (Windows or Mac) that is not your usual platform for further compatibility testing.
- 4. Do you have primary and secondary storage lined up for your course work?
- Use Flash or jump memory sticks, CDs, DVDs, and external hard drive (necessary for long full-size videos, but not required otherwise), or iPod. You are responsible for transferring anything you do during a class session off of the site computer at the end of class. What you take away will be your primary working copy. There is no assurance that work you do on a classroom or site computer will be there when you return. In addition, your are responsible for maintaining a second copy of project work in case of data loss, file corruption, or user error with your primary working copy. File management is an important skill to develop. Lost, overwritten, improperly named, incorrect file formats, or otherwise mishandled files are not an acceptable excuse for a missed assignment deadline with class or with clients.
- 5. Is your computer set to display file name extensions?
- Display file name extensions on your computer. File name extensions are the letters that come after the last dot in a file name. For instance, you can see in the current web browser's address location bar that the file extension for this web page is html. During this course, you will need to distinguish files on your computer by their file extension. For example, index.htm and index.html are not the same file, although that may not be evident if you can not see the file extension. Instructions for revealing file extensions are available for Windows and Macintosh.
- 6. Do you know where you'll use Photoshop and Dreamweaver?
- You'll need access to a variety of software programs to complete the assignments for this course. During the class sessions, we will primarily use Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Photoshop, and Apple Final Cut Express. Outside of class time, you can use the systems in 203 Recitation Hall, the Student Multimedia Design Center in the Morris Library, the lower level of Smith Hall, or purchase software for your own computer. Either Creative Suite version 4 or version 5 is acceptable at this time.
- 7. Are you prepared to install new programs, as needed?
- For starters, install the Firebug plug-in, available for Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Other programs and plug-ins will be introduced as we progress through the course. Instructions will be provided in class. Other software will be introduced as needed, including Perian, Dreamweaver CS4 HTML5 plug-in, VLC, Levelator, Flip4Mac, among others.
