Installing the WxScope Plugin Software for Windows 95/98/NT Before You Install System Requirements for Windows: Designed to run on modern personal computing platforms, the WxScope Plugin works with the latest versions of the Windows operating system. The current release requires Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer. If you have the following setup, you can use the WxScope Plugin on your PC: • A Pentium-based computer. • Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, or higher. • A TCP/IP or PPP-based connection to the Internet, such as OneNet or a commercial Internet Service Provider. • Netscape Navigator or Communicator (versions 3.x, 4.x), or Microsoft Internet Explorer* (versions 3.x, 4.x, 5.x). • Quicktime 4 is required to save movie and graphic formats other than BMP. * Internet Explorer users should read the special instructions near the end of this document. To Install the WxScope Plugin Software for Windows • Quit all applications, including your web browser. • Double-click on the installer icon as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 • To begin the installer, click "Next" (Figure 2). Figure 2 • Read the Read Me information listed in the window. When you are ready to continue, click "Next" as shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 • Read the Software License Agreement. When you are ready to continue, click "Yes" (Figure 4). Figure 4 • The installer in ready to begin copying files to your computer. Click "Next" to continue (Figure 5). Figure 5 • Depending on which applications are on your hard drive, you may see the dialog box in Figure 6. This dialog box lets you select in which Plugins folder you want the software installed. For example, the hard drive of the computer used in Figure 6 contains several folders named Plugins. The installer program is not sure in which Plugins folder to install the WxScope Plugin. Select the Plugins folder inside either the Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer Program folder. Once the correct folder has been selected click, "OK". The installer will then install the software onto your hard drive. Figure 6 • When the installer has ended, click "Close" (Figure 7). Figure 7 Using the WxScope Plugin The following instructions will help you get started using the WxScope Plugin within your web browser. For further instructions on use of the WxScope Plugin software, read the WxScope Plugin Quick Reference by entering the URL: http://sdg.mesonet.org/docs/wxscopeplugin/quickref.html • Open your web browser. (If you have more than one web browser installed, be sure to select the one that has the WxScope Plugin installed.) • Enter the following URL: http://www.mesonet.ou.edu/public/ • Enter the username and password given to you by the Oklahoma Mesonet Project. Click "OK". • Select "Interactive Products" from the menu bar near the top of the page. • A map of the current conditions across the state should load and display. If no map appears, repeat the installation instructions step-by-step to verify that you installed the software in the correct folder. If a map still does not appear on the WxScope Plugin page, contact a Mesonet operator at (405) 325-3231 or operator@mesonet.org. • Select other types of maps to display using the selections labeled below the WxScope Plugin map. • Enjoy! Special Note for Internet Explorer Users In order to enable the auto-update feature of the WxScope Plugin you must make a small change in the preferences. • Open Internet Explorer. • In the Tools menu, select "Internet Options..." (Figure A1). Figure A1 • In the Temporary Internet files section, click "Settings" (Figure A2). Figure A2 • In the Settings window, click the radio button "Every visit to the page" (Figure A3). Figure A3 • Click "OK" in the Settings window and Internet Options window to save the changes. Troubleshooting Tips Q: I installed the WxScope Plugin but it doesn't appear on the screen. A: If you followed the installation procedure correctly, then it is likely that you installed the plugin in a different web browser than you are using. In particular, if you completed the installation procedure, yet you see the icon in Figure T1 when you try to view a product, you didn't install the plugin in the correct folder. Quit your web browser, repeat the installation procedure, and pay special attention to your choice of web browsers during the step shown in Figure 6. Figure T1 Q: I installed the plugin but I can't get any of the new software features working. A: If you followed the installation instructions correctly, the it is likely that you installed the plugin in a different web browser than you are using. Quit your web browser, repeat the installation procedure, and pay special attention to your choice of web browsers during the step shown in Figure 6. Q: I can see a map/graph, but it's not updating. A: If you are a Netscape user, contact a Mesonet operator at (405) 325-3231 or operator@mesonet.org. If you are an Internet Explorer user, see the Special Note for Internet Explorer Users section in this document.