Modified: 9/29/98

FirstClass Conferences: Soil Science 230

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Using FirstClass on an InfoLab computer| Top of Page| Bottom of Page

The "client" software for FirstClass should be installed on all InfoLab computers throughout campus. Launch by opening the settings file: FirstClass-DoIT. This will call up the correct server at the UW-Madison Department of Instructional Technology (DoIT). If you cannot locate the FirstClass program, ask the InfoLab assistants for help or call the DoIT Help Desk:

24-hour Help Desk support is available to your students and they are encouraged to call DoIT's Help Desk at 4-HELP. If the Help Desk cannot help them, a call will be opened and assigned to me for followup.

Using FirstClass on my own computer| Top of Page| Bottom of Page

You will need three things to use FirstClass on your own computer.

The modem and WiscWorld give you access to the Internet and the FirstClass "client" software allows you to communicate with the "server" computer that hosts the computer discussion. You can purchase the FirstClass "client" software at DoIT Product Sales (ground level as you enter the Computer Science Building from Dayton Street) for $1.50 which includes the Usage Guide and the Reference Card. If you want save yourself the cost and time purchasing the software from DoIT, download the FirstClass "client" software at the following WWWeb site:

FirstClass: Download

Follow the FirstClass "client" software installation instructions. You can launch FirstClass directly or you can configure Netscape so that you can launch FirstClass from the Web site. The site also provides instructions for configuring Netscape or other web browsers to launch FirstClass.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Entering Your Conference | Top of Page| Bottom of Page

  1. Locate the "FirstClass-DoIT" settings file on the computer you are using and open. This launches the FirstClass client program on your computer and connects your computer with the DoIT server.

  2. A login dialog window will appear, requesting your LOGIN ID and TEMPORARY Password. Enter your 10-digit student ID number as the LOGIN ID. Enter your birthdate in MMDDYY format (Example: April 3, 1967 would be 040367, without a - or /.) as your TEMPORARY Password.

  3. Once you connect, a split window will appear. Conference folders, each password protected, appear on the upper half and a series of messages appear on the lower half. Some of the messages list the participant names for the 10 conferences. You will be allowed only in the conference folder for your designated conference.

  4. Change your TEMPORARY password

  5. Read the messages that list conference membership, general conference guidelines, and the specific agenda for the current weekly conference. The weekly conference agenda will always appear in the general conference (the one you enter upon logging in) and not in the individual conference folders.

  6. Open your designated conference by clicking on the folder with your conference number. Once inside, you can send messages to your group that can be read only by members of your conference, the teaching assistant assigned to monitor your conference or the instructor.

Documentation for FirstClass| Top of Page| Bottom of Page

We no longer provide printed Usage Guides for distribution to your students. Direct students to our website, particularly Documentation and Frequently-Asked Questions. This same information is also posted on the FirstClass server in the HELP conference.

Student Training Classes| Top of Page| Bottom of Page

If you would like to make training arrangements for your students, contact Penny Haselwander, DoIT Professional Training Education, 5-4615, phaselwa@doit.wisc.edu. There is no charge for this service.

FirstClass Conference & Network Use Policy| Top of Page| Bottom of Page

The conference leader is advised that electronic conversation is different from verbal conversation because it retains the identity of the participant. It is imperative that privacy be maintained if conference information is shared. Participants must agree in advance that conference information can be shared for educational purposes.

The conference leader will advise the participants that names of participants registered in the conference may be released in group lists posted on their conference for the purpose of dividing participants into smaller groups for discussion.

At the start of the electronic conference, the conference leader will advise the participants that they are not allowed to give out their userid and password, and that they must change their default password.

The conference leader will inform participants that they will be operating under the Policy Governing Use of Networks at UW-Madison.

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