# Installation Instructions of SPoRT Training Module

This is a Flash based training module created from a set of Power Point
slides. Because it is Flash based, it can be viewed over the internet
via a web browser that has the Adobe Flash plug-in. However, the Flash
file sizes of the individual pages can be too large for efficient
playback at NWS WFOs due to the bandwidth between regional head quarters
and individual offices. Therefore, it's [strongly recommended that a
"download" version of the training module be placed on your local
system]{.underline}. Viewing the module via the internet, a local drive,
and an intranet were tested at a WFO.

Users who have the Flash Player 10 plug-in may need to obtain an updated
file to get previously download versions of the module to run. The new
Flash Player 10 was not properly recognized by files made with
Articulate Presenter 5. This has been corrected and a new file placed on
the NASA/SPoRT website. If you have already used the "Flash 10 Updater"
from Articulate, you have likely fixed this problem with all of your
locally download Presenter files. Some browsers may require you to clear
your cache in order to view the updated versions of your presentations.

**If you view the module via the download file**, it should be placed in
a single location on a shared drive of the local system or on the
intranet. You likely already have a central location that houses much of
the WFO training materials, such as items from groups like WTDB, COMET,
or VISIT. The intranet option is preferred because it did not require a
change to the "Global Security Settings" of the Flash player for each
individual user.

**Download option 1 (Recommended)- For using the local intranet to link
to the training module:**

-   Place the entire folder and all its sub contents into a directory
    accessible by the intranet. The sub contents include:

    -   data folder

    -   player folder

    -   launcher.html

    -   player.html

-   Add a link to the "launcher.html" file from the office training page
    on your intranet.

    -   This will launch the player of the module in the optimal size
        window as opposed to directly linking to the "player.html" file.

-   Depending on the intranet security and individual user security
    settings, each user may have to allow for pop-ups by either:

    -   temporarily allowing pop-ups during the session

> or

-   adding to your Pop-up Blocker Settings the local intranet site
    address in the "Allowed Sites:" section

**Download option 2 - For a shared drive:**

-   Place the entire folder and all its sub contents into a shared
    location. The sub contents include:

    -   data folder

    -   player folder

    -   launcher.html

    -   player.html

-   Double click on the launcher.html to start

    -   This will launch the player of the module in the optimal size
        window as opposed to directly linking to the "player.html" file.

-   While the player will seem to be functioning and you can hear audio
    from the training module, a window with a warning may appear asking
    you to go to the Adobe website to change the Global Security
    Settings. See appendix A for a detailed explanation of why this is
    necessary (same issue as "download" versions of Flash modules from
    places like COMET or WDTB)

    -   Click the "settings" button in the window which opens a browser
        to the Adobe site.

    -   Make sure the radio button setting is either "Always ask" or
        "Always allow".

    -   Click the "Edit locations" pull down within the browser window
        section showing the "Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager" and
        the "Global Security Settings" tab

    -   Click "Add location"

    -   Click "browse folder" to find the folder where the SPoRT module
        is located and then hit "OK"

-   Close the browser and restart the module

-   Optional:Check the ActiveX control settings for your browser

    -   While there have not been problems with the ActiveX control
        settings during testing, this is another issue that could arise
        on some systems. See the tech note in Appendix B taken from the
        COMET support page regarding this issue if you need help or
        details.

**If you view it via the web**, either at the WFO or otherwise, you will
need to change your pop-up blocker settings to either:

-   temporarily allow pop-ups during the session

> or

-   add to your Pop-up Blocker Settings "\*.msfc.nasa.gov" in the
    "Allowed Sites:"

**APPENDIX A -- Adobe Global Security Settings for Flash**

\"Enhanced security measures\" in Adobe Flash Player Version 8/9 *may*
cause problems in local playback of Flash files (this does not affect
files launched from a server). Specifically, clicking links that open
new windows with JavaScript commands embedded within the Flash file will
not open the window or link at all. The same issue applies to
"downloads" or CDs from The COMET Program, and likely from WTDB as well.
A similar tech note as is found on COMET modules is used here (with
minor modification to wording) to describe the issue.

This problem can be solved by making some minor changes to your
settings. Please visit the [Adobe support
site](http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/flash/articles/fplayer8_security_print.html)
for an illustrated explanation of how to reconfigure the Flash [*Global
Security Settings
Panel*](http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager04.html)
to allow access to whatever drive or filesystem these local (download)
versions have been installed. Note: You MUST have an Internet connection
to update your Flash settings as this problem can only be corrected
while online with the Adobe Website. These problems do NOT occur with
Flash Player 7 and earlier and may be related to whether the user has
previously modified the default local Flash Player default permissions.

**APPENDIX B -- Active X controls for Internet Explorer 6/7 on Windows
XP**

Users of the download versions of web modules using Internet Explorer
6/7 on a PC with Windows XP, Service Pack 2 (and also with Windows
Vista) will also need to allow ActiveX controls to run from the local
hard disk (wherever you installed the download) or from the
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive from which you are viewing archive discs. SPoRT Web
modules use the Adobe Flash Player to enrich your multimedia experience.
All browsers except for Internet Explorer use a plug-in for this
functionality. Internet Explorer uses ActiveX controls versions of the
Flash Player. Due to more stringent security measures implemented by
Service Pack 2, most users will get a warning or error message alerting
them to the fact that an application is trying to use an ActiveX control
from a local disc and is being blocked by default. If you do not allow
this access, Flash-based Web modules will not run; however, in a
corporate or government computing environment, individual users may not
have permission to change this setting unless they have
\"Administrator\" level computer permissions. Individuals in those
computing environments should coordinate this activity with management
and their IT department. To enable ActiveX controls in files on hard
disc and from CD ROM (applies only to computers running Windows XP,
Service Pack 2), click \"Tools/Internet Options/Advanced\" and scroll
down to \"Security.\" Click the checkboxes for allowing ActiveX on CD
and in files on My Computer (click the Apply and OK buttons, then exit).
Please realize that other downloaded software and CD-DVD ROMs could
contain \"hostile\" ActiveX controls that could damage your system so
you might prefer to uncheck the checkboxes when viewing html content
from other sources.