2.5.1 Installing BSCW applets

If you use a Web browser with full support for JDK 1.1, you may install and use two BSCW applets that complement and extend the functionality of the HTML-based user interface:

• JBrowser, the optional BSCW Explorer (see section 3.2.1) or
• Monitor, the synchronous group awareness tool (see section 5.3)

JBrowser and Monitor are both implemented as Java applets. In order to cut bandwidth requirements and download time, both are installed locally with your Web browser when you first try to start them. When you use several different Web browsers to work with BSCW, the applets are installed separately with each suitable Web browser when you first click    or    in this browser's window.

Requirements

To install and to run JBrowser or Monitor, your Web browser needs to

• interpret JavaScript,
• fully support JDK 1.1,
• support local installation of Java applets (Navigator: 'Smart Update' or 'Auto-Install').

Netscape Navigator (Version 4.06 or better), MS Internet Explorer (Version 4.0 (SP 1) or better) and other Web browsers for Windows and Unix platforms meet these requirements.

In addition, some free disk space is needed on your system:

JBrowser:

• ca. 2,3 MB if installed with Navigator,
• ca. 4 MB if installed with Internet Explorer.

Monitor:

• ca. 0.2 MB if installed with Navigator,
• ca. 1.2 MB if installed with Internet Explorer.

Installation

Installing JBrowser or Monitor is a two-step process: In the first step the necessary Java classes and components are downloaded. In the second step the ressources are actually installed.

• Make sure you have JavaScript and Java enabled in your Web browser.
• Click    or    on the top button bar of your    Folder

to start the installation of JBrowser or Monitor, respectively.

A Web browser window will indicate which ressources are being downloaded. Depending on the configuration of your local system, you may be prompted for permission to download each file separately.

During installation your Web browser may inform you that there is a moderate risk involved in downloading and installing the software. When the applet is invoked from a BSCW server, you are even warned of a high risk involved when your machine communicates with another over the network.
The BSCW project team has done everything in their power to make it safe for your system to install and run the BSCW Monitor applet.

Note:

If you install JBrowser or Monitor with the Netscape Navigator, you need to restart the program before the applets can be started.