Here's a few little bits 'n' bobs that just might make using the browser version of FirstClass a tad better... not much better y'understand - but a bit! I'm not a miracle worker... you people... honestly!!! :o)

1.  Create desktop shortcuts via the client

If you're using the browser version, but have a copy of the client installed elsewhere, spend a bit of time in the client setting up desktop shortcuts.

When you next use the browser to get access to FirstClass, your most commonly used conferences will only be a click away.

2.  Add links in your browser

In my version of Internet Explorer, I've set up some links to the FirstClass servers I use. This means that I don't have to type in horribly complicated addresses each time, and I get to change servers easily while I'm online.

The URLs of the FirstClass servers are as follows:

Server 1 - http://oufcnt1.open.ac.uk
Server 2 - http://oufcnt2.open.ac.uk
Server 3 - http://oufcnt3.open.ac.uk

Just add them to your favourites in the folder "Links" and they'll appear at the top of Internet Explorer, ready for you to click!

3.  Find out who's online

If you want to find out who's online open up a chat session, and click on invite. All the people currently online (and not on "do no accept chat requests") will be listed.

If you're searching the directory, and a person's name is in bold... then that too means they are online. However, the chat method gives a straightforward list, which is a lot easier.

4.  Be careful when replying

If you quote back someone's message (which is good practice) in your reply, then unlike via the client where the quoted part is clearly identifiable in grey, the quoted text will have ">" marks in front of each line.

To clarify where their text ends and yours begins always put a couple of returns in between lines... this helps minimize confusion, especially in complex replies.

For example:

Joe Bloggs,oufcnt2.open.ac.uk wrote:
> This is a message from Joe Bloggs
> to which a a reply from within
> the FirstClass browser will be demonstrated,

Yup!. Always separate out lines of text using a blank line.

> showing how to keep different contributors
> lines free from getting confused.

Hope so, it's very easy to tangle up your message
within someone else's posting, using the browser!!

Love in a "clear as mud" kinda way
Sarah

Phewie! If I hadn't used a clear line space, then it would have been terribly difficult to see who said what! At least this way, everything stays clearly defined... even if it does take up more space on the page!!

5.  Don't be scared to snip!

When you reply to a posting using the browser, the whole of the message is quoted back... don't be frightened to delete out the bits that aren't relevant to your reply. If you're chopping out a large section type in "<snip>" to indicate where a chunk has been lopped out!

6.  Be aware of the browser's limitations

If you're using the browser version of FirstClass because you don't think it's worth installing the client... believe me... it is worth installing! Even if just to make using the browser version a bit better.

There are many things the browser simply cannot do. Don't dismiss the usefulness of FirstClass just because of the browser's limitations!!

If you never use the browser to access FirstClass, be a bit sympathetic to people who do use the browser. For example, try to start each line of your reply, where you've quoted text, on a new line - it can get very confusing to browser users if you don't!! Also, don't use tiny fonts - browser users just cannot read what you've written!

7.  Use a zip program for multiple file attachments

Because you can only attach one file at a time using the browser, get hold of a zip utility... pop all the files you want to attach into a single zip file... and add them to your message.

Simple!

8.  Know where the handy stuff is

The main conferences for FirstClass are going to be your course/tutor conferences... but things like the LTS Helpdesk and the main Open University area shouldn't be ignored! Look out for these click on them... and start exploring.

If you find a conference worth re-visiting (particularly handy areas are OUSA Live and OUSA Study Rooms)... then add it to your bookmarks/favorites folder. Next time you want to look at it, just click on the shortcut, put in your OU username and password - and you'll be straight there!

9.  Speed up your access to conferences

The option for only viewing unread messages is perfect for you if you're accessing FirstClass using your web browser. Go into 'Preferences' from the main FirstClass window, scroll down to 'Viewing', set 'Do not show items that have been read' to 'Yes' and only the messages you haven't already seen will appear... saves masses of pointless scrolling and time waiting for a screen to load up:

NB: For this change to take effect you must save the change in the Preferences window, close down your browser and log back in again. The change doesn't just happen straight away!

10.  Always close down your browser!!!

Last but definitely not least... never forget to shut down your browser once you've finished using FirstClass - especially if you were using someone else's computer at the time. If you don't, then it is quite easy for someone to fradulently use your account - they just use the back button on the browser, and they'll get in!

	To log out, click on the "Logout" button which lives towards the left hand side of the top navigation bar. If you successfully log out using this, then the next screen you see will tell you you've logged off FirstClass. If it doesn't work, then make sure that you shut down your web browser!
Logout button		Successful logoff from FirstClass

BE SECURITY CONSCIOUS!!!