Iris (1999)

In the establishment of the Journal of Technology in Counseling, several development issues needed to be addressed. Questions of format and platform were raised, trying to decide how to make the Journal accessible to the largest group of readers. Looking at the major browsers available, Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) and Netscape Navigator, a comparison was made of the ease in which each browser accessed multimedia web presentations. Since articles submitted to the Journal will incorporate audio, video, and graphics, it is important to have a browser that supports the various formats of media that are used. In this article, as in others found in the Journal, pictures and hyperlinks within the article can be clicked on to provide pop-up windows containing larger versions of the pictures, video and audio links, or a complete list of the bibliography for the article. While there are several plug-ins available to use with both browsers, being able to use a browser that has plug-ins that work seamlessly with the software will offer the easiest access to the readers of JTC.

With this comparison completed, a decision was made to format the content of JTC for use with Explorer. The latest edition of MSIE, 5.0, is downloadable in a version that is easily upgraded to include the plu

g-in needed to display and access the various platforms to be used in the articles published in the Journal. The plug-in, Windows Media Player, can be downloaded relatively quickly, and works seamlessly with MSIE. In order to insure that all readers of JTC have access to MSIE and Media Player, and are able to download and install the software, this article will provide the information needed to proceed in doing so. Images shown are thumbnail shots of larger screens, which can be accessed by clicking on the image to get a view of the actual window.

To start downloading or upgrading software, a new browser window will be needed. This can be opened by going to the top left corner of the browser window that is opened now, clicking on File, and then on either New and Window or New Web Browser. Once this browser window is open, it will need to be directed to the download site. Return to File at the top left, and this time click on Open or Open Location. Once the popup window has opened, type in the following url, or web address: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/download/ie5all.htm,which will take you to a page that looks like this. Or, move the cursor above the blue text above, click the right button on the mouse, and then click on Open in New Window to get to the download site. While these instructions are written for Windows users, a Mac version of MSIE 4.5 is also available at the site listed above.

Depending upon which operating system is being used will determine which edition to download. For this article, the Windows 95/NT version will be demonstrated. From this point, a language will need to be chosen, which is done by clicking into the circle to the left of English, and then on the blue arrow that says Next>>.

A popup window will open, to ask whether to download the installation program or to run it from the site. To avoid any difficulties in installation later, this file will be saved on the computer. The popup window should look like this. . .

Once the Save this program to disk circle has been checked, click on the OK button at the bottom to continue the process. A window titled Save As will open, with ie5setup shown in File name. In order to keep this installation file separate from other files in the directory shown, a new folder will be created and named Msie5.

Creating the new folder can be done by clicking on the yellow folder icon along the top of the Save As window that has the sparkle on it. Once it opens a New Folder, change the name of the folder to Msie5 by typing over the top of the highlighted words New Folder. Click on the folder Msie5 in the Save As box, and then click on the Save button in the lower right.

After clicking the OK button, it will be necessary to open the file that was just downloaded. To access this file, click on the Start button on the lower left of the screen, and then move up the toolbar and click on Run. In the popup window that opens, type in ie5setup, and click on the OK button. Once done, a Windows Update window will open. In this window, read the Users Agreement, click next to I accept the agreement, and then the Next> button.

Another Windows Update window should now open, offering a choice of which installation to setup. For the JTC, it is recommended that the Typical set of 16.6MB be used, as this includes the various plug-ins necessary to access the multimedia files that will be used in subsequent articles.

Another window will open, showing the progress of the file download. Due to the size of the file, it may take up to two hours for this process to complete. It is important to maintain the connection during this download, as any interruption would result in the download process having to start over. This can be particularly challenging, if it occurs half-way through the process.

Once downloading is complete, the system will automatically start to install the components on the system. The installation will take anywhere from a few to several minutes, depending on the speed of the processor and hard drive on the system. No action is needed by the operator at this time. The original configuration of the system is backed up during the installation should there be a need for MSIE 5.0 to be uninstalled at a later date.

The program will automatically optimize the system prior to conclusion, at which time it will request that the computer be restarted in order for the new settings to be recognized by the computer. There is a button at the bottom of this window marked Finish, make sure all other programs have been shut down prior to pushing this button.

Once restarted, Windows Update will open, and set up Browsing Services, Internet Tools, Security, and System Services. No action is required, as this will occur as part of the Windows reboot. The time for this to complete is again dependent on the speed of the processor and disc drive in the system. After the reboot is completed, any icons that previously existed on the desktop will access the updated files. With this software package loaded, readers will be ready to install the plug-in used to access the video files within the articles.

The process for downloading and installing Media Player is similar to that of MSIE 5.0. The site to visit to download the latest version, Media Player 6.4, is located at the following url: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/download/Win32IE4x86.asp Once the page has opened, insure that the drop-down window in the center of the page says English Language Version, and click on the blue button marked Download Now.

After clicking on the button, a new window will open, offering a prompt to either Run the program from its current location, or Save this program to disk. Move the cursor over the circle ahead of Save, click so that a dot appears in the circle, and then move to the button at the bottom of the window marked OK, and click it. This will start the download process for Media Player.

Since the browser will automatically reopen the folder where MSIE 5 was stored, click again on the Save button, and the download process will proceed as shown below. Click in the small box at the lower left marked Close this dialogue box when download completes, so that there is no check mark in the box. This will allow for easy installation once the file is on the local computer.

Once the process of downloading is complete, click on the button at the lower center of the window, marked Open. Doing so will start the installation process.

A new window will open, prompting to either Install Now, or Customize the installation. Click in the circle next to Install Now, and click on the OK button at the lower right of the window.

The next window that will open will advise of the installation of a Multimedia Component Update, which should be left to continue installation.

A Welcome window will open, for the installation process to start. At this point, make sure that all other windows programs are closed (including the web browser), and click on Yes to continue.

The Supplemental EULA (End Users License Agreement) will open, and, after reading, click on the button marked Yes to proceed with installation.

After clicking yes, a window will open showing the extraction of the files in the instalation process.

Depending on the speed of the processor and drive, this should be a fairly quick process, requiring no further interaction during the setup. Once the software has finished loading, the final window will open, showing that Windows Media Player Setup has completed. Click on the button marked OK, and the installation of MSIE 5.0 and Media Player is finished, allowing for complete access to the various audio, video, and graphic files that are embedded in the articles found within the Journal.

This basic, step by step description of the downloading and installation of MSIE 5.0 and Media Player is intended to simplify the readers accessibility of the Journal of Technology in Counseling. While other browsers can be used to read the articles in the Journal, articles written and formatted for publication will be put in a format that interfaces most closely with Explorer. Plug-ins are available for other browsers, and can be located by going to the homepage of each respective browser. By using MSIE 5.0 and Media Player, readers can make full use of the content offered within articles in the Journal, in a mode that was not previously available. Display of ideas in such a multifaceted manner will potentially bring a more thorough understanding of the content presented, and perhaps spur additional work in the area of discussion.

Keith F. Iris, Jr. MSE, NCC is a doctoral student in Counselor Education at Auburn University. Webmaster and Listowner of various counseling related and other web resources, he provides services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS at East Alabama AIDS Outreach in Auburn, AL. Iris can be contacted via email at: tige@tige.net