Having problems with using your own personal computer
to access your materials or don't know what computing equipment and programs
you need?
Don't panic! You should find the help you want here.
Follow this link for more information about viruses.
Follow this link for information about spyware.
From the Windows Start menu, select Windows Update.
Check for any instructions on the web page from which you are downloading the software. If you are installing software from CD-ROM, check for any instructions on the CD-ROM or any printed matter that came with it.
For example, do you have a firewall program installed on your computer? If so, do you know how to adjust its settings to allow you full access to FLO? If you have just bought a computer, check with the supplier what internet related software is installed on it. If you share a computer, check with other users what internet related software they may have downloaded. To adjust the settings in the software check the documentation for that program. Documentation may come in several forms:
Follow this link to check these requirements for FLO.
To use FLO effectively on your computer it's vital that you are using a recommended web browser with its settings for Java, cookies and cache correct. For instructions on how to this, you can go to the Browser tune-up page.
The biggest problem you might have is remembering your FAN (Flinders Authentication Name) and password to login to iFlinders or FLO. Keeping them written down in a safe place is the best solution. If you do forget your username or password, contact the FLO Student Help Desk.
There's a good chance that your problem and its suggested solution appears in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) web page.
A popup blocker is a software utility that is used to prevent unwanted advertisements that "pop up" in small windows in front of the web browser window you are using at the time. However, some material in FLO, such as discussion forum messages, lecture notes and readings may also open in another window. An active popup blocker may prevent these legitimate windows from opening.
A popup blocker not only occurs as a unique computer program, but may be found as a utility in other areas:
If a popup blocker is interfering with your use of FLO you will need to adjust its settings or disable it temporarily.
A firewall is a program that protects your computer from offensive websites and hackers while you are connected to the internet. For example, a home computer may use a program such as Zone Alarm Pro or Norton's Internet Security, a suite of programs that includes a firewall. In a workplace, if a computer is connected to a network, the firewall may set up by the organisation's computer support staff.
Firewalls can block access to FLO. For example, when go to access the FLO login page your web browser displays an error page, "page is unavailable" or "cannot be displayed".
If you are having this problem you most likely need to adjust the settings on your firewall program to allow you access to FLO. If you're using a computer in the workplace, you may need to consult with the organisation's computer support staff.
Visit the Browser Tune-up tips & troubleshooting web page. As well as running the browser tune up, you can get some advice on fixing web browser problems with FLO.
If you can't find a solution to your FLO problem, please contact the FLO Student Help Desk.
If you are having general internet problems, such as not being able to connect to the internet, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Put the telephone number or web address for your ISP support somewhere handy for quick access.
To study online you will need regular access to:
All of these facilities are available for students on campus at any of the libraries and in the faculty computing labs for students.
Guidelines are provided below if you would like to set up your own online study facilities. Our recommendations are for minimum and preferred standards for equipment and software.
You will still be able to do your work online if you have an earlier model computer or modem, but you may be frustrated by slow modem and Internet connections or a computer with slow processing speeds or limited memory.
We recommend a Pentium desktop or laptop computer, or a Macintosh Imac, Powerbook or Pro computer, with a minimum of
If you do not already have a connection to the Internet, you will need to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
The ISP will connect you to the Internet. Most ISPs will also provide you with a web browser and E-mail program. Your ISP should also provide you with instructions on setting up your computer, modem and software to get online. It is worth 'shopping around' for the best ISP deal you can find.
A list of ISP's in Australia is available from the Web at http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc-plan.cfm. You can also look in the Yellow Pages directory under "Internet Access Providers".
Your modem will connect your computer to the Internet via a telephone line.
We recommend at least a 56 k modem.
We recommend Microsoft Windows in one of these versions for PCs:
You will also need a web browser (see below)
and the Java plugin.
You may need other software for your studies in different
topics and your lecturer will be able to tell you what you need.
Some of these programs will be free to download onto your computer from the
Internet.
A web browser displays information retrieved from the Internet. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you use the correct browser.
For FLO topics, we recommend that you use:
Cookies Enabled? You need to enable cookies in order to log into FLO. Here are some directions for enabling cookies for most popular browser types. If they are not enabled you will keep returning to the login page.
For more information about setting up your web browser with FLO, go to the Browser Tune Up page.
You web browser must have this plugin installed to use FLO. Click this link to go to the Java home page.
Many of the materials available through FLO are in HTML format meaning only a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox will be necessary for viewing. However, some material such as journal articles, book chapters, Power Point slides, Excel worksheets, or Word documents may need special free viewing software. You may download the software at the following sites:
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Microsoft Word viewer Materials requiring the Word viewer end in the extension .doc |
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Microsoft Power Point viewer Materials requiring the Power Point viewer end in the extension .ppt |
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Microsoft Excel viewer Materials requiring the Excel viewer end in the extension .xls |
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Adobe Acrobat Reader Materials requiring the Acrobat viewer end in the extension .pdf |
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Adobe Flash Player
For playing multimedia files that require the Flash player |
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Macromedia Shockwave Player With Macromedia Shockwave Player, you can play multimedia files |
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Quick Time Viewer allows you to view Quick Time Movies |
Windows Media Player comes with Windows, but the correct version for your system can be installed via Windows Update. Windows Update may be selected from your Start menu or via Windows Help.
Most of the web sites you will use will have been designed to be viewed on a minimum of preferably 800 x 600 pixels with images and frames displayed by the browser program.
The adjustment needed to display images and frames will depend on both your computer and browser program settings.
To adjust the screen resolution:
On a 'Windows' PC, go to the 'Control Panel' of your computer. Select 'Display, then 'Settings' and set the desktop area to 800 x 600 pixels or greater. Click on 'OK'.
On a Macintosh, go to the 'Apple Menu' and select 'Control Panel', then select 'Monitors'. You should be able to select 800 x 600 or greater pixels.
- A software utility that is used to prevent unwanted advertisements that "pop up" in small windows in front of the web browser window you are using at the time.
Software that performs actions such as advertising, collection of your information or changing the settings on your computer. These actions are usually done without your consent.